|
<Back
| Home | Basics |
Departments | Get
Involved | Site Map | What's
New
Immediate Action Needed,
Vendors Given Ultimatum
For Virginia Residents
WESTON A. PRICE FOUNDATION
ACTION ALERT
March 5, 2006
The Charlottesville, Virginia Farmers' Market has told its produce
vendors they must be "certified" by a County Extension Agent
to sell at the market. This translates to vendors having to submit to
an unwarranted search of their property by a government agent, in this
case, one who is not a legally mandated inspection, certification, nor
enforcement agent. Aside from unwarranted searches being unconstitutional,
they are intimidating and oppressive and will drive away longtime vendors.
John Coles, who has been selling his garden produce at the City Market
for
more than 20 years, was told by Stephanie Anderegg-Maloy, Market Manager,
that he will not be allowed to sell at the market unless he submits
to the inspection, which he refuses to do on principle.
Mike Svetz, Director of Parks and Recreation (that oversees the market)
says this new policy is in response to complaints that certain vendors
are "re-selling" (buying produce to re-sell at the market,
rather than selling what they grow or produce themselves). Svetz insists
the credibility of the market is at stake, yet also states that market
revenues have doubled in the past few years, from $400,000 to $800,000
per year, hardly a sign that customers doubt the vendors.
Charlottesville Market rules and regulations already require that
vendors sell only their own produce, and violation is a class 3 misdemeanor.
Yet rather than the Market Manager investigating complaints on an individual
basis, which she has the ability and authority to do, she and Svetz
have decided everyone is guilty until proven innocent and chose instead
this dragnet approach that will relieve them of the burden of investigating
and enforcing individual violations.
The future of the Charlottesville market, farmers' markets across the
state, and our Fourth Amendment rights are at stake. Please contact
the persons below and tell them to rescind this oppressive policy at
once. The five City Council members (that includes the Mayor and Vice
Mayor) oversee and advise Parks and Rec. and the Market.
Mike Svetz Director, Parks and Rec
(434) 970-3260
Stephanie Anderegg-Maloy City Market Manager
(434) 970-3371
David E. Brown Mayor
(434)970-3113
Kevin Lynch Vice-mayor
(434) 293-2890
Blake Caravati City Councilor
(434)295-7832
Kendra Hamilton City Councilor
(434) 245-0241
Rob Schilling City Councilor
(434) 970-3113
For more information please contact John Coles or Christine Solem at
(434) 973-6505
<Back
| Home | Tour
| Calendar | Contact
Us | Funding | Join
Now
|