‘Forgive the debts’ of delinquent Crafts Alive vendors- Hon Maduro-Caines
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.”
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57 Responses to “‘Forgive the debts’ of delinquent Crafts Alive vendors- Hon Maduro-Caines”
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.
Most have no idea how to run a business and no business ethics.
Facts!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
.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 ......
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.
Please, please.