Tempers flare at Queen Square
It has been a hotbed of tempers lately and today was no different; Marion Ali visited the Queen Square market area and found out what makes it so heated.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The sun was not the only thing giving off heat this morning on East Collet Canal, as vendors who sell their produce on the side of the street were determined and fiery with City Councilor, Kevin Singh, market manager, Bernadine Saldivar and traffic officers who went out to move their trucks filled with fruits and vegetables.
The problem has been ongoing for several years as the area becomes unbearably congested and unsafe for traffic flow, but the vendors say they would gladly relocate if the Council provides an acceptable place.
Vendor
“Last week deh move we from over soh because deh she dat the sidewalk dah fi people walk and different thing. Deh put yoh over this side ah the canal. Now deh move yoh from over this side ah the canal and deh pout yoh through dah street deh. How everybody wah fit through deh?”
Vendor
“Yesterday they moved all the people to the other street where there was no sale, nothing at all. There were people in their vehicles that only sold about twenty, thirty dollars for the day. So yesterday evening we decided to come back here.”
Marion Ali
“I understand you, but there is a sign up that says you should not be out here after ten o’clock.”
Vendor
“It’s true, there is a sign, but how can you survive working only three days for the week? Do those people only work three days for the week?”
Vendor
“The traffic still di run through and wah market place dah wah market place. Ih can’t be wah traffic place and wah marketplace.”
Vendor
“Deh used to block it off before but now deh noh want do it again and now deh she deh only di give we certain hours. Dat dah lee bit of time for us, we can’t sell nothing like that.”
The vendors also had a problem with the new location, which is around the corner from the market, adjacent to the Roger’s Stadium.
Vendor
“We bring fresh vegetables but when we put it on the ground and it’s raining what happens? There’s no hygiene, no health here.”
Marion Ali
“Does it flood here?”
Vendor
“Yes, this morning flood was here. That’s why it’s wet over there because the water was high right.”
Vendor
“We are suggesting that these people select five people or six people and let them come as a group and then go and see the Mayor or Mr Singh because everyone’s dodging the bullet right now.”
Councilor for markets, Kevin Singh, did show up at the site today and things were testy for a while. By the time the morning was out, over ten market vendors received traffic ticket violations after they refused to move their trucks from the side of West Collet Canal in accordance with City Council stipulations.
This one vendor decided to abide by the regulations, pack up and leave… after he too received a traffic ticket.
Vendor
“We’re leaving now.”
Marion Ali
“Where are you going?”
Vendor
“Maskall.”
Marion Ali
“What will happen to your produce?”
Vendor
“We can’t sell anymore because they are moving us.”
Meanwhile, on the busiest market day of the week, Saturday, the vendors say they will return to the Canal side where they have been selling for the past several years. Marion Ali for News Five.
Come on City Council, what is the real deal?
Is the goal to funnel the farmers to one source who will then control the distribution of produce to retailers & turn the leftovers over to the street vendors? Putting vendors in a location where their goods are likely to get wet & rot, does only one thing, break them financially & eventually break their spirit & instead of being an annoyance to a few whiny neighbors, they become society’s problem.
Don’t let a slick business man with deep pockets have you screw people out of their livelihood. You need these Belizeans who actually want to work in your corner.
ONE SOLUTION IS TO PAVE THE CANAL SIDE LIKE THEY DID THE OTHERS.
This would narrow the canal a little and yield more street space.
START BY PAVING THE CANAL SIDE!!!!
what a disgrace for Belize to have very incompetent public officials that cannot handle simple issues like a market…even worse, a small market issue!!! Its really ashame that City Council cannot find an amicable solution to this…a question that clear arises from this is: “Who are the City Planners???” Don’t the City Councillors have a brain to come up with an innovative idea???
What project can be done to solve this problem?
Am not a planner but a simple project that needs investment and can generate employment and have multipurpose is: A PIER or DOCK style Multi-complex!!!
e.g.like Belize Tourism Village Dock Terminal with different stalls
a.) Location:
Canal infront of Belize City bus Terminal
b.) Size:
Can stretch between the Two Bridges that are on both ends of the terminal
c.) Cost:
depends on the material used
d.) Uses:
(i) Market, (ii)Restaurant, (iii)Parking Lot, (iv)Police Substation, (v)Sport Facility
e.) Investment:
Can be given to an investor and he charges for the use of the Facilities for a fixed number of years like (10-15 years) depending on the total investment. Thereafter, the City Council collects the revenues generated and make maintainable of the Facilities.
f.) Structure: depends on the facilities included
General:
(1) The foundation can be Pilling Pillars (Lower Beams) to support the floor. No land filling of the canal because it would cause flooding, hence, pillars to allow the flow of the water.
