The Farmer's Market has been a revenue generator for the Business Improvement District. It should not be handed to anyone but rather sold or awarded to an honest and ethical bidder who has the knowledge and the finances to carry it through. This should be done in a bidding process much like the city does for other outside vendor work. Now, is time to insure the long term survivability of the Farmer's Market.

Victoria
Why would the Farmers market need BID funding if was was generating revenue?

This appears to be a quaint money loser...who on earth would buy it?

We will watch the Waukesha farmer's market closely this year. If there is any slippage we will just go over to the Brookfield farmers market.

Hekkers is like an arson. She lit the fire by circulating the petition to dissolve the BID, and now she's crying smoke about another organization running the Farmer's Market in 2013. Seems as though the problem may or may not be the arson?

The WDBA leaders bestowed cruelty after cruelty upon the past 4 BID Directors. The mayor seemed to enjoy the sport this past 3 years. Scrima wanted the BID gone and now it's almost gone and he bestows a revenue generating BID asset on to the leaders of the WDBA..don't you find that kind of odd and perhaps a reward for their assistance. I personally love the Farmer's Market and just hope that it continues to operate in a professional manner..BTW..glad you liked my arson story.

Why don't we look at some facts.
For the record, the WDBA successfully runs Freeman Friday Night Live and Silver Bells to name a couple. These are two of the largest events that take place in downtown Waukesha and they draw people and success for our city.
The only conceivable problems with those events are from the arsonists, as "bahwahhahahaa" stated above. The majority of people enjoy these events and that's all that really matters.
Had the WDBA not been delegated the 2013 Farmers' Market, there would be no market this year. Someone had to do it and I know of no other successful groups or organizations who fit the bill.
Another tidbit for the record: Despite the arsonists' attempts to spread their dirty little lies and turn the city into a ghost town, I believe that 2013 is going to be one of the most successful years for the Farmers' Market - especially if "I" have anything to do with it ;-)

Victoria Hekkers stated above, in her own words, quote "my arson story."

Yes, I did say it. I wrote a story about someone in the downtown that I referred to as "the arsonist" several years ago and I published it on the mayors facebook blog (Renaissance of Downtown Waukesha) It is my opinion that these anonymous bloggers 802, Michelle and Bahwaaa are that "arsonist". I

It really makes no difference. I am glad to hear that Scott will work hard to make the Farmer's Market a continued success that is all I really care about. We certainly appreciate his efforts on behalf of our downtown.

Scott, let's really look at the facts. There are legitimate problems that are not being addressed:
1. Businesses outside of the footprint of the street closures are litterally roped out of the party.
2. Regular customers cannot get to their favorit businesses.
3. Expectations of crowd does not fit our sit down restaurants, making their dining experiences predisposed to be bad
4. Shoplifting has gone up according to merchants
5. The event encourages people to sit in the streets instead of window shopping and discovering businesses downtown
6. Reinforces perceptons that downtown has no parking
7. Reinforces perceptions that Waukesha is hard to get around.
8. 18 weeks in a row is an undue hardship for some businesses
9. WDBA has been inflexible and uncaring for these concerns

As far as awarding the Farmers Market to the WDBA, the mayor has no authority to do so. It is a BID asset and the BID still exists. If disbanded their should be an RFP to award the BID to an appropriate group, But to award it to the mayors croynies the WDBA and to some of the same people who drove out the BID staff is nothing short of outrageous.

The attacks on Vicky and others who dare to speak out should be seen for what they are; diversionary tactics,

Barta is suggesting that progress (of Freeman Friday Night Live and the Farmers Market) has harmed the downtown. How sad for Barta.

Notice the pattern here. Someone, almost always anonymously, attacks anyone who dares to question anything the WDBA does. I've repeatedly said publicly, that the WDBA has done good downtown. That doesn't mean they should be given a free pass for their bad behavior.

There are legitimate concerns that if addressed would make the event better for all of downtown including those who come to enjoy the event. Notice nowhere did I say the event should go away. In fact I haven't heard one person say they wanted the event to end despite what the mayor and WDBA want you to believe. The WDBA president himself said they will never compromise on anything because "they don't have to". The mayor has fed this beast with his blind support of the WDBA and ignoring the rest of downtown.

Progress can be defined many different ways and Improvement (whoever that is) is ignoring the fact that FFNL does have adverse impacts along with the good. I never said anything remotely close to saying the Farmers Market harms downtown. I just pointed out it is wrong to reward those responsible for driving out BID staff and the fact that the mayor has no authority to do so. Again notice the tactic, distort the truth, don't debate just attack and divert. It worked for a long time downtown, its not working anymore.

Parking is not a problem for FFNL. They have found the Parking Ramp on South Street. Spread the word, tell your customers it's available. It's well lite and kept clean.

Barta is blah, blah, blah...

I'm just happy, along with thousands of other people, that we have people to run Freeman Friday Night Live and the Farmer's Market! Thank you!!!

Barta is clearly articulating that your "progress" is simply a change and a change where the harm may outweigh the benefits.

Barta raised some great points that deserve to be addressed. It appears that the only thing the opposition can muster is a third grade attempt at mocking .

And not ONE shred of evidence to counter his assertions. The opposition helps cement the reality of the Barta position by making their side look juvenile and uninformed.

Here's a question, when is anyone of note in Waukesha going to realize that downtown is pathetic? This is an ongoing discussion among my friends and family. Downtown has no draw, no appeal, it's in need of a serious facelift.

