Ian Croll, Freelance Writer

Dehaney

After dedicating his life to the homeless, the poor, as well as the mentally challenged, for more than 30 years, Jeremiah Dehaney, inspector of poor at the St James Parish Council, is expected to leave office in the coming months. However, he could be asked to continue for another year.

But, Dehaney, who is the founder of a street people and homeless programme in the parish, will be leaving a legacy of achievement, having successfully managed the project, which is set to be expanded.

Against this background, stakeholders in Montego Bay have heaped praises on Dehaney for not only making the homeless and street people programme a success, but has formulated a book, comprising guidelines for future initiatives. The stakeholders are also suggesting that the inspector of poor plays a significant role in the islandwide programme.

Stalwart

Mayor Charles Sinclair commended Dehaney, calling him a stalwart and suggested that he still had a role to play in the local government system. "Mr Dehaney is a stalwart, a giant of a man, and I commend him publicly for having served the people well," said the Montego Bay mayor. "He is knowledgeable in issues relating to the homeless and the mentally ill. Nobody is as knowledgeable as he is at this time. He has a positive attitude towards his job and is a valuable worker with a distinguished track record. In this regard, if he is willing to be contracted, consideration will be given."

Former mayor of Montego Bay, Noel Donaldson also share a similar sentiments. He too commended Dehaney, saying he was a distinguished public servant, who has much more to offer to the country.

"He has a deep passion for the unfortunate and is well respected and well known for his outstanding and phenomenal contribution to the development of the parish and the rebuilding of the lives of the homeless, drug addicts and the mentally challenged," said Donaldson. "Mr Dehaney should be retained and afforded the chance to play a greater role in the continued expansion of the homeless programme across the country."

Suitable candidate

When asked if Dehaney would be a suitable candidate for a consultancy position in the programme with the view of replicating the programme across the country, Godfrey Francis, who sits on the board of trustee of the Montego Bay Homeless and Street People Programme, said Dehaney would be more than suitable. "I'm not campaigning, but I work with him and he has the experience, the exposure and the background. Montego Bay is a pilot project, which should be used to create a model for other areas and Mr Dehaney can make a substantial contribution. He played a critical and leading role in getting the programme up and running," argued Francis.

People's National Party councillor, Michael Troupe, also hailed Dehaney for contributing to the rebuilding of the lives of the unfortunate in the parish: "He has a passion for the unfortunate and he has the experience and knowledge, which has been a blessing to the participants of the programme." Secretary Manager of the St James Parish Council, Opal Beharie, commended Dehaney for putting together a structured programme that is successfully run and has been effectively policed over the years. "Some of the things that he has done for those unfortunate persons is indicative of the passion that he has," she said.