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| Got tomatoes? |
Let's see if I have this straight.
Business owners who have invested in downtown New Albany with the reasonable expectation of a level playing field, and who conduct their transactions all year-round, observe that temporary unannounced street changes necessitated by a politically-motivated farmers market capital improvement project -- one not once discussed or vetted publicly in any coherent way -- interferes with their operations on a profitable day of the week.
They follow the instructions handed down to them from above, and make space in their work day to come to the Board of Works (it not being an option to hold meetings any other time than mornings on a Tuesday, or to communicate with the public in any other manner) so as to make this point: In the absence (yet again) of transparency and communication, and while not questioning the utility of the farmers market itself, why are year-round bricks 'n' mortar merchants inconvenienced for the sake of businesses (i.e., the farmers) that are located outside the city?
It's hardly hoisting the black flag: Shouldn't they have been part of the conversation, and shouldn't they have been informed?
The board chews its cud for a week, and then predictably, instead of providing answers to the earnest questions asked, it expresses outrage at being inconvenienced, and abruptly transforms the requests into a referendum on the farmers market itself. The usual suspects are assembled to pledge fealty, denounce the interlopers, and provide vapid theater of the absurd. The Democratic party chairman takes notes, better to bring Redevelopment onto the side of "fundamentally better" conformity.
Not only is this entire charade intellectually dishonest -- and I risk insulting the word "intellectual" by connecting it with a politicized appendage like the board of works -- but it speaks to the core vindictiveness of the Gahan administration.
There'll never be a "zero-budget" consideration of top-down assumptions, which if questioned, will result in the discrediting of the questioner (see: Dan Coffey vs. Diane Benedetti in the 5th).
The only thing missing at yesterday's by-the-numbers show trial was Warren Nash selling popcorn and admission tickets, with a percentage of the proceeds going directly to Jeff Gahan's re-election fund.
Perhaps Antiques Attic can purchase penance by paying its Temerity Tax directly to the mayor.
Board gives vote of confidence to New Albany Farmers Market, by Chris Morris (Repel the Interlopers Digest)
NEW ALBANY — The New Albany Farmers Market isn’t going anywhere — at least not for the next nine weeks.
The New Albany Board of Public Works and Safety gave the market a vote of confidence Tuesday, which means Bank Street, from Market to Spring, will remain closed from 6 a.m. to around 1 p.m. each Saturday for vendors to sell goods until the Farmers Market pavilion renovations are completed in July.
OK, I'm going to comment again;
ReplyDeleteI know the root issue is about communication, but the unintended target is the farmers market.
Here are a few questions I have:
- the farmers market wraps up at 1, everytime I am down there before noon, most of the "brick and mortor stores are shuttered until noon, and patrons of the market *try* to go in the stores, but they are locked. Is it correct that this much fuss has been raised by the antique stores for basically one hour? By comparison, did they offer any numbers as to what type of decrease in patrons was a direct result of the change in the market?
-2 several times you have referred to the vendors as being from " located outside the city ", have you yourself not, on multiple occasions lament this very type of comment? These are people from our neighboring communities, like Georgetown, trying to earn a living as what amounts to being a downtown merchant, just like the " brick and mortor" owner/operators.
Over 600 of your fellow New Albanians and potential future constituents choose to enjoy this weekly.
The company working on the market improvements is locally owned and operated by good hard working men and women, all of which are contributing to our local economy.
Look, I'm not overly fond of this administration myself, but must we really start segregating ourselves like this because of their inaction?
Facilitate, not subsidize. Lead, don't abdicate. Just a taxpayer lament.
ReplyDeleteThe larger issue of spending $300K for a shelter house on such highly valuable property is one thing but, with regard to unnecessary business blockage in the interim, all they have to do is utilize a block of 3rd Street as they just approved for the Juneteenth event and the short term business conflict goes away. It really is that simple and they really are that obstinate.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you use a block of 3rd instead of harming the very businesses and residents who, unlike a lot of the market vendors, are actually paying for the market expansion?
But... but... the farmers market is good.
Um, yeah. No one is arguing that it isn't, only that its temporary location is an unnecessary hindrance. Why not use 3rd since it's right next door and won't block any businesses?
But... but... I talked to the businesses who don't object and they don't object.
The 3rd Street block still brings a crowd to the same area of downtown but doesn't block businesses. So far, you've not explained why using it wouldn't work as well for the market while not harming anyone else.
But... but... the farmers market is good.
CM Baird will save the downtown merchants as soon as she gets her head out of Gahan's ass, she is a "commen tater" just like you good brick and morter folk being ignored by The Dough Boy.
ReplyDeleteSmh
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know the rental rate for the vendors at the Farmer's Market? The last time I saw one, it was basically next to nothing. Where does one go to see the "books" on the Farmer's Market? Are there books? Are they ever audited?
ReplyDeleteFor the record, I think the Farmer's Market is, in general, good. But does that mean we shouldn't strive to make it serve New Albany better?
From their web site:
ReplyDeleteHow much does it cost to sell at the Farmers Market?
The cost for a space to sell varies by the type of product you are selling and the amount of time you want to commit to our market. Farm vendors with truck loads of produce as well as Arts and Craft vendors are all welcome. Vendors can arrive and sell for just one day of the market if you would like with no additional obligation. For Farm vendors with truck loads of produce the fee is $45 per day. Arts and Craft vendors pay $20 per day. If you want a space for the season, a reserved spot is $120 and requires attendance at the market for the season.
Thanks. $120 is cheap.
ReplyDelete