The screen capture shown here comes from the Tecumseh Herald, in Tecumseh, Michigan. The article from the paper shows a photo of the owner of Kapnick Orchards, Sharon Shaffer. The caption underneath the photo says: Pictured above - Sharon Shaffer owner of Kapnick Orchards. An excerpt of the text from the article follows: Kapnicks are making the best of a bad situation by selling #2 peaches that are just as delicious as #1’s at rock bottom prices. The #2’s show the spots where the hail struck, like those pictured above held by owner Sharon Shaffer.
Scott Robertello, who claims he is the owner of Kapnick Orchards, has been allowed by the City of Ann Arbor Parks and Rec Department, to rent stalls at the Ann Arbor Public Market without going through the proper procedures required under the Market Operating Rules at the time he made application to vend under a different business entity.
Scott Robertello wasted the time and energy of the Market Commission. Here is a quote from the former Market Commission Chair, found on the blog www.arborupdate.com,
"The issue about Mr Robertello not transferring seniority rights from Kapnick Orchards to the store known as Kapnick Farm Market Inc. came up at that time (2002). I asked Mr Robertello after a Commission meeting if he had ever followed Market Operating Rule 7, and made a legal transfer of seniority rights, and he replied that he did not, "because Maxine (Rosasco) said I didn't have to". My reply was that Mrs Rosasco didn't have the authority to make that decision. The market's inspector at the time found that paperwork in Mr Robertello's file was a bit out of order, and he could not make a definite determination of Mr Robertello's status. My questions to the City's Legal Department, including attorney Mary Fales, went unanswered."
Instead of filing the proper paperwork required of all other vendors at the market, Mr Robertello essentially lied to City officials by saying he was the owner of Kapnick Orchards and circumvented the process in place. Yet Mr Robertello was one of the first to file complaints against other vendors (like Erie Orchards and Renaissance Acres Organic Herb Farm), and was allowed to maintain a seat on the Market Commission - in violation of criteria the City has for those who wish to be on Boards and Commissions.
Fraudulent business practices should not be rewarded, so Fuzzbollah says boycott Kapnick's!! or whatever they are calling themselves today.
