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‘Forgive the debts’ of delinquent Crafts Alive vendors- Hon Maduro-Caines

- Hon Vanterpool suggests giving vendors more time to honour debts
Vendors of Crafts Alive Village in Road Town continue to have challenges paying their monthly rent, reportedly owing the ‘City’ in excess of half a million dollars. Photo: VINO/File
Vendors occupying the booths at the Crafts Alive Village in Road Town for years have been on a limited fluctuating payment of rent schedule, which sees them committing to paying $150 monthly, from October to April, and $250 monthly from May to September. Photo: VINO/File
Vendors occupying the booths at the Crafts Alive Village in Road Town for years have been on a limited fluctuating payment of rent schedule, which sees them committing to paying $150 monthly, from October to April, and $250 monthly from May to September. Photo: VINO/File
The matter of vendors of Crafts Alive Village owing rent and possibly facing eviction came up for discussion at a press conference called by the Opposition at the Office of the House of Assembly on November 13, 2019. Photo: VINO
The matter of vendors of Crafts Alive Village owing rent and possibly facing eviction came up for discussion at a press conference called by the Opposition at the Office of the House of Assembly on November 13, 2019. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The issue of Crafts Alive vendors owing the ‘City’ in excess of half a million dollars came up for discussion at a press conference called by the Opposition on November 13, 2019.

It was brought to the fore that it’s has been several years that some tenants have been delinquent with their rent and the City is now reportedly leaning towards eviction.

Four of five Opposition Members- Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) was absent- were at the press conference where two of them made an open plea for the sitting government to pardon the debts of a number of Crafts Alive vendors as they are currently likely to be evicted.

‘Give them more time’- Hon Vanterpool

Vendors occupying the booths at the Crafts Alive Village in Road Town for years have been on a limited fluctuating payment of rent schedule, which sees them committing to paying $150 monthly, from October to April, and $250 monthly from May to September.

Despite this apparent very low cost, vendors have been singing the “very slow business" tune in and out of tourist season.

When the question of the vendors facing eviction was put to Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), he said at the time he was not aware the issue was at a stage where some were facing eviction; however, he noted, “There is no doubt that some vendors of Crafts Alive have been owing, others have been paying and the issue of collection is an issue the City Developmental Manager has been working on.”

Hon Vanterpool acknowledged the problem of Crafts Alive vendors failing to honour their commitments existed from since he was in government. In fact, in March 2014, eviction notices were handed out as a result of the vendors’ inability to make payments towards their rent for the year 2013.

“I don’t know what happened but I know it became much more difficult after the hurricanes, that’s why I said that in these circumstances we need to come to a point of forgiving some of the debts or addressing it as Honourable Caines (Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6)) said. I don’t think we need to come to a point of forgiving all of it but giving certainly a longer period to addressing it. Three months definitely is not a fair enough time.”

Further, Honourable Vanterpool said he has been in contact with the Minister for the subject, Minister for Transportation and utilities Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), in the hope that the matter will be looked at with some leniency.

‘Forgive them of their debts’- Hon Maduro-Caines

Adding her voice to the issue, Hon Maduro-Caines said, “Yes a lot of them owe a lot of money but a payment plan that some have asked for is virtually impossible to be paid at that time because some have been given a three-month period to pay off six thousand and ten thousand dollars and I can’t see that happening.”

She went as far as putting herself in the vendor’s place, “I myself wouldn’t be able to do it with my salary so I could imagine the state that they are in at this time. So I agree with Honourable Vanterpool that forgiveness needs to be put in place right now.”

“I would say forgive the debts of the past and 2020 let them start something new. Let them enter a contract, because I can’t see it possible for them to pay off what they owe,” she said while making it emphatically clear that it owing to that extent is not right.

“I am not saying that it’s right for them to owe but in this case I can’t see that happening so [they] need forgiveness.”

57 Responses to “‘Forgive the debts’ of delinquent Crafts Alive vendors- Hon Maduro-Caines”

  • Forgive Them (15/11/2019, 08:03) Like (30) Dislike (1) Reply
    Forgive them but they them self need workshops & serious help to come up with their own products & CRAFTS!

    Either that or make a peal to people who want to earn extra income to stock these stores with real local hand made crafts & pasteries.

