Pat Rogers: Still many questions about Turlock farmers market controversy
Regarding the Turlock Farmers Market dispute, here are questions your reporting has left unanswered:
What is the difference between a for-profit and a non-profit farmers market? The two markets have virtually the same proposed budgets. It appears the main difference is the non-profit hires someone to do the on-the-ground work and that Peter Cipponeri does his own and takes that income. In both cases, someone earns money. Clarification would be helpful.
Regarding the issue of integrity, no one has broken any law with respect to how he or she has contributed or voted. For example, no one is slandering Turlock Councilman Steve Nascimento for voting in favor of his largest donor, which he did. Wouldn’t it be more reasonable (and less biased) to judge that all council members voted according to their consciences in this emotion-laden matter?
Has any business connection between Matt Swanson and the farmers’ market been demonstrated? I don’t know Swanson personally, but I see no motive or evidence that would call into question this good and kind community benefactor.
The Bee reporting has been long on hearsay and accusation but short on solid reporting. You can do better.
Pat Rogers, Waterford
Editor’s note: The Bee has published extensive coverage of Turlock’s farmers market and council integrity controversies, including Feb. 13, Feb. 27, March 12, March 23 and editorials on Feb. 14, 2014, Feb. 18 2016 and March 18. The letter writer’s questions were addressed in these articles. Under state certification rules, only farmers can sell products in certified markets; retail vendors and others can sell items in non-certified markets. Matt Swanson’s connection to Peter Cipponeri is by marriage; he is Cipponeri’s father-in-law.
This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 3:48 PM with the headline "Pat Rogers: Still many questions about Turlock farmers market controversy."