Introducing Mr.Owen Kennedy, former Nanaimo city council member and now a life-time member of the Island Roots Market Co-operative. He kindly took some time to share his personal background with everyone and explain why he has chosen to become a member of the Island Roots Market Co-operative.
Mr. Kennedy has been involved in politics since about 1934. He was only 8 years old when he joined his first union, the Canadian Seamen's Union when he was 16. At 17 he joined the RCAF and arrived overseas at 18.
He worked in construction with his father until 1950 when he joined the Army and went to Korea.
He came home in 1952 and met Betty. She was only 16 when they met so they waited until she was 18 before they married.
They came to B.C. in 1955 and to Nanaimo the next year, where he got a job at the Biological Station.
They made a detour to Halifax where he got a degree in biology. Then returned to Nanaimo as a family of six.
He got involved in local politics and served 17 years as an elected official. He retired from his job as a fisheries biologist at age 58. Betty and Owen bought a motor home and did nothing productive until her death in 1998. About 6 years ago he went blind and moved into Berwick about 5 years ago.
1) How did Owen get involved with the Island Roots Market Co-operative?
In 1965 he joined the Nanaimo oil co-op and when the idea of a grocery co-op came up he quickly joined it. He is also a member of the Nanaimo Credit Union which he considers a money co-op
In 2008 he was appalled by the fact that we appeared to be in a depression and the government was exasperating the problem by trying to balance the budget by firing workers. This of course increased the problem.
Occupy Nanaimo arrived on the scene so he went to visit them. There he met Larry Whaley (President), an old friend. He told me about his work with the Co-op and he joined Larry, through e-mail. Today he is a member of the 'Roots Group'.
2) How does Owen feel the Island Roots Market Co-operative will benefit the community?
At a time when unemployment and poverty are on the increase, one group is trying to start the economy moving in a positive way. Starting a new fledgling industry can do nothing but good for the community. Long range this can be the start of an economy based on the co-operative movement where we could replace the greed of the capitalistic system for one designed to supply the needs of all the people.
Owen was the first to support the Island Roots Market Co-operative by becoming a Life-time member, you can also become a member by signing up on the website
Gathering local food and other locally made items and the accompanying producers to create a year-round indoor market in Nanaimo B.C
Indoor Farmers Market 4 days a week in Nanaimo in April 2013. Become members if you like for $10
ReplyDelete