Former Expo CEO Speaks Out

The fair board fired Bjorklund on Tuesday, after it was discovered Big Splash Water Park had not paid any of its rent for 2007.

Wednesday, July 2nd 2008, 5:42 pm

By: News On 6

The former CEO of Expo Square is speaking out. Rick Bjorklund tells The News On 6 he's proud of the progress made at the Tulsa County Fairgrounds during his tenure.

The fair board fired Bjorklund on Tuesday, after it was discovered Big Splash Water Park had not paid any of its rent for 2007 and that a check for half of its 2006 rent had gone uncashed.

Bjorklund declined to talk on-camera, but when asked if it was his decision to allow Big Splash to not pay the rent and keep a $68,000 check in the Expo Square accounting office for two years he responded:

"We make conscious decisions, good or bad, that we believe are in the best interests of our tenants. Sometimes those decisions are good, sometimes they are bad and we have to own up to whatever we decide," said Bjorklund.

County commissioners won't say exactly why Bjorklund was fired calling it a personnel matter.

The board also suspended Expo Square's comptroller, Preston Jackson, for two weeks.

07/01/2008 - Bjorklund's Past Successful, Yet Controversial