Legislator Appeals For Debt Write-Off For Craft Alive Vendors
In response to news that some of the vendors of Craft Alive were being asked to leave for nonpayment of rent, Fourth District Representative Hon. Mark Vanterpool, and Sixth District Representative, Hon Alvera Maduro Caines have asked for leniency to be applied to the situation.
Speaking at a press conference on November 13, Hon. Maduro-Caines suggested that the vendors might not be able to pay their outstanding debt and she suggested that their debt be written off.
“I met with a few of the persons holding shops there and yes a lot of them owe a lot of money, but the payment plan that some have asked for is virtually impossible to be paid at that time,” Hon. Maduro-Caines stated.
According to the District Representative, some vendors were given a three-month period to be able to pay outstanding amounts as much as $10,000.
"I can’t see that happen. I myself won’t be able to do with my salary so I can imagine the state that they’re in at this time so I’m asking forgiveness needs to be put in place certainly. I would say forgive the debts of the past and 2020, you start something new. Let them enter into a new contract because I can’t see it possible for them to payoff what they owe. I am not saying that it is right for them to owe, but in this case I can]t see it happening,” the Sixth District Representative stated.
Hon. Vanterpool stated that the vendors had some struggles especially after the hurricanes.
“I met with a few of the persons holding shops there and yes a lot of them owe a lot of money, but the payment plan that some have asked for is virtually impossible to be paid at that time,” Hon. Maduro-Caines stated.
According to the District Representative, some vendors were given a three-month period to be able to pay outstanding amounts as much as $10,000.
"I can’t see that happen. I myself won’t be able to do with my salary so I can imagine the state that they’re in at this time so I’m asking forgiveness needs to be put in place certainly. I would say forgive the debts of the past and 2020, you start something new. Let them enter into a new contract because I can’t see it possible for them to payoff what they owe. I am not saying that it is right for them to owe, but in this case I can]t see it happening,” the Sixth District Representative stated.
Hon. Vanterpool stated that the vendors had some struggles especially after the hurricanes.
