Portland vendors plan protest

Vendors, who operate near the Titchfield High School in Portland are upset after being barred by the Parish council from plying their trade at that location.



They claim the council is denying them the opportunity of earning an income to support their families.



The Gleaner/Power 106 news team visited the school yesterday, and observed that only three of the more than 25 vendors continued to sell at the school’s entrance.



The vendors said they are planning a march to the Mayor\'s office to voice their disapproval regarding the manner in which they were removed from the vending area.



According to a spokesperson, most of them have been plying their trade in that area for almost 20 years, without any interference from administrators at the school, or the police.



She said selling is the only source of income for many of the vendors, who also have children attending the school.



She also argued that plans to have them removed started less than six months ago, after a group of persons expressed an interest in having the Titchfield Hill area redeveloped, and transformed into a tourist attraction site.



The entire Titchfield peninsula is currently undergoing major rehabilitation by a group of persons including businessman Michael Lee Chin.