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Local entrepreneur alleges discrimination in trade licence delay

According to George, no one has complained or made made any contact with him directly at any time regarding the reasons for the complaints and he has become frustrated at the process. Photo: supplied
Daniel A. George of Jost Van Dyke told Virgin Islands News Online that he applied for a trade licence for his snack bar business, which is located at the Great Harbour beach in Jost Van Dyke, but continues to face delays in having his application processed after complaints were made by local residents against having his bar at the beach location. Photo: VINO/File
Daniel A. George of Jost Van Dyke told Virgin Islands News Online that he applied for a trade licence for his snack bar business, which is located at the Great Harbour beach in Jost Van Dyke, but continues to face delays in having his application processed after complaints were made by local residents against having his bar at the beach location. Photo: VINO/File
Permanent Secretary within the Premier's Office, Mrs Rosalie Adams could not be reached for comment on the issue. Photo: VINO/File
Permanent Secretary within the Premier's Office, Mrs Rosalie Adams could not be reached for comment on the issue. Photo: VINO/File
George related that his bar sells popcorn, hot-dogs and veggie burgers. Photo: supplied
George related that his bar sells popcorn, hot-dogs and veggie burgers. Photo: supplied
GREAT HARBOUR, Jost Van Dyke, VI – One local entrepreneur has alleged that he is being discriminated against, after having applied for a trade licence for a year and not receiving approval to date allegedly because of complaints.

Daniel A. George of Jost Van Dyke told Virgin Islands News Online that he applied for a trade licence for his snack bar business, which is located at the Great Harbour beach in Jost Van Dyke, but continues to face delays in having his application processed after complaints were made by local residents against having his bar at the beach location.

“I am being harassed by locals. They are complaining about my snack bar on the beach,” George said. He related that his bar sells popcorn, hot-dogs and veggie burgers.

George alleged that several complaints were made by a person [name given] associated with a popular restaurant and bar at Jost Van Dyke and said this has continued to delay his application unnecessarily.

According to George, no one has complained or made made any contact with him directly at any time regarding the reasons for the complaints and he has become frustrated at the process.

The entrepreneur related that after making enquiries, he was advised that his application was waiting on approval from cabinet but has since been told that this stage has now passed.

According to George, his latest information, is that new complaints have allegedly forced the application to the Governor, Mr William B. McCleary, for it to be approved.

When contacted, one staff member who was allegedly advising George of the progress of his application, told this news site that he could only disclose that the application was being processed.

Permanent Secretary within the Premier's Office, Mrs Rosalie Adams could not be reached for comment on the issue.

Efforts to contact Mr Kevin C. Smith aka 'OJ', Director of Trade and Consumer Affairs were unsuccessful up to post time.

37 Responses to “Local entrepreneur alleges discrimination in trade licence delay”

  • Maxwell (12/11/2013, 08:41) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    Must everything be about politics? I wonder what is the real story behind this one?
    • one eye roster (12/11/2013, 22:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      where is the politics in this one? maybe I can't read!!!!
  • under the bus (12/11/2013, 08:52) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    The people should know by now if you are a local under the NDP you gets nothing…they hate locals and love expats and w…
  • licensed to buy (12/11/2013, 09:03) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    people can be dirty and wicked
    dont study then ur license to sell is ur right to buy
    (if u can buy it,u can sell it)
  • chad (12/11/2013, 09:03) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    No surprise here many people applying for a trade license have stories
  • you all (12/11/2013, 09:28) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    the full story is the people that comes to the vvi when they get in here ,they get settled and they don't Want the locals to get comfatable .This man catches goat too for a living, and even that they want to kill all the wild goats over here . none of the government don't listen to their people ,they think these people are their people. until election time after 3 years send them home .This our home, when you come here, what you meet here, leave it here or don't come back here.VI
    The minister for our natural needs to have a meeting with the LOCALS of JVD so we can talk about our NATURAL RESOURCES JOST HAS TO DEAL WITH THIS MATTER
  • trrefdrfds (12/11/2013, 09:28) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    There is so many dj's on this island operating without a Dj license and making illegal money. They need to address this issue also.
  • What? (12/11/2013, 09:50) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Since when a trade license have to be approved by the Governor? Pure lies! They really giving you the run around mah boy!
  • Sherry (12/11/2013, 09:53) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm confused. If the beach is public is it legal for a private company to stake out space on it? If it is impeding pedestrians (which I am not saying), who has the right of way? I would think that people would want to keep businesses back off the beach to maintain its original beauty without being encroached on by blocks of big buildings which changes the character and therefore, the golden goose. Just a thought.
    • True (13/11/2013, 16:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      well, some of those restaurants that are located next to beaches dont even have any beauty on them, with all kind of shirt and dirty panty hang up the roof with spider web between them like it is a dumpster. they need to check that.
  • weed (12/11/2013, 10:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    it is indeed time for a shake up for younger heads to come through
  • Wrong skin color (12/11/2013, 10:48) Like (9) Dislike (9) Reply
    The problem is you are not white. If you were white, NDP would have given you the trade licence, same day.
  • For the young people (12/11/2013, 11:00) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is the sheer crap that does vex me. Here is a young man trying to make an honest living. He has the human right to eat, have shelter, clothing - basic human needs like every body else. He ain't up and down stealing and tekking up what ain't his and sitting on the corner or in a gang. If the young people resort to stealing and violence, ayo got the world of things to say. Stop double dutching on the young people. This madness has to stop. When is a new Government gonna take over this place? What does the Constitution say about emergency and early elections?
    • True (12/11/2013, 13:32) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      so everyone as long as they are from here can build units directly on the beach which they don't own, why not let them build in your plot of land they don't own that either then hear you complain!
  • Virgin Son (12/11/2013, 12:19) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    See young locals can’t get to open a business but this government claimed they are for the youths and want to teach them to fish...Another LIE and another reason why the NDP must GO!!!!
  • ccc (12/11/2013, 12:58) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    Dis guavament is NOT SERIOUS ABOUT HELPING ITS PEOPLE!!!
  • True (12/11/2013, 13:32) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply

    so he is allegedly breaking the law, everybody seemed to miss that.

