Vendors have mixed views on government's call to pay rent

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

THE government’s call for Potters Cay and Arawak Cay vendors to pay rent or face a shut-down has met with mixed reaction – some vendors calling it “bullying” and others praising the government for being firm.

On Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Alfred Gray announced that several hundred vendors and their associations met with the government to agree on a monthly payment scheme to settle arrears.

Officials have asked vendors to pay either $100 or $200. The minister said records show some vendors have arrears amounting to $30,000 or $40,000, accumulated over several years.

“I am told that some vendors are belligerent,” he said. “They are refusing to accept that proposal. And unless the Cabinet of the Bahamas stops me, I am going to ensure that those who have no leases are not licensed.

“If they have no license to operate, I am going to ask the police to close them down.”

Arawak Cay vendor Michelle Anderson called the government unfair in their stance as some vendors simply cannot afford to pay their arrears.

“You can’t bully the people – you’re supposed to put the people first.

“You don’t know why these people wasn’t paying,” she said. “Some days I don’t even make a salad. If I make $100 a week that’s plenty.

“They don’t know the reason why people wasn’t paying - $200 isn’t bad, but you can’t expect for everybody to pay because some people business are bigger and have more clientele than others.”

Ms Anderson also claimed the government should not have made the extent of some vendors’ arrears public, as this is bad for business.

“If you got to the public and let them know, ‘Hey, these people owe so much money,’ you making it bad for the people of Arawak Cay to make money to pay,” she said.

“The first thing the people say is, ‘Why should I go out there and spend my money and they ain’t paying the government?’ It’s not right. It’s not fair.”

Another vendor who did not want to give his name had a similar stance.

“What about people who can’t pay?” he asked. “They just can’t kick people out.”

On the other hand, Potter’s Cay vendor Michael Davis said the government “has a right to do what they have to do”.

“Potter’s Cay Dock as well as Arawak Cay should agree to pay what they agree to pay so that we can have a better atmosphere to work in to make this Bahamas a better place,” he said. “(The arrears) should be paid.”

A nearby patron also voiced her support of the government’s position, stating: “They need to pay their old bill that they owe. These vendors is make more than $100 a day and they’re asking them for $100 a month. They lousy. I have to pay mine (taxes), so they need to pay. I have a problem with that.”

One vendor, speaking on the condition of anonymity, questioned how the government allowed the vendors to avoid paying their due long enough to accumulate thousands of dollars in arrears.

“I don’t understand how the bills got so high,” she said. “Sounds like some kind of lack in the government because if they were doing their job it shouldn’t have gone as high as it is.”

However, she added: “Everybody makes enough money to pay their bills. If you making the money but you decide to spend the money somewhere else instead of paying your bill, then that’s your fault.

“My stall don’t be crowded but I can pay my bill with what I get. The people that owes the most money is the ones who have the most people at their stalls so why can’t they pay? Until (the government) gets firm on these people and say, ‘If you don’t do it, then your stall gone get take’, they wont pay, so that’s what they have to do.”

Comments

Guy says...

I am amazed by the attitude of some of these vendors who claim they have no ability to pay, so should not be made to pay. Are you kidding me? The govt has no obligation to allow persons to make a repayment plan. None whatsoever. That they are doing so is a bonus. The culture that has been bred in the Bahamas is one where politicians have over the years allowed this type of nonsense for political expediency and popular support. If I don't pay my bills I am faced with the consequences. Am I then to claim that my creditors have no right to require me to pay? Hilarious! Pay up or leave! End of story!

Posted 30 August 2012, 1:33 p.m. Suggest removal

spoitier says...

This shouldn't be up for discussion, you cant just have a shop and don't pay your rent, this is part of your overhead. How do you go out and buy product to sell? should you get that free also? should someone give you a free ride and lunch to go to work? People have to understand business is not just selling items or a service but it is maintaining all aspects of the business which paying your bill is part of this process.

Posted 30 August 2012, 2:36 p.m. Suggest removal

concernedcitizen says...

i,m not PLP but i applaued you Minister Grey .i,m a fisherman and i have to pay my boat lic ,gas ,maitinance ,national ins ,then when i used to work in nassau half those jokers at potters cay want credit on the conch that they only want to pay 1.50 for then sell for 8 to 10 dollars in salad...then you practically have to physically fight w/ them to get your money as their stalls are full w/ people drinking and eatin ..half of them are old political hacks and crooks ,like ol stubbs that sold a few vegetable but real business was selling work permits to hatians ...

Posted 30 August 2012, 3:24 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Another poorly managed project for years under both the red shirts and PM Christie?

When you lease property you are occupying another person's property for a fixed or indefinite period of time you ain't for going stay there for years for free.

Minister Alfred is extending a more than fair payment plan and if your business is not able to catch up your back lease payments then move your business off the tax payers property.

Not all vendors are crying poor business at the Fish Fry and they are paying their leases on time.

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2012…

Posted 30 August 2012, 6:29 p.m. Suggest removal

ApollosTwin says...

The level of slackness in this country is appalling. Nobody has a sense of responsibility and obligation anymore. If you cannot or will not afford to pay, make room for someone who can and is willing. How can any reasonable thinking individual expect that they can go through life and not pay their bills.

Posted 30 August 2012, 7:29 p.m. Suggest removal

concernedcitizen says...

i know and with the economy the way it is theres some young person that would love a stall at potters cay and pay for it ..

Posted 30 August 2012, 8:22 p.m. Suggest removal

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