Farm bill protest planned on Thurway

Posted by Howard Owens on June 24, 2009 - 3:35pm
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The aptly named "Farm Death Bill" is going to be the subject of a protest today, but what I don't get ... on the Thruway?

Here's the announcement I just got:

There is going to be a caravan along the thruway this afternoon to protest  the farm labor bill.  The caravan will start at 3:45 PM today beginning at   Boyle’s Motors on Route 98 in Batavia.  From there they will head to the   thruway.  Anyone is welcome to participate driving whatever they would like.    Any questions please call Maureen’s cell xxx-xxx-xxxx.  We need as many  people to participate as possible.  Thank you.

So that's only 15 minutes from now.

But the Thruway?  One of the very things that has helped to destroy WNY (diverting traffic from its city and towns), not to mention for any kind of visibility of the protest, it's going to be hard to follow or view for most people.

UPDATE: I'll have video and pictures shortly (in a separate post). Representatives from about 20 farms showed up, according to Dale Stein. The plan is to drive 40 m.p.h. doublewide out to Genesee Community College, and then merge into one lane.  People while, another group started in Le Roy and is driving to Batavia.  No idea on how big that group is right now.  The area's best agricutlure reporter, Tom Rivers, was there, so look for his report in tomorrow's newspaper.

Posted by Laura Scarborough on June 24, 2009 - 3:44pm
Heading to the Thruway to where I wonder? Albany???
Posted by Sheryl Smigelski on June 24, 2009 - 3:45pm
The reason for the protest on the thruway...do you know how slow a tractor can go? Picture about 50 of them on the thruway, that ought to stop traffic.
Posted by Laura Scarborough on June 24, 2009 - 3:49pm
Are tractors allowed onto the Thruway? I've never seen one.
Posted by Richard Gahagan on June 24, 2009 - 3:50pm
Can somone please explain why farmers shouldn't pay farm workers overtime, minimum wage, and benefits like any other business?
Posted by Gabor Deutsch on June 24, 2009 - 3:58pm
Must have commercial license and do at least 35 with hazard lights. If you drive less than 45 on the thru way its against the law unless ur in the right lane and "hazard" lights are flashing. ?
Posted by Chris Henning on June 24, 2009 - 3:59pm
Richard,

Have you seen the cost of milk in the stores today compared to what it used to be? How much money do you think farmer get for milk? Not much. Ask any dairy farmer in the area and he will tell you the same thing. My family owns dairy farms in Wyoming County and if you'd like their contact info I can get it for you.
Posted by Peter O'Brien on June 24, 2009 - 4:02pm
Richard,
Minimum wages should be abolished period and overtime and benefits should be at the discretion of the business owner, not government.
Posted by Gabor Deutsch on June 24, 2009 - 4:08pm
I dont see it as "farmers" I see it as a movement against NYS and Albany ! If everyone agrees things need to change ya gotta start somewhere. If you really knew a farmer then you would understand. As a tax payer in general, are you happy ? I guess I just protested now....
Posted by Laura Scarborough on June 24, 2009 - 4:17pm
I wonder someone can get us picture of this convoy? I am wondering if tractors will be on the Thruway.
Posted by Richard Gahagan on June 24, 2009 - 4:34pm
Well what does that have to do with the price of beans? Come on Peter you know the government has subsidized farming more than any other american business. Look at ethanol its basically a welfare program for corn growers makes no sense at all. Politicians just pass laws like this to get the farm vote even if there's no economic or technological benefit. So now the government is saying we have subsidized your business for years its time you started paying your workers a fair wage.

http://www.slate.com/id/2169124/
Posted by Howard Owens on June 24, 2009 - 4:34pm
I just did an update. I'll have pictures and video in a separate post as soon as it's processed. Also, Tom Rivers was there, so there will be story and pictures in tomorrow's newspaper.
Posted by Peter O'Brien on June 24, 2009 - 5:10pm
I'm not for the subsidies at all, nor am I for the mandates they want to impose.

You asked why they shouldn't get minimum wage. I don't think government should mandate that to any business let alone farms, thats what it has to do with the hill of beans.
Posted by Mark Potwora on June 24, 2009 - 5:25pm
Peter should they mandate unemployment insurance that business owners pay into...
Posted by Bea McManis on June 25, 2009 - 1:19am
Posted by Mark Potwora on June 24, 2009 - 5:25pm
....should they mandate unemployment insurance that business owners pay into...

Right, Mark!