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OpEd Growers right to vote – Sept. 13th deadline. By Gregory
Gitter – President 9/4/02 -- With the upcoming September 13th deadline to submit written comments to the USDA/AMS , I would urge all growers to support the “right to vote issue”. A number of proposals have been made to Section 929.22 Nomination and 929.23 Selection to guarantee growers the right to elect representatives to the cranberry marketing committee. Lets review who does and does not support the growers right to vote issue. Supporters: Wisconsin Cranberry Cooperative – submitted proposed amendments. Cliffstar Corporation – Attorney Stephen Lacey – submitted proposals. Clement-Pappas Co. – Attorney Stephen Lacey – submitted proposals. Mary Brazeau Brown – Ocean Spray grower – submitted proposals. Northland Cranberries – supports growers right to vote. Decas Cranberries – supports growers right to vote. The proposed amendment changes give every independent and cooperative grower the right to vote by mail ballot from the privacy of their own home regardless of handler affiliation. Non-Supporters: The only person I have encountered not supporting the proposed amendment changes on the right to vote issue, is Ocean Sprays representative – Jack Crook. On June 4, 2002 at the USDA amendment hearings in Wisconsin Rapids , Jack Crook was not supportive of the proposed amendments. I felt that he was strongly opposed to giving the growers the right to vote by mail ballot from the privacy of their own homes. It appears that Ocean Spray management is afraid of losing complete control of their growers on this voting issue. As the President of a cooperative, I feel it is my duty to give the membership the right to cast their vote for the representative of their choice. I would urge Ocean Spray management to trust their growers, they are intelligent people and should be given the right to vote for cooperative representation. Growers interested in supporting the “Growers Right to Vote “ issue should contact:
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