COLUMBUS – With the Ohio State Fair opening next week, Governor Mike DeWine is in favor of efforts to increase the number of state amusement ride inspectors.
Ride safety has drawn increased attention after a 2017 accident at the fair killed a young man thrown from a ride and a young woman died more than a year later from injuries suffered in the accident.
WOSU Public Radio reports that Republican Mike DeWine says he supports Agriculture Director Dorothy Pelanda’s request for more funding in the new budget for her department’s ride safety division. That would pay for more ride inspectors for the fairs, carnivals and amusement parks.
DeWine says he understands concerns about ride safety. He says safety “is the essential function of government.”
Talley Amusements is the new ride vendor for this year’s fair. Pelanda and a team of ride inspectors will be checking out the midway rides on Monday.
The annual state fair runs July 24-Aug. 4.