#410038 - 06/17/11 09:45 AM
CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
|
|
The San Pedro Town Council is asking craft vendors to move off the beach.
Jorge Aldana reporting…
“Ask tourist and they will tell you that they get better deals purchasing souvenirs from vendors on the beach and street sides. It’s a style that is unique to the island and is the livelihood of many artisans. However, the beachside craft vendors and wood carvers were given until yesterday to move from the beach. The order came from the San Pedro Town Council and is now being enforced by the Tourism Police Officers who gave two options; move voluntarily or they will be removed by force.
The unpopular decision taken by the municipality is not taken lightly by the craft vendors and wood carvers who have been using the beach for years to market their crafts to the tourists. According to the beachside vendors, they were informed by the tourism police officer that they must leave the beach and relocate elsewhere. The big question is; relocate where? One such beachside craft vendor affected is Sherlet Castro."
Sherlet Castro - Beachside Craft Vendor
“Last week Thursday, one of the police came and told me that we have to come off the beach in one week’s time. Why? He did not have a reason why because the Mayor does not want us on the beach. I said okay and you have to get out your trade licence, trade licence is no problem but where are you going to sell? Where will you sell your products. They want us to go to the park when the park is already full."
Jorge Aldana - Reporter
Did you go to Town Council?
Sherlet Castro - Beachside Craft Vendor
“I went there and saw the one who give out the trade licence and he told me if I sold in front of a restaurant I need permission from them so I could sell in front of their place. I don’t know why because that is no problem for me to sell on the beach and collect my money. That is what we do to sell our children to school."
Jorge Aldana - Reporter
For what reason? You are in a public ground, why should you get a letter from these businesses?
Sherlet Castro - Beachside Craft Vendor
“Well I don’t know why they want to that. One of my friends told me when he went they told him it would take one month to get the licence but you can’t sell within that month. How will your family eat?”
Like Castro, the other artisans echoed the same sentiment. Castro says that while she has been selling on the beach for 3 years, her common law husband has been on the beach for almost 20 years. Castro says that she will not be move off the beach because she has no other place to go. Sherlet Castro is one of almost 30 vendors scattered along different areas on the beach. The Administrator of the San Pedro Town Council Patricia Tillett told Love News that she is not authorized to speak to the media and referred us to the Mayor. Despite multiple requests for an interview, Mayor Elsa Paz refused to grant us an interview. Listeners may recall that Mayor Paz told the media earlier this year that she will not grant anymore media interviews for the rest of her term in office. When we checked today, the vendors were determined and were still on the beach.” LOVEFM
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410040 - 06/17/11 09:50 AM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: Marty]
|
|
Booooooooooo. Sounds to me like some business owners are flexing their muscle at the expense of the rest of the people.
_________________________
Say it 5-times fast: "I buy my BBQ and Belikins on the beach at BCs!"
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410045 - 06/17/11 10:50 AM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: Otteralum]
|
|
Might be time for the town council to actually do a little planning and lease park area spaces to the street vendors.
I am all for free commerce, but doesn't sound like many of these guys actually have trade licenses. One has to wonder if all are Belize citizens / in the country legally. Can you say "double standard"? Just sayin....
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410047 - 06/17/11 11:16 AM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: Marty]
|
|
I thought the beaches were open to all the public? I have been to San Pedro 4 times in the last year and have never been harassed by any of the vendors, i kinda like to walk the beach and see what the locals have to offer, it's what San Pedro is all about! I do think if they are gonna force them off the beach, they should provide the vendors with a place to display their crafts. These people have a right to make a living too!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410054 - 06/17/11 12:14 PM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: Marty]
|
|
I have to agree with Amanda.
When I travel, I love going to central markets as well.
The library had a terrible time getting the vendors off the beach and we could watch them daily making illegal sales and peeing on the walls of the library. When you asked them to stop, they became belligerent. At one point we had to ask for police presence
when the librarian closed up in the evening
Before BTB moved upstairs, they actually made semi permanent living quarters.
