Richard Tafoya
Oct 25th, 2006, 08:09 PM
ABC News:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2604416&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312
Mayor Michael Bloomberg's explanation that the city's cleanup of the World Trade Center site was done quickly out of respect for victims' families did little to quell the anger of some who fear the remains of their loved ones were overlooked.
Bloomberg said Tuesday that city officials who handled the World Trade Center cleanup years ago worked "as fast as we could" but said they were urgently trying to get remains back to the families.
"It had very little to do with the families," said Monica Gabrielle, whose husband Richard was killed and has no identified remains. "This is another spin it's a diversion away from the issue, which is that management failed, not the workers, and management needs to be held accountable."
Thirty-six more bone fragments were found Tuesday as workers continued sifting debris from subterranean cavities that were apparently missed during the initial cleanup.
The Associated Press reported Monday that some officials handling the search for remains in 2002 had urged that more time be spent searching for remains but felt rebuffed by a city agency that wanted to finish the job. The emotions and disagreements from years ago have new significance now that remains are turning up at the site, as well as atop a nearby skyscraper.
"Were we under time pressure? Absolutely," Bloomberg said. "I don't know any family member that didn't want to find out whatever they could about the loved one that they lost."
The agency in charge of the excavation, the Department of Design and Construction, was applauded in 2002 for the efficient way it pared down and whisked away the ten-story pile of trade center rubble in under a year.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2604416&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312
Mayor Michael Bloomberg's explanation that the city's cleanup of the World Trade Center site was done quickly out of respect for victims' families did little to quell the anger of some who fear the remains of their loved ones were overlooked.
Bloomberg said Tuesday that city officials who handled the World Trade Center cleanup years ago worked "as fast as we could" but said they were urgently trying to get remains back to the families.
"It had very little to do with the families," said Monica Gabrielle, whose husband Richard was killed and has no identified remains. "This is another spin it's a diversion away from the issue, which is that management failed, not the workers, and management needs to be held accountable."
Thirty-six more bone fragments were found Tuesday as workers continued sifting debris from subterranean cavities that were apparently missed during the initial cleanup.
The Associated Press reported Monday that some officials handling the search for remains in 2002 had urged that more time be spent searching for remains but felt rebuffed by a city agency that wanted to finish the job. The emotions and disagreements from years ago have new significance now that remains are turning up at the site, as well as atop a nearby skyscraper.
"Were we under time pressure? Absolutely," Bloomberg said. "I don't know any family member that didn't want to find out whatever they could about the loved one that they lost."
The agency in charge of the excavation, the Department of Design and Construction, was applauded in 2002 for the efficient way it pared down and whisked away the ten-story pile of trade center rubble in under a year.