Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
Elton Williams enters the hut he has built on top of his home in Taylor Land, Bull Bay, St. Thomas. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
TAYLOR LAND in Bull Bay, St. Thomas, remains partially submerged in debris, more than a month after rains associated with Hurricane Dennis caused a nearby gully to break away.
The gully, which was filled with hundreds of giant rocks, spat its contents into the residential community, burying homes and leaving residents stranded.
Almost every home in the community was covered with the rocks; piles of which rose to heights in excess of 30 ft. in some areas. No one was hurt by the disaster, but dozens of residents were forced to flee their homes in the dead of night.
A Gleaner news team was in Taylor Land yesterday and came across residents still working to excavate their homes from mounds of rubble.
A frustrated Beverly Wilson paused to talk a bit about the progress residents have made so far.
"We have to be doing it ourselves. The politicians send a tractor, but is pure fight when it come. Everybody want the tractor to work on their home," she said.
Ms. Wilson said that to avoid confrontation, some residents have been doing the work by hand - a task that seems to take forever.
MORE GOVERNMENT HELP
Meanwhile, some residents say they are upset that they have not received more help from the Government.
"We don't get any help. Is only them friends alone the Government help. If rich people lived around here it would have been fixed a long time ago. It really is a crime to be poor," said Ceta Spence, a resident of the community since the sixties.
But while some residents argue about tractors and others wait for help, there are the industrious few who have opted for a more immediate solution.
Elton Williams, whose home was completely covered by the giant rocks, has set up a new abode on the roof of his old home. The enterprising Rastafarian has constructed a small wooden structure, just roomy enough to house him and his dog. This is where he now spends his nights. But a happier man you will not find in the small community.
"Help is good, but I give thanks fi life and continue to live," he said with a grin.
