Op-Ed

Handlers compromise growers

by Linda Rinta

3/5/01 Wisconsin Rapids, WI -  When I left for Wisconsin I joked that this was Ground Hog Day. Did you see the Bull Murray film where his character was forced to relive the same day over and over again in agonizing detail? That's me, and this is Ground Hog Day. Yesterday's version of Ground Hog Day was simply unbelievable. I'll give you some bullets to chew on. I have found that chewing on bullets is a pretty good appetite suppressor. One bullet:

• the compromise was done before we even got here

• the order is  an arrangement between Ocean Spray and the handlers to divide up the cranberry wealth and it involves power shift adjustments from time to time

• the volume regulation enacted sets the marketable quantity at a number that cannot return cost of production

• the volume regulation was passed yesterday with full knowledge that enacting it would condemn a segment of growers. Gary Jensen, a member of the committee that voted against the order, stated  before the vote was taken that by enacting this order a significant number of growers would go out of business.

• the order was passed against an overwhelming show of hands from the hundred or so growers who packed the room.

• and this is the best bullet which I saved it for last because it is the "quote of the day." This is from John Decas when Ocean Spray was severely criticized by growers: "Cut Ocean Spray some slack here folks, it's a new management team." What in the world have we been listening to all these months?

The love fest between Decas and Ocean Spray went well into the night. If we weren't talking about restoring cost of production to growers, it might have been fun to join in.

I want to come home. The "storm of the century" which is predicted to close airports in New England for the next two days, threatens to keep us here for another Ground Hog Day, unless I can change my reservations. I'm not sure how I can endure another minute of this. With a storm coming to Wisconsin later this week, I'm going to get as far east as I can, because I'd rather sleep in Detroit Airport on the floor than endure one more Ground Hog Day.

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