KSAMC approves vending zone for Orange St this Christmas
Published:Wednesday | December 13, 2023 | 12:11 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) on Tuesday passed a motion to allow for a section of Orange Street in downtown Kingston to be transformed into a vending zone for the period December 18 to January 14, 2024.
The motion was passed at the corporation’s final general meeting for the year at which it revealed plans for the rest of the Yuletide season.
“The left-hand side [of Orange Street], beginning at Harbour Street to King Street. The area will be properly marked for vending,” Williams said.
There are conditions attached to the arrangements.
“There ought to be no vending on our pedestrian sidewalks; … no blocking of stores. There [is] to be no hindering of vehicular traffic … . Make way for delivery of goods, and the area so designated [for vending] ought to kept clean or free of waste,” the mayor outlined, adding that there should be no sale of meat or dairy products in the space.
The police and municipal officers will enforce these conditions.
Vending will be allowed up to 10 p.m. daily, with extensions granted for Grand Market on Christmas Eve.
Williams said that during the festive season, there is always some latitude that is given to vendors and the municipality is also expecting seasonal vendors.
“We are of the view that we need far better arrangements for vendors in the space … . Going into 2024, we have to begin to make proper arrangements for vendors on our street. We do allow for street vending; it is part of our culture … . Even so, [it should happen] in an orderly way and where we can allow it,” Williams said.
The motion was supported by both caucuses.
With the island rocked by a series of earthquakes and aftershocks in recent weeks, the topic came up for discussion at the meeting and the KSAMC is to explore the insurance of municipal infrastructure.
Meanwhile, August Town Division Councillor Venesha Phillips officially crossed the floor on Tuesday to join the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) caucus. The JLP holds the mayorship and chairmanship of the municipal corporation.
INTENT TO CROSS
Phillips, who gave the first public indication of her intention to cross the floor at the JLP’s annual conference last month, was elected on a People’s National Party (PNP) ticket in 2016.
There were shouts of “traitor” and “mad dem a mad out” from her former PNP colleagues.
Phillips, who won two terms as councillor, was defeated in the last general election when she challenged Fayval Williams of the JLP for the St Andrew Eastern parliamentary seat.
She is the second PNP councillor to cross the floor in the KSAMC since 2020. Kari Douglas of the Trafalgar division made a similar move in February 2020.
The KSAMC’s Christmas tree-lighting ceremony is next on the cards for the municipality, scheduled for this Thursday at the St William Grant Park.
“As best as you can, make the effort to be at the tree-lighting ceremony,” Mayor Williams urged all councillors.
Ding Dong and fast-rising entertainer 450 are slated to perform.
“I’d just like to take this opportunity to extend the council’s appreciation of his commitment,” Williams said of Ding Dong. “He is a major performer, entertainer/artiste within the region and [we’re grateful of] the fact that he has committed himself during this season, where I’m sure he has lots of invitations overseas and local.”