    Not this situation where everyone buys the same tacky clothing to sell. Clothes that tourist get offered on every single island.
    • Hottie (15/11/2019, 15:43) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
      If you forgive those debts, them please also forgive the debts of everybody else - otherwise you are discriminating
    • Criminals (18/11/2019, 16:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Most of these vendors have stolen from the government and their suppliers for years.
      Most have no idea how to run a business and no business ethics.
      Facts!
  • Come on (15/11/2019, 08:08) Like (45) Dislike (0) Reply
    So we see the reason why the practice will continue. It's ok not to be responsible tenants and business people because our leaders make it ok for the practice to continue. These vendors blame government for everything. They are the ones responsible for promoting their own shops and businesses. If the tourists don't buy what you sell, year in and year out, them you might need to think about changing what you sell or closing down. Maybe their are other people with different ideas who can use the spaces more effectively. Tourist go to every island and most vendors sell identical items only difference is the name of the island printed. What can each of you do differently.
    • Exactly (15/11/2019, 09:58) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
      Forgive the debt when they had EVERY opportunity to do the right thing? What will be different moving forward? STRUPES!!!!
  • WHAT!!!! (15/11/2019, 08:15) Like (42) Dislike (0) Reply
    Forgive them their debts NO, why??? Others in the same location are paying and there are plenty Belongers who would like , and pay, to be there.Pay or get out government / life does not owe you nothing.
  • What! (15/11/2019, 08:21) Like (62) Dislike (0) Reply
    Alvera completely lost her mind.
  • WHAT?! (15/11/2019, 08:31) Like (39) Dislike (0) Reply
    For how long do you expect the Government to be wiping these vendors' debt under the rug? That is exactly why they are not paying because you all keep pacifying their delinquencies. Many wish they could have prime space in Road Town and pay just $200.00 per month.

    These vendor are not even trying to be innovative with what they are selling as a tourism product. You can get these clothing all over for much less than what they are selling them for here. In the Craft Alive Village the CRAFT IS DEAD!!! Thanks to Mr. Hodge for producing his local art in there. There may be one or two others who actually produce local products but I am not sure because I am usually distracted by all the clothing on the doors so I don't bother to tour the place.

    I am not one for taking food out of anyone's mouth but come on. How long will this go on. They need to shape up or ship out.
  • Sorry but.... (15/11/2019, 08:54) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whilst sad, if a business is failing to pay its debt when it falls due it isn't doing well enough. Isn't selling enough products. In other words, the tourists do not wish to buy your products. Lets use this opportunity to improve our offering to the tourists, improve businesses and MAKE A CHANGE. If this is a long standing issue then its even more clear to see that change is needed for all parties involved. If you can't pay your bills, change your approach or step aside and let someone else change the approach.
  • Give an experience (15/11/2019, 08:58) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why not change the village in to a living version of how villagers lived when they first settled? Each building could be made to look rustic, and contain activities that BVI islanders used to do making natural products etc. The tourist's would love an authentic experience rather than the current arrangement.
  • Peaches (15/11/2019, 09:00) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    I know all of us have found ourselves in difficult situations before, but $150 and $250 rent...that is dirt cheap!! If they knew they could not pay they should have vacated the premises long time. Also, the City is at fault for letting it run so long.
    • time up (15/11/2019, 12:41) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      In all fairness to the city manager, I am fairly certain that it was not a matter of her doing her job. It was probably a case of political interference (as is the case this time around).

      I think that the eviction is fair enough. These people have refused to pay for years. I can guarantee that the vendors at the pier park will not be allowed to do the same for such an extended period of time. It's a bit hypocritical in fact.
  • STFU R6 (15/11/2019, 09:12) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    Alvera needs to take several bleeping seats! She is an enabler of mediocrity in everything she get involved in! Under the NDP rule debts were forgiven by the same Markino! and them MS still decided they ain paying for bleep! What about them who paid up their bills will they get compensated for 6 years if ayo so ready to forgive and forget 6 years of others? Why should willful delinquents be forgiven while others who are paying have to continue? Keep the bleep out lady is your party cause this whole problem by making them people feel they aint had to pay whenever they got served papers!
  • my 2 cents (15/11/2019, 09:19) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    The entire craft alive needs to be revamped as every vendor is basically old and they all selling cheap stuff from China. Why not have stores like BeVI , BVI JIN, Cre8tive Arts, a perfume vendor, National park Trust can have a booth as well as BVI Touriost Board and so on.... Just my 2 cents....
    • Oh dear (15/11/2019, 12:11) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      You clearly never walk in. BVI TB is in there and there are vendors selling perfumes
    • Great Idea (15/11/2019, 12:36) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Let’s put it this way. If they ain’t paying the tax payer picking up that tab because out there has to be maintained etc and they are not contributing.

