Marilyn,

I have found valuable information in articles published in Historic Union County, and find most of the information factual, although I always try and verify what is written. The chat boxes routinely pull information from this site, so I think we are all obligated to try our best to publish the facts. I have tried to provide accurate information below for your article and look forward to your rapid revision.

There were four speakers associated with the Union County Farmers Market that provided public comment and asked questions of this new county farmer’s market board at their inaugural July 6 meeting. The questions centered around the procedural process to establish this board and the board’s stated mission in the motion made by Commissioner Mike “To hire a farmers market manager and move towards the County running this with the nonprofit Farmers Market allowed to carry out their season, through the end of October” and approved by all 16 County Commissioners. None of the concerns expressed or questions asked were addressed by the county farmer’s market board.

Kaley Walker from the County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) was invited to the meeting by the mayor to help clarify the authority of this new board. She informed the board that the only authority they had was to offer recommendations to the full commission. She informed the board that they had no authority to hire employees, manage county property, or take over the operations of a private corporation.

The stage and the music wall are not “constructed” as you stated in the article. Although over $200,000.00 has spent on the stage proper, it is far from complete. Much work remains on the music wall and the music pathways markers have not yet been installed. See this article in Historic Union County The Music Heritage Wall and the Tennessee Music Pathways.

You state that the “The Memorandum of Agreement with the Nonprofit Farmers Market has expired.” The Union County Farmers Market’s lawyer says that the 2020 agreement called the “Memorandum of Understanding” has not expired. In fact, the County and the Farmers Market continue to abide by the terms of that agreement.

You state “The commercial kitchen is incomplete.” The kitchen is constructed, is licensed by the state for operation, and is actively used by a number of local small businesses for food preparation and manufacturing. A new addition is being equipped by the Farmers Market following the County’s own plans. However, work on equipping the expansion is suspended pending approval of an acceptable lease with the County.

You state “The Commission has set up their own board to oversee the farmers market at Heritage Park beginning November 1, 2026.” This was the intent of the Commission when it voted in May to form the new County Farmers Market Board. At the first meeting of the new Board, CTAS informed the members that they did not have the authority to carry out the intended actions. The new Board is simply a committee of the Commission and can report back to the Commission. It cannot hire an employee as intended, manage county property, or take over the operations of a private cooperation.

You State “The electric bill is estimated to grow from $1,000 to $3,000 per month.” In fact, Danny Cooke has stated figures as high as $6,000 per month, but hasn’t provided any basis for his numbers. The main electric meter for Heritage Park includes the kitchen and everything else at the park except for the stage. This includes lights, heating and air conditioning for the public restrooms, lighting for the open pavilion, parking lot lighting, security lights, and electricity for the “food truck” pedestals that are used for various purposes. For the 10 months ending June 2026, the energy charge averaged $381.76 per month for all of this. This is approximately the same as the average KUB bill for the stage during the same period.

You state that “The new Board wants the county mayor to have keys to all the facilities in Heritage Park including the commercial kitchen.” The fact is that the mayor already has an assigned security door lock code for all the facilities in Heritage Park to include the commercial kitchen.

You state that Mr. Cooke’s opinion was “…the shed/pavilion should be available free of charge during the week because produce does not just ripen on Saturday”. Both you and Mr. Cooke should realize that the shed/pavilion is open to all users at any time. They just have to call the mayor’s office and reserve the facility. The Union County Farmers Market has the facility reserved for Saturday mornings and venders and customers from near and far attend. It’s a robust market with over 50 venders and over 500 customers each Saturday morning.

You state that “The Nonprofit Farmers Market wants an agreement to be in charge of and maintain the commercial kitchen and all of the equipment.” This is true, but it is not new. In 2020, the County Commission unanimously approved that “the kitchen and classroom shall be under the control of Farmers Market, which shall oversee the rental and scheduling of use of the kitchen and classroom.” The Union County Farmers Market does want a more complete long-term lease for the kitchen operation to allow for user confidence that the county won’t jerk the rug out from under them. As a commercial kitchen, the facility is regularly inspected by local, state and federal agencies and must maintain tight control over access. Uncontrolled public access cannot be allowed if the kitchen is to maintain its license to operate. Any member of the public may request to use the kitchen and must meet strict legal requirements for that use.

You state that the Farmers Market “appeared to expect a priority or preference regarding use of the facilities…” The Union County Farmers Market schedules the use of the pavilion for their markets on Saturdays and other times through the mayor’s office as anyone would. It’s necessary to schedule in advance so our vendors and customers can expect a full market season. They have no expectation of exclusive use of the pavilion. It’s necessary to control access to the kitchen areas as mentioned above as a matter of commercial requirements, not a simple preference.

You state that “According to CTAS, because the grants to build the structures and buildings were signed by the mayor and approved by the commission, Union County owns them and maintenance is the responsibility of the county government. Also, the equipment may ultimately belong to the county for similar reasons since the agreement with the nonprofit has expired and has not been renewed.” There is no legal basis for this statement and it is very misleading. The only grant signed by the mayor having to do with the Farmers Market facilities was the Tennessee Forestry, Agriculture, and Rural Markets (FARM) cost share program, a $1M grant written by the Union County Farmers Market Board and approved by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to expand the Farmers Market and add a culinary teaching facility, the Heritage Community Kitchen. All grants for equipment were awarded to the Union County Farmers Market. 2 CFR Part 200, often called the Uniform Guidance, provides the framework for federal grant management. Although title to both real property and equipment vests with the grant recipient, ownership does not. I’ve been involved with Federal Acquisition for over 40 years, so it you have questions, don’t hesitate to call.

You state that “No agreements were reached or any common ground noted in the first meeting.” The Board did not even state its purpose or answer any questions by the public speakers. The Commission has had the matter of approving a lease with the Farmers Market on its agenda since October 2025. The new Board was formed to take over the Farmers Market, not reach an agreement. CTAS informed the four commissioners self-appointed to the board that they don’t have the authority to do what the motion by commissioner Mike stated which was approved by all 16 commissioners.

You state that “Chairperson Walker is gathering the pertinent documents to better inform all stakeholders of the grants and scope of work that has transpired.” Every action by the Union County Farmers Market Board has received unanimous approval by the county commission. The Union County Farmers Market Board is abiding by the legal agreement in place and approved by the county commission.

This Board’s purpose is not clear. CTAS was clear that the motion made by Commissioner Mike “To hire a farmers market manager and move towards the County running this with the nonprofit Farmers Market allowed to carry out their season, through the end of October” was clearly not in the jurisdiction of the commission.

Every reason given by members of this commission as to why a county farmers market board is needed has been discredited. No valid reason for the actions taken have been voiced.

I look forward to your rapid revision of the article to reflect the facts. I have the verbatim transcripts of the meeting should you need to reference them. If you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to call.