[http://www.the3dstudio.com/product_details.aspx?id_product=49107]
(2)The floors can be of either steel or concrete cement.
[eg. Net Style or Tread Backgounr : http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/?id=7465466&refnum=1477541&source=sxchu04 or http://www.sxc.hu/photo/871271%5D
(3) Fenced with Chain-Link Fence Style [not brick or timber because they will add weight]
(4.) The market can be open
[http://www.zazzle.com/ammunition_warehouse_mousepad-144327847391921002] OR
[http://www.squidoo.com/cruise-barbados] 2nd pic
Specific Facilities: (Layout of different Facilities can vary)
(i) Market and (v) Sports Facility:
Can have a cement concrete roof that is supported by cement or steel beams which can serve as a basketball court for residents to use. It should also have a chain-link style fence and should be open certain hours only. OPTIONAL: The sport facility can also have a Box Gable style roof of steel roofing so that it can be rented for Parties like Weddings Celebration, Confirmation, Graduation party, etc..
ii) Restaurant
Can be made of timber like the Smoky Mermaid Restaurant and should be a second floor building to give a nice breeze to travellers that use the Bus Terminal…
(iii)Parking Lot
I think City Councillors can figure that out
(iv) Police Booth or Police Substation
[http://wallpapers-design.blogspot.com/2009/12/3d-model-nypd-police-booth.html]
but more bigger than this pic
You can add other facilities and the design can vary.
I hope this information helps City Council that have little or no brains to think and have creative ideas…am not a designer but surely can provide a great design if I had the time but am a busy person….Sincerely Yours, GG Analyzer.
what a disgrace for Belize to have very incompetent public officials that cannot handle simple issues like a market…even worse, a small market issue!!! Its really ashame that City Council cannot find an amicable solution to this…JUST IMAGINE A BIG PROJECT…hmm
a question that clear arises from this is:
“Who are the City Planners???”
Don’t the City Councillors have a brain to come up with an innovative idea???
What project can be done to solve this problem?
Am not a planner but a simple project that needs investment and can generate employment and have multipurpose is: A PIER or DOCK style Multi-complex!!!
e.g.like Belize Tourism Village Dock Terminal with different stalls
a.) Location:
Canal infront of Belize City bus Terminal
b.) Size:
Can stretch between the Two Bridges that are on both ends of the terminal
c.) Cost:
depends on the material used
d.) Uses:
(i) Market, (ii)Restaurant, (iii)Parking Lot, (iv)Police Substation, (v)Sport Facility
e.) Investment:
Can be given to an investor and he charges for the use of the Facilities for a fixed number of years like (10-15 years) depending on the total investment. Thereafter, the City Council collects the revenues generated and make maintainable of the Facilities.
f.) Structure: depends on the facilities included
General:
(1) The foundation can be Pilling Pillars (Lower Beams) to support the floor. No land filling of the canal because it would cause flooding, hence, pillars to allow the flow of the water.
[ http://www.the3dstudio.com/product_details.aspx?id_product=49107 ]
(2)The floors can be of either steel or concrete cement.
[eg. Net Style or Tread Backgounr : http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/?id=7465466&refnum=1477541&source=sxchu04 or http://www.sxc.hu/photo/871271 ]
(3) Fenced with Chain-Link Fence Style [not brick or timber because they will add weight]
(4.) The market can be open
[ http://www.zazzle.com/ammunition_warehouse_mousepad-144327847391921002 ] OR
[ http://www.squidoo.com/cruise-barbados ] 2nd pic
Specific Facilities: (Layout of different Facilities can vary)
(i) Market and (v) Sports Facility:
Can have a cement concrete roof that is supported by cement or steel beams which can serve as a basketball court for residents to use. It should also have a chain-link style fence and should be open certain hours only. OPTIONAL: The sport facility can also have a Box Gable style roof of steel roofing so that it can be rented for Parties like Weddings Celebration, Confirmation, Graduation party, etc..
ii) Restaurant
Can be made of timber like the Smoky Mermaid Restaurant and should be a second floor building to give a nice breeze to travellers that use the Bus Terminal…
(iii)Parking Lot
I think City Councillors can figure that out
(iv) Police Booth or Police Substation
[ http://wallpapers-design.blogspot.com/2009/12/3d-model-nypd-police-booth.html ]
but more bigger than this pic
You can add other facilities and the design can vary.
