The Shops At Fallen Timbers Hosts Farmers’ Market
BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
If you’re in the market for fresh produce, The Shops at Fallen Timbers has teamed up with local growers to offer homegrown goods just in time for the fall harvest.
Now through October, a farmers’ market will take place every Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., featuring vendors with peak seasonal fruit and vegetables including peaches, peppers, cantaloupe, tomatoes, pears, apples, squash and much more.
“This is a great time for fall harvest,” said Betty Jeffers of Jeffers Greenhouse and Farm in Grand Rapids.
With cantaloupe, butternut squash and baskets of hot and jalapeno peppers priced at $1.00, customers can expect fresh goods at a great price.
“We’ll pick zucchini, cauliflower and cabbage up until the first frost,” Jeffers said.
Her family owns and operates 40 acres of land, and she enjoys the outdoor market atmosphere.
“I think it’s great that they invited us here. There’s a lot of room to work with,” she said.
John Riehm of Riehm Farms in Tiffin says his use of organic practices makes for an even tastier product.
“Anytime you can get fresh produce from the farm right to the consumer, you get better flavor,” he said.
He also touted the health benefits of fresh produce.
“There are more nutrients in our produce than the average farmer – the secret is to keep the soil alive and it’s the one thing we do real well,” he said.
Sixteen vendors set up stands along one side of the main mall boulevard, and according to organizer Tom Madigan, executive director of the Farmers Market Association of Toledo, more vendors will likely participate when the market begins again in the spring.
“There will be a whole new crop of vendors with plants and flowers,” he said.
Ana Rodriguez of Maumee was shopping for clothes when she saw the booths.
“It’s exciting and really convenient,” she said, holding her bags of corn, pears, apples, cantaloupe and peppers.
“I like to cook from scratch like my grandmother from Puerto Rico, and this brings back a touch of my childhood,” she said.
In addition to fresh produce, baked goods were also featured along with a cooking demonstration from P.F. Chang’s.
Maumee Mayor Tim Wagener, who participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the market on Tuesday, said he hopes the farmers’ market will be the beginning of an annual tradition.
“I hope it’s extremely successful. It’s always nice to bring the fresh produce into town” he said. “When it’s from the farmer, you know it’s fresh.”
Lucas County Commissioners Postpone Vote On $1.5 Million Loan For Maumee Facility
BY KAREN BERGER — MIRROR REPORTER
Dozens of former employees from the closed Maumee Ford facility sat in the audience Tuesday as Lucas County commissioners met to decide – and then again postpone a vote – on a proposed $1.5 million loan to Maumee Authority Stamping.
MAS president and chief executive officer Keith Obey leads a group of volunteers and former Ford employees, who are seeking financing to purchase the land, building and equipment from Ford Motor Company for $14 million.
In order to finalize a deal with investors, Obey said he needs a total of $3 million in operating capital by the closing date of October 15.
Obey has secured $1.5 million from investors. But the additional $900,000 from employee investors cannot be counted as operating capitol until the Securities and Exchange Commission completes paperwork sometime in November.
MAS asked the county for a $1.5 million loan to be repaid at the end of the year plus 7 percent interest, as a holdover before the SEC allows the company to use employee funds.
After intense questioning from commissioners Tina Skeldon Wozniak and Ben Konop, commissioner Pete Gerken, who supports the project, acknowledged that another week would give MAS more time to provide details for the board.
“Our short-term risk gives these people a chance to get back to what they do best,” Gerken said, motioning to the former Ford employees in the audience.
But Konop said he wasn’t comfortable with the risk, especially when the commissioners would have to dig into the county’s rainy day fund, and because Obey wanted to keep the names of potential investors confidential. As Konop voiced his disagreement with the loan, several audience members shook their heads.
Sandy Coutcher, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3794 attended to show support.
“We’re hanging on to the hope that this will work out,” said Coutcher, adding that she grew up in Maumee and wants to see the plant operating.
MAS could generate 250 jobs paying $14.00 to $20.00 per hour. All employees are required to invest a minimum of $16,000 into the company.
Maumee has promised a job retention/training grant, while the Lucas County Port Authority and the Ohio Department of Development will provide loans after closing, Obey said.
In the meantime, Obey said MAS has quoted $60 million in work to a variety of manufacturers, including the big three automakers, who are eager to cut transportation costs on parts.
The $1.5 million from the county is an important part of the MAS financing, Obey said.
The commissioners will meet on Tuesday, September 16 at 9:30 a.m.
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