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Thanks Maloney, Shays
Downtown Express - January 9 - 15, 2004

To The Editor:

I was astonished and dismayed by the contents of Mr. Rogers’ article, “Nadler and Maloney feud over W.T.C. bill”  (news article, Dec. 2-8, 2003)

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (N.Y.), along with Rep. Christopher Shays (Conn.), deserve credit for assuming a leadership role on key issues surrounding the aftermath of September 11, 2001.  Both have offered their support in the struggle to remove the still very much enjoyed immunities to N.Y.C. building and fire codes of the Port Authority in the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site, an issue which should be of grave concern to all residents of the Downtown area and future occupants and visitors of the new W.T.C.

These two outspoken representatives have also stepped up to assume the leadership role with respect to the future of Ground Zero and the creation of a proper memorial site.  Kudos to them.  Who among us has any real trust in the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. or the P.A. to conduct a proper assessment of the site’s remaining historic relics?  Too much self-serving interest here.

Rather than continued politicizing, district squabbles and bowing to economic pressures to rebuild, all our elected officials should be focusing on what impact and message the future site will have 15, 20, 100 years from now, when 9/11 becomes no more than a chapter in the history books.  How will future generations view how we handled this process and the speed with which we want to shovel dirt and grass on the site of the murder of thousands?  Will we be accused of a lack of understanding and acceptance of the tragedy, which took almost 3,000 lives, left families devastated and citizens shocked?  Studies conducted in conjunction with the rebuilding and memorial process can and will only enhance our ability in making wise decisions, which will have permanent consequences.  To slow this process is only logical as emotions are still too high and rational thinking is hampered.  

As for Ms. Wils, she seems to have been asleep on 9/11/01. Like it or not, Ground Zero and the immediate Downtown area is a burial ground.  She may want to ask Lee Ielpi or Jack Lynch to view the map depicting where remains were uncovered.  Almost 3,000 innocent souls were either blown to bits or crushed to death at this site.  No matter how she may want to spin her vision, that is a fact. It is high time we started treating this plot of ground with some respect.

Economic factors were the driving force creating the first W.T.C. and look what happened!  It is high time we came together as a people and changed some of our most basic thinking.  The value of life and the respect for the dead should be the driving force behind this project and all elected officials, in or out of the district, should be on board with that.

Monica Gabrielle
Skyscraper Safety Campaign
www.skyscrapersafety.org

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Sally Regenhard,
Chairperson

P. O. Box 70
Woodlawn Station
Bronx, NY 10470
SallyR@SkyscraperSafety.org

Monica Gabrielle,
Co-Chairperson

P. O. Box 70
Woodlawn Station
Bronx, NY 10470
monicagabrielle@earthlink.net