As there have been many at the Farmer's market who have wondered why my wife and I haven't been at the market this year, and since the market season is over, the truth can now be told.
For over 35 years the market was operated and controlled by the vendors with its own rules and bylaws. Rules that govern how officers were elected, and produce or products were sold. All this changed as three officers conspired to create a new market with new rules and stealing the old market name for the new one. A market not controlled by the vendors but by Market Managers. Managers who can never be replaced and if more managers are needed they can only be appointed by the existing managers. In other words, they are virtual dictators over all rules as to how the market is run.
The vendors only exist to pay the bills that are incurred by the managers. By stealing the old market name these conspirators had not only hid from the vendors and customers their dirty work, but also virtually guaranteed the elimination and the killing of the old market.
After I had not only obtained, but read several times, a copy of these new market rules, I consulted with an attorney to verify what I had come to the conclusion of what these new rules and market consisted of. The attorney, after reading these rules, concluded that I was right.
Market officers can only be elected or appointed by the Market Managers from the Market Managers, all rule changes as to the operation of the market can only be made by and approved by the managers. The member vendors are liable for all incurred bills or short comings of monies in the treasury. For example, if a matching grant should ever be applied for, the vendors can, will and shall be assessed whatever monies needed to meet this matching grant (an arbitration clause virtually guarantees this last fact).
A fall market meeting will soon be held or has been held, either way I urge all attending vendors to not only get, but read these new market rules. If you don't understand them see an attorney, or feel free to contact me at 574-566-2292.
I asked the attorney about getting the old market name back. I was told that from past market experiences there may be others behind this takeover and, depending on who they may be, it would or could cost thousands of dollars as well as years to get a court ruling. The best and cheapest way is to use the old market rules, bylaws and placing a new name on them.
I encourage all vendors who want the old market back contact me, for I fully intend to fight for all that the these conspirators thought they took away, including the market location. A market for the vendors, controlled by the vendors and operated by the vendors. Providing locally grown produce customers have come to appreciate to purchase at a fair price.
A final note, it's been said the old market was not eligible to be an LLC market. The attorney said this was a lie for the old market rules and bylaws did meet all these requirements!