There is no inherent right to sell drugs, relieve oneself in a child's playground , and
be generally pesky.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410058 - 06/17/11 02:03 PM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: Marty]
|
|
I defer to locals on how they want to run their country, and I can appreciate the need for a society to equally administer their tax laws, however this is very draconion without an alternative. Sounds like an artisan park is a solution most on the board agree with.
_________________________
Say it 5-times fast: "I buy my BBQ and Belikins on the beach at BCs!"
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410066 - 06/17/11 03:47 PM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: Marty]
|
|
Don't be sorry -- I don't live with the consequences...you do! I'm just a gringo liking what I see 1 week of the year when I visit  I hate others who presume to know what's best for Belize, sitting at their desk in the states.
_________________________
Say it 5-times fast: "I buy my BBQ and Belikins on the beach at BCs!"
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410068 - 06/17/11 04:47 PM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: Marty]
|
|
I think the biggest issue is that with the vendors being helter all over the beach, there was no control. No one checks to see that these people are in the country legally. No one checks to see if they have trade licenses. I am in agreement with some sort of artisan area where they can rent space, obtain immigration status legally, pay for a business license, and pay taxes like everyone else.
The biggest thing I noticed about the article was when the woman said "it would take a month to get a trade license", and "how would I feed my family in the meantime"? Not direct quotes, but the basic idea is the same.... THAT MEANS THAT SHE DOES NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A LICENSE. Period. End of story.
Does anyone know if there are any checks on all the booths that sell BBQ on the weekends at the park? Do they have licenses? Do they pay taxes? I'm guessing not.
It should just be an even playing field for everyone. I haven't looked at the old barge dock lately in front of Big Daddy's, but that might be a place to start. Let immigration check their status before they are allowed to rent space and prove that they have a business license.
I love the charm of the vendors on the beach... for the most part, but there are a few, (many with tiny children) who will have their kids out of school for the sake of selling a few bracelets to tourists. Not a good global child labor law issue, as Diane mentioned.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410070 - 06/17/11 04:57 PM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: Otteralum]
|
|
mawags, I'm surprised that you have NEVER been harassed or approached. As a frequent visitor, I can't make it a block down the beach without being approached or encouraged to engage in convo with vendors, at least 3-4 times. Often this is quite tedious. I'm rarely approached for drug sales, or anything nefarious. The Guatemalans that sell the beautiful blankets and hangings, approach me 4-10 times a day, right in front of my hotel. They do not have an aggressive approach, but it does become tiresome saying, "no, gracias" over and over and over and over again. The same with the children selling anklets, bracelets, etc. I want to see them in school, not aggressively selling, so that their parents can drink . . or whatever is going on there. I've been having dinner and seen children so tired and hungry looking, whilst trying to sell me a bracelet, that I actually attempted to feed them. They refused, but I gave each of them some money and told them it was only for them and they could spend it on themselves to buy some food. Of course, it is not my intention to turn them into beggars either, but it was the worst I'd seen and just didn't know what else to do. Where were their caring parents, that want to ensure that they are "sent to school"?
All that said, I really enjoy taking a walk along Front Street by the park, and looking at the wares on the tables, at my leisure, at my pleasure.
As some of the others have mentioned, in my journeys, I always seek out the Artisans markets and shops.
_________________________
A fish and a bird can fall in love, but where will they build their nest?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410071 - 06/17/11 05:33 PM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: Marty]
|
|
Why not install booths all around the perimiter of the park and rent them out - at a very reasonable price - to vendors who are licensed? I would encourage the gift shops to rent booths and display samplings of their wares and have hand outs telling where their shop is located.
I would like to see the vendors moved back at least five feet from the street so that their lookie-loos don't block traffic.
