Heather Callaghan
Natural Blaze
In June, we reported on a David and Goliath fight between a longstanding farmers' market in Mount Jackson, Virginia and the city. It was a nonsensical decision on the city council's part to require the market operators to cough up $15-20,000 to pave a lot that had been used successfully on gravel for years. For the sake of "aesthetics." (Note: city councils are hurting their own economies for the sake of cookie-cutter appearances) It was literally 'Pave or Get Out.'
In June, we reported on a David and Goliath fight between a longstanding farmers' market in Mount Jackson, Virginia and the city. It was a nonsensical decision on the city council's part to require the market operators to cough up $15-20,000 to pave a lot that had been used successfully on gravel for years. For the sake of "aesthetics." (Note: city councils are hurting their own economies for the sake of cookie-cutter appearances) It was literally 'Pave or Get Out.'
The market only wanted an extension, not exemption (although other
businesses are getting exemptions left and right). Unlike businesses
that operate all year round, they needed to at least open their doors to
have funds available for the newly required lot. They have essentially
operated as a service to the historic town, not as a profitable
business.
So the market sued, not for monetary means, but as an injunction to stop the shut down and allow for time to repave. A catch-22 like this for the market could mean permanent shut down. The filing did require damages for the loss in operation funds, not by their own doing.
So the market sued, not for monetary means, but as an injunction to stop the shut down and allow for time to repave. A catch-22 like this for the market could mean permanent shut down. The filing did require damages for the loss in operation funds, not by their own doing.
