City Hall non-transparency yet again: Independent downtown businesses negatively impacted by Saturday farmers market street closing.
Mulberry House Antiques and "an encroaching Farmers Market.
As a Twitter friend suggests, we might look regionally to other successful examples of a farmers market for useful clues as to the constructive fostering of cooperation.
His example is Bloomington, Indiana. Note first that in Bloomington, the farmers market is operated by the parks department.
Then, expanding this example, ponder an advisory board in New Albany representing not only vendors and customers, but downtown merchants. The point is constantly made hereabouts that the presence of the farmers market is a boon to downtown merchants. That's plausible, and if so, wouldn't inter-relatedness be enhanced by including merchants in the loop of communications?
People say I'm a dreamer.
But I'm not the only one.
About the Farmers' Market Advisory Council
The Farmers' Market Advisory Council consists of nine members representing two groups, Market customers and Market vendors. The Council acts in an advisory capacity to the Board of Park Commissioners and Park staff on policy matters relating to the Farmers' Market.
Meetings are usually held at 5:15 p.m. the third Monday of each month in the Parks and Recreation Department Conference Room, located in Suite 250 at 401 N. Morton St. in City Hall. Advisory Council meetings are open to the public.
6 comments:
Having went again this morning, I paid close attention to items that were listed as top complaints.
- I did not see any entrances to businesses blocked by merchants vehicles, trailers, etc.
- visitors to the farmers market were looking in almost every storefront, many trying to go into the antique shops, etc, meeting locked doors.
- the registration tags to the Majority of the vendors vehicles were southern Indiana counties, Floyd, Clark, Washington, Harrison. Two were Jefferson county, Kentucky.
- toast on market had many people going in there from the farmers market.
- WHAS 11 was broadcasting live, with the reporter stating how nice it was with a good selection of early vegetables, herbs, cheeses, meats, fresh eggs, etc.
- Walkers BBQ greens and field beans were, as usual amazing, and they still won't give me the recipes.
- no crosswalks were blocked, and navigating downtown by both foot and car was trouble free. (Again parked on Spring several blocks away and walked. Then drove back on to home via market street.
- it was rather busy with many people before the rain set in, and a social media pic and post brought quite a few coworkers and friends down there.
This should be embraced by downtown merchants, not vilified. When opportunity knocks, one shouit , unlock and open the doors and take advantage of it, not chide it and claim it's a hinderence. There was a lot of money and goods changing hands: if someone else is going to prime the well in your backyard, you may as well try to fill your bucket....
Obviously they made some changes from last week when there were blockages. You keep acting like this is about being against the FM. Its not. It's the lack of communication from the city to affected business owners about the changes during the construction. The city just seems "to do" and not ask/coordinate beforehand. Why?
IMH: Actually, no, I am not acting like it's against the farmers market, I don't think that at all.
What I am trying to point out is that our downtown is good, yes it *could* be better, but it is good. Nice local businesses, several of which sell my family members locally created arts and crafts. Very good restaurants.
I am commenting as a means to counter all of the negativity surrounding everything that's done in this city, and how of this is done it's "against" this group of people, if something isn't done exactly when some people want it, it's to spite a group of people.
I have been rather successful at "small business" ventures, but that is not my calling in life. But I know enough to say the businesses need to take advantage of changes, mishaps, etc.
We, as a community, should be celebrating what we have here, not constantly broadcasting negativity
I'm glad that we agree on the many positives of New Albany. Still, you ignore the persistent lack of communication from the city, especially when that lack of communication leads to "harm". Yes, perhaps, at times, it only harms one or two but is a lbit of communication too high of a price? These businesses were not complaining about the market, it was the changes that were not discussed with them and no time to adjust to take advantage of the strong positives that you point out.
And it's the same problem that's been there with pretty much every administration since Shepard Whitman.
Many silent businesses in the downtown area survived, and thrived 30, 40, even 50 years and only closed shop because of the age of the owners.
And honestly, what could be expected when the administration is made an enemy, not just a political adversary, but an enemy?
IMH, I have been either quasi-government or state government employee/mananger for a very long time. And I can tell you, action simply cannot be taken in every instance based on the *wants* of a few, unless of course you wish to have tax money paying for lawsuits instead of moving forward.
I get the frustration, I really do. But I also understand enough to know that the way things have been will not improve until there is less bitterness and less vitriol.
Gahan has created a culture of secretiveness and cowardice within city govt. He disdains the public he is supposed to serve and all who surround him, including mindless council members such as Shirley Baird who continue to espouse the party line. You will never get a Farmers Market advisory Committee because Gahan wants no one outside his circle to have any input on public policy.
Roger's point is well taken, this is just another example of how Dick tater (as in Farmer's taters) Gahan continues his reign of error. You don't need an advisory committee, all you need is a resounding no to Gahan on election day.
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