1957: East County Fair Opens To Thousands

According to the Spring Valley Bulletin, here's what was happening in your community this week in 1957:

– On June 11, a vote was to be held to determine if the Board of Directors of the Grossmont Hospital District would be allowed to spend a substantial sum of treasury funds on upgrades to the hospital. The Board wanted to spend $437,500 of funds in the treasury to add new beds, building modifications, furniture and alterations to some of the hospital’s wings.

The Board said in addition to the use of the treasury funds, an application was filed for aid from the state and federal government in the amount of $1.2 million. The funds on hand and the $1.2 million in aid would allow the additions to be made without having to burden taxpayers.

– The 5th annual East San Diego County Fair was officially opened. Mayor Hamilton Judy cut the ribbon that stretched across the entrance to the fair and invited all East County residents to visit. The fair featured a large tent with merchandise for sale and a smaller tent that housed sheep, goats, pigs and steers. About 6,000 people attended opening day and 10,000 people were expected to visit over the weekend. Parking lots in the area were completely full and Boy Scouts equipped with flash lights served as parking guides.

Contests for best sheep and pig were judged at 6 p.m., “six young beauties” joined John Calvert to put on a magic show at 8 p.m. followed by the semi-final baking awards. The fair was sponsored by the El Cajon Junior Chamber of Commerce.

– The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved $1 million in annual payroll raises for the 1957-58 fiscal year. The County Civil Service Commission recommended the salary ordinance, which was based on the Kroger report prepared a year earlier for the County.  $120,000 of the $1 million served as pay raises to current employees under “longevity pay scales.”  $22,000 was to be used as pay raises for the County’s 63 full-time employees not covered by civil service.

The largest single raise went to the jury commissioner and increased his monthly salary from $105 to $805. Many employees were dismayed to learn those already earning the highest wages were to receive larger increases than lower paid employees.