      That is peanuts tent for a prime spot in the capital of our country.

      If they owing from before Irma they have no intention of paying.

      Hon Minister you are sensible. You give mouth time so just do what you have to do.

      Let me have one anyone in the opposition for that long. Impossible. This is just to tell you how the NDP mind if in handling the affairs of the people. Stop fighting for fighting she and just do what’s right.
  • Markalvera (15/11/2019, 09:20) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ayo is a setta duttii MS! Ayo is the reason y deh bill where it is. everytime tha woman try do her job ayo steppin on her toes tellin her remove lock and leave ayu ppl alone just shut tf up meyson! ayo had need leh she do her job instead a lettin these ppl feel so brazen they cud tell her ting like mark sey i dont gah study you or rent ayo ga this ting fo a joke when ayu is deh real hum.. stop try be like ayu ain had no han in it dah y we vote ayo partii out
  • "Crafts" (15/11/2019, 09:23) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    If they can't pay it means they don't run their business properly.

    In this day and age the rubbish they try to sell does not interest a single tourist.

    So get these people out and get some actual entrepreneurs in.
  • Tenant (15/11/2019, 09:28) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    If i owe $250.00 its because I have not made it to Miss Jan office yet and that will be before the month is out. But if they get forgiven for the 6 years. I will not be paying for the next 6 years and that is fair. The same privilege better come my way to.
    • Really (17/11/2019, 08:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      So you are boss in there?? This is same mentality that got most of you in trouble in the first place. Most of you went rogue for one reason or the other. You can not decide when and if you will pay rent, Crafts Alive is NOT yours. If you have a problem conversations need to be had with the authorities to address your concerns. That is the proper way to conduct business. Regardless of what, YOU can't occupy the shop and refuse to pay rent. What is wrong with you people??!
      • Tenant (18/11/2019, 14:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        So why must some get 6 years off while the rest of us had to pay that is not fair.
  • Yikesss (15/11/2019, 09:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mehson runnnnn demnnmm outta here mon ewwww
  • Verification? (15/11/2019, 09:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    It it a proven fact that certain tenants do not have the ability to pay or do they simply announce that they can't and their report simply accepted? I believe that tenants claiming financial hardships should be investigated to prove such. If found to be true and no self recovery plan in place then they should be asked to vacate the government property.
  • Volumes (15/11/2019, 10:01) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mmm....I think we’re getting to the bottom as to why NDP are not responsible adults...
  • Sue (15/11/2019, 10:12) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    They need to pay or get out that little money is small
  • biker (15/11/2019, 10:42) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Those Crafts Alive buildings are well built and survived the 2017 hurricanes with minimal damage. A possible solution to this unpaid rent dilemma is:
    1. Evict the overdue tenants and put them to work in the unrepaired CAB to pay off their rent debt.
    2. Move the CAB government offices into the now empty Crafts Alive buildings.
    3. Cancel the government's now unnecessary lease for the Cutlass Building.
    The VIP can save millions of $$$ of taxpayer's money, recoup the overdue rent and operate from strong green hurricane resilient buildings!

