Two weeks ago, we told you all about the fuss at the Michael Finnegan market in the rivalry between wholesalers and retailers. It ended in a hard won compromise with the wholesalers on Hicatee Street.
But with the recent rains Hicattee was flooded out - which force the wholesalers to call us claiming unsuitable vending conditions. Monica Bodden got both sides of the story:
Monica Bodden Reporting:
While many people were enjoying the rains this morning, the vendors on Hicattee Street were hard at work - trying to save their vegetables from being washed away by drain water that flooded the entire street.
Alvin Hyde Jr. - Chairman of the Famers Vendors Association
"If you notice, the vegetables are under drain water, and its contaminated, and what we decided to do is to call Mr. Murrillo just now. And he said as quickly as possible, we could move the vendors to the high, get them out of the water for the mean time. And I am trying to arrange a meeting for either today or tomorrow, so that we could go over the MOU, and see what we can do. We are trying for somewhere for the farmers, for a particular area, because this situation won't work. When it rains, its a constant thing. At one time you heard that you have to move. You moved; you get to one area, and when the rainy season set in like right now, this is the situation. We can stay on this side, because it's out of order. As quick as we can get through here, we will try to find those people who have stalls in the markets who have these vehicles parked, and asked them to park somewhere else, so that the vendors could park on the high."
And while these vendors are waiting for a new, dryer location - they say they are losing money because their products are already contaminated and cannot be saved.
Alvin Hyde Jr.
"This gentleman here said that he is losing approximately $450, because in this condition, he would be able to make use of this. He can't sell this to the customers, because its not good."
Rigoberto Baha - V.P., Farmers Vendors Association
"What we lose is maybe more or less about 300 limes, 2 sacks of cabbage - call that about 250 pounds, cocoa is about 100 pounds. More or less it's about $400. Let me tell you something. This product, I cant sell to the people. In my heart, I will not sell that because these are contaminated. So I don't want people to get sick, but I am begging for the best place to my fellows. We can't take this anymore, because one month alone - just tomorrow is one month. Then they promised thath they will fix Hicattee Street, and they are not doing anything as yet. The rainy weather is not so much right now; it's just beginning. I say we can't take this anymore, because it's not only me who will be losing today. My fellows are losing product too."
Oscar Pollard Sr. - Secretary, Farmers Vendors Association
"This morning the rain came down. It pains my heart to see the people who are selling out here, that crops, the vegetables, everything are just floating away in the water. And only to find out that a month ago, when we formed this association, and we lobbied with City Hall, they promised that they will definitely upgrade the area, fix the drain. And that's 3 Wednesday ago; tomorrow will be the 4 Wednesday, and so far, nothing has been done. And this is the start of the rainy season. We need to have an adequate area that these people can have their produce set in an area that is not contaminated like what we are seeing at this point in time. Water is coming, running over the street, running over everything."
Meanwhile we saw councilor Willoughby patrolling the area in his vehicle - making inspections. Minutes later we caught up with him at his office where he told us he may need to go teach these vendors some business ethics.
Phillip Willoughby - Councilor
"With the weather - I think it's a tropical wave passing the country at this time, and I believe a high tide - several streets in the City are flooded. And Hicattee Street, I don't think is flood to the extent that other streets - maybe you will see throughout the course of the day - is to that extent. But nonetheless, I believe that if I am a business person, I would have left my produce in my mode of transportation - in a vehicle - or I would have elevated it off the ground. How does it come to this that those vendors called you to show you that, okay the Council, Phillip Willoughby, or the Department, say to you, 'Put your produce on the ground?' That is ridiculous, that is passed foolishness. You aren't planting on Hicattee Street, so I believe that their produce should have been safe and secure, and not on the ground. And I will have to get the Health Department and the Ministry of Health to look in to this matter. It's not even a rainy day, and produce are on the ground."
And according to Willoughby the vendors will not be moving from Hicattee Street unto the canal side - at least no time soon.
Phillip Willoughby
"I believe that the onus was on them, and still is on them, for them to display their produce in a different fashion, in a different manner. I mean, why would I want to bring the media out there to say I have my produce on the ground, and I have to sell this to the public? And secondly, if those vegetables - or producers have their produce in smaller quantities, they should be utilizing the Michael Finnegan Market. And again, stick to the Memorandum of Understanding of which they would not be charged, where there are proper stalls in there. But if it is that, maybe we need to put stalls out there for the producers to show them with good faith, they come to the table, it is up for discussion. Do I need to go out there and show them - teach them business ethics, or marketing? Ignorance is no excuse. It shouldn't be that this particular matter issue should have been in the spotlight of the media. Again, there is a clause within the MOU which speaks to the association or whoever wants to approach me, it is up for discussion, but like I said. If they have a problem with the state of affairs on Hicattee Street, and they need the Council to show them how to set up, and do business, as a public servant, and as is my duty, I will show them how to do that, but not just yet for the canal side."
By this evening, with the low tides and an easing up of the rain, the water in the area had receded - we'll wait and see if the controversy also recedes...
