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On the Forum
TWELVE
DAYS TO VOTE
Posted by
L. Rinta on
August 30, 2002, 6:14 pm
Hardly anyone provided testimony on the CMC amendments
and I can understand that. The Marketing Committee and the
details of the order have become so convoluted and beyond our
reach that the effort seems wasted and the process frustrating.
One of the amendments required Ocean Spray representatives to
the Marketing Committee to be elected by growers as the
independent representatives are, by a vote of growers.The Marketing Committee is after all a unit of government and it
would seem unthinkable that any unit of United States
government, would have representatives that were NOT elected.
I am truly appalled, and I hope that you are also, that
two Ocean Spray growers from the West Coast attended the Oregon
hearing and actually testified that they preferred NOT to elect
their representatives. If they are that certain about
abdicating their choice, then why would they go to the trouble
of providing testimony at all? It is like voting, not to have
the right to vote. I don’t get it. But simply because they
voiced their desire, and others didn’t, the Ocean Spray growers’
testimony stands in support of NON ELECTED REPRESENTATION.
You have twelve days to notify USDA if you disagree and think
that all growers should be allowed to elect their
representatives. Ocean Spray growers have twelve days before
they have given away yet another vote. There is apathy and there
is APATHY. No action at this point is a show of support for the
status quo. This isn’t complicated and it isn’t for or against
Ocean Spray management, either you believe in democracy or you
don’t. It is just that simple.
YOU HAVE TWELVE DAYS : Written arguments and briefs should be
filed with the Hearing Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Room 1081-S, Washington, D.C. 20250-9200, Facsimile number (202)
720-9776, and they should reference the docket number.
Docket Number AO-341-A6; FV02-929-1.
LABOR DAY FAX
Posted by
Maid Easy on
September 2, 2002, 8:54 am
LABOR DAY FAX - (202) 720-9776,
TO:
Hearing Clerk,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 1081-S,
Washington, D.C. 20250-9200,
FROM: (Your name and address)
DATE: Labor Day, September 2, 2002
RE: Docket Number AO-341-A6; FV02-929-1.
Amendment #20
As an American Cranberry Grower, subjected to the
decisions, rules and regulations of the Cranberry
Marketing Committee as establish by the United States
Department of Agriculture, it is necessary to me, that
all voting representatives on that Committee be
elected by their respective constituency.
(Write anything you
like or nothing.)
Thank you for the opportunity to
comment.
(Sign)
copy into word, plug in your name,
address and any additional comments, print, SIGN and
fax. Today would be a fine day to fill up the USDA IN
box.
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Re:
TWELVE DAYS TO VOTE
Posted by
Upstream neighbor on
September 2, 2002, 7:16 pm , in reply to "TWELVE
DAYS TO VOTE"
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Linda; don't know why you find this situation unusual;
this is the same electorate that voted not to see for themselves
a consultant report that their coop had contracted and paid for,
and that was critical to their financial future, at the annual
meeting two years ago. Nothing surprises me anymore.
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No one
will run against Ocean Spray Reps anyway.
Posted by
a frustrated grower on
September 2, 2002, 5:10 pm , in reply to "TWELVE
DAYS TO VOTE"
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No one dared to run against Decas. So what makes you
think anyone will run against O S reps. I haven't seen very many
O S growers participating in CMC meetings.
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Please
Respond if you have written to the USDA
Posted by
an inquiring mind on
September 1, 2002, 3:23 pm , in reply to "TWELVE
DAYS TO VOTE"
Linda's request seems to be a simple no brainer. Sit
down and write the letter. But I doubt that anyone has.
Is there any Ocean Spray grower that has notified the AMS that
they want the write to vote for their CMC representative? If so,
please respond. I really am losing faith in the ability of this
industry to work together to save itself. Unfortunately, I am an
independent grower and cannot speak up to support this
amendment. Did anyone try? |
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Yes you
can
Posted by
L. Rinta on
September 1, 2002, 4:41 pm , in reply to "Please
Respond if you have written to the USDA"
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Voting for GROWER representation is every growers'
business.
Think about this: Amendment #1 says that when co-op sales are
over 50% then THE Co-op (defined as Ocean Spray) will be given a
swing vote on the CMC. Co-op sales would include sales not only
by Ocean Spray but also by the new Wisconsin Co-op or any other
co-op in the future. Conceivably, Ocean Spray sales could be
30%, three other co-ops could be 10% each, total co-op sales
totaling 60% and the majority of the seats would be appointed by
Ocean Spray Management. The other co-op growers would have no
representation at all and the Independents would hold a minority
position on the CMC, even if Independent sales exceeded Ocean
Spray's. This amendment was "fast-tracked" for approval.
Even without this amendment, if the majority of growers do
not elect their representation then how can anyone call any
decision this body comes up with the will of growers. Any action
of this committee with an appointed majority can only be
viewed as the will of Robert Hawthorne.
All voting members of the CMC should be elected and that is
every growers business.
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Re:
TWELVE DAYS TO VOTE
Posted by
voting indy on
August 31, 2002, 9:59 am , in reply to "TWELVE
DAYS TO VOTE"
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They didn't testify against their right to vote they
testified against YOUR right to vote. One offering testimony was
the Ocean Spray appointed representative to the CMC and he'd
like to keep HIS vote.
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Re:
TWELVE DAYS TO VOTE
Posted by
COMMENT NOW on
August 31, 2002, 8:02 am , in reply
to "TWELVE
DAYS TO VOTE"
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It is very simple. Write your comments now and
get them in. USDA needs to hear from growers that they
want the right to vote. This is exactly what this country
was founded on. Do not let Ocean Spray take this right
away. Ocean Spray will remain a communist organization if
growers do not comment! |
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Re:
TWELVE DAYS TO VOTE
Posted by
grower on
August 31, 2002, 11:19 am , in reply
to "Re:
TWELVE DAYS TO VOTE"
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You can still be a drone and vote whatever they
tell you but at least you now have (you) to blame and not
them. It's so easy to blame someone else when you can
blame someone else. Heaven forbid actually having to think
! Ask for your right to vote or you have no right to ever
complain about anything. I hate people that don't vote but
have the nerve to complain. |
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Re:
TWELVE DAYS TO VOTE
Posted by
It's Useless on
August 31, 2002, 11:27 am , in reply to "Re:
TWELVE DAYS TO VOTE"
The USDA doesn't care what we think anyway. Why
bother?
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