Because of the demands of the mayor and city councel, I can't preform the way they mandate, the market has been cancelled until they can leave it alone. After 13 years, instead of promoting it they are killing it. Itried to put this subject on here befor and was censured. your market manager Alice

Alice, perhaps you ought to explain exactly what those demands were rather than making ad hominem statements. Perhaps they had valid reasons for what they did.

Please explain what it was they did and I'll have a better understanding of why you're so up in arms over this.

Also please explain what you mean when you say your post here was "censured"? Your account, "Alice Nile", has posted one and only one message to this site and it's the message that started this thread.

- Dave

Oh crap... this thread will get us to 100,000 post before the end of the month

Calm down, take a deep breath, and try this again.

1) I assume you meant "censor," not "censure," since they are two different words with two different meanings.

2) Assuming you meant censor, why do you think the Mayor or any other City official could censor anything on this, a private site? The City has NOTHING to do with this site. That confused a whole lot of people but if you read the header--which, granted, no one ever does--you would know that. The Webmaster, a former Miles Citian who now lives in Washington state, maintains and makes the rules for this site.

3) Understanding that, what are you being asked to that is impossible? Is it truly impossible or are there ways to work through the problem? Since you didn't explain the issue, no one knows what you are talking about. Was it a fee problem? A siting problem? What? If you explain yourself, which you can do with neither fear of censure or censor, the readers here might have some ideas to help resolve the issue.

4) Or you could stick to panicked hysteria. I always find panicked hysteria works well for me. Doesn't accomplish much but it is good exercise.

5) Seriously. Calm down and EXPLAIN the issue. No one can support you if no one knows what the issue is. Maybe there is a solution short of ending the market that someone here could see, if they know what they were looking for.

Maybe we can get the Billings Clinic to take over management of the Miles City farmer's market?

I represent Ward 4 on the City Council. At our last meeting, we approved the recommendation from the Public Service Committee to allow the Farmer's Market to operate on Tuesdays on Main, in addition to Saturday in the park. Ms. Nile was at both meetings (PS&CC) and was happy with the outcome, even standing and thanking the City Council for their approval. NO conditions were placed on this approval whatsoever. The council has not discussed this since that time, so I don't understand how we could have placed any "demands" or "mandates" on the market. Please explain.

[This message has been edited by Kelly (7/6/2009)]

Since posting my original message, I've been contacted by a friend who says the whole issue is that the market wants to be on 9th Street and not Main Street. Is that correct?

[This message has been edited by Kelly (7/6/2009)]

I would think Main St. would be out because it's state highway and the MDT won't allow sidewalks to be blocked.

Alice,
You've done a tremendous job with the farmer's market for years. Please state simply what the problem is so people can help get it resolved.

4 weeks ago the mayor called me and spoke to me about the Tuesday market in such a way that left no room for discussion. He spoke about having a Thursday evening market on Main Street. I told the mayor that Thrusday was not a good day to have the market because it is too close to the Saturday market. The mayor didn't seem to care about that. I told the mayor that I would be happy to help the merchants council but it would take a lot to change not only for the vendors but the public as well. Later he came to visit me at the market and asked me what was going on. I told him and he said he did not speek to me in such a manner. I was busy and he said he would speek to me later. Leroy informed me that the market was on the agenda the morning of the meeting. At the meeting I explained that Thursday was bad and offered to move the established Tuesday market to Main Street. The committee thanked me for sharing as it would help them in their discision. I told them of the difficuties for the vendors to pack thier produce from truck to table as many sell right out of thier trucks. At the city council meeting I thanked them for the opportunity to serve the merchants council in such a manor and to change the ruling to say from 8th to 9th street rather than 7th to 8th street. I also said that I wished it would have been presented to me with a little honey rather than vineger. At a merchance council meeting it was discussed to have the market on 9th street for ease of the vendor and better parking for the patrons. Also that the Tuseday market is so fast, the customer comes to get what the want and leaves. The businesses would have to come up with ways to get the people into thier stores. They were all good with Tuesdays. Then last Saturday, at the end of the market, Jerry Partrige approched me and asked how things were going. I told him of the merchance council meeting and he adamantly stated that that is not what the council voted on. He did not seem to be open to my opinion. He implied what the merchance council dissision was unacceptable.
This has caused me a lot of stress and if there is someone who would like this volunter position of farmers market manager, I welcome this. Give me a call.