Hekkers ur the problem . I was sitting on a bench acrossed from ur house it was 90 out side I stayed at she Wis house. And cuz I was sitting by ur house talkin to a women u called the cops. And said I was tryin to buy sex from her . And I almost got in trouble . But I did not . So ur the one causeing trouble

And I was doin nothing wrong

Hekkers and Barta are old news and seem to have social problems.

Thankfully we have a new administrator and mayor that see the value of the Farmers Market to Waukesha, and have taken the steps necessary to find a solution and keep the Market going this year!

Social problems = Mayor Scrima. Seriously.

"N Schmidt" apparently does not support keeping the Farmer's Market. What has "N Schmidt" done for the downtown? Seriously.

Stephanie. I like the downtown, but Barta raises interesting questions that people refuse to answer.

I have no dog in the fight as I do not own a store down town. Here is my 2 cents.

I like the theory but really 1-2 a summer is enough for me. However knowing that it will be a zoo, I avoid going down there otherwise.

What if was once a month?

Anyone else notice that there are 8 brand new posters on Patch just on this topic.

bahwahhahahaa joined 2/21 and has one post, just on this issue
802 joined 2/22 and has one post, just on this issue
Improvement joined 2/22 and has one post, just on this issue
Friend of Waukesha joined 2/22 and has one post, just on this issue
Jenny joined 2/22 and has one post, just on this issue
the sha joined 2/22 and has 2 posts but just on this issue,
Becca B joined 2/22 and has one post, just on this issue
Stephanie joined 2/22 and has one post. just on this issue
I have my opinion as to why this is relevant but I hoprfully the people reading this will come to their own conclusions.

Shawn, as a matter of fact I did notice. It has been a tool used downtown for a long time. Sound offs used to be riddled with propoganda until the Freeman require people to use their own names.

Mr Lundt, I appreciate your comments, its refreshing to see others without a dog in the fight actually get it. Unfortunately, the WDBA is unwilling to compromise, to not only help their neighbors but to improve the event.

Some of their members use rumors, spread lies, call for boycotts of other businesses to quiet the opposition and isolated dissenting voices. That is deplorable. But just as deplorable is that the WDBA membership knows this goes on, yet it tolerates the behavior which is just as bad. For years, the fear of retribution kept businesses from speaking out, creating the illusion of a "united" downtown. That time is gone though. Ten members of the business community spoke out at a common council meeting in support of the Executive Directors allegations. It is not a viable ploy nor is the anonymous attacks in a forum such as this.

Reilly and Barta like to bloviate. Rather than bloviating, perhaps they could do something productive for humanity?

Looks like we can add cupcake to the list of people that can't handle a question--- can only spew bile

"Mr Lundt," how have you productively contributed to humanity? If you can handle this question, than specifically answer it here.

Amazing that this person or people keep making our point about the lack of substance and attacks. Mr. Lundt shouldn't have to discuss his contributions to humanity. Anyways if Mr Lundt did he would just be accused of liking to bloviate. :)

For those who have bedn distracted from the topic (which is of course the whole purpose of this childish behavior), the problems downtown stem from a group that treated people poorly to get their own way and a mayor who has encouraged and blindly supported them.

Numerous staff from the BID had to leave jobs they loved because of being harrassed. The mayor is rewarding this group with the Farmer's Market despite not having any authority to do so. Some people feel this is improper others support it. Back on track, now please debate the issues, stop the childish attacks.

Shagger
Barta listed 9 questions pertaining to the topic at hand. Not one person has had the stones to answer the questions. I was looking forward to a debate. Instead the opposition can only fall back on childish name calling and petty innuendo.

You and your ilk have done nothing but try (and fail) to mock or impune people that even dare QUESTION.

As stated earlier I don't have a dog in the fight--but as an outside observer it is clear who has facts and plan and who is left to simple name calling and nothing of significance.

In the end there was a debate...sadly one group thought that the score was being kept by new log ins and name calling. The real world does not operate at such a 2nd grade level.

At the begining, for all I knew , Barta may have been poorly informed on every single issue. However he is the only one that manged to hold himself up as an adult and bring facts and valid questions. Since his opposition was only able to resort to name calling---it is a clear indication that beyond the names they have nothing. For if they did, they would bring it.

For the rest of us, we can be thankful that we have people to run the Farmers' Market.

The Farmers' Market this year will be a continued blessing to the Waukesha area families and residents.

I'm looking forward to the bakery, honey, cheese, vegetables, fruit and flowers!

wow......these people making comments under 5 different fake names, ought to own up to their comments. They should work on running their businesses rather than playing games and waisting peoples time, reading things that they cannot own! GROW UP!

I'm looking forward to the fresh organic produce at this years Waukesha Farmers Market. To feel the brisk Saturday morning air, to walk along the Riverwalk, to see the my friends and neighbors and old people and young people, and to discover and taste the unique delicacies... life can be beautiful for those who choose to enjoy it!

Special thanks to those who are rolling up their steeves and actually doing the work to keep our Farmer's Market. And are they going to have that guy who sells the pickled esparagus this year? (I love that stuff!)

Here's where to sign up for Waukesha's 2013 outdoor Farmer's Market:

http://www.waukeshafarmersmarket.com

Here's to being positive and moving forward!

"Here's to being positive and moving forward!"

That is not a plan..that is a wish.

It's unbelievable that people create multile different name and act like the little kids that they are. You only need one name to make your arguments and a point. I too am a outsider, but can now see ( by the comments) why the bid is in such shambles. I too stay far away from downtown on Friday nights. I also know someone that used to live downtown. The residents couldn't park anywhere near there residence. Sarah- I suggest a 3 day waiting period on new users to comment.

No one. Stop this traffic snarl. If you want food buy it at Walmart. It's cheaper and it's in a store where civilized people shop.