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A recent audit reported that the MTA is three years behind the introduction of new anti-terror measures. The MTA’s response? 36 of 40 planned construction projects are, “underway.” It also pointed to its “See Something, Say Something” program as evidence of progress. It seems that auditors and others are seeing something that’s dangerously wrong and the MTA is saying something else.IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog is a quick comment on an older New York City news headline. Unforeseen NYCo website development delays prevented it’s publication before now. For readership continuity, 100’s of older headlines are to be posted in chronological order until this blog is current. Though some of the stories may no longer be as relevant as they once were, they remain interesting news items worthy of this site’s mention and viewer comments.
[This is a copyrighted editorial, originally published on http://www.NEWYORKCITYonline.com/NYC-Online/blog.php. We invite you to post your comments and reply to others! This piece may be duplicated or printed with permission.]
New Yorkers know that rebuilding at the World Trade Center site has been painfully slow with many hurdles. In the past, the Port Authority has generally made it difficult for us to peer into Ground Zero as if to hide their disgrace. Suddenly, the Port Authority has changed its view and will change our view of this cherished land. A new, see-through mesh fence will be erected. Described as a “clean and informative wrapping,” it will enclose much of the area’s 16-acres. Imprinted directly onto this fencing will be artist renderings of all the site’s signature projects. Screen designs will be updated periodically to reflect building design modifications and progress. There’ll be an open viewing area created on Liberty Street enabling spectators to look straight down into the construction pit. The new PA barrier is a clever concept and welcome change. It should be remembered that no fence will ever be more touching or inspiring than those which sprung up throughout New York City in the days and weeks following 9/11. New Yorkers spontaneously created those fences where the world collectively grieved. Seven years after September 11th 2001, New Yorkers should see more than "pretty pictures" on a barrier. We should see floor after floor of magnificent towers rising towards the heavens. Let’s ensure that the PA manages this project more effectively now. Or, let’s guarantee that “the writing will be on the wall” for those who mismanage it again.
The Police Department received a $29.6 million anti-terrorism federal grant that will help complete a radiological detector “ring of steel.” This network of high-tech devices is supposed to prevent radioactive materials and nuclear weapons from entering New York City (I wonder if these security measures prevent these things from leaving the city if they’re already here.). Let’s pray the new equipment will work as well as the NYPD has since 9/11.
Darius Marshall, 25, left home in October 2003. He never returned. Sadly, Marshall died in the Staten Island Ferry crash in 2003. This September, his family was awarded $2.3 million for their terrible loss. Marshall survived the 9/11 attack. He was standing near the South Tower when the jet struck the building. His family received word of the payment, also on 9/11. It’s hoped that the settlement will bring comfort and closure to his loved ones.
Not every victim of the terrorist’s cowardly attack in New York City on September 11th died that infamous day. An estimated 664 World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers have died since. A partial review of their death certificates revealed that an unusually high number of these brave souls died of cancer. No official link has been made to Ground Zero yet. Expect a connection to be made soon though. Additionally, roughly 70,000 people suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder over the years. They say that, “Time heals all wounds.” Seven years is not nearly long enough for time to heal all of ours.
The “threat color level” for the Port Authority appears to be rosy. Security patrols around midtown’s Port Authority Bus Terminal have been reduced to pre-9/11 levels; reportedly to save on excessive overtime costs. This is the busiest bus-port in the world with over 200,000 passengers a day yet three security booths, constructed after 9/11, are now unmanned 24/7. The PA was found liable in 6 deaths and 1,000 injuries in the 1993 WTC bombing. Critics say that New York’s commuter hub is far less safe than it should be. Port Authority spokespeople claim its safer now than ever before. Hopefully circumstances won’t lead to a court ruling against the PA once again.
New York City has a new ad campaign out for those still suffering from medical and psychological effects from 9/11. Some New Yorkers need help according to Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden. Respiratory ailments and post-traumatic stress are the two biggest possibilities. The memories of September 11th will live with most of us the rest of our lives. Physical and mental anguish, should not. If you need help, get it. Click here for more info.
