Petersfield High shelter residents say they won't relocate without viable alternative

 

Eight weeks after Hurricane Melissa's deadly destruction, residents sheltering at Petersfield High School in Westmoreland are adamant that they will not leave until authorities offer them a viable place to relocate.

 

Earlier this month, the residents were told that they must prepare to relocate by the end of December as the institution begins its clean-up ahead of the January school term. 

 

But the residents say they have nowhere to go. 

 

"We are here. We are trying to rebuild," said one resident, who called for short-term rentals to be offered until residents can get back on their feet. He also appealed for the assistance of carpenters and masons to help rebuild homes. 

 

In the meantime, the residents are calling for the authorities to help them relocate. They said promised assistance has not been forthcoming and there has been no follow-up from any political representative. 

 

"We don't have a councillor here in Petersfield. They said that the Mayor is responsible; we haven't seen him. We haven't seen the MP. We haven't seen anybody from Parliament come to say, 'Okay, we have previous conversation. Do a follow up.' No liaison person, as far as I know, has not liaisoned with the person here at the management at the shelter. Nobody at all. No word from anybody," the resident lamented.