  • Olewife (12/11/2013, 14:44) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    If he get a trade liesence on the public beach, then I goin build one just like it on Smuglers Cove beach.
    • dog (12/11/2013, 23:57) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      all the more reason to deny a license. Buildings should not be built on beaches which are for the public and not for private enterprise. Just because he from here doesn't mean he gets special privileges. No building on the beach. Vendors have already ruined smugglers. technically, there shouldn't be a flag on the beach either. just pure beach.
      • Hummmmm (13/11/2013, 22:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        GREEDY DEM SMUGGLERS PEOPLE GREEDY BECAUSE DEM ALWAYS AH CUS ONE ANOTHER, THATS WHY D BEACH GET RUIN
  • JVD (12/11/2013, 15:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    there is more in the mota
  • bay yute (12/11/2013, 16:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    hope he is telling the truth and nothing but the truth
  • witness (12/11/2013, 18:31) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dis snack bar all yo talking about isnt build on d beach, it is on wheels and can move anywhere, so I dont see how it is a problem to anybody. And dats d only place yo can someting after hour. Real talk
    • pat (12/11/2013, 23:58) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      so how often does he move it? If he doesn't then it is not temporary, it is permanent. Keep it off the beach.
    • Are you kidding me?? (13/11/2013, 16:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Where the hell do you see wheels??
      • witness (13/11/2013, 17:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        look like u know so much. go and look where it is bar around at d bottom
  • wise up (12/11/2013, 19:01) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    We give all kinds of people breaks to set up business in BVI but we apply the rule book when it comes to the BV Islander; when a so called rich whites come here the BVI Government grants them all forms of tax breaks; these are the people the government suppose to hit with tax and import duties...we issue non bv islanders trade licence to operate home offices and that is not right; i personally think when a non BV Islander is granted permission to conduct trade here they should hire our people NOT run the office from at their home;; try give the young man permission to conduct business; he want to conduct legal business; i rather the young man begin this business and make money SO he wont have to commit CRIME to make ends-meet....go talk that !!!!!
  • Local (12/11/2013, 19:10) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply

    I am a local living on Jost Van Dyke, i see no problem with the young man having his snack bar. It's your own people who drag yo down everyday. I don't see how a little snack shack can be a trouble to big F***. Them to bad mind, no one else is complaining but F****....why....because its close to them. Wutless set a people

  • ting to talk (12/11/2013, 19:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    I DONT KNOW WHY EVERYONE HAVE IT FOR A BIG SECRET FOR .ITS **** WIFE FROM ENGLAND AND **** WANT THE YOUTH GONE FROM DEH TING TO TALK

  • mango (13/11/2013, 00:01) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    so if ten people want to set up on the beach, are they allowed? how many is too many? and if there was zoning, they wouldn't let that happen. It is about protecting and regulating the area. people can't just set up where they want to.
    • wise up (14/11/2013, 17:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

      mango; check your facts-the rich whites were allowed to build a resort on scrub islands that project disrupted one of the best fishing areas in the bvi BUT when it come to "US" clowns like you talking about protecting and regulations; let me remind you-thank God for some tuff BV Islander who stood up and cause the beef islands development to stop BUT when it come to the small black man fool like you with regulations & protecting areas AKA Zoning....any other kind of people can come in here and "£$% up our country and that is great for BVI...if he was white the business would be up and running already !!!! yes i said it NOW you run go talk it

  • Bad luck (13/11/2013, 08:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Very likely one (or more) of the existing White Beach businesses are using their influence and connections to keep competition away. That said, as mango points out above, there is little if any form of planning or zoning in the BVIs. If indeed the issue is that it has been determined that there are enough food stands on White Beach, the least the govt could do is to let Daniel George know. This would be another way for the govt to be "transparent", which alas they are not.
  • WEL SA (13/11/2013, 10:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    ON JOST VAN DYKE ALL D BUSINESS IS ON D BEACH AREA, THATS JUST D WAY IT IS. ALLOW PEOPLE TO LIVE MAN.
  • A better tomorrow (13/11/2013, 22:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    That y j v d would never be no different of how it is today. Foxy took his music fest to cane garden bay because he want no local to have anything to do with it that bad minded. All when it had labour day no booth could build around him he curse throw off his words at u. Now a local want to set up a snack bar and same thing he getting. He does not sell the same thing I hope and pray that Daniel George get true and would not have to move. Encourage us with love and freedom then we don't have to do things we don't want to do like steal.
  • pic (16/11/2013, 17:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    we do not have a vendor plaza for him to move in. so he can't move until theres one one JVD talk that


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