Solution underway for long standing Smugglers Cove vendors’ saga
The latest situation came to light last Saturday February 4, 2012 when an argument between two vendors regarding selling spot escalated into an altercation and resulted in both vendors being charged.
First District representative Hon. Andrew Fahie told Virgin Islands News Online when contacted about the issue that since late 2011, he has been in discussion with the Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering and they have come up with a tentative solution to the problem that the Minister will be taking forward so that there can be some discussions on it among the vendors.
Hon. Fahie said he could not disclose the proposed solution since it is yet to be discussed with the vendors but it is hoped to bring an “amicable” solution to the long standing issue among them. He said such a discussion could be forthcoming in about two months and an announcement of the date will be forthcoming by the Ministry.
“We are going to be having the discussions very soon with all the parties as thus far, the Minister Dr. Pickering has been working closing with me on this matter and I see that we have a solution for it very soon, after the meetings we will take some of the views about the tentative solution that we have and their views into consideration.”
The district representative who said he has received numerous complaints regarding the infighting among vendors and the need for some regularity, said it is the hope that a system as well as physical structures will be put in place to overall “add value to Smugglers Cove and create a more tranquil business environment among the vendors so that our tourism product will not be negatively affected and our locals and residents will not be negatively affected either.”
He thanked Minister Pickering, the Permanent Secretary Mr. Ronald Berkley and staff within the ministry for working along with him and the people of the 1st district to have the matter resolved in the interest of the entire VI.
Virgin Islands News Online contacted PS Berkely on Saturday but was informed to speak with him on Monday on the issue. However, this news site is yet to receive a response on the matter even after following up on Monday February 7, 2012 for a response.
Vendors call for order
On Saturday afternoon following the altercation, Virgin Islands News Online visited Smugglers Cove and listened to the concern by vendors who were present. There were several tourists on the beach enjoying the afternoon.
While some were reluctant to have their names publish, one thing was clear, all the six vendors that this news site spoke seem to want the same thing – a system to guide and manage their operations on the beach.
This news agency was informed that the incident leading up to the altercation on the beach resulted from a situation where one apparent newcomer vendor was allegedly trying to occupy the selling spot of a long time vendor and taking his customers.
Concerns vendors are of the view that if there was a system in place to ensure that vendors have a designated spot and others could not just come and take any spot they wanted, that issue would have been resolved.
“This kind of thing will run the tourists off the beach,” one very upset vendor said of the situation. “There could have been shots fired.”
“I recommend that we need some kind of beach authority like St. Thomas’ Megan’s Bay Authority which will help to control the operations on the beach and keep it secured,” another vendor said.
One female vendor said she has been selling on the beach for some 10 years said the arguments need to stop and everyone needs to work together. She is also cautious that such actions among vendors should not be communicated or affects tourists.
The vendor suggested of Government’s intervention and for some kind of tents or structures to be used. She expressed satisfaction with the toilet facilities that were brought the beach this year.
Esther Mathews said she has been on the beach for 12 years and said first it was very quiet until recently when the fighting and quarrels began.“I think they (Government) can have a meeting with us and talk to everyone to behave ourselves. It was never like this and I think it will affect the tourists and our business.”
Another vendor had what can be described as extreme complaints where he alleged that other vendors had been cutting his chairs and throwing faeces on his equipment. The vendor said there was one instant when he left his barbeque grill and returned next morning it was covered with human faeces and also the surrounding.
The vendor, who hails from the first district, said all he wants is to make an “honest” living and do what he enjoys which is serving customers.
He is also in strong support of a proper authority to manage himself and other vendors and calls for “stiff fines” for those who are found guilty such offenses.
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