_________________________
Harriette
Take only pictures leave only bubbles
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410080 - 06/17/11 10:52 PM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: Marty]
|
|
TOURISM MINISTER RESPONDS TO SAN PEDRO TOWN COUNCIL’S REMOVAL OF BEACH VENDORS Jorge Aldana reporting.... “The San Pedro Town Council gave the beach side artisan one week to move off the beach and find another location to sell their products. That deadline expired on Wednesday and the artisans called on the relevant authorities to address their concern. According to the artisans, should they be removed, they have no other place to sell their carvings. According to Area Representative and Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture, Manuel Heredia Jr. he will be looking into the situation. Manuel Heredia Jr. - Area Representative, Minister of Tourism “Well I would have to discuss that one with the Mayor because this is a surprise to me. I know that we had intentions to move them at an appropriate time to where we would have the boardwalk project with the international water taxi terminal, when that was completed it was our intention to relocate those vendors over there. I do not know if there is something else going on like them not having a trade licence. I would have to meet with Mayor. I will look at the situation and if it is valid reason I will have to go with the Mayor because I don’t think the Mayor will do anything that will take away the bread and butter from people. Every time we see a greater influx of people moving at the beach, in the park. We had said that we would have limited to the number that we had when we decided to leave them here do if there has been an increase, probably it is just the new ones that do not have a licence or new comers. I would be surprised that the Mayor would move all of them completely.” As we noted earlier this week, there are about 30 beach craft vendors and carvers and all were informed that they must move off the beach. The Minister was scheduled to meet the Mayor Elsa Paz yesterday and so far, there has been no indication as to what was the outcome of the meeting. Story at http://www.lovefm.com/ndisplay.php?nid=14117
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410083 - 06/18/11 03:15 AM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: Marty]
|
|
Pffffftttt
_________________________
A fish and a bird can fall in love, but where will they build their nest?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#410160 - 06/19/11 01:15 PM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: collyk]
|
|
Why not charge a minimal fee to have the street vendors in the park until a certain hour. Children out selling after 9pm should have their parents pulled in and charged. It is WRONG for a little girl/boy to be walking around drunk men at night. period. Also OPEN THE BATHROOM IN THE PARK!!!!!! Charge a $1 for use to pay for an attendant *hey another job in San Pedro*
We (wahoo's) get an insane amount of people needing to use the facilities? Why should I have to provide a bathroom/paper/soap/WATER!!!!! for these people? They use their kids as a way to your heart. OR they relieve themselves on the sides of buildings. OPEN THE BATHROOM IN THE PARK, CHARGE A SMALL FEE FOR SELLING THERE AND PROBLEM SOLVED. The park is a great place for vendors - what do you want it to be a beautiful golf cart parking lot? Parking lot at the back, cute vendor booths at the front.....Curfew for children! It isn't really that complicated!
If they mayor refuses to meet regarding the issue pass it on to the PM. What else can you do?
_________________________
Noele McLain
Wahoo's Lounge
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410163 - 06/19/11 01:36 PM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: Wahoo's]
|
|
This situation is really not up to private businesses to resolve. Most businesses hold leases and have their own challenges (including vendors harassing their customers). The Town Council needs to simply stop ignoring this issue. In addition, these guys need to be checked for immigration status and licensing (I believe that it is dramatically discounted for street vendors). A few bad ones certainly should not be allowed to reflect poorly on the group!
That being said, children begging / being forced to work (human trafficking included) is another topic entirely and one that is MUCH more critical than moving vendors around. One that will require both governmental and community cooperation to address. We all know it goes on, but is it a crime? How / where do we report? Are children even required to attend school?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410167 - 06/19/11 02:12 PM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: collyk]
|
|
Sorry, but I don't understand why it is the responsibility of business. Surely it is the responsibility of the community at large. It should also be the responsibility of the government to enforce all the laws uniformly including immigration, child labor, business registration, tax collection, etc. I think I can figure out your philosophy from the statement "make money from those that live here". Sounds a little Obama like to me.
Edited by CaptOneIron (06/19/11 02:13 PM)
_________________________
Captain One Iron
email: Martin@golodgings.com
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410169 - 06/19/11 02:35 PM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: Marty]
|
|
Several of the business owners here have made suggestions. Unfortunately, we are not able to police the immigration and tax issues. My problem is that if some of the vendors are here illegally, and are working without licenses, then they are not only taking money and sending it to relatives outside of Belize, but they are taking jobs away from Belizeans. GST as I understand it, is payable by anyone running a business making $70,000.00 or more a year, excluding hotel rooms. The street vendors would most likely not make that amount, and therefore would not have to pay GST on their earnings.
