Letters support Loveland Farmers’ Market return to Jackson Street Market

These letters sent to Loveland City Hall to be read during last Tuesday’s open forum during the council meeting. They are in support of returning the Loveland Farmers’ Market return to it’s Jackson Street Market location for the 2016 season. Mayor Mark Fitzgerald broke precedent and did not allow the clerk of council to read these letters as were allowed during a previous meeting when the market was discussed.

To Mr. Kennedy, the City Council and guests,

I am unable to attend tonight’s meeting because I have a sick child at home.  However, I really wanted my thoughts to be expressed.  I attended the last council meeting and heard the various points of view regarding the Farmer’s Market returning to the Jackson Street Market.  From that information, there are few points that I feel need to be emphasized.

• A visible location is clearly essential for the success of the market.  I will be the first to tell you that as a busy mom, I sometimes forget what day it is! So, having the market in a location that is most visible to the largest number of patrons is vital for it’s success.  I heard many council members express that they supported the market.  However, unless it is held in a location in which it can succeed, it cannot be sustained.

• The Farmer’s Market, Christmas in Loveland, the Homecoming Parade, the Art Show, and the Fourth of July Parade…These are just a few events that represent the spirit of Loveland.  These events set our city apart from other cities.  They attract homebuyers, developers and entrepreneurs.  All of these events inevitably cause traffic.  But I see that as a good thing!  It means our city is vibrant.  I certainly hope that these other events are not under review for being canceled.  So, why is the Farmer’s Market targeted specifically?

• I think that the major issue surrounding this debate comes down to traffic.  So, it sounds to me like this is a traffic issue, not a Farmer’s Market issue.   Everyone knew that adding the development downtown was going to come with parking and traffic challenges.  Therefore, let’s solve them.  I am sure that traffic study can be conducted and there are ways to work around this issue.  Because, won’t traffic and parking be an issue for ALL the events that occur downtown?   To target the Farmer’s Market, seems vindictive to me and must come with ulterior motives because it doesn’t make sense.   Something that occurs for a few hours, only 22 times a year seems to be the least of our problems.

My hope that is that the Farmer’s Market can return to the Jackson Street Market this year.  If there are challenges, then perhaps that can be an ongoing conversation on how to best alleviate problems.  But, to cancel an event that is vital to our community would be a terrible mistake.  Thank you for your time!

Sincerely,

Kelly Cappelletty