Smith delays filing Farmers Market injunction

Although attorney Fred Smith announced last month that he intended to file an injunction in the Supreme Court to stop the construction of the new Farmer's Market proposed by the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), he said yesterday that he has not yet done so at the request of the Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Laing.

Smith, who represents a number of persons who own land in the area of the Bazaar, said he was contacted by Laing, who said the GBPA wanted an opportunity to persuade his clients and the community that the chosen location for the market — the International Bazaar — was an appropriate one.

"They specifically asked me if I would hold off while they consider other alternatives," he said.

In the meantime, Smith is proposing that the GBPA seriously consider the open lot of land on the corner of Logwood Road and Grenville Drive as an alternative location.

"It's already paved, it's owned by the GBPA and its smack dab in the middle of all the food distributors, all the water distributors, the juice distributors, right where it should be, not in the middle of a touristic location," Smith said.

He questioned whether the GBPA had fully explored all the potentially negative effects of the Bazaar location.

"What provision are they making for sanitary control and maintenance after? ... Have any environmental impact assessments been done? The conch vendors and the fish vendors- is that where they consider the most appropriate location to be?" he asked.

Smith said in his opinion, the decision of the GBPA to build the market at the Bazaar was not well thought out.

"Why are they spending my licensee money, my service charge money, all the other income they're getting to build a farmers and fish market at the Bazaar where nobody goes anyway because it's a commercial collapse... There's no more hotel there, there's no more casino there, you can't create something out of nothing," he said.

The GBPA recently ann-ounced that they would begin busing customers from the downtown area to the Bazaar for a month. Smith said he did not think it right that the money paid to the GBPA by the residents and licensees of the city of Freeport should be used for such a service.

"Why is it that the Port Authority... is spending money busing people from downtown to the bazaar? Someone should really sue the Port Authority about how and on what basis they're using money that they should be using for developmental purposes, for these commercial purposes," he said.

"I don't pay my fees for them to support other businesses, I pay my fees for them to promote business in Freeport so that all of us can get employment and the community can grow," he said.

During a town meeting in November at the Our Lucaya Resort, Smith said his clients were concerned that having a fish market there will mean there may be potential for rodents and an odour, as well as unsanitary conditions.

"Its going to decrease property values, its going to cause traffic problems, its not going to be well maintained and they just don't think that its the right place," he had said.

Smith said he and his clients have written a total of 17 letters to the GBPA but had not received a response.
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It's not the right place for The Farmers Market

By E. D. APPIAH

Freeport News Reporter
Freeport, Grand Bahama- Local attorney Fred Smith is preparing to file an injunction to stop the construction of the new Farmer's Market proposed by the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA).

Smith told reporters on Thursday that the papers could take anywhere from one to three weeks to have drawn up. Smith was among dozens of residents who attended the GBPA Town Meeting at the Our Lucaya Resort and expressed concerns regarding the company's plans to construct the facility at the Goombay Park near the International Bazaar.

"I represent, about 11 land owners just behind Goombay Park and their concern is having a fish and farmer's market where there's going to be rodents, where there's going to be a smell...where its going to be messy and dirty and unsanitary," said Smith. "It's going to decrease property value, its going to cause traffic problems, it's not going to be well maintained and they just don't think that its the right place."

According to Smith he and his clients have written a total of 17 letters to the GBPA and did not receive a response.

"We're very concerned that the Port Authority has made the decision to do it despite the fact that we wrote letters...from July to October, (we got) not one response even saying thank you very much for your letter we'll be writing to you soon, which I think was very rude," he said.

Smith says he has taken specific issue with the fact that GBPA officials did not complete the necessary public consultations before deciding to move forward with the project and questions whether or not the company would be able to effectively manage such a project.

According to GBPA President Ian Rolle, however, everyone cannot be pleased.

Speaking with members of the media following the meeting, Rolle noted that the company has taken into consideration the concerns of those who would be directly affected by the move; namely the Fish and Conch Vendors.

Another major concern for some residents was the fact that the company had not yet completed an environmental impact assessment study.

"Looking at the situation without the in-depth report, we feel that we can make this thing happen," Rolle said.

"Of course, we wouldn't put that first brick into the ground unless we know for sure that it is in fact safe to do what we want to do."

The GBPA executive noted too, that the project will have enormous benefits for the city of Freeport, and in particular, the International Bazaar. Rolle noted that the company is undertaking several new initiatives geared at revitalizing the area.

He also responded to naysayers, some of whom suggested that it was unfair to move the vendors from their current locations to the Goombay Park site.

"Their concern is that they have a sure market in the place where they are located now, they have traffic from persons going to the post office, or walking in that area," Rolle explained. "What we intend to do for a period in time, especially leading up to the Christmas season is to introduce a shuttle service between the current location and the new site. We are also committed to advertise the new site."

