Letter to the community from Sally Symons
February 9, 2016
Dear Eastern Sierra Community,
As some of you may know I recently plead guilty to misappropriating public funds from the Tri-County Fairgrounds. I want to apologize for taking that money from the fairgrounds. I have betrayed the trust of this community, my friends, colleagues, business associates and my family. I am solely responsible for what I did and I take full responsibility for it.
I am truly sorry, embarrassed and horrified by what I have done and what it means to the community that I love so much. I took my dream job, so excited to tackle what lay ahead, and worked at doing what I loved. Then I made the biggest mistake of my life. In doing so I hurt our community, the fair, its staff and Board, the sponsors, volunteers, service groups, youth activities and event partners. If there was a way to personally apologize to each and every one of you, I would. This letter is my attempt to do just that.
I know that this admission and apology do not change what I did, nor the effects of that choice. I simply want to apologize and take responsibility for my actions. Some friends, acquaintances, and members of the community have reached out to me offering kind words and support in spite of my actions. I am incredibly humbled by these amazing people and the support they have given to me and my family. Those individuals, as well as the entire community deserve the truth.
So, I apologize for taking what was not mine from the Fairgrounds, and in turn the community. I am sorry to have put you all through yet another unnecessary and ugly drama and for damaging the trust and fabric of our community. I am taking responsibility for what I have done and will pay my due for those actions.
Finally, I believe that the Tri-County Fairgrounds is one of the greatest assets of our area. My actions should not be taken as a reflection of the fairgrounds. As participants, volunteers, sponsors, donors, competitors, spectators and event organizers, your support, whatever its form, matters. The Fair needs this community and the community needs the fair. I struggle to put into words the regret and remorse I have regarding what I have done. And it makes me incredibly sad to know that I cannot be a part of the fairgrounds future successes after so many years of great memories and events there for me and my family. I am so, so, sorry.
Respectfully,
Sally Symons
There are so many forgiving and lovely people here in the Owens Valley. I’m proud to live here….
We all have made mistakes, no one knows why she did it and at this point it is over with. Now pay back the money, accept the judgement that is given by the courts. As for moving? That is going to far. I really think this should be over with… Read more »
We love you anyway Sally!
JEREMY: You should be ashamed!
Why should I be ashamed? I did not do the criminal act of stealing from the good people of this area and the Tri County fair. Your statement should be directed to the author of the letter. ADW makes a great point, it was no mistake. I stand by my… Read more »
Jeremy….simple answer….it’s because of your mouth,not what you might or might not have done in your life….who are you to be telling anyone to move or leave ?…if you and others “will never be able to see Ms. Symons in the same light”,and maybe think it’s “best for your children”if… Read more »
She still needs to do jail time just as the prior individual did. A letter does not make it right.
First, it took a lot of courage by Ms. Symons to come forward and write this apology to the community. I can’t imagine the humiliation and embarrassment she is facing. However, this issue will never become a teaching moment for other community members with fiduciary responsibilities or as an ethics… Read more »
ADW- You forgot the pound of flesh.
I base my comments on what I would do had I chose to steal from those who trusted me, got caught and then had to make it right. My mother said, “Actions speak louder than words.” An apology is a starting point.
It would be easier to forgive had she been overcome with guilt and came forward on her own volition to report the theft BEFORE it was discovered. Her apology would be more meaningful had she simply admitted what she did was wrong and is willing to face the consequences. By… Read more »
I appreciate that she didn’t try to make excuses. She made a bad mistake (who hasn’t?) and owned up to it. She can move on, Jeremy, right there where she lives. No need to move away.
All of you forgivers, saying she made a (singular) bad mistake are fooling yourselves…the theft was spread out over a YEAR, probably at least a dozen times, so this would equate to making a DOZEN mistakes, probably more . The previous articles stated she took the money from ATM’s, correct… Read more »
Rick OB “Forgiveness” isn’t an emotion one feels. It’s an agreement one makes with their own self. I personally “forgive” any and all who ask, simply because I would like to live in peace with everyone, and myself especially. If I carry around bitterness for someone I don’t even know,… Read more »
Barrack Hussain Obama’s last year in office.
And the word of the day is “Forgiveness” .
I don’t think so.
How About “REVENGE” .
: )
@ Nationalist what is that supposed to mean? We’re all discussing a local’s apology letter, and you’re way off topic here.
Are you making loose “threats” to people?
Nationalist, the best “revenge” is doing better.
Nationalist….you and your kind better hope to throw up something a lot better than a Trump,Cruz or Rubio in the coming November election,or you’ll be wishing President Obama was still in office come 2017…but maybe not….that way,giving you all something to bitch about for ANOTHER 4 or 8 years and… Read more »
That took a lot of courage to admit your wrong-doing, and to apologize publicly. It was the right thing to do. And I’ll accept your apology. I forgive you for everything. I hope your consequences for what you have done help you to grow as a person, and my family… Read more »
Hang in there Sally, like others have said…………we’ve all made mistakes
When will she be writing the reimbursement check?
Sorry…? Sorry she got caught. This was not a one time mistake. She took the $$$ over a period of a year. That to me, says she was driven by nothing but greed. And we all deserve to see her doing the perp walk (in chains and orange stripes) when… Read more »
accepted….nice to see someone own-up to a mistake this day and age…when I dealt with Ms. Symons when I was running a booth at the fair she was always very nice with us….
Apology accepted.
We all make mistakes, I know I have, you owned it, blamed no one but yourself, took responsibility, have and will, grow from it, rock on my friend.
Rest assured, my friendship and support has never wavered. No worries ??
Im glad she wrote this letter. I have much more respect and forgiveness for her now.I wish her and her family the best.
Nice note, but it’s best if you leave the area. You have done far too much damage for anyone to trust you or even consider hiring you for any other job. Please, for the best of the community, the fairgrounds, and our children, move on. Thank you.
Jeramy….no right to tell anyone to move on and leave an area…
Jeremy has a right to say anything he wants. He stated his opinion. You may disagree. You have no right telling him not to speak his mind.
Paco……maybe so,,,,kinda like he’s got the “right” to say someone should move and leave the area ?……if that is someone’s “opinion”,maybe best to keep it to themselves,…stupid thing for anyone to say or be trying to tell someone to do…
I think when someone gets caught doing something like this, it is almost never the first time they have done it, just the first time they have been caught. Maybe it was the first, probably not.