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Archive for December, 2006

LOOKING FORWARD LOOKING BACK 2006-2007

Sunday, December 31st, 2006

As 2006 draws to an end I took a moment and looked back to what I had hoped for at the end of 2005.

I was saddened to find that not one of my hopes had come to pass.

With that in mind I take a moment to pray for the families of all of those who have died protecting our country.

I pray that our new Congress and Governor will be more receptive to our concerns.

I also pray that Mayor Bloomberg will put aside his pride and allow for a complete and comprehensive search for remains at Ground Zero.

And on this last day of 2006 I once again submit

That no more families have to suffer the pain of losing a loved one in a terrorist attack or an act of war.

That there is progress in developing a plan to remove our troops from Iraq.

That Congress actually acts on their promises made after 9/11. (Isn’t 5 years time enough)

That a there be a full investigation by the Attorney General’s Offices into all the money spent over the past 4 years for the development of Ground Zero.

That a development plan with timelines and deadlines is put in place at Ground Zero. (Hopefully without some Authorities and Government appointed corporations that have done little over the past four years).

That someone in government stands up for the implementation of NYC Fire and Building codes at Ground Zero.

That Congress realizes that there is much to be learned from the volunteer efforts after disasters and that maybe they should be included in future plans.

That we get the Congressional support we need to pass HR Bill 1861.

That something is done to recoup any unqualified 9/11 loan money and any money misspent by any agency. Criminal action against any bank granting such loans or any agency proven to have misspent funds and that these funds be used to help those who are truly in need.

That a mutual resolution for the removal of remains from Fresh Kills is developed.

That we continue to realize that all opinions are important and that everyone has the right to be heard.

That we all realize that despite these problems we still live in the greatest country in the world.

Dennis McKeon

Take Back the Memorial Commentary

Sunday, December 31st, 2006

NYC withholding remains search results

http://takebackthememorial.org/?p=386

IT’S A MATTER OF TRUST

Saturday, December 30th, 2006

 

Back in April when the first remains were uncovered in the Deutsche Bank Building almost a week passed before the city released the information on the finds. The release of the information only came after the news of the finds was reported in the news.Much of the search after these finds was shrouded in secrecy.

The city did not want any outsiders involved with the search and almost 9 months later the search of the building has not been completed.

The city concentrated on trying to explain how remains were found in a building that was previously identified as clear of remains.

Once pressured into an explanation they tried to explain that this was an isolated incident and that because of the condition of the building the initial search was not complete.

The city has yet to identify where the debris was relocated.

Only one fact is certain the city was adamant in not wanting any outside parties involved in the search, especially JPAC.

Flash forward to the accidental discovery of remains by Con Ed workers.

Had their industrial vacuum not been jammed by a human bone we would never even know that these remains existed.

One has to remember that this was not a search operation just a routine clean up.

One has to question how many previous routine cleanups resulted in discarded remains.

Since the finds of these remains the city has once again been very clear about one thing and one thing alone, they did not want any outside agencies involved in the search.

Numerous requests for details of the new search or protocols being used were ignored.

Questions about areas being conveniently left off the grid were left unanswered.

Questions about why only test drillings were being done in areas where many felt remains could be were ignored.

Questions about the reporting of remains being found and the identification of the remains were side stepped.

Two examples of this are

No identifications have been reported from remains from the Deutsche Bank Building.

Rumors have been circulating for weeks that the city has good evidence that the over 200 remains from the first manhole are from a single victim.

There have also been reports of additional searches going on that have not been made public.

This all came to a head yesterday with the release of a report on a Friday prior to a holiday weekend (little media coverage) that sidestepped many issues and presented partial expansion of the current search into areas where we have been calling for complete excavations. (The haul road and the Greek Orthodox Church).

Look for this tower of cards to fall very soon.

When this happens the public might finally realize that we do need JPAC in as we have lost all confidence in the current search.

The city cannot be trusted monitoring their on activities. We need outside oversight.

For almost a year the city has done nothing to gain our trust.

Quite the opposite is true.

Hopefully some things that will be revealed in the near future will force the city to change their current position.

We may finally get what we have been calling for almost a year.

A complete and comprehensive search.

 

Put It Above Ground

NEW REMAINS CONFIRMED

Saturday, December 30th, 2006

It has been confirmed that an additional four bone fragments were uncovered yesterday.

As we begin yet another year ends we are still left with a haphazard search with no protocols or procedures.

Instead of doing things completely we get minor concessions.

For months we have been calling for the excavation of the haul road and the site of the church.

Even though there is overwhelming evidence that WTC debris and remains are located at both locations the city refuses to do a complete excavation.

Over the same period of time we have still been refused the protocols and procedures being used.

We have also been denied the services of JPAC.

The families are left with more questions then answers and most endure the painful wait.

Were the over 200 remains found in the first manhole from a single victim as have been rumored or are they from multiple victims?

Why have we not heard anything about the remains from 130 Liberty after 6 months?

Why do we not get daily updates from the site?

Why do we have to fight for everything?

The latest update is not a great New Year’s present as some has stated.

It is just a prelude of what we can expect in the coming year.

More delays, more misinformation and a great deal of unnecessary pain.

