Protest Saturday at local farmer’s market in Golden Gate

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla.- Vendors at a farmer’s market in Golden Gate plan to carry signs in protest on Saturday.  They’re asking to keep their market open permanently.

Joey Rakow, the manager of the farmer’s market at the Golden Gate Community Center, had dozens of signs made when commissioners closed the market temporarily.

“Now we have to change the signs to say please keep our market open,” said Rakow.

The county reversed the decision after the county attorney said it was illegal.

Commissioner Georgia Hiller voted against closing the market and worries her colleagues might put it on the chopping block, permanently.

“It’s completely unfair,” said Hiller.  “It’s unconscionable and I think what Commissioner Henning
did was reprehensible.

Commissioner Tom Henning came under fire after using the word gypsies while discussing the farmer’s market.

In a statement to WINK News, his spokeswoman said, “The reference to traveling businesses as gypsy businesses was referencing their structure and function not any party’s race, period. It was never meant as or issued as a racial statement.”

“Commissioner Henning should turn to his constituents and he should tell them that he apologizes,” said Hiller.

Vendors at other local farmer’s markets held on county grounds, like the one today outside the government building as worried they might be shut down too.

“It’s possible,” said Hiller, “but it seems to me this is nothing more than a targeted attack by Commissioner Henning.”

The farmer’s market at the Golden Gate Community Center is on Saturday from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Vendors say they will be protesting peacefully on the sidewalk starting at 9 a.m.