Meeting Minutes
WTC Family Committee and Mayor Bloombberg:
February 27, 2002
By:
Marie Granieri
Sister of James Cartier
Vice President
Give Your Voice

The WTC Family Committee met with Mayor Bloomberg on Wednesday, February 27th to request his support on the implementation of several recommendations/actions the Committee feels would benefit the recovery effort and families. The following report summarizes key meeting discussion points, agreements and actions to follow:

1. Recommendation: Provide families with an “unobstructed” view of Ground Zero by making it possible for families to see “inside” the site from an elevated viewing area located inside an adjacent building located on the southwest corner of Liberty Street.

Background: The Committee recommended that the city provide a more adequate “viewing” area where family members could have an unobstructed view of the entire site and could see the recovery effort in progress. It was stated that very little of the actual site can be seen from the current platform and that it was frustrating to the families. Viewing the site from an adjacent building would provide a better vantage point for the families to actually see inside the site itself.

Action: The Mayor recognizes that the families do not have an adequate view of the site from the platform and stated that he would look into making one of the floors from the adjacent building available to the families. The family groups will follow-up with Richard Schierer (OEM) to determine whether or not families will have access to the elevated viewing area located inside the adjacent building.

2. Recommendation: Ensure "Life" of the Platform for Family Members.

Background: The Committee asked the Mayor to confirm that the family platform will remain standing after the World Trade Center has been cleared. The Committee expressed the concerns that the platform will not be available to family members even after the site has been vacated.

Action: The Mayor stated that the platform would remain in place as long as family members visit Ground Zero and need the structure in place.

3. Recommendation: Monitor for the need to increase the number of recovery workers or “hand sifters” at the South Tower area – the last substantial hill of compacted debris at Ground Zero. Workers are just beginning “recovery” efforts in this area where they believe more human remains may be found.

Background: The committee reviewed the status of the construction of a 515-foot-long steel ramp – referred to by recovery workers as the “bridge”. The main purpose for the bridge is to allow recovery workers to get into the debris located at the southern end of the disaster site along Liberty Street and slopes into the site. The family groups asked for the assurance that proper resources/manpower is in place to work this delicate area where loved ones may be found. In addition, the family groups asked that the city monitor and make readily available additional “hand sifters” to work the South Tower area.

Action: Mayor Bloomberg appreciated the Committee’s reasons for making the request and asked that the family groups work directly with Jonathen Greenspun and the Fire Department leaders in charge of managing the recovery operation. GIVE YOUR VOICE, 9-11 WVFA and the other family groups will do so.

4. Recommendation: Provide Advance Notice to WTC Victims’ Families to Advise Them of the Completion of Phase I Recovery at Ground Zero. In addition, the notice should state that the recovery’s end does not mean attempts to identify our loved ones have come to an end.

Background: The Committee requested that a letter be issued from the Mayor’s office to provide advance notice to the families that recovery efforts at Ground Zero are complete. Its purpose is to inform the families of this news PRIOR to the media releasing the information to the general public. The Committee stated that providing families with advanced notice is only proper and fitting. Michael Cartier, GIVE YOUR VOICE President offered to make resources available to the city to coordinate and assemble the mailing. Finally, the committee stated that families should be informed that though the recovery effort at Ground Zero has ended, it will continue at Fresh Kills and at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME).

Action: The Mayor recognized the value/need to provide families with advanced notice and stated that it might be difficult to accomplish given the nature of the “press”. The WTC Family Committee will continue to monitor the recovery effort and ensure that all steps are taken to attempt to provide families with advance notice before the general public.

5. Recommendation: Improve Communication Between WTC Family Committee and LMRC/Establish Victims’ Family Presence on Re-development Committee.

Background: The WTC Family Committee stated that families who lost loved ones on September 11th must have the opportunity to give "voice" and share their views on what now should be built on the former WTC site. No decisions should be made without the views and input of family members. The Committee requested the Mayor’s support to serve as an “Advocate” for the families and improve communications with the Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Counsel.

Action: The Mayor agreed to contact John Whitehead to increase/strengthen communications and input from the WTC Family Committee.

6. Recommendation: Obtain More Input from the Family Groups on plan to build a Temporary Memorial at Battery Park.

Background: Family Committee representative Jack Lynch asked for the Mayor’s assurance that the memorial to be constructed in honor of our loved ones called "Tribute of Light" between March 11 and April 13 is in fact - temporary. The memorial will consist of two beams of light that will illuminate the night sky starting on March 11. Although different views on the memorial were expressed, most members were “okay” and comfortable with the concept as long as it is not permanent.

Other:

Efforts are underway to mark the World Trade Center Memorial as a National Monument.
For decades after the cowardly act by the Imperial Japanese Navy in attacking Pearl Harbor, Americans of all walks of life regularly "Remember Pearl Harbor." Even today, survivors of that event gather to share special moments. The USS Arizona is still an active naval vessel as well as a memorial to the fallen.

Similarly, the rebuilding on the site of the more devastating World Trade Center tragedy must be a living NATIONAL Memorial and center for downtown New York. Our Committee will commence efforts to make this a reality via the voice of America. Campaign will go out to the American people to show support and unity that the World Trade Center is a National Shrine to all those who lost their lives.

Project to Partner with Oklahoma City Survivors.
Anthony Gardner, Founder of WTC United Family Group asked for the Mayor’s support behind a project to partner with Oklahoma City Survivors. More information will be provided on the project to determine logistically how this can be accomplished.

The WTC Family Committee requested regular monthly meetings with Mayor Bloomberg. The Mayor agreed and will accommodate the need to schedule late day/evening meetings.