It’s a disappointment not only to visitors, but vendors of the Horton Market in St. Thomas will also have to look elsewhere. After city council voted Tuesday not to provide a letter of support for plans to be submitted to the health unit, the popular Saturday market will not open this year. Mayor Joe Preston says a key consideration was maintaining social distancing.
Preston suggests going to the market is more of an event than a shopping experience and under COVID-19 restrictions it could not operate in that same way.
However market vendor Serge Lavoie stresses farm markets have been deemed an essential service.
Lavoie has sent a letter to members of council asking them to reconsider your decision and do everything you can, as quickly as you can, to save an important community resource.
The vote Tuesday was 5-4 against endorsing the motion to provide a letter of support. Councillors Lori Baldwin-Sands, Jim Herbert, Steve Peters and Steve Wookey were in favour of endorsing the letter of support.
Mayor Joe Preston and councillors Gary Clarke, Jeff Kohler, Joan Rymal and Mark Tinlin were opposed.