Some time ago, Ken and Vicki Hess of the Dollar Plus Store wanted to explore the possibility of having the mid-week Farmers' Market in a downtown location. They met with Alice Nile and reported back to Merchants' Council that it met with good response. The Merchants' Council said that the choice of the evening should be at the growers' convenience. We are unaware of why Alice was told that Thursday was to be the night for the Market. After this issue was resolved, Alice met with the Merchants' Council and we were all excited about the possibilities of such an evening. It would also be a great opportunity for fund raising groups to set up, especially since it's so near Relay for Life. She discussed how shade was needed for the vendors which would be available on 9th St., and as Amorette previously mentioned, Main Street would not be compatible with the Main Street right of way, which was also stressed by Chamber director, John Laney. We all assumed that the 9th Street location would be used and were all excited to try this new adventure.

I am sorry that Alice has had negative feedback from the city. She is a community volunteer, which was the group just honored in the 4th of July Parade.

I hope that she will find the public support to encourage her to continue in her role with the Market. Miles City has just lost so many assets in a horrible fire. We can't afford to lose more.

Gotta love those city veggie pirates.

Okay, I am still confused. Could someone explain why this means all markets are cancelled? There was no discussion of the Saturday market at all. What do the people who sell at the market think about suddenly having no outlet for their produce?

Seriously, this sounds like such a tempest in teapot, full of miscommunication and misunderstanding and hurt feelings and not a whole lot of calm conversation. Could some adults sit down and have a chat about this without sulking? I still see a mile of room for compromise.

For example, Kelly says they voted in favor of a Tuesday market on 9th street. What happened? Did the Council NOT vote to approve a Tuesday market? How come Alice is mad if they approved the Tuesday market? Does she not want the Tuesday market moved?

Why should the Saturday market be cancelled? It wasn't even part of the discussion. Has a serious effort been made to resolve the issue before taking your ball and going home? Have the vendors been asked their opinion or if they have suggestions?

The farmers market is not one person, no matter how hard that person works, and I think other people need to be in on a CALM conversation to clear up what are plainly misunderstandings.

I just keep coming up with more questions and could use a sensible, legible answer.

How bizarre (bazaar?).

What I thought I heard you say and what you really said was what I thought you thought I thought and it was actually in your head. And what you meant to tell me was what I meant to say. And what I said you said I said just went the other way.

I really hope this straightens things out, Alice.

Well that was not very respectful.

My question is, "Why move the Farmers' Market" in the first place??" Wasn't the Farmers' Market working well where it was - in Riverside Park??

A power struggle - political or otherwise - with a Farmers Market of all things...........only in Miles City.

We should be so proud.

Last month, Miles City was fortunate to have a presentation from Ralph Johnson from MSU about revitalizing communities. One of the things he stressed was drawing people into the community's center into gathering places. He cited events that have local appeal as one of the means of doing this. This midweek Farmers' Market would have the potential for filling this need. It could be a festive atmosphere, and hopefully an event that would continue to grow and draw more and more people and activities. Tuesday is Auction Day and we have lots of out of town visitors here. The Farmers' Market and the Merchants' Council saw the potential of this event. I hope our elected officials will share that vision.

So professional Mr. Mayor, so professional.

I think there are more important issues in this town than worrying about where the FM should be. Keep it in the park! Its always been there, it works there!

Mr. Mayor, rather than being sarcastic and rude why not try to work with Alice and resolve the problem. She is a wonderful woman who works hard for what she believes in. She may not fit into your mold of the perfect person, but very few of us in MC do. Keep up the good work Alice!

I'm behind Mayor Joe on this one... the whole thing sounds like something out of "Emmit Otter's Jug Band Christmas."

Keep it in the park on Saturdays until you can tile in the hole left by the Cellar Casino building...turn that into the town plaza where every Sat. (or whenever) you have your farmer's market. Want more customers???? Get someone to play music...sell more things than just produce

One more thing...don't be lazy about loading and unloading the produce. The Vietnamese in Missoula don't mind doing it, and that's one of the reasons why they make a killing $$$$$.

Good Luck and remember...GROW YOUR OWN!!!

