FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vote on Tobacco Co-op Dissolution and Distribution Set for April 8, 2020
Downloadable PDF version
LEXINGTON, Ky. Feb. 12, 2020 – More than 250 tobacco farmers have delivered petitions calling for a special meeting of the Burley Tobacco Cooperative Association to vote on dissolution and distribution of its $30+ million to its members.
Despite failing to take action on the petitions during its Feb. 5, 2020 Board Meeting, the Co-op Board, through its attorney, subsequently acknowledged its duty to call the special meeting as requested in early April 2020. However, the Co-op said it would not send notice out regarding the meeting until mid-March. Such a delay by the Co-Op is clearly intended to make it difficult, if not impossible, for many members to learn about the proposal or to make arrangements to vote.
“While the Co-op has finally acknowledged its duty to host a special meeting to vote on dissolution, it is abundantly clear that the majority of the directors and the officers do not want their members to be adequately informed, or to have adequate time to vote,” said Nathan Billings, attorney for the farmers.
As a result of the Co-op Board’s refusal to comply with Kentucky law and to send out the notice of meeting according to the deadline in the petitions, on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, Billings Law Firm, on
behalf of its client and of all the 250+ farmers who signed the petition, exercised those farmers rights under Kentucky law and issued the Notice of Meeting, Proxy Ballot and Resolution and Plan of Dissolution to the approximately 640 current members of the Co-op.
Per the Notice, the special meeting will be held at the Co-op’s office at 620 S. Broadway, Lexington, Ky. at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.
Members are encouraged to return their Proxy Ballots as soon as possible, regardless of whether they will attend the meeting in person.
Copies of the Notice, Proxy Ballot and Plan of Dissolution can be found and printed at www.blfky.com/burley or by calling Billings Law Firm at (859) 225-5240.
Tobacco farmers who want to vote for dissolution may certify their membership by calling the Co-op at (859) 252-3561.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Billings Law Firm
(859) 225-5240
www.blfky.com/burley
LEXINGTON, Ky. Feb. 12, 2020 – More than 250 tobacco farmers have delivered petitions calling for a special meeting of the Burley Tobacco Cooperative Association to vote on dissolution and distribution of its $30+ million to its members.
Despite failing to take action on the petitions during its Feb. 5, 2020 Board Meeting, the Co-op Board, through its attorney, subsequently acknowledged its duty to call the special meeting as requested in early April 2020. However, the Co-op said it would not send notice out regarding the meeting until mid-March. Such a delay by the Co-Op is clearly intended to make it difficult, if not impossible, for many members to learn about the proposal or to make arrangements to vote.
“While the Co-op has finally acknowledged its duty to host a special meeting to vote on dissolution, it is abundantly clear that the majority of the directors and the officers do not want their members to be adequately informed, or to have adequate time to vote,” said Nathan Billings, attorney for the farmers.
As a result of the Co-op Board’s refusal to comply with Kentucky law and to send out the notice of meeting according to the deadline in the petitions, on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, Billings Law Firm, on
behalf of its client and of all the 250+ farmers who signed the petition, exercised those farmers rights under Kentucky law and issued the Notice of Meeting, Proxy Ballot and Resolution and Plan of Dissolution to the approximately 640 current members of the Co-op.
Per the Notice, the special meeting will be held at the Co-op’s office at 620 S. Broadway, Lexington, Ky. at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.
Members are encouraged to return their Proxy Ballots as soon as possible, regardless of whether they will attend the meeting in person.
Copies of the Notice, Proxy Ballot and Plan of Dissolution can be found and printed at www.blfky.com/burley or by calling Billings Law Firm at (859) 225-5240.
Tobacco farmers who want to vote for dissolution may certify their membership by calling the Co-op at (859) 252-3561.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Billings Law Firm
(859) 225-5240
www.blfky.com/burley
Tobacco Farmers Deliver Petition for Dissolution and Distribution of $30 million to Co-op
Downloadable PDF version
LEXINGTON, Ky. Jan. 31, 2020 – Burley tobacco farmers have delivered signed petitions from more than 20 percent of the Burley Co-op members calling for dissolution of the Burley Co-op and the distribution of its approximately $30 million back to the farmers.
While it was expected to take as long as two weeks to get the necessary signatures from 10 percent of the Co-op Members, more than 20 percent of the Members turned in signed petitions in the first three days. Read more...
LEXINGTON, Ky. Jan. 31, 2020 – Burley tobacco farmers have delivered signed petitions from more than 20 percent of the Burley Co-op members calling for dissolution of the Burley Co-op and the distribution of its approximately $30 million back to the farmers.
While it was expected to take as long as two weeks to get the necessary signatures from 10 percent of the Co-op Members, more than 20 percent of the Members turned in signed petitions in the first three days. Read more...
Local Farmers Call for $30 Million Distribution from Tobacco Co-op
Downloadable PDF version
LEXINGTON, KY. Jan. 24, 2020- Burley tobacco farmers are calling for dissolution of the Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Association, and distribution of its approximately $30 million back to the farmers. “The Burley Co-op performed a vital function for burley tobacco growers, and was the leader in addressing issues facing those growers, for nearly 100 years,” said Nathan Billings, attorney for the farmers. “However, the Co-op no longer fulfills the purpose for which it was formed, and no longer provides viable services to tobacco farmers.” Read more...
LEXINGTON, KY. Jan. 24, 2020- Burley tobacco farmers are calling for dissolution of the Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Association, and distribution of its approximately $30 million back to the farmers. “The Burley Co-op performed a vital function for burley tobacco growers, and was the leader in addressing issues facing those growers, for nearly 100 years,” said Nathan Billings, attorney for the farmers. “However, the Co-op no longer fulfills the purpose for which it was formed, and no longer provides viable services to tobacco farmers.” Read more...
