Comments on: Public Market Seeks Clarity on Vendors

By: wordtothewise

wordtothewise — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:01:23 +0000

for Yet Another..
After speaking with several vendors, it was noted that 2 gentlemen one Glen Thompson and one vendor Scott Robertello were insrumental in the city’s decision to cancel the remodeling after several thousands of dollars were spent on an architect. It is said that Mr. Robertello, came to meetings with his own architectual plans. They told the public that the city was getting rid of the market, and had several hundred people sign a petition to keep it a market, Far from the truth,as it was just a reconfiguration with more space for customers. What a shame for both vendors and citizens.

By: wordtothewise

wordtothewise — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:48:06 +0000

Having organic apples to purchase at the market would be great! However, I am of the understanding of the market rules regarding transference of seniority, stall space. A business cannot just give away their seniority to another business entity just because the public wants organic apples. Solomen Gardens is not selling or transferring their business to Almar Orchards. Why doesn’t Almar Orchards just file their own application? Will be interested in finding out how market management handles this. Keep us informed Chronicle.

By: yet another

yet another — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:33:51 +0000

First off, I want to take a moment to add my voice to the rising chorus of unanticipated agreement on the future efficacy of having organic apples in our downtown, open-air marketplace. Will cherish this fleeting memory of near-consensus among the players. That aside, it's good to know that there are a few locals who keep an eye on the market and its commission, which I do appreciate. It's useful community work to look after the quality of what's sold there, and whether or not these items are consistent with shoppers' expectations. In any public venue, it's important to follow developments in governance, along with advocating for fairness in rules and how they are applied and enforced. Some notes on an older matter not directly related to the agenda for this meeting: Based on my rather limited knowledge of recent market history, an opportunity to do a substantial redesign for the market has most likely been lost. It's my understanding that a proposed full remodeling for the site would have arranged farmers & sellers in a single large circle or rectangle. This would have done away with the current T-like setup, which leaves a number of sellers stuck along what's known as dead man's alley (or if I may suggest a cleaner, non-gender alternative: corridor of inert sentient activity). A steady traffic flow all around a market area that has no 'start' or 'finish' point sounds great in terms of fairness to all sellers and ease of access for shoppers. So, why not? From the sketchy details in my head, I recall that budget issues and cost overruns ultimately set aside the larger redesign ambitions. Yet we can continue to dream on, can't we? In one of my recent dreamscapes, the following headline miraculously appeared at the 'top of the fold' over at the annarbor.com home page: The City's One Percent for Art program underwrites creation of The Farmers Market Crop Circle In this not-so-outrageous flight of fantasy, construction costs get covered so as to facilitate creative development for a more circular market outside Kerrytown. Plus, think of the fun local artists will have while they go about adorning this project. All and all, a far more practical use of public art funds (and better to look at) than the $1 million, color-flecked variation on Kubrick's 2001 obelisk now proposed for outside the new city hall building.

By: Joel Goldberg

Joel Goldberg — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:26:41 +0000

I believe that new state legislation, either in the works or recently passed, permits licensed Michigan wineries to sell and offer tastings at farmers’ markets, with appropriate controls. Since orchards that make hard cider or apple wine normally have these licenses, that may allow Almar to sell its products at the marker. Those involved may want to look into this — the person to contact is Mike Beck at Uncle John’s Cider Mill & Winery, up in St. Johns.

By: Luis Vazquez

Luis Vazquez — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:14:02 +0000

Wow, finally something that Glenn Thompson and I actually have some agreement on! Increasing the number of vendors who attend the winter market is a great step, especially if a vendor of organic apples were to show up regularly. It also may encourage other orchards to go organic if Almar is successful at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.