Meeting Minutes With Gov. Pataki:

9-11 Family Groups Meet with Governor Pataki
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, April 11, 2002
Seven Month Anniversary
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We Will Never Forget

Attendees:  GIVE YOUR VOICE, 9-11 WVFA, Jim McGuire and Randy Daniel

Family Group members were most appreciative of the Governor’s warm and thoughtful approach to opening the meeting. He greeted each family member individually and offered a heartfelt thank-you for taking the time to meet with him. “I am very proud of all the work you have all done,” he said. 

Concerns Raised and Outcome of the Meeting:

1.  Memorial

 a.) Path Train Construction

Family members stated that remains of our loved ones have been found in all areas of  Ground Zero and in the space where the Path train once ran.  They expressed concern about recently learning that plans have been in place for several months for the restoration of the Path trains through Ground Zero and that no outreach was done to gather input from family members prior to moving ahead with restoration plans. [Note: In a meeting with the Mayor held on Monday, April 8, it was conveyed to us that the plans for the restoration of the Path trains are already under way and will be funded by FEMA].


With loved ones remains being found throughout the site, Family Members presented the reasons for being opposed to the restoration of the Path trains directly through and on top of space where loved ones perished absent of any dialogue with them.  It was communicated to the Governor that the land now known as “Ground Zero” is sacred and hallowed.  It should be treated with the sanctity that it deserves.  For many families, remains will not be returned.  Ground Zero is their final resting place and it should be treated with reverence.

c) LMDC Committee Appointment to the Board

Family Members are working hard to increase and ensure their involvement on decisions that will determine what shall now be built on the former WTC site.  At the time of the meeting with the Governor, we have not had the same equal involvement and input as other influencers continue to have on the decision making process.  It must be understood that we are not splinter groups but one United Family. 

Governor’s response…

·        Governor Pataki reassured Family Group Leaders that he would do what he can to try to provide the family members with access to information long before the decisions are made.  He will let us know within a few days as to what he was able to do to make this possible.

·        Governor Pataki agreed that we, the Family Members should be notified about Memorial meetings.  He also feels that we should actively participate before crucial decisions are made.  We should receive minutes to meetings without having to go through the Freedom of Information Act. 

·        It must be understood that we can replace building but we cannot replace our loved ones. 

·        Both the Governor and the Family Groups feel that the best approach is constructive dialog between the LMDC and the Family Groups.

Recovery News

Preparing the families for the May closing date of the World Trade Center Site

 The Mayor’s office was given a draft letter to prepare the families that the World Trade Center site would be closing within a few months.  The letter was given to City Hall March 27.  We understood that the letter would need to include verbiage from the Mayor as they would deem appropriate. To date the letter has not been mailed out to the families.  Reason being, the Mayor’s office wanted a specific date.  However, in our draft form, we provide a broad statement, stating that “within a few months” it would be closing. Our primary goal in making the recommendation to issue the letter is to provide the families with as much advance notice as possible.  The Mayor's office stated that they did not want to place a specific date to the ending of the recovery effort at Ground Zero.  Family members are not asking that a specific date be given but a general statement be communicated to prepare the families that the recovery effort would be ending at ground zero well in advance and prior to the media . It is also important that families be advised that the recovery effort will continue at Freshkill and at the Medical Examiner.  This is all information that the Family Groups have expressed at previous meetings with the Mayor.

 The Governor agreed with the need to issue the letter and felt it was important that the families receive this information.  He agreed that this is an ongoing effort at the site.  The identification process would continue with the Medical Examiner’s office.

With the United Services Group having the most up to date list on all those who were lost on September 11^th they would be able to provide the correction information necessary for the mailing to go out to the families.

 Medical Examiner Meetings:  What to do with the unidentified/unclaimed remains.

 The Family Groups meet with the Medical Examiner’s office every other week.  We have full confidence in their ability and thank them of their relentless efforts to help families through this painful time. Memorial Park holds the remains of those who perished.  We want to make sure that Memorial Park will remain as is for the duration. 

Tent

Status of the tent for rescue workers

 The Construction Workers, Fire Department and Police Department have been working 24 hours a day/7 days a week in the recovery effort for our loved ones.  During this time, the Tent has provided a place of refuge, comfort and consolation for the recover workers.  We urged the Governor that the tent remain open for the duration of the recovery effort and not be moved. 

 Governor Pataki will provide John Cartier with a pass to Ground Zero.

It was also address that once the recovery effort has been completed at the World Trade Center Site, the Fire Department and the Police Department will no longer be working there.  We urged the Governor to allow the Tent to remain open for the Construction Workers who will remain to access the tent for the same reasons.

 What our recovery workers face each day is raw and very real.  This Tent allows them to rest, speak with Chaplin’s and counselors.  We must allow this tent to remain open.

 If the tent must be taken down and rebuilt at a different location, it is recommended that the old one remain up and running while the new one is being built.  Once the new one is completed, then the old one can be taken down.

Banner

Installation of the Ground Zero “Thank You” Banner
We thank Marie Granieri and Pall Corporation for sponsoring the “Thank You for Never Giving Up” Banner placed at Ground Zero.  The banner is to pay tribute to all the brave men and women who continue to make it possible for families all of the world to recover and bring their loved ones to a final resting place.

 We thank all those involved in the search for our loved ones.