I am appalled at the rude, sarcastic replies from people who are always trying to prove they are better then everyone else on this forum. Amorette Allison, hmmmmm must have been raised on snob hill. Joe Whalen? Supposed Mayor of Miles City? Showing off your intelligence again I see. Sad your so lacking of it, and provide the proof. Open mouth insert foot.
Mayor. If it isn't broken don't fix it! The Farmers Market has been doing wonderful for years right where it is. You obviously have nothing better to do then look for things to disrupt. Try fixing what needs to be fixed.
Amorette. You seem to need a map to understand what is going on here. Your sarcasm certainly becomes you! You are quite the piece of work. Quit thinking your so much better then all the humans in your sphere. People may actuall start liking you. Scary thought.
Alice please continue with what you do. There are more people that appreciater you then you know. You go girl. God Bless.

Yup... this is pretty much the way they do it in Taos.

I think Alice owes the mayor, the city council, and the webmaster of this site an apology first. Alice needs to articulate her wants/needs for the farmer's market in a coherent manner. Her first discussion of the topic was a rambling post that appears to be filled with inaccuracies.

- Dave

It sounds to me like 8 or 57 different people are he saying she's saying and it's not only confusing me...and other milescity.commers...as well as Ms. Alice the friendly community farmers market manager lady.
The idea of a weekly farmers market on main street sounds wonderful!! Especially on a Tuesday, "sale day". Many people come to town on sale day, that can't make it on the normal farmers market saturday. It may bring much more to merchants downtown as well. But... can't we as a community get together, or better yet...can't the politicians, council members, mayor and Ms. Alice ALL have a sit down meeting and figure out the misunderstandings??

I know in other Montana towns, such as Bozeman...They have a Saturday farmers market early in the AM in a park. They also have a market during the week downtown in a bank parking lot after 5, this creates an outlet to get people downtown as well as another way to sell your goods. They also have music on main and the taste of Bozeman, great downtown events that also include the evening weekly farmers market. I think MC needs to pool some resources and work together, this could be a wonderful summer event...if you all would stop acting like 5 year olds!

It seems to me that the farmer's market controversy had ignored the most important ingredient. The farmers. The market is not the private property of one person. It is a cooperative between vendors who have had a volunteer coordinator who wishes to leave that position for reasons that are unclear. So, simple solution. Have a meeting with the vendors and other interested parties to find a new coordinator. There is no reason the coordinator has to do the job year after year. It could change every season or even every month.

There is no reason to give up on the farmers market because one person no longer wishes to be involved.

The City supports the market. The merchants support the market. The buyers support the market. The vendors support the market. Find a new coordinator and continue the market where ever and when ever it works best for the farmers, whose market it is.

I love going into the Farmer's Market when they all start getting their vegetables in....however, I live an hour outside of Miles City and work full time IN town; I drive back and forth Monday through Friday. By the time Saturday gets here, I just want to stay home and rest--it sucks because I love going to yard sales as well, but again, Saturdays. So for me, Saturdays are just not convenient for me; but then, I'm just one person and it probably will never make a difference. I don't know when FM is on Tuesdays though--is it morning or evening? If it's morning, there again, I can't make it because I work full time, 8-5. However, if there were an evening FM sometime during the week, like starting at 5, I could make that.
But hey, it's my opinion/thought and because I'm just one, it probably won't make a difference, especially since Sat a.m. is they way it's always been, and that's fine. But at least the word is out anyway.

I am appalled at the rude, sarcastic replies from people who are always trying to prove they are better then everyone else on this forum. Amorette Allison, hmmmmm must have been raised on snob hill. Joe Whalen? Supposed Mayor of Miles City? Showing off your intelligence again I see. Sad your so lacking of it, and provide the proof. Open mouth insert foot.

Then by all means, feel free to do the exact same thing (except in anonymity, of course)! That'll bring about the change you wish to see in the forums.

Tootz - Why should Amorette or Mayor Joe (who IS the mayor of Miles City - there's nothing "supposed" about it) apologize to someone for being more intelligent and/or articulate than that person? Alice posted a rambling post that made little sense - that's HER fault, not Amorette or Mayor Joe's.