Put It Above Ground 

Take Back the Memorial Commentary On Latest Finds

Saturday, December 30th, 2006

More remains found under WTC service road

 

http://takebackthememorial.org/?p=384

MORE BONES FOUND AT SITE?

Saturday, December 30th, 2006

To All,

We are trying to verify the facts in the attached article. Our sources did not indicate that any additional bones were found.

Also with the new procedure bones should no be being identified at Ground Zero but at 11 Water Street.

There was most definitely debris from the WTC found under the haul road not “what could be WTC related debris� as indicated in yesterday’s memo.

We are also looking into checking the possibility of checking the films from the 24 hour camera that has been running at the site as numerous workers have stated that material from the site was used as fill.

We will keep you posted.

Put It Above Ground

Four more bones found at WTC dig site
New York Daily News - New York,NY,USA
BY MICHAEL SAUL. Forensic anthropologists digging at Ground Zero for remains of 9/11 victims found additional human bones yesterday

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/484261p-407728c.html

At WTC, Remains Search Expands After Surprise Debris Discovery

Friday, December 29th, 2006

At WTC, Remains Search Expands After Surprise Debris Discovery

http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=1913386&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.1.1

HUMAN REMAINS UPDATE 12/29

Friday, December 29th, 2006

Nothing to report from the site as the recovery effort will be halted for the next few days.

As everyone knows by now the families were sent an update today.

Although we are happy that the city has finally decided to give an update we find some of the information disconcerting.

The memo states that 209 remains have been recovered. Our records indicate 213.  

The memo states that they have found what could be WTC related debris in the trench they have dug.

 

Our information is that positive WTC related deris has been found.

 

While most agree that the entire haul road needs to be excavated only ¾ of it is planned.

 

We have been demanding that the site of the Greek Church be fully excavated as it is general knowledge that the basement of the church was never searched prior to it being plowed over.

 

The new plan only calls for exploratory drillings as was the case with the haul road.

 

The report states that the rooftops of 3 buildings have been searched and nothing was found.

 

It also states that the search was done on site by hand.

 

Last week it was reported in news reports that the material from these searches was being sent to 11 Water to be sifted.

 

The remaining buildings have not been searched as they state they do not have the necessary approvals.

 

One would think that it would not take 5 years to obtain the necessary approvals.

 

Also no mention of where they are with ID’s on items they have had for nearly nine months.

 

The report also stated that the post sifted material has already been sent to Fresh Kills.

 

This comes as a major surprise that once again the City would do this before notifying the families especially with what happened last time at Fresh Kills and with the pending law suit.

 

We find the report to be lacking specific detail.

We also find that the current plan once again is not at all comprehensive enough to accomplish the goal of recovering possible remains.

 

We also ask why the protocols and procedures were not included with the report.

 

Once again a token gesture with almost none of our concerns addressed.

 

The fact that this memo was sent out on a Friday afternoon on a Holiday weekend is not lost on the families.

 

Disappointing to say the least.

 

Put It Above Ground

 

Update on Search for Human Remains at World Trade Center Site

Friday, December 29th, 2006

 

To:                  9/11 Family Groups 

From:             Deputy Commissioner Chris Coffey 

Date:               Friday, December 29th, 2006 

Re:                  Search for Human Remains at World Trade Center Site 

In our efforts to keep everyone informed on the latest developments in the search for human remains at the World Trade Center site, we have attached a memorandum sent today from Deputy Mayor Skyler to Mayor Bloomberg.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. 

Sincerely, Chris 

Chris Coffey 

Deputy Commissioner Mayor’s Community Assistance Unit 

212-788-3037 

 

 

 

www.where-to-turn.org/pdf/WTC_Search_Update_12-29.pdf

WTC holiday greeting, spirit are missed

Thursday, December 28th, 2006

We hope that the response to this letter to the Sun Herald is not an indication of how the PA is going to respond to other concerns such as the open area that is now in jeopardy because of the design of the transit hub

One would think the PA would have the money and the heart to replace this display.

On the other hand why would one think that of a government agency that has not and does not plan to display an American flag at the site.

Put It Above Ground

WTC holiday greeting, spirit are missed

Dear Annie:

I used to work at the World Trade Center. My favorite times were during the Christmas season. The entire plaza would come alive with festivities and good will. The year before 9/11, my office was loaded with gifts being hidden until Christmas Eve. All of us, from all faiths, looked forward to the annual Christmas party where we let our hair down for a night of laughter and excitement.

Before 9/11, there were these huge white block letters in the plaza that spelled “PEACE ON EARTH.” I never knew how the letters got there or who put them there. They were like a smile greeting me in the morning and wishing me a good night.

I did not know it would be the last Christmas I would see them. What happened to these letters of hope? I sure would like to see them again.

D.C. in Beacon, N.Y.

Dear D.C.:

We contacted Pasquale DiFulco, spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and discovered that those letters were stored in the World Trade Center.

Here is his reply: “The letters were destroyed on 9/11, but the message of hope that they conveyed remains as vibrant as ever. As we celebrate the holidays this time of year with family and friends, it is the perfect occasion to remember the spirit of that message and do what we can, each in our own way and together as one, to work toward peace on earth.”