UPDATE: Vendors meeting with Premier postponed
The vendors are particularly unhappy that since the vending area under the grandstand was refurbished they have been relocated from their regular spots while some have complained of being left without a stall, since they were allegedly given to new comers. Another complaint is that the stalls are too small and cannot accommodate enough persons for more efficient service.
The new President of the VI Horse Owners’ Association also came in for strong criticism from some vendors, who accused him of being “power drunk” and wanting ‘full control” and said the issue of the vendors being allocated should have been left to Government.
The aggrieved vendors have reportedly vented their frustration to 3rd District representative Hon. Julian Fraser RA, who sought to have their concerns addressed by Government and hence the scheduled meeting yesterday. Hon. Fraser confirmed to Virgin Islands News Online that the meeting did not take place but did not say if another date has been set for it.
Meanwhile, Virgin Islands News Online had spoken to a few of the vendors on condition of anonymity. According to one vendor, it is unfair that vendors, who have been offering their services there on race day for years, should have been removed from their regular spots and noted that several customers had expressed their disappointment when they turned up at their familiar spots at the recent Boxing Day races and found out that they were no longer there. The vendor also believes sales were lost as a result.
Another vendor said she was disappointed that the Virgin Islands Horse Owners’ Association placed the vendors where they saw fit. One vendor suggested that the regular vendors should have been allowed to remain at their usual area and allocate the remaining stalls to new comers. The vendor recommended that vendors should be given back their usual spots.
While others had a problem with the size of the stalls, one vendor said he did not have a problem with it as although the stalls are smaller in width there is much length to be utilized.
“There is nothing that can be done now either as it would only be a waste of money by Government to do any restructuring but this was not a plan that just came about because from what I understand it was always part of the plan for the whole establishment by the Department of Public Works,” the vendor said, while still adding that the new President wants “full control”. “He should have let the Ministers deal with the allocation of the stalls.”
Newly elected President of the Virgin Islands Horse Owners’ Association Lesmore Smith had said he hopes the vendors would soon embrace the changes which have been made for the good of the sport.
The vending area, which was upgraded just before the Boxing Day races, has 14 stalls. The wooden structures were replaced with a more secure and attractive concrete one.
Smith had previously said vendors had long complained about the poor condition of the stalls and the further discomfort posed to them when it rained.
“It was in a condition where it was all wooden frame with palettes on the ground…. and we ourselves look at it as being deplorable and we talked about it many times but it never came to fruition but fortunately since I have been elected President of the Horse Racing Association I made some requests and as a result of pressing and asking, a decision was made to go ahead with the project through the Minister of Education Mr. Myron Walwyn, who is now the Minister responsible for this subject,” Mr. Smith had told Virgin Islands News Online.
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