Market concerns

Car park attendant, Sherwin Blades is very concerned how the market’s demolition would be conducted for fear of asbestos. (Carlos Atwell)

By Carlos Atwell | Tue, January 04, 2011 - 12:03 AM

Some business owners and managers surrounding the much publicised Fairchild Street Market are not concerned about asbestos but this is not a feeling shared by others.

From feelings of great alarm to nonchalance, the people interviewed yesterday agreed on one thing – something should be done with the market.

“I am very concerned about how they (Government) are going to remove that asbestos as I work right here. I know how dangerous it can be if you inhale it and you can’t even scratch if it gets on your skin,” said Sherwin Blades, car park attendant for the New Testament Church of God headquarters.

He said he would not have any problems should the proposed demolition occur on a Sunday as he would not be working then, but hoped notification would be given beforehand. On the other hand, a manager who requested anonymity said: “It doesn’t worry me. One day inhaling asbestos can’t kill you; it’s the people who work in the asbestos factories who are in danger. Besides, the wind blows across there (indicating the Fairchild Street Bus Terminal) and they could always wet it first anyway so nothing would blow about,” he said.

Another manager, this one from Feed and Garden Supplies, also said it was not something he worried about.

“I’ve been working here 20 years and I’ve never thought about it. Still, the best time to do it would be the weekend when fewer people are about,” he said.

Owner of Supa Eats, Verdine Arthur, was less complacent. She said she would prefer that she and her staff not be around when the demolition happened.

“I heard it was going to happen on a Sunday. We are going to be open the third Sunday of this month so I hope that isn’t when they do it. Still, I think they will give notice
to all of the people around here; it’s only protocol,” she said.

Jordan’s Supermarket assistant manager Elvis Moore said Sunday would be the best day as many people had asthma and he personally would not want to be at work when it came down. These sentiments were echoed by Marcia Yarde, a vendor in Booth 20 along the terminal.

Full story in Tuesday's DAILY NATION