Your Worship, the Mayor,
I returned to Arima some six months ago and realised that a number of things have changed and some have remained the same. I wish these were good things but sadly they are not.
Can you please explain why the vendors of the market both in and outside the building are forced to close up shop by 4 pm every weekday and midday (I stand corrected) on weekends? Why are they not allowed to open to 6 pm everyday?
You may be wondering who would need to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables after 4 pm during the week. They are the people who work late and need to stop at the market to pick up produce to cook that same night. They have to get fruit for lunch kits and in case you are thinking that groceries open till 8 pm, the customers I am referring to earn minimum wage. They need to buy at market prices!
I thought I was alone in my thinking but I met a group of vendors under “d big tree” and they told me of their failed efforts to get you to change this apparent rule. They explained how much money they lose because of this rule.
They added that when they try to get last minute sales, the borough police arrive! The vendors claim that the borough says the market causes too much traffic. Instead of harassing vendors, why aren’t the traffic wardens assigned to manage the traffic around the market?
Then there’s the matter of the Mt Pleasant “highway.” While the residents of the area are indebted to former works minister, Jack Warner, for repairing a bridge that was broken for almost three decades, it is now the back road short-cut to hundreds of drivers trying to avoid downtown Arima. This is the price of progress right?
One taxi driver told me the same committee that asked the Government to repair the bridge also asked for speed bumps. He was told this was not practical on a main road. May I make a few suggestions:
1. Mt Pleasant always had speed limit signs, please put them back;
2. Send the traffic wardens at peak hours to ensure the speed limit is obeyed;
3. At nights, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, the speed of vehicles and their amplified music keep residents up, please have the necessary authority handle this.
Your Worship, I am leaving my concerns in your capable hands and will confidently look for the necessary improvements for this returning burgess and all those affected by the above practices.
C Maharaj,
Arima