Tyrone Reid, Staff ReporterTHE DESMOND McKenzie-led Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) has pulled the plug on the Suarez circus that was slated to raise its curtain last night at Stadium East.
When The Gleaner visited the venue last night a security guard was seen turning away patrons.
A livid Mayor McKenzie was obviously not amused with the fact that the operators of the circus embarked on an advertising campaign without first soliciting an amusement licence from the KSAC. Additionally, the mayor gave the operators of the circus 48 hours to remove "their illegal signs that are defacing the city."
"There can't be any discussions until all requirements are met" we can't continue to bend the law. If the circus was operating in any other city they would have to abide by the laws, what's the difference in Kingston," insisted Mayor McKenzie.
The mayor told The Gleaner that he has written to Commis-sioner of Police, Lucius Thomas, seeking his assistance to ensure that the show does not get off the ground. "We will be monitoring the site to see to it that the circus does not get under way," he said.
After an apparently unfruitful meeting with the operators of the circus late yesterday, an adamant Mayor McKenzie said that the perpetual disregard for the autonomy of the local authority would not be allowed to continue.
NECESSARY INSPECTIONS
The mayor also warned the public that they attend the circus at their own peril. He said: "Nothing has been established about the security of the venue" the necessary inspections and recommendations from the fire and public health departments, which are prerequisites to the corporation's approval, have not been completed."
The mayor said the KSAC would not grant the requisite approval to the circus until the safety of the patrons is guaranteed and the proper provisions in terms of sanitation are settled.
