BarrieToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in response to 'Vendors withdraw from farmers' market in Severn, citing 'hate speech',' published Sept. 2.
It is a shame that the complainant (a wonderful vendor) who alleged gender bias/abuse felt the need to withdraw.
The accused is a person who has a complete lack of knowledge or probably has no interest in even thinking about people as individuals.
As I attend the market, I have never dealt with an individual who has had such a slanted view. However, they can pop up and try to engage you in a conversation.
How do you correct or deal with such a person? The market, I think, did the right thing by telling the vendor to leave. His reputation will follow him to other markets if he does the circuit.
Does this disavowed vendor represent all vendors? Not likely. Most vendors are pretty grounded and have dealt with all sorts of people whose opinions verge on, or are, ignorant. Vendors interact with thousands of people annually if they rely on markets for a living. I think they have a broader view of the world than a lot of people.
The ODAS market is the best general (year-round) market in the area. The regulars tough it out all year-round (inside and out).
The recent letter from a reader in Oro-Medonte saddened me. These are difficult and changing times, but let things play out. There is a process. Losing even one vendor or one customer because of a loose cannon doesn’t serve anyone. My dad said to me, “Paul, get over it and then get on with it.”
I think it takes a complete market to nourish a healthy community.
Paul Rollinson
Waubaushene
