Poor, poor, insolvent New York..................

Thought you all would find this very interesting..................

"............the construction of the new Riker's Island facility is by far the most expensive portion of the plan, with a price tag of about $563 million.  The department says the new building will replace deteriorated temporary housing units. ....................."

City Plans to Build, Renovate Jails
By Zach Bergson
July 11, 2011
Gotham Gazette

So....................I guess it's safe to say New York City is not hurting for funds to renovate, rebuild and "beautify", if you will........................a prison.  My next question, you guessed it..................... is where are the funds to renovate, rebuild and beautify Hart Island?

Call me an ambulance cause I just fell over!

The fly you cannot swat away....................

Well, you guessed it.  Haven't heard from the NYC Council - what a surprise, huh?  Below is my latest.

Council Member Crowley:

Is there a reason why I am not, at the very least, being given the courtesy of some type of response from either you or Jim Oddo? I can appreciate that I am not a member of your community but I am seeking justice for my brother...... who was. His dreams of living in New York City were never fully realized, and no doubt he never thought that's where he would die. But die he did and I want some answers as to why I, and other city officials, were given false information as to his whereabouts on Hart Island when I attempted to recover his remains. And I want to know why no one is being held accountable?

What is the big secret going on with Hart Island? Is there some nefarious business going on with the Department of Corrections/Hart Island that no one wants to touch? What IS really going on out there?

Wouldn’t it be easier to work with me rather than against (by ignoring me)? No doubt I’ll be in touch with you again.

Sincerely,

Julie S. Lantz

Quote of the day.............

Every opportunity has a shelf life.
Burlesque-2010
p.s.  Happy Birthday.............to me.

I've quit smoking .................so don't mess with me

Well, haven't heard back from the Chair of the Fire & Criminal Justice Committee, Elizabeth Crowley, so guess what?  Below is my latest.  All I can ask is "what is wrong with these people"?

Dear Council Member Crowley:
This will serve as a follow-up to mine of May 19, 2011, as noted below. Has any progress been made in the investigation of the Department of Corrections and the incident involving my brother's remains? Has this topic been listed as an Agenda item for an upcoming meeting? Will an Oversight Hearing be held? Do you intend to do anything about the wrongful manner in which I, and other city officials, were treated as a result? And is it the intention of the Fire & Safety Commission to allow the Department of Corrections to, once again, get away with such irresponsible behavior with no consequences? Let me ask you one more question: If this was YOUR brother we were talking about, would you simply let it go as just another bureaucratic foul up and move on?

As I've stated previously to you and Jim Oddo, I've no doubt everyone wishes I would just go away. As you can see, I will not. Jim Oddo all but promised his support & assistance in my efforts to bring the Department of Corrections to justice in this particular situation and to, hopefully, gain something positive from this most unfortunate situation. I'm not quite sure, although I can understand all the important issues the Council has before it, how something like this is "okay" with you, Jim Oddo, or any other Council member, and not recognizing the need for an investigation, positive change, and justice, not only on my behalf, but on behalf of all families I've no doubt this has happened to. I remain most sincerely, Julie Lantz. I do hope that you will find the time to, at the very least, acknowledge me and a most important issue I bring to you.

John's first (but not last) media recognition as an Honorably Discharged Air Force Veteran

Please go to John's blog where you will find an article which appeared in the Phoenix, AZ newspaper, The Glendale Star dated May 25, 2011 regarding the ABAD Memento Art Exhibit & memorial ceremony for John on May 6, 2011.  Note  I couldn't figure out how to make the print larger so click on the article a couple of times to get to a readable print size.

And the universe keeps smiling down upon John and me...............

Met the most wonderful young woman, albeit telephonically, a journalist by the name of  Caroline Walker who contacted me after finding my blogs about Hart Island & John; was very interested in "our" story and wanted a quick interview for possible use in an upcoming book (proposal) she's working on. That "quick interview" turned into nearly 3 hours of chat. Wow! is all I can say.  She's living the life I'd like to have lived and want to be just like her when I grow up - lol!  Seriously though, her enthusiasm, passion for what she's doing, and her encouragement for what I'm trying to do - well, we're a match made in earthly heaven.  Possibilities are endless so who knows, right?  She found John & Hart Island through my blogs so, hopefully, it's just a matter of time before all of you out there will find us too :)  It's so frustrating cause I'm doing all I can but there's only so far I can go alone - I'm just one little speck of sand within a large bowl of life and I need some big bulldozer to scoop me up, plant the seeds of info, and help me, John's story and the plight of Hart Island, blossom & grow so that it may benefit thousands and thousands and thousands of living and departed souls.  That's my mission.  So, anyway, haven't heard from the NYC Council Fire and Criminal Justice Committee Chair, Elizabeth Crowley (copy to Councilman Oddo) to whom I wrote in May 2011 for an "Oversight Hearing" regarding the DOC - and she looks like such a kind & caring person.  I know, I know, they probably view me as some crazy woman BUT ask me if I care. As my friends know, I'm real good at being a "pain in the ass" and I can't  think of any better cause than Hart Island and my brother to work my "pain in the ass" magic - lol! S-o-o-o-o-o it's time for a follow-up to Chairperson Crowley.  I wonder if she knows, since I have now officially identified her here, that (at some point) anyone who googles her will now hit on my blog as well.  Ain't technology grand?

Ta for now.

Nothing of import to relay....................

but some movement happening relative to the Island.  As soon as I know anything, you will know.  Til then, signing off for now.