CLEVELAND — A weekend power outage that impacted the iconic West Side Market in Cleveland has one vendor and several politicians calling for action.
"The time for a change in leadership of this facility is long overdue," Kate's Fish, a flagship vendor at the West Side Market, wrote on Facebook. "We can not wait. I am proud to be your fishmonger, but not under these atrocious conditions. We’ve all had it with the lack of leadership, the broken everything, the floods in the basement, the complete ineptitude of the Public a works department. I am sorry to those of you who were coming to support us today, we were not able to be there for you."
The power outage Saturday forced vendors to shut down during their busiest day of the week, and some of the perishable food had to be thrown out.
“We have a significant amount of inventory, frozen, in the building, and none of which is protected by a generator because there is no generator to protect refrigeration or freezers," Kate's Fish tells 3News.
Power was restored at the West Side Market by early Saturday afternoon. 3News reached out to the city's spokesperson for comment Monday morning and we will update this story when we get a response. Back in May, Cleveland City Council approved $2.1 million for improvements at the West Side Market.
Here is the full statement released by Kate's Fish on social media regarding the power outage situation:
This is the saddest day of my career @westsidemarket by far. I am fighting back tears as I write this. If anyone out there still believes the @cityofcleveland is even remotely capable of operating the @westsidemarket effectively, or at least without cataclysmic failures and negligence and ineptitude, take a look at the scene here today. The tenants are powerless, the building is in desperate need of serious infrastructure repairs, small businesses and families and hard working tax paying human beings that make their living here have been asking for help for years. Help has not come, things have gotten worse and worse and no help is on the way with a lame duck mayor and all his cronies on the way out. The time for a change in leadership of this facility is long overdue. We can not wait. I am proud to be your fishmonger, but not under these atrocious conditions. We’ve all had it with the lack of leadership, the broken everything, the floods in the basement, the complete ineptitude of the Public a works department. I am sorry to those of you who were coming to support us today, we were not able to be there for you.
Back in January, 3News reported that Kate's Fish was threatening to leave the West Side Market "at the end of this year if it is not turned over to a non-profit management structure."
Several Cleveland mayoral candidates also addressed the West Side Market issue on social media.
Dennis Kucinich: "The @WestSideMarket lights have been off and on. When I am Mayor the West Side Market will have a backup generator. The West Side Market should never be without power."
Justin Bibb: “I woke up to texts and several phone calls this morning from vendors at the West Side Market who are outraged and frustrated that it took Cleveland Public Power nearly 11 hours to fix a power shortage at the West Side Market. It’s time for bold, new leadership and direct action to save the market because Cleveland can’t wait. When I’m mayor, this will be an immediate priority to ensure that our residents and vendors get the management and leadership they deserve.”
Zack Reed: "I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with vendors & customers as I walked through the historic #WestSideMarket today," Reed tweeted. "Thank you to everyone that came to me & voiced your concerns. I received a number of good suggestions on ways to improve #theMarket once I become Mayor of Cleveland."
Kevin Kelley: "In addition to the West Side Market, there are outages elsewhere in Cleveland including in Collinwood and West 41st street. Every customer of Cleveland Public Power should expect reliable service. The new path for CPP starts on day one!"
MORE HEADLINES:
- RELATED: Cleveland City Council approves $2.1 million for improvements to West Side Market
- RELATED: Actress Monica Potter gets a tour of Cleveland's iconic West Side Market with 3News' Dave Chudowsky
- RELATED: 'Food & Wine' explores Cleveland to find the perfect food day
- RELATED: Kate's Fish threatens to leave West Side Market if the City of Cleveland fails to address ongoing issues