Yet again, vendors operating in the vicinity of the Georgetown Public Hospital must vacate the area.
Speaking at a special meeting of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, Town Clerk Candace Nelson said she has again received a lawyer’s letter regarding plans to seek a mandamus from the court.
She said the lawyer said these vendors will be allowed three days before approaching the court. She said she had just received the letter which said to remove the vendors within three days.
This is a decade-long issue as the hospital has written to the authorities in 2015, 2016, 2019 and again in 2022, citing the threat posed by the obstruction of the traffic, particularly for ambulant vehicles and patients who are seeking care at the GPHC.
The hospital has said the inundation of unauthorised street vending along the New Market and East Street pavements not only congests the pathways for ambulances and patients but also poses a challenge for keeping the hospital’s environs clean. Noise nuisance is also a concern.
The hospital continues to warn vendors that failure to vacate the area will result in them facing legal action.
On Monday, Nelson raised the issue with the council and Georgetown Mayor, Alfred Mentore questioned whether these persons weren’t remove already. The issue raised the need for enforcement in instances where vendors are asking to move.
Nelson also told the Council that the Muneshwers Limited has also said the business will go to court for contempt of proceedings.
“I just wish to have it stated that I will not be going to jail for anybody. I was sent another letter this time by Muneshwers to inform the council that they will be going to the court for contempt of proceedings,” she said.
Muneshwers went to court to seek redress for vending at its Water Street, Georgetown building, at the end of 2023 and after about 15 years of complaints, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George ordered that the vendors be removed or that the Mayor and City Council take steps to seize the good of those who refuse to move.
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