Uncertainty hangs over Trelawny man’s décor, construction business
Published:Thursday | July 18, 2024 | 12:05 AMRochelle Clayton/Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
There seems to be confusion regarding the next move for Trelawny businessman Rushane Taylor, who was served a cease-and-desist notice from the Trelawny Municipal Corporation earlier in May.
Taylor is the owner of two Trelawny-based companies, R Taylor Together Forever Builders Construction Limited and Taylor Nation Moulding and Decor. He currently utilises a leased property in Hague, a section of north Trelawny. The rented space is said to be used as Taylor’s medium to showcase concrete columns, balusters, and other construction materials to interested buyers travelling along the main road.
However, the municipal corporation has sought to remove the man’s storefront from its current location, labelling it a distraction to motorists. In addition to that, the local authority stated that Taylor did not seek its approval before erecting concrete structures on the land.
After receiving the cease-and-desist letter from municipal corporation and further directive to remove his business from the location, Taylor took to social media to voice his displeasure with the Jamaican Government. The businessman also utilised traditional media sources to make an impassioned plea for the intervention of Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Nothing seems to have come of that.
When The Gleaner contacted Falmouth’s Mayor, Councillor Collen Gager, for an update on Tuesday afternoon, he said that Taylor was directed to seek a new property to move his business place. Gager further stated that the municipal corporation also offered to guide the businessman on this move.
“He has to help himself, enuh man, because where he is, he doesn’t have permission to be there. What we told him is that if he looks around and sees somewhere, he could apply [to lease] the property,” Gager explained.
“I think he applied to more than one person, and they turned him down, but he needs to keep looking and find a suitable place. And then we would try to work with him through the building application process,” the mayor added.
At the same time, Gager told The Gleaner that the notice to vacate property is still in effect. He shared that while the municipal corporation is trying to facilitate a smooth transition for Taylor, they still have a duty to carry out as the local authority in Trelawny.
“Remember, we have to still pass on our documentation to our lawyers. But if he finds somewhere, then we could withdraw what the lawyer would be doing. But he needs to just find somewhere suitable, and then we can try and see if it can be accommodated,” said Gager.
Taylor received a cease-and-desist letter and a 30-day notice to demolish the structure on May 10. This timeline is being respected by the authority, said Gager.
“Once that timeline is passed, we will send the documents over to our lawyers for action. If he finds somewhere else within the specific time, we will try and work with him.”
Should the municipal corporation’s lawyer act, the businessman may be dragged before the court and his business place be demolished “at his expense”, Gager explained.
Meanwhile, Taylor told The Gleaner that he believed the municipal corporation is assisting him to identify a new location to house his business. While sharing that he was invited to a meeting with the mayor and five other representatives, Taylor said he was instructed to send a letter to Gager requesting to lease a space beside the Falmouth Market.
“He said that I must write him a letter stating that I want the place beside the market to lease. I [last] spoke with him about it on Thursday. I sent the letter more than a month ago, and he said that I must give him some time because it’s hurricane season,” said Taylor.