SAVANNA-LA-MAR:
THE GROWING problem of insane and homeless persons roaming the streets in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, is unlikely to be addressed in the near future, as the Parish Council is waiting on a time convenient for the new Minister of Local Government, Portia Simpson Miller, to get the new home prepared and ready to be occupied.
"We are hoping to have the new Minister down to open the street people's home, but she is not yet available," Secretary/ Manager, Patricia Sinclair Stair, told the monthly meeting of the Council last week. However, when Deputy Mayor Winston Comrie suggested having a 'soft' opening before the official event, Mayor Anglin said he would be considering it soon.
September 19, 2002 was set by the Council for the then Minister, Arnold Bertram, to open the shelter, but this was washed out by flood rains which pelted the western end of the island that day. After the intervening general election the following month, a new Minister, Mrs. Simpson Miller, was appointed to manage that portfolio responsibility and the Council therefore felt obliged to await her availability.
Meanwhile, Mayor Anglin has said that a small committee is now working with the Westmore-land Association of Street People (WASP) to address the matter of the running of the home, which has been newly refurbished at a cost of $2 million.
"The shelter, however, will not be in full operation at the start, because of financial constraints; but the street people will be given three meals, bath, clean clothes and medication each day. The churches will assist in providing midday meals. Two attendants are to be employed and people from WASP have volunteered to provide supervision," Mayor Anglin said.
The Mayor warned that the Dunbar's River facility, sited on the infirmary lands, will not be a 'free for all' as it was only intended for the street people. "We have already done a listing of those in Savanna-la-Mar," he continued.
"A full time operation of the home will be in place when more money is available," the Mayor concluded.
