By Nagra Plunkett, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
HAVING FOUND a home for him, the St. James Poor Relief Department is now having difficulty locating 'Bugs', the mentally challenged man, whose occupancy of the Dome in Montego Bay has been hampering plans to renovate the historic landmark.
On Tuesday, Jeremiah Dehaney, the Poor Relief Inspector attached to the St. James Poor Relief Department, told The Gleaner that accommodation has been found for 'Bugs' but despite several visits to the Dome, where he normally spends most of his time, he has not been found.
"Everything is in place for him (Bugs) to go to the infirmary but the problem is that I cannot get a hold of him," Mr. Dehaney said. "Whenever I go there (to the Dome) he is not there."
Prior to taking the decision to place 'Bugs' in the infirmary, Mr. Dehaney said efforts were made by the Poor Relief Department to determine whether or not he had relatives who might be willing to take him in. That exercise proved futile.
The Gleaner understands that 'Bugs' has been living at the historical landmark, which stands at the intersection of Creek and Dome Streets in the second city, for over 20 years. However, he will have to give up living inside the Dome as plans are afoot to start restoration work there.
Plans to relocate 'Bugs' came to the fore last September during the St. James Parish Council regular monthly meeting. At that time, Councillor Michael Troupe, of the Granville Division, told the Council that the presence of 'Bugs' at the Dome was hampering restoration plans.
"We have to think about the tenant before we do any work," Troupe told fellow councillors as the restoration plans were being discussed. "We will have to find suitable accommodation for the man (Bugs)."
'Bugs', who is unable to provide any details about himself, told The Gleaner late last year that he was prepared to leave the Dome if alternate accommodation could be found for him.
As the search for 'Bugs' continue, Mr. Dehaney said that a "special team" from the Cornwall Regional Hospital psychiatric department will be assisting in moving him from the Dome. The psychiatrist will first evaluate him and then will further work with him to overcome whatever psychological problems he may have.
"When we in fact find him, we will take him to the care centre at Lawrence Lane in Montego Bay to get him cleaned up and from there to the infirmary," the Poor Relief Inspector noted.
