Things started out okay, but quickly descended into chaos after PLP leaders came to visit the downtown Straw Market yesterday.
Party chairman Bradley Roberts, deputy leader Philip “Brave” Davis, and Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell were invited to the market on a “fact-finding mission”.
Also present, but not part of the “official” delegation, were Elizabeth MP Ryan Pinder and South Beach Candidate Cleola Hamilton.
Shortly after the PLP delegation arrived, FNM supporters started questioning the motive behind the PLP visit, calling it “political”, while PLP supporters accused the FNMs of “jealousy”.
Vendor Laverne Crowley, vice president of the Straw Business Persons Society, said the event was planned so vendors could bring attention to malfunctioning toilets and the fact that some vendors are still waiting for stalls.
She said vendors were told the bathrooms were suffering from a “structural issue.”
“We’re told that they have a holding tank. The tank for example has 100 gallons of water, they’re reserving 80 gallons of the water in case there’s a fire and 20 to assist with the toilets. So around one or two o’clock, everything is backed up.”
Ms Crowley also said as many as 30 vendors are still waiting for stalls, calling it the “main issue.”
Meanwhile, vendor Celestine Eneas, an FNM supporter and president of the Straw Vendors Advancement Association, derided Crowley’s assertions, saying that vendors were grateful for the new market.
“I want to thank The Bahamas government publicly for allowing us [to be here],” said Eneas.
She said the straw vendors suffered for years under the tattered tent at the old site where vendors operated before the new market was opened last year.
“We were under the tent for at least about 15 years, if I can remember correctly.
“We realise we might have a little problem with our plumbing, yes of course, but that has been rectified… we are not getting wet anymore in the rain and it’s been a long time coming,” she said.
Straw vendors who support the PLP didn’t appreciate Eneas’ comments and it was about that time when, what was intended to be a constructive (albeit political) visit descended into a heated row with supporters of each major party spewing vitriol at the other.
Shoving and some pandemonium ensued for several minutes.
At one point, quarreling vendors had to be pulled apart as shocked tourists and shoppers looked on.
Ms Crowley appeared confused by the loud disagreements and said she didn’t understand why the event became political.
“I don’t know why the situation had to turn out like this,” she said.
“The PLPs in the Straw Market are very grateful to the government of The Bahamas. We are dealing, with concerns and issues, not politics.
