Ousted Fairground Chief Gets $24,000

The popular Ventura County fairgrounds chief who was forced from his job by a divided fair board will leave with a severance check of $24,000.

Roger Gibbs, 56, had held his $93,000-a-year position for two years.

Under an agreement released Friday, Gibbs agreed not to sue the district over his monthlong paid suspension or his resignation.

The agreement said Gibbs and the fair board had “experienced philosophical differences over the management and operation” of Seaside Park, the 62-acre oceanfront fairgrounds in Ventura.

Gibbs’ supporters say he objected to efforts by several fair board members intent on getting more revenue from the property. They fear those plans would sacrifice such down-home events as stock-car racing and rodeos for attractions like an upscale concert venue.

Gibbs quit his job during the fair board’s Tuesday meeting, saying he would be ineffective working for a board that was split 4 to 4 on whether to retain him.