IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County will eliminate two positions on the county fair board, reducing it from 13 members to 11 — the same as it was three years ago.

The county board approved the change Monday in a 4-1 vote after Chairman Dan Harrington said a 13-member panel makes it “too hard to agree,” adding that no one on the fair board is against it.

Voting no was Commissioner Joe Stevens, who said “a mixed bag” of responses came to him from fair board members. He claimed the county’s action may not be in keeping with the fair board’s bylaws.

“At this time I’m not sure it’s the best thing to do,” he said.

Stevens also said the fair board is “a working board,” and questioned whether trimming its size will add to the burden for remaining members.

Harrington confirmed that all of the current members are contributing, but dismissed concerns about creating a heavier workload.

“You don’t have to be on the fair board to work at the fair,” he said.

The terms of five board members — Liane Arnold, Rob Barkle, Tom Bedard, Ashley Edwards and James Stachowicz — are expiring at the end of the year. In filling those terms, the county board plans to make only three appointments at its Dec. 8 meeting.

Harrington and Commissioner Victoria Jakel hold county board slots on the fair board. Other fair board members are John Gunville, Anthony Grudnoski, Charles Parker, Beth Bray, James DalSanto and Michael Gregg.

As recently as early 2023, the fair board had 11 members, including one county commissioner. The county board then added a second representative, along with another appointee.

Monday’s action came after a fair board meeting Nov. 4 that had political overtones.

During citizens time, Jason Gibbs of Iron Mountain said he was appalled by Harrington’s behavior at the fair board meeting and called upon him to resign.

Commmissioner Peter Swanson interrupted, saying he found Gibbs’ behavior unsuitable.

Meanwhile, Bob Simon of Vulcan said it was inappropriate that the Democratic Party had been chastised at the fair board meeting for not removing booth materials at the end of the fair, even as the Republican Party hadn’t done so, either. All five county board members are Republicans.

During the board’s discretionary time, Jakel offered an apology for the criticism directed at Democrats, saying it wasn’t handled well.

Commissioner Kevin Sullivan said board members try to serve everyone in the community. The chairman must accept “the risk of leadership,” and “it’s a pretty big weight,” he said.

Harrington did not comment.

During the Nov. 4 meeting, the fair board voted unanimously to allow both the Democratic and Republican parties to have booths at the 2026 fair.

Teresa Maycroft of Iron Mountain proposed the Democratic Party be denied space after distributing “8647” key chains at this year’s fair. “I raised the issue, my request was turned down,” she told the county board Monday.

Dickinson Democrats stopped distribution of the key chains after the fair board raised concerns.

In May, it was reported that former FBI director James Comey was being investigated by the Secret Service after he shared a social media post that President Donald Trump alleged was an incitement to violence. Comey posted on Instagram a photo of seashells that spelled the numbers “8647.”

The number 86 is a slang term whose definition was commonly accepted as “to reject” or “to get rid of,” though recent interpretations might suggest violence. Trump is the 47th U.S. president.

Trump had claimed Comey’s post meant assassination. Comey denied any such meaning.

In September, the U.S. Justice Department charged Comey with one count of making false statements and one count of obstruction of justice in connection with his testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee nearly five years ago.

In other action Monday, the county board:

— Voted unanimously to reappoint Robert Lundholm of Breitung Township to a five-year term on the Dickinson County Library Board. Five others also applied — Simon, Colleen Driscoll, Loretta Faymonville, Laura Skrumbellos and Helmi Olson.

— In a 4-1 vote, appointed Richard Lundholm of Norway to a four-year term on the Veterans Service Board. Stevens supported Timothy Griggs. Michael Day of Breitung Township was also an applicant.

— Appointed Ray Broullire of Iron Mountain to a partial term expiring Feb. 28, 2027, on the Dickinson County Planning Commission. Other vacancies remain.

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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.