Alice ready for Heroes Circle return - But KSAMC says several factors must be considered

Following the final verdict of her case, disgraced vendor Alice Waugh is hoping to put the situation behind her and return to her beloved Crab Circle, where she once sold for more than 40 years.

On Wednesday, Waugh was fined $250,000 for breaching the Public Health Act after she was charged on an indictment for defecating in a food-handling facility. Now that the matter is complete, Waugh told THE WEEKEND STAR that she hopes her life will return to normal and she will be able to sell her once-popular steam crab and roast corn.

"A mi livelihood weh mi use to... mi nuh know nothing else," Waugh said.

"One year mi lock down a mi yard. Mi nah work, nothing at all. See mi deh yah lie down every day. Mi tell all the judge seh a nuff time mi nuh have food fi eat, a water mi afi drink. Water many nights and go ah mi bed, nothing to eat!" Waugh said, adding that she had to seek help to pay the fine.

"People afi lend mi money and seh, 'Alice, when yuh come back out yuh try gi wi back it'," Waugh said.

She also told THE WEEKEND STAR that despite her blunder, she knows her loyal customers have forgiven her and will return to Crab Circle to support her.

"Every minute mi friend dem call mi and ask mi when mi a come sell, every minute," said Waugh.

She added that she is fully committed to fulfilling all the necessary requirements so she can return to the popular spot, and has already signed up for the mandatory HEART/NSTA Trust courses and applied for her food handlers' permit. However, Robert Hill, CEO of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), told the news team that before a decision can be made about Waugh's return, multiple stakeholders must be consulted.

"This would have to be carefully assessed and several factors considered, in accordance with the applicable KSAMC laws and regulations governing vending, as well as the Public Health Act," Hill said.

"So, in essence, we will have dialogue with our internal stakeholders, as well as the [Kingston and St Andrew] Public Health Department in order for any consideration to [be] given," he added.