7 News Belize

Luke's Lament
posted (October 19, 2012)
Luke Jones is well known in Belize City. He is a physically challenged messenger for the Belize City Council. And despite his impairment, for the past 12 years you've probably seen him making his way throughout the city streets on his messenger rounds without complaints or procrastination.

But that's in the past now since Jones has been ruled as medically unfit and so he had to retire at the age of 33. He is ok with that but he says that City Council is giving him the run around for his gratuity and pension payments. According to the calculation of City Hall which he shared with us, Jones is entitled to sixteen thousand five hundred dollars - but one month after his retirement he has only gotten two thousand dollars.

That won't do, because Luke told us he has bills to pay.

Monica Bodden
"Luke, tell me what brought you to our studios here this afternoon?"

Luke Jones
"Because I am getting tired. Enough is enough and I need my money. I told the Mayor that I want to see him but when I brought it up the Mayor says that he is in a meeting at the same time."

Monica Bodden
"What is the situation?"

Luke Jones
"The situation is that I can't get my money and I need my money to pay off the loan that I borrowed. I was not laid off from work, I came off medically unfit - the doctor writes me off. The doctor told me that I have a nerve problem on my two knees."

Monica Bodden
"You were written off by a doctor as medically unfit?"

Luke Jones
"Yes ma'am."

Monica Bodden
"That was in August of this year?"

Luke Jones
"Yes ma'am."

Monica Bodden
"Now, you are saying that after working at the council for twelve years they owed you how much money?"

Luke Jones
"They owe me something like about $11,500.00."

Monica Bodden
"They gave you a letter stating that figure?"

Luke Jones
"No ma'am. But I have it on writing."

Monica Bodden
"You have a letter in writing, who gave you that letter?"

Luke Jones
"The council ma'am."

Monica Bodden
"Out of that money that you claim that you have on writing, how much have been paid to you?"

Luke Jones
"$2,000.00 had been paid to me, that's all. This is frustrating, I am getting really tired of this and I need my money so that I can pay my bills. They have me back and forth and I am tired of it."

Monica Bodden
"Why you decided to come to the media?"

Luke Jones
"Because I need my money, it is my daily bread."

Monica Bodden
"What's your next step?"

Luke Jones
"My next step is to follow the rules and regulations with the council."

Monica Bodden
"You just came off as medically unfit?"

Luke Jones
"Yes ma'am in August."

We tried to contact the city administrator for two consecutive days and left multiple messages but got no reply. We also spoke to Mayor Bradley who told us he is not at all familiar with the case.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize