Some say Farmers Market poll is not fair, accurate - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(03/21/13) - Earlier this month, ABC12 brought you a major announcement from the Flint Farmers Market.

After more than 70 years at their current location on Boulevard Drive, the Market is moving downtown to the old Flint Journal Printing Press building.

Now a new poll gives us a closer look at who's in favor of the move and who opposes it. The poll indicates more people are opposed to the move than those who support it, but there's an argument the poll wasn't fair or accurate.

For decades, the Flint Farmers Market has been a staple in the Genesee County Community. An earlier announcement that their expanding and moving to downtown Flint brought both excitement and apprehension.

Now a poll conducted by Practical Political Consulting in East Lansing indicates a large percentage of people are not in favor of the move. But the formula used to poll people and measure the results is now in question.

Based on a press release from the company, 450 people in Genesee County were asked via phone if they approved of the move.

It was determined 50.5 percent of people oppose the move and 49.5 support it. The poll has a margin of error of 4.5 percent.

"We don't have any idea who they called, when they called them. All we really know is that it was an automated call that was press 'yes' or press 'no' and there were no facts given to give people, an idea to make an educated decision on whether they really thought it was a good idea, which is unfortunate," said Karianne Martus, of the Flint Farmers' Market.

Vendors and customers were quick to defend the move, saying time has taken its toll the current building.

We have put a call into Practical Political Consulting to find out more about how the survey was conducted, but they have not responded yet.

There is a petition on change.org to keep the market in its current location.