dojW000199.xml

dojW000199.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-11-07

Wednesday, November 07, 2001 5:09 PM
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001


I would like to respond to the Department of Justice website request for
comments and opinions regarding the proposed regulations
and processes for implementing the Victim Compensation Fund.


Everything I have heard defines the victims of the September 11th tragedy as the families of those who perished as well as those individuals who are now unemployed or those whose businesses sustained
prolonged closures as a result of the attacks. I recognize that these people have suffered tremendous losses and will continue to suffer for a significant period of time.

Even so, I believe those of us who live and work in or near Ground Zero, as I do, should also qualify under the accepted definition of victims. I live in Battery Park City, two blocks from where
Tower 2 once stood, and I work at , in Four World Financial Center, one building away from where Tower 1 once stood.

I was leaving my apartment when the first plane hit but I could not see it because I live to the south west of Tower 1. I was therefore on Liberty Street, one block from Tower 2, when the second
plane hit. I was sternly instructed to go home because the World Financial Center was being evacuated, but unfortunately going to my home left me trapped in Battery Park City in the middle of the
disaster. On my way home I saw a number of people jumping from Tower 2, at least one on fire, and was powerless to help those trapped in the buildings. I returned to my apartment and watched the
horror continue to unfold, trapped by the disaster to the north and the river to the west and south. I saw a massive explosion that appeared to be cause by additional explosives in the building, just
above the middle of Tower 2, nearly one hour after the jet fuel exploded, which still has not been explained to my satisfaction. I saw black smoke shoot outward and flame shoot upward and then,
shortly afterward, I saw infrastructure collapse. As I saw Tower 2 collapse, I thought I was about to die as the massive debris cloud surrounded my apartment. I saw a similar explosion just before
Tower 1 collapsed. I can not describe my feelings at watching such enormous loss of life from my bedroom window. Fortunately, a little later, a number of boats, including police tugs, the Water
Taxi, the NY Waterways Ferry, and other private boats quickly began pulling up to the esplanade to help evacuate those still trapped and I escaped on a police tug to Liberty State Park. I have been
told the landfill upon which Battery Park City is built would probably liquefy from a quake measuring 7.0 and this measured 5.3.

Our neighborhood was under martial law while the FBI and police designated the area a crime scene. Emergency and rescue workers controlled buildings and streets. During the first few weeks after the
attacks, when most of America wanted to be no where but home, we were displaced from our homes, living with neighbors, friends, friends of friends, or in hotels. We were worried about pets who were
stranded with no food or water, suffered from lack of access to clothing, medicines, etc., and were frightened by reports of looting in our apartments. I was fortunate in that I was briefly allowed
back in my building (after a 2 hour walk to Battery Park City and a walk up 15 flights of stairs in the dark) on the first Thursday after the attack. My superintendent remained in the building, so we
had no looting, but some of my neighbors did suffer from looting. One had two paintings her mother, an artist, had painted for her stolen from her living room. And of course I had to resume working,
while still displaced from my home, on the Monday after the attack.

I can still see the Site from my bedroom, sitting room, and bathroom. My apartment sustained only minor damage, however it was contaminated with dust and debris which was removed by a company who
claimed to specialize in handling hazardous materials, but whose qualifications I now doubt. I had an independent air test, which did find traces of asbestos and lead, but I was lucky - many of my
neighbors suffered much worse damage and see the Site more clearly from their apartments.

In the past month or so, most buildings were readied for re-occupation, but many in the neighborhood cannot yet return because particulate matter in the air (emanating from the still-burning fires)
causes respiratory distress, nosebleeds, asthma, headaches, etc. While we have been assured by the EPA that the air poses no long-term health risks, residents are suffering from symptoms that make
the area a short-term health nightmare and no one knows what the long term effects will be. My physician has prescribed 4 different medications and I still suffer from headaches, coughs, and nausea.


I have moved back into my building, but my windows must be covered with plastic because they were damaged when the management company cleaned the outside of the building (even though I had already had
a cleaning company clean my windows). I must run HEPA filters 24 hours a day, incurring much higher electricity bills. I am awakened at night by the sound of small explosions and occasionally find
things have been knocked over in the night, but there is never any warning or explanation about what is going on so close to our homes.

Although many have chosen to move to other parts of the city, I have no choice but to stay and rebuild the neighborhood. I can not move out because I own and the current estimated price for which my
apartment might sell would not pay the mortgage, even if I could find a buyer, and I would lose all the equity I have, forcing me to declare personal bankruptcy. There are few stores or restaurants
open and the nearest public transportation is a 20 - 25 minute walk to the south for the subway or to the north for the bus. My church is still under the control of FEMA. Most of the apartments on
my floor have been abandoned, which I find frightening. Deliveries have improved, because the military checkpoints have been removed, but no one wants to visit other than those who feel compelled to
come to look at the Site. Often times when I go out on the weekend, we stand aside as group after group of families are escorted to the Site. I respect this tradition, which reminds me of growing up
in Charlotte, NC, where all traffic pulled over and stopped out of respect to allow funeral processions to pass. I understand the loss these families suffered, because my own father died in June, but
I did not have time to grieve for him because this tragedy has overwhelmed every aspect of my daily life. I cry each time I see a group of families ... and at least they can go home. My home is in
what feels and looks like a war zone next to a grave yard. In addition, on our first walk up the promenade, one of the Rescue Workers asked loudly "Who let the tourists in?", referring to me, my
neighbor, and my boyfriend. One of the police officers guarding the police memorial explained to him that we were residents, and the Rescue Worker replied, incredulously, "PEOPLE LIVE HERE???" I
could not believe that we who have suffered so much were being viewed as curious tourists. I could not understand why we are not considered victims.

I am fortunate my company provided temporary housing and counseling. Even so, my life will be disrupted for years to come. I don't even know how many people I know who died because so many have left
my neighborhood. I probably will never see nor know what happened to most of the people who formed the daily fabric of my life, such as the shop keepers who worked in the World Trade Center and other
businesses in Battery Park City and lower Manhattan. And among my family members, I have a commercial jet pilot, a postal worker, and an executive officer on the NYPD.

I realize those currently defined by the government as the victims have suffered tremendously, and I have great respect for the work being done to clean up and restore lower Manhattan, especially for
the leadership provided by our mayor, Rudy Guliani, but I believe we are and should be recognized as victims too.

Thank you,

Individual Comment
Battery Park City, NY

2001-11-07