Overall, Rolle said the meeting was successful and that he was pleased that the majority of the vendors were happy with the direction being taken. The GBPA is expected to host more town meetings as the project progresses.

Fish vendors are still downtown

By K. NANCOO-RUSSELL

Freeport News Reporter
Although the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) had indicated that effective Monday, November 9, all fish vendors will be relocated from the downtown area to the former Goombay Park, several vendors could still be found conducting business in the parking lot of the old Grand Union building yesterday.

As the landscaping and irrigation works progress for Phase I of the Downtown Revitalization Project, the GBPA said it has become necessary to relocate the vendors from their current location until the new Farmers Market is completed. As a part of the initiative, landscaping and increased parking will be introduced to the Grand Union parking lot.

In order to facilitate a more beneficial move, the relocated vendors are expected to have access to electricity, fresh and salt water on a timer-control basis, the GBPA said.

The Freeport News spoke with some of the vendors, who expressed mixed views on the relocation exercise.

The vendors said they originally received letters indicating that the temporary relocation would be effective on Monday past; however, GBPA officials later told them the site would not be ready until Wednesday.

One vendor, Arthur Sands, said he hoped the GBPA would reconsider moving them at least until the Christmas season is over.

Their present location, he said, is optimal for business, whereas the Goombay Park area is too far removed from the downtown area and would cause them to lose many of their customers, who may be be walking though the downtown area or catching a bus.

"They should wait until the beginning of the year, until January or February, before they think about moving us. Coming down to the Yuletide season, when we counting on putting a little turkey on the table, they should really give us that opportunity," Sands said.

"I wish they could think about it and give us until January. This is where everybody is going to be shopping. This is going to be the main area during the Christmas time, where most of the money is going to be spent and we would like to get a little piece of the pie."

While Sands noted that it is an offence for vendors to be selling goods at any location without the proper authorization and that it is "only through the mercy of the powers that we are doing these things," he said he believes the location should still be one that allows the vendors to be profitable.

"The location has to be established, and it's not established as yet. This is where the customers are, this is established."

Sharing similar sentiments was vendor Shawn Johnson, who said 70 percent of his customers were pedestrians.

"Right now that will cause us to lose the walk-in customers. That will be devastating for business. The Bazaar area, that whole are is like a ghost town right now maybe if the hotel opens back up I guess business will pick up," he said.

"And with the economy messed up now, to catch a bus downtown, you do most of your stuff in the town area and to jump on another bus to go to the Bazaar area just to get fish, ain't much customers going to go out of their way to do that so it will be bad for the fishermen."

Johnson said that the new location would mean that vendors would be 'out of sight, out of mind," causing them to loose impulse buyers.

Meanwhile, Jermaine Plakaris was more optimistic, saying he believed that his customers will still patronize him, even if he changes locations.

"People will come, We will have new customers over on that side," he said, adding that he had told the majority of his customers that he would be moving soon and most pledged their support.

"Some say they would catch the bus and some say when they get a ride, whenever they get a chance they will come, at least they know where we are. It will be a little difficult at first, but just give them a little time."

Plakaris said he is looking forward to the move and hopes that once the farmers' market is completed he will have the necessary facilities to expand his business.

"If we setting up better, then you could sell more things, a little grill conch, fish and all that too... Change is good too, when you get something you have to work with it."

Last month, the GBPA announced that the former Goombay Park had been chosen as the site for the new Farmers Market, which will include fish, fruit and vegetable vendors.

In August, the GBPA had carried out a demolition exercise at Goombay Park, knocking down the structures which they said were unsafe, especially during the hurricane season.

Now, the site is expected to be revitalized with new water, drainage and electrical systems installed.

Once completed, the marketplace will also feature room for expansion, which may allow some vendors from the already existing produce market downtown to also set up shop in the new farmers market.

The GBPA says the new Farmers Market is an integral part of its new Downtown Turnaround initiative.

"We are mandated to create new economic activity and provide an environment in which businesses can flourish. The new Farmers Market is one way by which we can breathe new life into the downtown area," GBPA president Ian Rolle said in a press release.

Initially officials had looked into putting the fish market on the Fishing Hole Road, where some vendors have already set up shop, as well as a location on West Atlantic Drive, near the downtown area.

Town Hall Meeting regarding the Farmers Market- Today at The Radisson

Freeport, Grand Bahama- Bahamas
There are those that are looking forward to the construction and subsequent opening of the Farmers Market and there are those who are not, be it for reasons of location or inclusion of workforce or simply the effects on the International Bazaar.
Whatever your issues, let your voice be heard tonight at the GBPA Town Hall meeting Convention Center, The Radisson at 7.30pm.

Grand Bahama's Farmers' Market moved to new site

Deidre Rahming

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama - The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) and Group of Companies, announced on Monday, October 12th, that the former Goombay Park has been chosen as the site for the new Farmers Market.

