By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter 
One of many vehicles and houses partially buried under tons of silt in the 10 Miles community of Bull Bay, St. Andrew, following the flood rains brought about by Tropical Storm Lili. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
SCORES OF irate residents of Ten Miles, Bull Bay, St. Andrew charging that they had been neglected, mounted an extensive roadblock in the vicinity of 10 Miles yesterday morning, as they complained about the slow response to help them clear mud and debris from their houses.
Sections of Claremont Road in 10 Miles, Bull Bay, St. Andrew, remained buried under tons of silt and many people have been made homeless after flood rains of Tropical Storm Lili brought a deluge of mud and rocks upon their houses.
A number of houses and shops have disappeared beneath the silt to the extent that the roofs of several two-storey buildings have become part of the walk way.
Yesterday's roadblocks left hundreds of people travelling between Kingston and St. Thomas stuck in long lines of traffic for several hours.
A strong detachment of police, under the supervision of Deputy Superintendent Steve McGregor, subsequently moved into the area to prevent further roadblocks.
Among the distressed protesters was Fiona Francis, mother of a 10-month-old baby. She showed reporters the place where her one bedroom house used to be. She said she had lost everything, including furniture and clothing.
Other distressed residents included:
Sandra Smith and her six-month old baby who are living with friends. Her home was washed away.
Andrea Coke, a mother of three who is four months pregnant. Her furniture and other belongings are buried in one of the houses covered with the silt.
Majorie Hibbert has been living in the community since 1969 and said this was her worst experience. A section of her privately-owned land was also buried, only the posts of the chain fence were visible.
"All me little pumpkin and vegetable me plant in a me backyard cover with dirt, but me not taking it so because somebody is responsible," said Miss Hibbert.
The residents charged that the silt was deposited into the Bull Park River by persons mining gypsum on the hill side. They claim the Carib Cement Company was responsible.
A management team from the Carib Cement Company, led by Personnel Manager Silveria Castro, met and spoke with the residents yesterday, in the presence of the police.
"We have a fair idea of the magnitude of the damage. But we have to work out a solution with the government agencies," said Mr. Castro.
He promised to meet the respective government agencies in another seven days. He said the people needed relief supplies in the meantime.
In a petition signed by more than 200 residents from the community, they appealed for immediate action to clean the Bull Park River and for their houses to be repaired. The residents also threatened to take legal action.
Copies of the letter were sent to Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, Opposition Leader Edward Seaga, Member of Parliament Oliver Clue, Minister of Mining Anthony Hylton, Minister of Health John Junior, Minister of Transport and Works Robert Pickersgill and the National Environmental Planning Authority.