Finally! It’s taken nearly seven years but the first steel column was set into place for the 9/11 WTC memorial. Workers finished laying the foundation for the National September 11th Memorial and Museum last month. The first object to be lowered into the Manhattan bedrock was a Vesey Street exit, also known as the “Survivors Stairway.” This flight of steps enabled hundreds to escape the World Trade Center attacks on that horrific morning. When completed in time for the tenth anniversary of September 11th, the memorial will include two large reflection pools with the victims names inscribed around them. A plaza with 400 trees will surround the pools. Leaving the footprints of the two towers intact was an inspired idea. They'll serve to remind the people in New York City for generations to come of just what we lost that tragic day. People. Buildings. Innocence.
Don’t go. Please stay. It’s believed that’s the desire of many New Yorkers with money and power regarding Mayor Bloomberg. They’d love to change New York City’s term limits policy and encourage the mayor to run one more time after his second term ends in December 2009. The term limits law must be changed by next July to make that mayoral run possible. Despite the opinions of many others too for “more of the same,” it’s important to remember that term limits are a vital protection against the occasional poor choices we voters make. New Yorkers have twice voted against extending term limits. Recent polls confirm they would do so again. After 9/11, many in New York looked to extend Mayor Giuliani for fear of who might follow in his wake. That fear turned out to be unfounded. Mayor Bloomberg has truly done an exceptional job for New York during his tenure. Let’s hope though that there are no "backroom deals" that deny the will of the voters.
Judge Alvin Hellerstein recently decided against the lawsuit raised by 9/11 families. The plaintiffs (WTC Families for a Proper Burial) want the city to move World Trade Center debris from the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island to a burial site. The judge said, “Not every wrong can be addressed through the judicial process. The grave harm suffered by the plaintiffs in this case is undeniable. But the jurisdiction of a court is limited.” Sad as it is to think that any human remains may have been overlooked during the exhaustive sifting process, the family’s request may be impractical now for financial and logistical reasons. However, couldn’t New York City make arrangements to set aside a proper burial area in the vicinity of Fresh Kills? The landfill won’t be a landfill forever.
There are times when getting stuck in a bus might be a good thing. That’s what Homeland Security and some officials here in New York City think anyway. What they're planning for is to reduce the threat of a hostile takeover of a bus by terrorists. They intend to combat terrorists with technology. Here’s how their device works. In the event of trouble, the bus driver hits a panic switch which alerts both the bus company and the device’s manufacturer in Pennsylvania. A device connected to the bus’s computer system automatically relays details about the bus’ location, speed and direction. The dispatcher notifies authorities. Then, they have the option to slow the bus to 5 miles per hour or to turn the engine off without the ability to restart it. Great idea, right? Many private bus companies have already received millions of dollars to install this new, high-tech gadget. Many have. However, NYC Transit is still testing GPS on 155 of their 4,500 bus fleet. They’ve yet to install any of these potentially disaster-saving devices. I guess Transit officials there aren’t too concerned about a terror attack in New York City. Perhaps they were out of town on a bus trip the morning of 9/11. Maybe they haven’t gotten the news headlines from that day yet. High-tech security in buses requires vision. Some had vision of sorts in the 1930's (see picture below). Some have it now. Others don't. Let’s speed things up, Transit guys!
By the middle of 2009, an estimated 33,000 financial jobs may be lost. So says the city’s Independent Budget Office. New York City has recently seen 10,000 jobs disappear. The city took a harder hit after 9/11 when an estimated 60,000 jobs were lost. The local economy will always have it’s swings; good and bad. In downtown Manhattan, It looks like it’s about to strikeout before it hits it’s next homerun.
The US Navy christened it’s newest amphibious transport dock ship; the USS New York. This vessel was forged with 24 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center (WTC). The ship’s motto is “Never Forget.” Those words should be important to New Yorkers and to those around the world who cherish democracy. Let’s all say a prayer for the captain and crew’s safety … and wish them, “good hunting!”