Surveying the two acre site located just northwest of the International Bazaar, Mr. Hannes Babak, Chairman of GBPA, expressed excitement at the new turn of events.


"After much consultation with local fisherman earlier this year, GBPA determined that a downtown location would be more appropriate and convenient for a fish market. Subsequently, it was decided that the project would not only encompass a fish market, but also include a space for vendors to sell fruit and vegetables as well. Therefore, we are very pleased to mark this site as the future home of Grand Bahama's new Farmers Market," Mr. Babak explained.

(Left to right) Mr. Hannes Babak, Chairman - GBPA , and Mr. Ian Rolle, President - GBPA , survey site for new Farmers Market.

Back in August of this year, GBPA carried out extensive demolition at Goombay Park. The area, which had once been a popular gathering spot for visitors and tourists, had deteriorated over the years, becoming an eyesore and unsanitary health risk.

Now, with today's announcement by GBPA, this downtown site will soon be revitalized as new water, drainage and electrical systems will soon be installed, including access to both fresh and salt water on the premises.

The new Farmers Market is an integral part of GBPA's new Downtown Turnaround initiative. "We are mandated to create new economic activity and provide an environment in which businesses can flourish. The new Farmers Market is one way by which we can breathe new life into the downtown area," said Mr. Ian Rolle, President of GBPA.

BAIC official calls the proposed farmers market useful venture

By LISA S. KING/ Freeport News

As the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) makes plans to construct a new Farmer's Market for the city of Freeport, BAIC Assistant General Manager H. Rudy Sawyer is convinced that it will be a very useful venture that could enhance the way vendors sell their goods.

In an interview with The Freeport News yesterday, Sawyer said since an announcement was made by GBPA officials about the project, BAIC has expressed a strong interest and intends to work hand in hand with the port to ensure its success.

Last month, GBPA Chairman Hannes Babak declared that the proposed Farmers Market will be located on West Atlantic Drive and will be conveniently situated near the circle by the Home Centre.

Sir Jack Hayward, honorary chairman of the GBPA Ltd., who was also present at the press conference revealing the information, noted that the final location was determined based on a vote taken among the local fishermen who were invited to present their suggestions for the market.

Sawyer said once the Farmers Market is completed, it will provide an improved atmosphere for fish, fruit and vegetable vendors to sell their goods in a manner that will be much better than it was before.

"So there is a similar interest (in the Farmers Market) and certainly as a corporation, we do have a keen interest in working with them (GBPA) on it," Sawyer said. "It truly expresses the interest of BAIC as we think that it could be a very useful venture."

He said in New Providence, the Produce Exchange there had been run down for a number of years and BAIC took an initiative to Govern-ment to have it refurbished so that it could be up and running again. The Produce Exchange was a necessary place for farmers around the country to bring their products and like the one in New Providence, the Ministry of Agriculture in Grand Bahama are busily refurbishing the Produce Exchange downtown.

Thus, Sawyer is of the view that the provision of a new Farmers Market would greatly improve the availability of fresh produce on a daily basis.

"I would think that an outlet like that, given the retail side of it and with the limited numbers we do have now, it would give them (vendors) an avenue to be able to sell their goods differently from what they are doing now," he said.

"I certainly expect that we will get more farmers as time goes on, once we don't get hit too hard by any hurricanes, which seems to be the biggest discouragement in this field here in Grand Bahama."

Farming, the BAIC general manager said, is an area in which he is particularly encouraged, especially in public high schools that offer an agricultural program for students.

He said there is great potential there because eventually some of the students will take farming seriously and find a way to establish it as a business.

"Farmers will come from wherever people are. There will always be an interest by people to grow their own food or stay close to land," he said. "Most of the land for commercial farming in Grand Bahama is really located towards the eastern end of the island, where most of the crown land for farming is located. Once you get near to Gold Rock Creek, that is where you will find most of the farms."

Sawyer said while the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for refurbishing the Produce Exchange, BAIC has a different approach to agriculture as a government corporation.

"BAIC's angle when it comes to agriculture is as with any other business and that is to really encourage people who would want to go into business to help them prepare to go into business," he said.

During the press conference announcing the location of the new Farmers Market, Sir Jack also said he liked the idea of it being not just a fish market, but rather a space that vendors can sell fruit, vegetables and prepared seafood dishes as well.

He said that it would be ideal for persons who want to bring fruits and vegetables and other products from the rest of The Bahamas as there is a need to be able to access all of the many products, flora and fauna of The Bahamas.

"It was perhaps not the best move to introduce the project as a fish market," he said agreeing that a farmers market would be a much more suitable name. "We should call it a farmers' market and we should encourage all the farmers in the whole of The Bahamas to send their produce to the farmers' market."