  • Dulce (15/11/2019, 10:48) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please do the responsible thing and demand payment. They were to pay a token amount and so they were already given a freebie..remove these vagabonds and repayment monthly even till their last breath. No government housing either for them either who there still telling and beggin. No pride consideration nor decency and poor example for youths.
  • Bragadam (15/11/2019, 11:11) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    I hope Alvera pardons her tennants rents
  • Yes (15/11/2019, 11:11) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    Before all blog all kind of stuff you you need to inkitchen with us we sell what they want . They think thw tourist nned what cruise pier sellig they tourist say they dont wanr they have they can it ar homw where they come .ita the pretty clothes they want for their caribbean evening and other night events. We arw not stupid people the whole thing is that the ships that come are not spending they come here on their last stop you all out their running yoir mouth do you come to see what we have or you just see from the out side.... we never refuse to pay some of us thier and up thousand of dollors and mow paying moths rent as the season begins and still await the to pay our monthly rent going forward as the said minister say....some lady take oit loan to help clear their deth..some pay thousand of dollors from help onthe outside you people on the out side dont have a clue as towhatt going stop pass your dame mouth on us .....come in talk with us and no the truth..... the season has start and you cant even make a good $50. They tourist dont even no we exits..... on theoir to virgin gorda they see on thie way....you would say advertise.....yes we pay to get professional made ..put them out on the street they stold them......we ask the same city manager and for misters to help us erect a large bill board advertising craft alive some where it semms impossible.....the said touristes say when they come off the ship no one tell about craft alive..we are not mention... they the crew tell st.martin and st thomas beter.. and again the taxi men take to beach and dont drop them we are hiden by some.. on a hloiday they say we sre close sunday not open we gone churh only for them to mske money....for so long they promise us to have board walk be the seaside erect signs so the tourists can walk to us nothing sowa you people running your mouth we ste trying t....we try putting on a craftshow form those who ate dgood with tjeir hands did you took the time to come not a local show up.... yes we our eviction letter send by the city manger by the groundmans ......after being told by the minister try pay what ever we can pay.. after we had an entroduvtry metting to see who we sre since dont know half of us..as he leave we get letter from city manager. Being shock as ee had already disgus amounst our self as abody as to what we would like to see happen at craft alive ....paying rent was number one on our agenda... after the letter give n we werent adament not to pay ..but the way and the time seems impossile having to deal with lost from the lost from irma distruction at our home makes it possible.......you see their are two side to a story. After carring money to bring down our rent owed ..some could pay plenty some do what could do still paying current rent starting october......the eviction letter came some to be evicted on the 1st november some on the 15 november....being so fustrated wecall tothe minister to have a metting with us ...reason base on our trying..... when the minister came we ask wath is this some fustrated sbout incorrect billingafter paying to money owed..
    .when show him the letter of eviction being shock...he then ask his private secretary if she had seem tjis letter she return answer the minister saying no no. After he said he had tol leave and he will bsck to see us..i guess for futher discustion.
    .the minister did came but a ship was .in at that tme and didnt want us to miss out makimg money .it was so slow and i sure he notice all that....we sitll awaits his comng. We are very mush willing to comply .but see when when we put things out there we always want to look good base on your envolement and those benet you look bad because you dont kniw and will never get the full trut. WE THE VENDERS OF CRAFT ALIVE DO APOLOGISE TO YOU THE PUBLIC ....FOR WHAT EVER SAGER YOU MAY HAVE HEARD WE THE VENDERS HAVE NEVER REFUSED TO PAY WE JUST FIND OUR SELF IN A POSIONT AFTER THE FLOOD AND THE STORM...ANDTHE CRUISE SHIP RE BUILDIING IN A TIMELY MANNER WHICH FORCE THE SAME SHIP TO GO TO OTHER DISTYNATION so you see a coin have two side at this present moment as the ships arrive it is very slow with bussiness and it well take sometime even othet bussiness feling it.... pleade think ill of us there are some msy be better off than some basedon their finantial status around them ...GOD SITS HIGH AND HE LOOKS LOW ......
    • WHAT!!! (15/11/2019, 12:37) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      “Yes” why dont you pay what you owe or get out and let someone who will pay the rent move in.Have you even heard of spell check , your long rambling post was almost unintelligible.
    • Lame (15/11/2019, 13:45) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Are the tourist on cruise ships your only source of income? How can the City Manager pay for a billboard if you all COLLECTIVELY DO NOT PAY YOUR RENT which is suppose to pay the staff to maintain inside and pay for marketing? If your aim is to only target Cruise Ship tourists you're not running business right! There's a whole local market you can also appeal too! According to an eviction letter i saw they've been writing to you all since JULY to go PAY YOUR RENT that's outstanding since 2013. Furthermore, it's YOU ALL went to the MEDIA thinking the public would see this your way when the BS can be smelt a mile away! The media then did their job and ask the lady for her side which came with facts. Have several seats and TRY AGAIN!
    • Really (15/11/2019, 13:51) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      So cruise ship passengers is all you depending on GIVE US A BREAK! 6 years most ayo owe for and 6 years later they meet with yall in JULY bout your back rent. If cruise ship passengers are your only target then yall running this business entirely wrong and with the back rent it shows! i'm only assuming here but if ayo aint paying how where the city manager suppose to find money to pay for a billboard? there is two sides to every story and yall own aint right! all yall MS dead wrong.. come writing a book report full a nonsense... IJS if nobody paying WHO suppose to PAY for put yall name out there? God sitting high and watching all ya foolishness!If ya cant pay Get the hell out and let real business people enter. bout time in there get a facelift
    • lol (15/11/2019, 15:58) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      this epistle work more against you than for you. make matters worst it was a difficult read clearly your business skills are as weak as you grammar and spelling.
    • stop it! (16/11/2019, 08:18) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Stop blaming the storms for your situation, I am on the inside and DO know that the storms are not to blame for the excessive amounts of monies the vendors owe the government. Everybody has Jan to be this monster, like she has not been working with you people. You ALL need to be fair because she has. Lets also not forget that the current minister has pardoned you all for some of the most recent debt you have incurred. All through the years you have been encouraged to pay your rent, at times simply to just pay whatever you can, when you can. Some of you NEVER took heed. Some of you it is only now you find yourself going to pay anything on your bill. IT is only out of compassion that they government even cares to here you justify your debt, because legally any tenant that owes this amount could be put out without all of this tra-la-la. You guys broke the agreement you signed with the government, You. Nobody else, and you took advantage of the situation over and over, and now you expect the government to foot the bill?? You cry and bawl that you are not making any money, but yet your stores are FULLY stocked, to the point that your doorways and walk ways are impassible. Clothes simply spew from the doorways. Stop complaining that the BVI is a last stop shop for tourists, not every tourist is on a ship. And also challenge yourself to re-invent your business. If most tourist don't want what you have, then think of ways to make them want what you have, and i don't mean to order more St. Maarten clothes! There is TOO much clothes in CRAFTS Alive. It is disgusting!! The way that little village looks in the daytime is an embarrassment. It looks like a child's messy room. Clothes here, clothes there, it needs to be cleaned up. If a tourist can see the whole store without going in, then why would the tourist need to go in? All of you complaining need to stop it. Man up, put your big girl panties on and figure it out if you want to keep your business. It is not the government's plan to put anybody out on the streets but they can not continue to carry delinquent vendors, we HAVE to clean up, all of us! Stop bashing the government, stop bashing Jan, stop bashing the minister. You all pride yourselves as Christians in Crafts Alive, so do the right thing.
    • Poor Representation (17/11/2019, 08:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Now really! You are a business person? Cause you must be joking? With all these incorrect sentences and spelling errors I feel you are doing a poor job representing yourself, your business and your point of view. I don't know you, but reading what you wrote is quite a telling tale of how chaotic you conduct business and carry yourself. I challenge you to start to reinvent your business by starting to reinvent yourself. Try to speak and dress more professional, and for God's sake read what you write before sending it out, because it is a representation of who you are and how you think. Right now you are not projecting a good image.
  • tola (15/11/2019, 11:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Them need to leave and just forget about the debt. People out from the bvi well want lil place.
  • 12 (15/11/2019, 12:14) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    So nobody gine talk bout how after Irma Mark nvr chk fo them is only when Ky get een is when he say 12 month off everybodi rent becaz ov Irma now he an alver wan talk bout pardon pardon deez nuts dem need geh out!
    • Tim (15/11/2019, 13:32) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      Please write English so that everyone can understand.
      • 12 (15/11/2019, 15:56) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
        Mi back fo di online gramma police. Mark never check for them after irma when the real minister got in Kye he took 12 month off di rent becas of the slow months after irma so wa more pardon deh want deh owe since before irma... tha more betta now?
  • Windy (15/11/2019, 12:42) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    I don't get it. One enters into a rental agreement and doesn't expect to honour it ?? Island ethics. Evict & sue for back rent .
    • Tim (15/11/2019, 13:31) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is very clear that the vendors who say they don't even make $200 a month need to pack up and review their business . The are obviously unsure how to make a business successful. Thy need to move on and give someone else .