Amorette and Mayor Joe at least take the time to put forth coherent posts. They shouldn't have to kowtow to someone who doesn't. If Alice wanted to be taken seriously by others, she should have taken seriously the effort herself. She didn't, so she has little reason to expect anyone else to.

[This message has been edited by Brian A. Reed (7/7/2009)]

This is more entertaining than a night at the movies. It has drama, suspense, comic relief etc. Everyone sounds ridiculous in trying to out do each other--how degrading to criticize persons ability to communicate--not everyone has a gift of using the right words, being able to spell etc. But what a gift in giving of time to the community. It sounds like what started out as a voluntary service to the community is being turned into a cash in for the fading downtown businesses. There is not much downtown to draw me into shopping during a farmer's market. I would rather spend time strolling through the park looking at the vendors wares than concrete.

I certainly don't want to add to the confusion, but as a recently relocated person, I thought I'd just point out that the much-maligned Glendive has TWO successful farmers' markets.
TWO.
Surely Miles City residents can work together to continue holding at least one? Where will I buy greens this weekend!?

Glendive always was more of a kumbaya kind of town.

You did not just mention GLENDIVE in an already heated post. Don't be surprised when it backfires on you!

Josh, I do believe that Mandyrosy is BRILLIANT!

By mentioning Glendive, s/he has done the one thing that can make us forget our petty differences and unite against a common foe.

Pure brilliance. Kudos to you, Mandyrosy!

As always, Glendive sucks.

So say we all.

Oops--decided not to post my original comment.

[This message has been edited by TK (7/8/2009)]

I think Tuesday afternoons on 9th Street are great for the Farmer's Market. The downtown venue is a pleasant change and I like to see the interaction with the local downtown merchants and FM shoppers. It is also much more visible than the site in the park- makes it more of an event or festival feeling.

9th Street is a great opportunity for more happenings.

As I understand it, the Farmer's Market is back on schedule and will be having evening markets on Tuesday on S. 9th and the Saturday market in Riverside Park as usual.

As Emily Latella would say, "never mind."

Speaking of Emily Latella, I sure do miss Rosanne Rosannadanna

The Farmers' Market will take place this Saturday in Riverside Park. Tuesday's Star has details about the Tuesday Farmers' Market which will begin on July 21st on 9th Street.

Chad, thanks for your vote of confidence. I'm looking forward to the 9th Street Boogie as well!

BTW, Crazee Daze will be July 24-25, with new special events on Friday night.

Being the one in our family who shopped the Market most, I would like to say I am overjoyed the Farmer's Market is back and expanded. I would like to thank Alice Nile for her hard work turning it into the great place it is and helping it into an even better future. I never did figure out what the problems were but am very grateful people put them aside and came up with a way to keep the program going.

I have strolled and purchased at the market in Riverside Park. All the talk about the location has me unsure if it is leaving the DT park. I hope not. I thought it was a great atmosphere and there was plenty of close parking. I always wore a yellowstone river agate ring growing up and was able to purchase a new one for a very reasonable price. The fellow with that stand cut and made the jewelry and described the scene in the agate for me. I wouldn't have found him without that market. The market is a great asset to MC and Alice should be commended for coordinating all of the stands. Great Job Alice!

What time does the farmers market start on Saturdays??

Saturday Farmers' market is at 8 AM in Riverside Park.

Is there a new manager then of the FM? Who will be taking the $5.00 fee... And so forth...

No new manager. Everything is continuing on as if nothing happened except the Tuesday night market is supposed to be on S. 9th starting next week.

I would like to let everyone know that the Farmer's Market went on without a hitch and as a vendor that was there for the first time this year I did very well. I would like to thank all of the people that came out and divulged in all of the wares that the vendors have. There was a comment earlier about getting a new manager and polling the vendors to see what we want if we wanted to take it into our own hands. We all love Alice!! We don't want her to leave and if I have been informed correctly she is not.

...ok, question 2... what time is the farmers market on tuesdays? Will it begin tomorrow?

The Tuesday market will begin NEXT week, July 21.

Maybe whoever is running it now should start a new thread called something like "Farmer's Market lives on!". I had been reading the thread title but not the thread and assuming that it was not happening.

UGH!!!! enough said

[This message has been edited by V (7/14/2009)]

Is the market scheduled to be open EVERY tuesday and saturday until the end of the season? Thanks