While I realize that there are not enough seats for all the children to be in school in San Pedro, I also know that some of the children who have seats, are taken out of school by their parents during the school year, in high season, so that they can run the beach and sell bracelets. I have seen many of these children grow up, but I see new, smaller ones every day.
If they want to sell their items to tourists, then they should be in the country legally, and have a business license. The town council/community at large should figure out a way to make a sales space for them that is affordable, clean, and has bathroom facilities.
No one is suggesting that the vendors should get a free ride, only suggesting that they have an affordable, legal way to make a living, without depriving their children of an education, and going through the same immigration process that everyone else must go through.
Children, by law in Belize are supposed to be in school until the age of 14 or 15, I can't remember. But the same issue we have here is the same issue we have with many other things (i.e. tinted windows, speeding, etc).... THERE IS NO ENFORCEMENT of the rules.
I am all for the vendors continuing to sell their wares, but I believe that they should conduct themselves like every other business in San Pedro.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410174 - 06/19/11 04:08 PM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: collyk]
|
|
If the shoe fit's then wear it. I didn't say depend on the government to solve problems. I said the community should solve the problem but the government should enforce the laws on the books. It is not always about money but sometimes it is about personal responsibility. If these people are from Guatemala or somewhere else and are here illegally then they should be deported. There is nothing worse than a sense that all the problems should be solved by a few people - in fact that is not democratic at all.
None of your tortured shibboleths will change the fact that if the laws are enforced equally then a big part of this problem would likely go away. As it is it probably encourages more people to come and abuse their children, abuse the business community and count on do gooders to lay the blame at someone else's feet.
So you can be sad, you can be insulted or anything else you want to be. I have said nothing out of line, nothing untruthful, nothing that could be construed as being part of the problem.
OK, you are the solution - go ahead!
_________________________
Captain One Iron
email: Martin@golodgings.com
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410176 - 06/19/11 04:35 PM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: collyk]
|
|
Thomas Paine phrased it so succinctly: "Lead, follow, or get out of the way."
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410177 - 06/19/11 06:06 PM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: Marty]
|
|
Talk, talk and more talk?
_________________________
Captain One Iron
email: Martin@golodgings.com
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#410180 - 06/19/11 09:16 PM
Re: CRAFT VENDORS IN SAN PEDRO ASKED TO RELOCATE
[Re: Marty]
|
|
I think both sides are right. The biggest problem here (San Pedro) is indeed lack of tax revenues, but we should ask ourselves why that is so. The GST department (to pick one example) has a policy of checking on (auditing) only those businesses that have registered for GST. Those businesses which do not register, regardless of whether they should have done, operate freely. And as has been well publicised, property taxes are not collected from certain "connected" individuals (whose businesses tend to have the highest turnover), and often not from the others either.
Another reason tax revenues are low is crass inefficiency or simply corruption, which ultimately amount to the same thing. Many businesses do not pay their due taxes according to law because there is a local policy not to press them for payment. Often this is because the business owners have the right connections, or sometimes simply that the "authorities" are not competent at what they set out to do. There are numerous "specifics" to back this up, and it's dispiriting that "the elephant in the room" is so ignored.
And lastly, the local town council has not been properly audited for some nine years, even though an annual audit is a legal requirement. The central government authorities are well aware of this, but when challenged said that the reason they didn't conduct audits (other than the trivial checking of petty cash and the like) was that "the town board doesn't want to be audited". As they say, "when the cat's away...".
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
8 registered (GwenA, 6 invisible),
75
Guests and
1
Spider online. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
15665 Members
44 Forums
47456 Topics
406729 Posts
Max Online: 1262 @ 06/10/07 02:16 PM
|
|
|
Previous Topic
Index
AmbergrisCaye.com