  • bvi (15/11/2019, 13:26) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Its time for the city manager to go new permanent secretary ...so city manager it time to change
  • Disinterested (15/11/2019, 14:43) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    For a prime location, $150 and $250 is ‘dut cheap.’ In business, if one is not turning a profit, he or she has a fire sale and lock the doors and move on. If the vendors were renting from the private sector, they would have been kicked to the curb. What is the root cause of the vendors problem? Is it quality of the offerings? Is it the location? Is lack of demand? Is it lack of uniqueness of their products? Is it lack of local products? Is the same products that are available in other destinations? Nonetheless, the vendors support the tourism industry so in the interest of the taxpayers and tourism the vendors and the City need to arrive at win-win solution.
  • No innovation (15/11/2019, 16:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everyone there selling the same thing and then complain that they ain’t doing any business.
    Evict them backside and give the place to young BVIslander who are creative and you all will see a big difference.
    I myself went there to look a sovereign for a friend could find a decent one.
  • retired (15/11/2019, 21:59) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes throw them out on them head I also notice that they getting very close to the road soon they will want to claim the side walk for free ting te talk.
  • Renie (15/11/2019, 22:43) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can I get one of the shops. I am willing to pay $500 per month.
    Please, please.
  • muriel (16/11/2019, 00:19) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    those 3 sellers from st.v,,,,,, is who owe the most rent down there.
    • tretretrete (17/11/2019, 08:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      And one of them is a landlord with apartment buildingS! Another has her own home and the last one just want to be in things following the first 2! She used to be such a wonderful person. With all their nasty antics and confusion, its time for a purge. These 3 act like crafts alive is THEIRS. Ask them, they will tell you they don't give a shit! And they really mean it too. Because they can't conceive the idea that Crafts Alive would be standing, and they couldn't put foot in it. Smh.
  • Well Sah (16/11/2019, 07:44) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is exactly why the country has debts and keep leaning on the working class to pay taxes, NHI and whatever whims the government of the day deems necessary. Some of those vendors owe rent in excess of $10,000 dollars, who the hell supposed to pay it if the government pardons them?!!! Cause we all know the debt has to be recovered in some other way. so who will end with a hike in price of government services?? I already have to cover food and medical care for the delinquents that keep abusing drugs, having kids they can't afford and all the other bullshit! We keep putting ourselves in debt and expect the government to pull us out. The rent in Crafts alive is $150. a month, if you can not pay it, you should get out. These same vendors that bawling have houses, apartment buildings, cars and sent their kids to college. Some even have homes & business in their native countries. Do not let them fool you, and add another unnecessary bill to government. Irma is not to blame for their delinquency, they have stopped paying way before Irma.
  • hah (16/11/2019, 10:16) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Two stupid dogs. $150 and $250 a month and you cant pay that. Stop taking advantage of government. You give them an inch they take a yard. Pay up or get out.
  • Year after year (16/11/2019, 11:33) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Stop forgiving the delinquent just for a few votes. Let them take on there responsibility, this delinquency can’t allow to continue till eternity.While young talented BVIslander wish they had the opportunity like this where they can sell there creatively to the tourist.Give the younger generation this chance to shine they are dying for this wonderful opportunity.

