With new leadership, the Fairhaven Old Settlers’ committee is making sure rules are followed by their town representatives. In the past, committee members were more flexible with their royalty on abiding by the rules. The current committee felt that this didn’t give the best representation to the town. “In the past, we have had problems,” said Sheryl Miller, the new queen committee chair. “When I took over I said that these rules were going to be enforced.” Miller carried through on her promise Tuesday, July 8, when Fair Haven queen, Crystal Dorman was removed from her position. Dorman was seen smoking at work and in her car. Mere weeks after Dorman was crowned, Miller was called by many concerned Fair Haven residents, saying that they had seen Dorman smoking. Miller and another committee member also witnessed her smoking. Miller consulted the committee about the tobacco situation with Dorman. The committee told Miller that she was in charge of the royalty and she should do what needed to be done. They also wanted good representation for their community. Miller called a meeting with the current royalty and their parents. Each girl was asked to bring her sash and crown to the meeting. They were told that they would learn how to care for their sashes and crowns. Miller said, “It was something that I couldn’t tell [Dorman] over the phone.” At the meeting, Miller told Dorman, princess Teresa Erickson and Miss Congeniality Chelsey Wipper what the board decided. She asked Dorman to turn in her crown and sash. Dorman was surprised and a bit shocked. “I know that I was not supposed to smoke,” said Dorman. “But I thought that the rules were only during functions.” Dorman explained that she is 18-years-old and that she wasn’t doing anything illegal. “I feel pretty bad about [the situation],” said Dorman. “I thought that I could make Fair Haven a better town.” During her short reign, Dorman represented the town at one parade – Annandale’s Fourth of July event. She was disappointed with the committee’s decision. “My dad wanted me to run [for the Fair Haven Old Settler’s Day queen],” said Dorman. “He died three years ago and I fulfilled his request. The judges picked me over the seven other great girls.” After removing the title from Dorman, the committee ap-pointed Erickson to the queen position. Miller then reviewed the other contestants’ scores. Jodine Lemke was the third-place contender and was asked to be Fair Haven’s new princess. She accepted. A fair warning Miller explained that the first rule imposed on candidates running for Fair Haven Old Settlers’ Day queen explicitly stated, “The use or possession of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs will be grounds for forfeiture of crown and position.” “Each girl was given a copy of these rules with their application,” said Miller. Miller reiterated the rules throughout the girls’ candidacy to both parents and contestants. At one meeting, Miller invited anyone with questions or concerns about the rules to call her. “No one called,” Miller said. Aware that Dorman was a smoker, Miller recalled taking her aside and asking her to be cautious and remember the rule. “This rule has been a rule for at least 20 years,” said Miller. “[The contestants] knew straight out that I was going to enforce the rules … [Dorman] didn’t smoke at any parade or any event. It just so happened, you don’t know where committee members will be or what they will see. I told her I was sorry.” Erickson, Wipper and Lemke will represent the town for the next year. They will attend parades and events as Fair Haven royalty. “I think this group will do just as good of a job [representing Fair Haven],” Miller said.
