Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
Another clash over sale of Mashramani spots
By Zena Henry
It appears that the contention between the Town Clerk and Mayor’s Offices at City Hall is not letting up. The two sides are poised for another clash over the sale of Mashramani spots this year. While the Mayor and Councilors are in discussion on how programmes will be carried out for the upcoming celebration, Town Clerk (ag) Carol Sooba has already announced spot prices and rules to be put in place.
Mayor Hamilton Green
According to Mayor Hamilton Green, traditionally, the Finance Committee and Social Development Committee would finalise the necessary Mash plans after Full Council would have made decisions on specific areas to be addressed. The Mayor said that the Town Clerk has been arbitrarily dealing with the preparations.
Green said that Sooba is not to be taken seriously, since there have been no discussions that would allow her to make any announcements. The Mayor told Kaieteur News yesterday that the Council is currently in talks over programmes related to Mash – they are considering slashing the price of vending spots in half among other arrangements.
“The sale of spots will commence next Monday and interested persons will have to go to the Mayor’s building where the Social Development Committee’s office is located to get the necessary information.”
However, a few hours before the Mayor’s announcement, Sooba had stated that interested persons would have to come to her office and speak to her officers, if they are interested in the rental of vending spots. During a press conference, she told the media that arrangements have been concluded in this regard.
Sooba said that the Mayor and Councillors have no authority to determine what will happen during the Mash season since it is not a social event, but an economic one for the Council. She said that the sale of spots at Merriman’s Mall and Vlissengen Road have already commenced.
Spots will be sold from $8,000 to as much as $22,000. In some cases concessions will be granted, Sooba explained. Additionally, illegal vendors will be arrested during the celebrations. Sooba charged that there will be no vending on Church and Irving Streets, neither will spectators be allowed on those thoroughfares.
The City Constabulary is expected to be in full effect to ensure the adherence of the rules. Sooba said. The ranks will also be extremely vigilant, as the Council moves to prevent the purchase of spots being used for illegal activities such as gambling.
Sooba said that interested persons can come to her office, where they will be given an invoice from her designated officers to make payments to the Treasurer’s department. Sooba reiterated that her office is “solely responsible” for the sale of spots, and her office, “will not be held responsible if persons buy spots from the wrong people”.
Town Clerk (ag) Carol Sooba
The Town Clerk claimed that the Councillors are upset over the spot sales, because they will no longer be able to give their friends and family free vending spots, and they in turn will not be able to reap from the proceeds. She said that since her involvement in the activity, the Council has been able to raise more money than when the Councillors managed those affairs.
Last year, individuals and commercial organizations raised concerns over the increase in the rental fees for vending spots. Some threatened to pull out of the venture, and made good their threats when complaints about the hefty sums were made to the Mayor’s office.
Individual fees were said to be from $5,000 to $20,000, while commercial enterprises were being asked to pay from $200,000 to $400,000. Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase–Green, who chairs the Social Development Committee, had stated in a letter that it was not until complaints started pouring in to her office, that the Council became aware that the Town Clerk was selling vending spots.
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