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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Vicente Ventimilla, Leader of the Bronx Street Vendors Group
5:04:31
·
81 sec
Vicente Ventimilla, a leader of the Bronx Street Vendors Group, testifies in support of reforming informal retail legislation. He highlights the long-standing freeze on general merchandise licenses and the insufficient number of food vendor permits, which has led to a black market that harms formal vendors.
- Ventimilla has been selling general merchandise on Fordham Road in The Bronx for several years
- He emphasizes the need for fair, equitable, and inclusive legislation for the well-being of the entire community
- The testimony addresses the economic damage caused by unscrupulous individuals who exploit vendors seeking permits or licenses
UNKNOWN
5:04:31
Good afternoon madam president of this council.
5:04:35
Good afternoon, council members and the distinguished public.
5:04:38
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to attend this hearing.
5:04:41
My name is Vicente Ventimilla, and I am a leader of the Bronx Street vendors group.
5:04:51
I have been selling general merchandise on Forham Road in The Bronx for several years.
5:04:56
I have come to this hearing support the bill to reform the informal retail legislation.
5:05:04
Decades have passed since general merchandise licenses were frozen.
5:05:08
And in the case of food vendor permits, the ones issued today are insufficient.
5:05:13
The failure to update this legislation has only benefited the black market and harming formal vendors who in their eagerness to be able to operate with a permit or license have fallen victim to their clutches of unscrupulous pro creditors, quote, open quote, end quote, or issuers as per the interpreters words, who promised to arrange it by using their influence causing irreparable economic damage to our meager economy.
5:05:42
You have the challenge of setting a momentous precedent defining fair, equitable, and inclusive legislation for the well-being of our entire community.
5:05:51
Thank