ST. ANTHONY - It's a small town controversy that has St. Anthony Mayor, Bill Beck, pitted against a farmer's market. The issue was taken before the city council twice. Both times the council approved the market. And tonight the council held a third meeting on the topic. No one backed down so the issue went up for a vote.

It's one day, July 26th. St. Anthony Mayor, Bill Beck wants to cancel the farmer's market because he doesn't want Pioneer Day to become commercial. Problem is, he never told the market that was going to happen when the council agreed to let them use city hall parking lot.

"At the time that the city council gave that approval none of us remembered that one of those Saturdays was the pioneer day."

And tonight the discussion was out in the open for the third time. Forever the city has turned over the Pioneer Day Celebration to the committee. This year though they say that if they let the farmer's market run, they cannot keep others who want to sell stuff, out of the celebration. That will open the door and it becomes a discrimination issue. All that also adds up to an the insurance issue... "You turn our celebration, and I take it personally because I've worked so many years and asked so many people and allow any vendor, no matter what they sell. How good their product is. It becomes a commercial celebration and there's where I come in."

Also in tonight's meeting, county commissioners spoke up in support of pioneer day. and said none of their employees will participate in the farmers market. That could put a big crimp in their plans because the person in charge of the market is economic development specialist Cathy Koon.

People with the farmer's market say they're not trying to take away from Pioneer Day, in fact, they think the market will add to the festivities. "Having more items to do in town, providing that opportunity, gives them something else to do in town, will enhance the day."

With all the issues laid out on the table, the city council voted a third time; 4-0 this time to allow the Pioneer Day Committee to make the decision. In essence the farmer's market is now a no go.

The council's main reasoning was that there were liability issues and by allowing the market they would jeopardize the history and the future of pioneer day.

Despite all that, everyone left the meeting on good terms and say they'll move on from this. One option that was discussed for the farmers market is to simply hold it in the parking lot of a business on private property.
We'll keep you posted on that.