Wholesale vendors out at the Michael Finnegan's market made the news several times last week. That was because they were not satisfied with moving off the canal side unto to Hicattee Street. And so they formed a committee called the Farmers Vendors Association and made a proposal with a list of concerns that they handed to the city council.
Residents of Bocotora Street were also dissatisfied- and made representations to the council on how business behind that area has been destroying their quality of life. On Tuesday of last week a meeting was held between the council, members of the Farmers group and residents of Bocotora Street to try and reach an amicable solution. Well today an agreement was achieved between all parties and a memorandum of understanding was signed. Here's what it entails:…
Deputy Mayor Phillip Willoughby
"Previously before this document it wasn't in writing. I think for the first time again Phillip Willoughby being at the helm of this situation we opted to include all the players form the market, the residence from the community, the producers and the vendors from within the Michael Finnegan Market. We sat down and we discuss the issue totally, we also listen to the media houses. I listen to my colleagues from Gaylen in our PNBA classes and putting everything together - again from my party that I belong to we discuss this entirely and the end results is the document that we sign off here today. This document will have something for everybody - creating a level playing field for all to benefit."
Marion Alley, Reporter
"Well you've come full circle before and you never seem to get it right. What makes you think you have it this time?"
Deputy Mayor Phillip Willoughby
"I don't know what you are referring to."
Marion Alley, Reporter
"There are always conflicts at the market from week to week and month to month. I will guarantee there will be another one."
Deputy Mayor Phillip Willoughby
"Again within the document there is a provision in there that if there is any unforeseen contingency - any anomaly that may arise there has to be an agree time frame for all the parties to come together to discuss the issue and debate it out thoroughly."
Isani Cayetano, Reporter
"Councilor, the MOU has been sign but you haven't spoken on the specifics of what it entails. Can you speak to us on some of the terms of agreement especially with regards with the use of the canal side?"
Deputy Mayor Phillip Willoughby
"The canal side is not out of solution box. What will happen is; one; is that the vendors/producers will use the Hiccatee Street area to do their business. If there is any excess capacity or spill over then they will be provided with an opportunity to utilize West Collet Canal and up until an available space becomes available on Hiccatee Street then they must relocate to Hiccatee Street. There is two cut off time; our personnel will be on the ground at 5am both traffic and special constable doing enforcement agreed upon by all. Thereafter the vendors/producers will do or transact business up until 10am. After we do a comprehensive walk through again by the retailers of the Michael Finnegan market personnel from the Market Producers Association and the Belize City Council we will then determine who has smaller quantities or volumes and those vendors will then utilize either the Michael Finnegan Market or the Mr. Hyde's market."
The memorandum of understanding which was signed this afternoon expires in one year.
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