BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Harlee Hutchinson, introduced as the top-ranked candidate at last Thursday’s Bradford County Commission meeting, told commissioners she would bring nonprofit event expertise, community partnerships and a focus on youth agriculture programs to the county’s fairgrounds.
Hutchinson, director of events for the Ronald McDonald House in Gainesville and a Lake Butler resident, outlined her background in marketing, event management, operations and logistics and described herself as “an optimistic realist.” She said having “a positive mindset when trying to achieve any goal is very important,” while also valuing “facts, history and realistic expectations.”
“I have a passion for preserving the future of American agriculture,” Hutchinson told the commission, saying the idea first struck her when she considered joining FFA. She also quoted Theodore Roosevelt to describe her work ethic: “Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be somebody; get action.”
Hutchinson reviewed a string of fundraising events she has coordinated at the Ronald McDonald House, stressing partnerships and careful budgeting. She said the nonprofit runs nine annual events and aims to keep event costs modest because “donors do not want to see their dollars being spent on extravagant event costs.” She cited recent fundraising totals: $22,000 raised at an Audi Gainesville Oktoberfest, $42,000 at a Beyond Bourbon event, and a record $53,000 at a Rock the Runway event.
One of the signature examples she presented was the Red Shoe affair at the University of Florida’s O’Connell Center in August. Hutchinson said the event hosted nearly 800 guests seated at 94 tables and required extensive coordination with vendors, catering and UF regulations. “There was a lot of moving parts,” she said, and the night raised $470,000.
She also highlighted a sporting clays tournament in Graham that drew 107 teams and, she said, raised $250,000. Hutchinson described cultivating sponsors and creative partnerships, including a charitable relationship that resulted in a Bon Jovi guitar and a video message for event guests.
Before joining the Ronald McDonald House, Hutchinson said she served as marketing and events coordinator for Gainesville Harley‑Davidson, where she organized bike rides, vendor relations and yearlong sponsorships. She said those roles taught her traffic and safety management skills used in large rides and public events.
For the Bradford County fairgrounds, Hutchinson described a multi-faceted vision: expand youth leadership, career development and livestock contests year-round for FFA and 4‑H; host trade shows, alumni events and third‑party fundraisers; and improve established community events such as the annual fair, the Strawberry Festival and the Fourth of July bash.
“I think that we could be hosting jackpots, and I think that we could be hosting those leadership and career development events for FFA and 4‑H all year long,” she said, adding that the fairgrounds’ facilities are “much nicer than the places I used to compete in those things at.” She urged cultivating “relationships with community partners, sponsors and buyers,” saying those ties “are going to be an absolute game changer.”
Hutchinson framed the goals in economic terms as well, saying increased fairgrounds activity would bring more visitors to Bradford County “stopping at our gas stations, eating at our restaurants, staying in our hotels.” She said she wants to “build a reputation of excellence through exceptional service, efficient operations and positive relationships.”
She closed by thanking the commission for the chance to present and expressing eagerness for the role. “I am very much looking forward to this opportunity. I am so grateful that you allowed me to present for you tonight, and I look forward to talking with you again,” she said.
Commissioners were enthusiastic about Hutchinson’s presentation, offering their own suggestions, like reviving Bike Fest and prioritizing the reestablishment of the horse arena.
“I would love to see some rodeos going on here too,” Hutchinson said.
Hearing the board’s support, County Manager Scott Kornegay said they would move forward with contract negotiations.
Questions about process
Vyunda Strong, a member of the Fair Board, warned the commission that, as with the prior board, there has been a lack of transparency.
“Don’t play in my face and think I’m stupid, because some of the things that are happening on this Fair Board are just like the last things that happened on the Fair Board. And I’m not going to go along with it. It’s just not going to happen, not with me on there. Now, either we’re going to do things in the Sunshine and above board, or we’re not, and some of the things that are happening right now that are going to come before you tonight have not been above board,” she said prior to the presentation.
The Fair Board had met the prior night, Sept. 24, and the executive committee, including Vice President Brad Thomas, presented Hutchinson as their top-ranked candidate. When Strong inquired about the process and the other candidates involved, Thomas said the executive board had made the decision and offered to discuss it with her privately.
“We have nothing to hide. It’s just not the proper place to discuss that or the professional place to have that discussion here, but it’s an open book. More than happy to sit down with anybody on this board that wants to know any particular questions about the process. Nothing to hide,” he said.
Strong pressed about comparison of qualifications and the ranking system. Thomas said every candidate was asked 15 questions, and their answers scored. The information was not shared with the full board prior to the vote to hire Huthinson, which was approved with two dissenting, including Strong and Greg Alvarez.