I hope this information helps City Council that have little or no brains to think and have creative ideas…am not a designer but surely can provide a great design if I had the time but am a busy person….Respectfully Yours, GG Analyzer.
Maybe the proper authority needs to approach the people differently. Sometimes, people know they’re wrong but if u approach them in a nasty way they stand their ground. I understand one of the councillors even called the vendors “the A word”, but I guess that’s not unacceptable in. Her mind after all he boss the prime minister did call said musa a Jack’s** during a house meeting so who knows. All I’m saying u catch bees with honey not vinegar n these vendors r hard working people trying to make an honest living, not stray dogs knocking over your garbage cans. Come on city council!
I think that the city council is a bit too heavy handed, they have came up with these rules and probably don’t have a good reason more than want to throw their weight around, there is no reason why these people should not be allowed in that area after all the whole block is the market place all they need to do is make that area a no vehicular traffic area up to the old Queens Square market building and install a permanent block just after the building and have the pedestrians walk in the center up to that point since there are no houses in that area. The rest of the street could be local two way traffic, If they don’t see this as a solution I am sure some amicable solution can be worked out without displacing the vendors who are just trying to make a living, another thing that needs to be done is make sure these vendors keep that area clean since cleanliness is a big issue there, a reward can be handed out for anyone that can provide proof that a vendor is dumping stuff in the canal or in the street and have the vendor pay the reward through a fine.
They like chance Hard working people, why city council no join with police to fight crime instead!
THESE FOLKS ARE JUST TRYING TO MAKE AN HONEST LIVING AND PROVIDE A NEED, AS THEY HAVE BEEN DOING FOR DECADES.
MR POLITICIAN PLEASE HELP THESE PEOPLE, THEY JUST WANT TO SURVIVE LIKE ALL OF YOU.
We need to look at the source of the problem. Wholesale Vendors, Retail Vendors and the like belong in a market. If these people are paying why are they not in a market. It is the City Council and the governing officials who are failing in completing a proper marketplace. The MARKET NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED. With all the fines collected throughout the country where is the money going? A country needs to have proper organization for its people. These farmers work so hard to cultivate their produce almost at give away prices. Not to mention the transport they pay to come to the city. On top of that, they have been kicked out and given tickets, despite the fact that they are not allowed to freely sell their food. Other countries are suffering from food shortages due to natural disasters, recession, etc. Belize should be nurturing this industry, instead these farmers are treated like garbage – no human respect. It reminds me of the cane farmers in the north, a man was dead. Is that what they are waiting for in Belize.
They should fine the criminals who are smoking their mariguana freely on the street, etc, the real criminals who are degrading Belize, NOT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE FEEDING THE COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great idea Earl Grey! Actually, the UDP promised that they were going to complete the entire canal – sides more than 10 years ago when they were in power back in the 90s. Equally hideous is the Lakeview canal side.
Guinea grass O&A, you seem to have put a lot of research into this. Why not put it to the Mayor and the City Councilors/Planner? I wish they would at least agree to hear your ideas as this is one of the best I heard so far. Who knows?
I had a somewhat similar idea, but instead of its location near the Bus terminal, I thought that it would be great near a Beach front, so that Belizeans in the city can have somewhere to swim, relax, and enjoy the beautiful weather, with their families. I thought of 2 Locations in the city: West Landivar, and Southern Foreshore, near the Bliss Institute. Belizeans in the city are dying for somewhere to take the entire family, rather than spending all their extra cash in Chetumal, or Princess Hotel/ Casino.
I don’t know why the city council is coming down so hard on these poor vendors. these people are trying hard to make a living for themselves, they are honest people and we need them around so we can quickly get our food stuff. by the way it is the responsibility of the city to provide these people with proper market place to sell their things. if the council can’t do their job of providing for the vendors, then others are waiting to take their places. the vendors need a good place to sell their goods not be harassed.