By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
HILLSBOROUGH — Two opposing groups appealed to the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday for control of the Hillsborough Farmers’ Market.
Led by co-managers, the farmers, bakers and artisans who sell at the Hillsborough Farmers’ Market jointly manage it.
At Tuesday’s meeting, a group of 13 vendors asked commissioners to recognize them as the official Hillsborough Farmers’ Market Board of Directors. But market co-manager Beverly Blythe, who was not among those 13, said most of the vendors oppose the takeover by the group.
“They have no desire to become a part of some takeover group which is power hungry and self-serving,†she said. “I regret that this has happened and must say that it is very embarrassing to me.â€
Blythe started the Farmers’ Market in 1987. The county is building a facility to house the market that will be dedicated on September 13. However, the facility is not yet complete and likely will not be available for use until next year.
Jeffry Goodrum spoke on behalf of the group that appealed to the commissioners to be recognized as the market’s official board of directors. He said the group had tried to work “within the confines of the current self-appointed market manager to no avail.â€
According to Goodrum, the group wants to manage the market in order to incorporate it and develop rules and bylaws.
Several vendors spoke on behalf of each group.
Kathy Andrews, a baker who sells at the market, said she opposed the formation of the board.
“Everybody is given an opportunity to do the best they can. They are not stifled by red tape, too many rules,†she said. “Adding the red tape would be an answer if the market was bigger, but we have a small market right now. It is manageable the way it is.â€
Orange County farmer Cindy Kirby said she supported the takeover by the potential board of directors because she had experienced difficulty while trying to arrange to sell at the market.
“The management needs a great overhaul because the person who is in charge of it is also a vendor, and they are self-serving in that capacity,†she said.
Board Chair Moses Carey said the county owns the facility that will be used by the market and the commissioners will develop the rules regarding how the market will be operated.
“I think that this is unfortunate and sad,†Commissioner Barry Jacobs said. “It’s like watching a family go at one another.â€
“We’re going to do our best to make sure that this kind of stuff is dealt with in a decent, open and friendly way,†he added. “Everyone is going to get a fair shake.â€
We are not power hungry or self serving. We have spent many hours creating by-laws and rules. We just want a market that is properly run. We want a democratic goverence, we want accountability for finances, we want proper insurance coverage.
Can anyone help us get out from under a dictator?????