Market affairs are not happy these days. Vendors are being harried and harrassed. .
The Jazz Bash had an advertising banner on the fence at the Wells Street School.
A farmer vendor's refrigerated truck obscured the banner. He was asked to move from space provided by virtue of a town permit.
The condo developer of the Wells Street School wants another vendor's space for a sales promotion planned for September
The Market ends in October. Seasonal permits are issued by the town until that time. .
The Market has apparently accepted sponsorships from the developer and several real estate sales operators.
It seems the munificence has not come without a price.
Yesterday morning, vendors arriving early to set up in their usual spots in the park, found themselves fenced out.
A security guard informed them he could not allow entry until he had received permission, presumably from whoever was funding his service. It was not the Town. .
Permits are granted by the town for use of space by market vendors for a specific time period.
Yet the town allows the park to be fenced off during that period.
In 2010, the Jazz Bash, an out- of -town operation, received a sponsorship of $2,000. from the Town of Aurora.
The CAO was on vacation. The sponsorship was given by the Manager of Economic Development. The ex- Mayor was on hand.
Funds of $10,000 were in the budget for promotion of the Market..
The Mayor was given authority to write the cheques.
In 2011, staff recommended a grant of $3,000. for the Jazz Bash. Susan Morton Leonard came to Council and complained it wasn't enough.
Council approved $5,000.instead.
Declared revenues of $140,000. for the bash in 2011, convinced Council no grant was necessary in 2012.
The result of which decision, persona non grata status was accorded to the Municipality, within the Municipality, by no less a person than The Honorable Member of Parliament Lois Brown and the Minister of Culture for the Province of Ontario.
Both allowed their presence to be used as a snub to the Municipality last evening within our own Town Park.
On one hand, Ms, Brown fully exploits Aurora's Christmas Parade and July 1st Parade for political advantage. while at the same time having no apparent respect toward the town's authority to make their own decisions.
Ms Brown's apparent collusion with the St Kitts and Morton Leonards to punish the town for refusing to submit to extortion should not be allowed to pass unnoticed.
No Siree!!!
Stuff like that should always come back to haunt.the parties.
Ev.
ReplyDeleteYou mention $10,000 for marketing the Farmers Market.
Can you secure the information on how much money has been given to the market to date by the town.
Also, what amounts for what years.
Something is smelly, and its not the Miller site or old Colis Leather.
Unfortunately I see no evidence that the situation will be any different a year from now. We have talked ourselves blue in the face now without making a dent in the armor of that lot. The damn fence will go up again and it will be business as usual. The Council members have heard the complaints but there is not enough spine or will to force a change. At best they won't get an extra money or help from the town but even that isn't a sure thing.
ReplyDeleteThe rain was a special delight for the above reasoning.
Doesn't the Market have to maintain a certain % of farmers to off-set other vendors? Maybe the town will have to refuse the request for another booth for the condo sales-person? If the farmers threaten to leave, it could get interesting. Could this mean there is a problem selling those places? That could be even more interesting.
ReplyDeleteTo anon 5:03
ReplyDeleteFirst the building is damaged by an earthquake and sounding condemned and suddenly with a stroke of magical reprieve it can hold 29 condo units with another floor.
We was lied to.
"Unfortunately I see no evidence that the situation will be any different a year from now."
ReplyDeleteYou're right. As long as it's a viable, money-making enterprise for the Snowball Corners Siren, it will continue.
Almost all of the thousands that attend and enjoy it are oblivious to the politics and pettiness some have attached to it. Face it, efforts to scupper it have failed - it's a success.
with all due respect the federal MP was invited to a ceremony she showed up willingly it is not up to her to decide what other parties are there as town representatives now do I think counselor Abel should have been invited certainly but to me we do not need town officials for every single event , nor federal or provincial politicians
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