  • Personal (16/11/2019, 13:56) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Some o f you all comments are so hateful . I went on about 4 cruise as far as belize ,alaska i went to the different places that they say crafts and clothes you are seeing the same stuffs that what the tourist want .i dont know what you all want the people to sell .when you sell local stuff they are very expensive .i know of these local vendors at craft alive try to sell their craft ask them about sale for the past year and they will tell you the truth if they are honest ..it not easy at craft alive .all i am saving who all want to come and take over the place make whatever they have to make locally come and TASTEANDSEEFORYOURSELF..
    • Seats (16/11/2019, 20:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Seats for you, seats for Alvera and seats for mark. Plant ayo bottom in em and stay there! If you can keep up with your rent get out! It’s a simple agreement I am sure all of the signed. You break your agreement the. Forward outward. Landlord ain’t there to spoon feed your sales. You as a business person is responsible for that and paying your rent. If you can’t then terminate your agreement and let who can sell a craft what ever that craft may be step in! Foolishness. GTFOH
    • Please! (17/11/2019, 08:26) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Most of the vendors are not crafters. They buy things to sell over. The were given a grace period to sell out the clothes and onkt sell the ones the sew themselves, but as you can see they did not listen. If they had any ambition they would have invested in themselves and learned a craft by now, instead they invest in clothes. The reason you don't see more local crafts is because they can't craft. And the ones who can craft will not share their knowledge because that would the last time that crafter would make money on that craft. They market would be flooded with it. No one would bother to make it unique in anyway. They steal ideas and cripple the crafters. Even with classes some of them will still conduct business the same way. Opportunities have been offered to help these women , but once they have to spend a quarter to help themself they don't participate. Nobody bashing these vendors, its all facts. And the buggest fact of all is some of them should NOT be in Crafts Aluve in the first place!! This is NOT the vision Hon. Delores had for this market and we should support the governing bodies in getting it back on track..
  • WHY? (18/11/2019, 07:06) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why do we have a " City Developmental Manager" when we don't have a city?
  • Captain (18/11/2019, 13:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I would love to rent one of those shops. $200.00 ya I can do that


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