SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:
REPRESENTATIVES OF the St. Catherine Parish Council have not been able to collect market fees from vendors peddling in the three markets because gangs have been collecting and keeping the money for themselves.
At a meeting last Thursday, councillors expressed concern about the lack of security in the markets, especially in the capital of Spanish Town, as well as the collection of market fees by persons who have not been so authorised.
However, secretary/manager of the Parish Council, Michael Morris, told the Council that security and collection of fees in the market was also of concern to the administrative staff.
Mr. Morris said the matter was not just about security, but one that had political and criminal implications.
"We would like to address the problem but the Municipal and Commercial Service Committee has not been meeting for some time, which allow the administration not to be able to take any decisions," Mr. Morris said.
Chairman of the Parish Coun-cil, Mayor Owen Stephenson, in noting that "the matter is of concern to all of us," ordered the chairman of the Municipal and Commercial Service Com-mittee to meet with the administrative staff of the Council so that a decision can be taken on the matter.
