City claims swap meet defied their orders to not do business in unsafe area

City of Calexico filed a lawsuit against Santo Tomas Swap Meet recently and they were at El Centro Courthouse on Tuesday. Calexico wants them to stop doing business.

Council Member Bill Hodge said, “The city’s upset, rightfully so, that the vendors, a little while back on February 5 th or 7 th , took it in their own hands to defy the city and start selling in their regular stalls.”

He said the area continues to be a health and fire hazard. The city had ordered the swap meet not to use the main area, which had been affected by a December fire, for business. The vendors were allowed to sell only on the south parking lot area under strict conditions.

“It’s true that violations have been done. The swap meet was substandard in many ways.”

During the initial hearing on Tuesday, the judge ruled on the vendors’ side.

“Judge Jones ruled that the swap meet can continue to be open on a temporary permit use basis,” Hodge said.

Hodge cautioned that it’s a short-lived victory for the vendors and swap meet management.

“Unfortunately, that three months is going to expire March 19th and the vendors can reapply, but I don’t know what the attitude of the city will be in issuing any more permits,” Hodge said.

Newly appointed Economic Development Commissioner Ben Horton said making vendors more accountable will help the city in the long run.

“The vendors are going to be more responsible. They’re going to have their business licenses in order, their sales permits in order to conduct business. And the city may get a fair share of the sales taxes they were missing out,” Horton said.

Staff from the nearby Las Palmas Swap Meet said the situation has helped increase their business. Many vendors from Santo Tomas have gone to do business at Las Palmas. Customers from Santo Tomas are now going to Las Palmas.

Santo Tomas Swap Meet management was not available for comment.

The case is scheduled back in court Wednesday, March 13 th , for a final hearing.