MoBay Mayor slams vending practices at Charles Gordon Market

Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The current operating practices of vendors using the Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay, St James, have been linked to a trending lack of discipline in society.

"There is an indiscipline that pervades our society that we have to correct. As an authority, we St James Parish Council are seeking to correct that indiscipline," said Mayor of Montego Bay, Charles Sinclair.

"I find it strange that the same citizen who will comment and quarrel is the same citizen who patronises the man who we tell don't sell on the street."

Vendors at the market have complained that sections of the facility are unfit for use due to improper waste disposal, and that sections of the roof leak when it rains, damaging their goods in the process. There have also been complaints about criminals frequenting the facility.

However, in his keynote address to the Rotary Club of Montego Bay East meeting last Thursday evening, Mayor Sinclair acknowledged that steps will be taken to address concerns.

"We're going to transform that area in a significant way. We are working even better with the police in regard to the criminal activity that may take place down there," he said.

Beyond boundaries

Mayor Sinclair also took issue with the fact that vendors are pushing themselves beyond the designated boundaries and selling on the street sides; despite the market's interior being clean enough for use.

"You have persons who are selling clothing items on the areas that persons would place their food provisions," he stated.

"I ask, "why are the people outside?" They (vendors) say the roof is leaking. Then I say, but I can't understand, because if ground provisions get wet, nothing happens to it, but if clothes get wet, something is going to happen to it."

Meanwhile, Mayor Sinclair declared that the funds acquired from the sale of properties at the Bogue Industrial Estate, would be funnelled into proper development of the market.

"The $40 million that we're looking at that can be derived from the Bogue Industrial Estate properties, and also the other Bogue property ... where we're now earning $330,000 per month, is something that we're looking at in doing that transfer of that capital to the Charles Gordon Market, once those properties are disposed of."