Olathe – Corn and politics don’t mix – not in Olathe, the unofficial sweet-corn capital of the state. Nasty squabbling over budgets and among board members has fueled widespread rumors that the town’s popular corn festival could be canned.
“It would be an absolutely goofy thing to do,” said corn grower John Harold, a former mayor who started the Olathe Sweet Corn Festival 15 years ago.
In that time, the festival has grown from a small collection of booths to the largest agricultural event on the Western Slope, drawing big-name bands and as many as 20,000 visitors to this town of 1,600 early each August.
But while festivalgoers have been vying to see who can sit on ice blocks the longest, shuck corn the fastest and munch on all the roasted and boiled corn they can eat at this family oriented event, the town of Olathe for much of that time has been shelling out money to keep the festival afloat.
Olathe Town Board member Bob Lindstrom said money has come from the town’s sewer fund to cover $191,000 in corn festival deficits. And he said he thinks it’s high time that money was paid back.
“I don’t think anybody wants the corn festival to go away,” said Lindstrom, the owner of a pizza parlor in Olathe’s one-block downtown. “I guess it’s great for the town, but it’s not great for the bottom line.”
Three new board members elected in April are in Lindstrom’s corner, and that has led to political splits that go much deeper than the roots of the 3,000 acres of sweet corn grown around here.
There have been several resignations at Town Hall. An official protest has been filed over alleged shenanigans in the recent election.
Claims of harassment and threats of lawsuits have phone lines buzzing, while next year’s budget – along with the corn festival funds – is still in limbo.
“It is hard for me to understand how someone can turn something that is so wonderful into something negative. That is puzzling to me,” said Bobbi Sale, who has directed the corn festival since its second year.
Sale works year around to organize the festival and is going ahead with plans for the 16th annual event even as she wonders about its future – and hers.
A question in the recent election asked Olathe voters to authorize the hiring of a town administrator, a position eliminated in 1986. The vote was 130 for to 129 against, and the outcome still hasn’t been finalized by a recount.
Bobbi Sale’s husband, Bill Sale, has served as the town’s director of operations in lieu of having an administrator.
Some Olathe residents said they think the ballot issue is an effort by the newer council members to oust the Sales.
“My thought is it’s a conspiracy to bring down what is being done for the good of this town,” said Al Shriver, a former mayor.
Lindstrom denied that and said the new board majority simply wants to clean up the town and put it in the black.
Bobbi Sale said the next corn festival should do that. Revenue from three of the past four years has brought the festival within $40,000 of breaking even. She pointed out that it also brings in about $50,000 for nonprofits that have concessions at the festival.
Harold said past boards viewed the corn festival as an event more valuable than its bottom line.
The festival put the town on the map with visitors who come from across the country.
In 2000, former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell chose it as one of two Colorado events to include in a folklore preservation project in the Library of Congress.
In 2003, Rand McNally put it on the map as one of the top 10 food events in the country.
Staff writer Nancy Lofholm can be reached at 970-256-1957 or nlofholm@denverpost.com.
