Lorna Wade, she became a household name in 2004 when she was brutally beaten and left for dead by her enraged ex-boyfriend. Lorna survived the attack and the mother of five later became and still is the poster girl for domestic abuse survivors. Lorna is on the news tonight because last week she became a casualty in the transition tremors at City Hall. In January she began working at the City Council as a grade one enforcement officer. She worked there until last Friday when she got a termination later from City Hall. Lorna is an unapologetic and active supporter of the PUP. She told us she expected to get fired but that doesn't make it right.
Lorna Wade,
"I expected to get fired from the second of March because everybody see who I support and who I am."
Keith Swift,
So then why complain?
Lorna Wade,
"Because Zenaida got there and said she won't fire anyone so why did she eat back her word. She said she wouldn't fire anyone."
Lorna Wade,
"I don't think my job should be based on that because she met me working thee and as a Belizean that is my job and, yes, if I am campaigning I am doing a job and that is the party I support and by me supporting that party she took away my job and my bread from not only me but my children."
Keith Swift,
People will say they are sorry for the fact that you are not working but they can't because you were actively campaigning and working for the PUP.
Lorna Wade,
"Yes in a sense I can't be vexed of that because I am a PUP and that is who I am. I am a PUP and will continue to be a PUP.
I don't know what will happen because right now I have fluids on my brain and I need to pay my medical bill. I have my children who I support because I am their mother and father and as I said she didn't only take bread out of my mouth, she took that out of my children's mouths. I don't want to go down the road of asking a minister for a $5 or a $10 and that is why I got up and got a job.. Even with my injury, some days I go to my work in pain but I believed in supporting my self and my children and I got a job and they took that away from me."
And while Lorna Wade claims she was fired from the City Council because of her political affiliation, the City Council strongly denies that. Dale Trujeque is an advisor to the council and he says prior to the March 1st election, City Hall became a dumping ground for People's United Party hacks. Trujeque says that between January and February of this year, more than 20 new employees were hired. He said he empathizes with Lorna Wade but insists she wasn't fired because of her politics.
Dale Trujeque, Advisor to City Council
"We're not singling out anybody. We're very sorry that she happens to be a single mother and we are all fully aware of her case and I do know that there are those out there who can help her.
We feel that when we terminate people, if we don't have to provide the reason, we won't provide the reason. Lots of things can be said, we can be accused of lots of things, and what we don't want to do is that we don't want to get political. If Lorna Wade feels it political I would say it just like I said about Mike Godoy, they have a right to believe that."
Keith Swift,
It's been a month since the UDP took over City Hall. Are you able to tell us how many people have been terminated and how many more will go?
Dale Trujeque,
"I think we've released close to about 8 workers, more or less. We don't have a phased program for terminating anybody. We're doing a head count analysis and then from there we're doing a cost benefit analysis and that entails whether you need to go with termination or can you sit down with the people and dialogue with them and say, 'hey let us cut here or let us cut there, we might not need to release more people.' Some people might have to go for what the law calls good and sufficient cause."
And while Trujeque didn't mention it, we should note that it didn't help Lorna's case that before the election she allegedly confronted the then prospective Mayor Moya and directed a few choice derogatory words at her. Trujeque says there are more than 300 employees working for the council. He says the council is in a financial crunch and they are in the process of streamlining operations to increase efficiency and reduce staff. He says that in one month alone in 1999, 99 people were hired by the City Council.
