«Ok to the necessary renovation works, but in the meantime we are given an alternative or we will be in the middle of the street. Without a place to stay we won’t be able to work and will have to throw away the goods.”
The feelings that prevail among the producers of the covered market in via Mentana are those of disappointment, anger and concern. The Comac (Comaschi Farmers’ Market Consortium) concession will expire at the end of July and there will not be a new tender immediately, given that renovation works are planned which will lead to the closure of the spaces until further notice. In the meantime, however, an alternative location has not yet been identified. Hence the appeal for a discussion to the mayor Alessandro Rapinese.
«We would like at least to have the certainty of being able to return quickly – comments Chiara Bassani, from the San Martino agricultural company – We as Comac are committed to being more present, available and doing our best for ourselves and for the citizens. We knew that the concession would expire, but we thought that there would be an immediate tender and not a closure for the works. I hope the Municipality reconsiders.”
«I would like to ask the mayor to come to the countryside with me, to show him how much work goes into it – adds Mario Arnaboldi – I have been here since ’87 and this year I will have to throw away my vegetables because I won’t be able to sell them. May he give us the chance to stay in another point. What do we do? Do we have to close? These are the months in which we work the most. We ask for a comparison.”
Valentino La Rosa also agrees: «We found ourselves in these conditions without knowing why. We need to modernize, but without throwing families onto the streets. We are small businesses from Como who believed in this thing that works, it should protect us.” The last comment is from Alessandro Bonacina: «About fifteen companies will be left without a place to sell. A call for reassignment was promised, but it has not yet been done and who knows how many months it will remain closed. This also takes away a service from citizens, the market works.” Coldiretti met the producers yesterday and said it was ready to act as an intermediary for a transitional solution that satisfies both parties, inviting dialogue.
«We understand the importance and need to proceed with these works, recognizing that the property is owned by the Municipality and requires maintenance and that the agreement currently in place with Comac has expired almost a year ago – specifies Rodolfo Mazzucotelli, director by Coldiretti Como Lecco – However, given that the suspension of market activity will cause serious damage to agricultural companies, it is our role and duty to act as spokesperson for the latter’s requests in asking to identify a valid, albeit temporary, alternative to allow us not to interrupt this exercise and not create a disservice to citizens. We are available to collaborate in identifying an alternative space where the market can be held during the construction period.”
The meeting led to the signing of a letter signed by the producers, which the agricultural organization will shortly take to the mayor with the request for a meeting that can address the issue in a decisive manner.
