Erica Virtue, Staff Reporter
THE FORMAL and informal fee structures and security systems operating in downtown Kingston have left vendors strapped for cash, affecting their ability to pay the required fees to the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC).
As a result, the KSAC's markets department has lost millions of dollars in revenue.
Figures obtained indicate that the department has lost income for the 10-year period 1992 to 2001. The KSAC's expenditure in that department during the same 10-year period was $573 million, while its income was $426 million, registering a loss of $147 million.
Town Clerk, Errol Greene, said the KSAC's expenditure on the vendors behalf is based on the fees they are charged. According to the figures, however, the Corporation has spent much more than what higglers pay.
"That spot where they sell, if it is a legitimate vending area, they must pay for it. They pay a fee for that and they pay an annual licensing fee. So, there are two things. Every vendor requires a vending licence and every vendor who is on an authorised designated vending area, has to pay for the spot...," he explained.
The KSAC's markets department said licensed vendors pay a registration fee of $500, but the fee for the spots where they conduct their business varies.
Michael Webb, consultant to the KSAC, said Friday that the $500 payment is a one-time payment, which provides the vendors with an identification. The identification carries an expiry date, and is renewable annually.
"Vendors are provided with different facilities. For example, those in the Constant Spring Market operate out of enclosed facilities, with and without sanitary conveniences," Mr. Webb explained.
A weekly rental of $2,400 is charged for a shop with its own sanitary convenience. They pay $1,600 weekly for a medium-sized shop without any sanitary convenience and $1,200 for small shops, according to Mr. Webb.
Turning to the vending downtown, he said vendors in the Pearnel Charles Arcade are provided with two sets of facilities. A single stall measuring six feet square warrants a $900 weekly payment, and those operating a double stall pay $1,300. Those using the "holding area" (a spot rented to higglers) pay fees from $250 to $400 weekly, depending on the size of the area.
Mr. Webb said there were empty stalls in all of KSAC's facilities.
A large majority of the vendors operate on the streets, blocking the roadway and drawing the ire of KSAC.
Some vendors say they are caught between two cycles, one legal and the other illegal, with an end result that is sucking their meagre earnings. They say they must walk the tightrope of the administration of the KSAC, but they must also give money to "bad man dem" who demand money at regular intervals in the names of dons who reputedly "control the area".
The legal vendors say they do not object to paying fees, but say they end up losing, as illegal vendors are allowed to operate in the non-designated market areas and are getting sales that they should.
KSAC officials have often met resistance when they attempt to clear the streets of illegal vendors. A source said their agents have been approached and that, "KSAC can't move anybody from certain areas, because is we control here."
While vendors operating in the Pearnel Charles Arcade complained bitterly last week that they were losing money to illegal vendors, they were hostile to questions about other money they pay. Expletives, silence, and sharp hissing of teeth was the answer given by many.
It is believed that many vendors are operating illegally, while they make other payments to secure their illegal tenure on the roads.
But, one explained the "runnings".
He said he is an illegal vendor in the eyes of the KSAC but "I pay, of course."EZ said, "Look here. Some bredda come cross de scene when I just come here and dem tell me seh I have fe pay to operate in de boss territory. Dem tell me seh is $500, but den him tell me seh mi have to pay $500 more."
According to him, at regular intervals men come to the market and demand money from them, saying "the boss send them". They pay, and if not, their goods are destroyed or confiscated.
Asked if vendors ever fight back, he exclaimed, "Yah idiat or what."
He said vendors sell goods for some store owners, and also other higglers who stay in the market but have some people "goosing for them".
Goosing, according to him, is when individuals take goods from bona fide higglers and peddle them illegally on the roadway and sell for a commission.
Asked if he was forced to pay extortion money, EZ said, "Nobody force us to do anything. But you know what will happen if you don't pay."
Less than a month ago, KSAC officials along with heavy police protection removed vendors who were operating illegally in front of the Kingston Parish Church. Vendors had taken over the area, erecting metal stalls and blocking the church's entrance.
Not his real name.
