PM needs to give us a better explanation on Chill Spot matter
The Physical Planning Unit (PPU) demolished a business that feeds and clothes a family with a fledgling business because of code violations, which, to my mind, does not warrant tearing a building down. If the building poses a risk in its physical structure or to the public, then it would have been justifiable to tear it down.{{more}}
Also, according to information, they demolished the building before it reached the court for a hearing on the matter. That is not the proper procedure in dealing with the matters in a country with laws; furthermore, the owner of the business should be suing the PPU for indiscretionary hardship and lost of revenue. What happened to Mayers-Oliver could happen to anyone else. They should have given the business a summons for the alleged violation, and if non-compliance from the business resulted, then fines should have been imposed. But to demolish the business was plain irresponsible and reckless. I do not know about any zoning or gentrification laws at Arnos Vale or in St Vincent for that matter, or any ordinance that will tear down part of a building because of complaints. If there is such a statute, then Kingstown should be closely looked at.
Our Prime Minister did not help with his arbitrary or murky comment “Iâm not saying they didnât try to do something, but what the Planning Authorities are saying is what you did was not satisfactory and in fact, things which were done were not approved.â Someoneâs livelihood was compromised and I donât think his comment was substantive. I hope he did not let the genie out bottle by desensitizing a horrible issue. Next time, I will expect a more compendious explanation from the Prime Minister.
Small businesses are the lifeblood of many economies, so they should be treated as such. I would have expected him to be a little contrite towards this business owner. The thoughtless act shed light on a broader issue which begs the question, how many of these incidents do not make the news and fly under the public radar undetected? An oversight body should be established to ensure justice.
Finally, I think the evolution of small business is what created the middle class and I will hope in the future, that our Prime Minister treat all businesses with merit, whether great or small. The heavy-handed method of dealing with such matters provokes a crisis of leadership scenario. Saint Vincent does not have the luxury of razing a business under such trivial circumstances. An underperforming economy needs every revenue possible. Forty years ago, there were only a few businesses at Arnos Vale; now it is bustling with entrepreneurial spirit and small start-up businesses, so now is not the time to do things that might harm the economy.
These businesses are success stories and Chill Spot Bar & Grill is no exception. Instead of the Prime Minister pontificating on the rationale for tearing down the business, he should have programmes for small business start-ups. I applauded the entrepreneurial spirit of the owner; it takes business acumen and an appetite to succeed. They had the right attitudes and innovative spirit that is a great contribution to the economy. Most developing countries start out very small; however, they do not always stay small. Large businesses around Kingstown were not always big; some started like fledgling businesses. They change the world of business, so respect small businesses, they can grow into large corporations. Some remain in the community where they were first established. Let it be the last that a struggling business be treated like pariah.
Drop me a comment if you so choose at Villabuck@gmail.com
K Coombs
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