Times they are a changin'..............

Well, now that I'm back in the game, learning big changes going on at the DOC, Rikers and Hart Island.  Gotta catch up but I'll be back soon - really I will.

Gosh, it's been ages since I've posted - why?  Still a very painful and frustrating road to travel.  I've been thinking about John lately, Hart Island and my hopes and dreams for its future and inhabitants. I've read a few recent articles about the Island and have to admit I'm very pertrubed over the fact that neither John nor me are mentioned.  WTF?????  We all have a story, don't we? We all have something to say about something, right?  I've still got so much to say about John, the Island and what happened to him - what DID happen to him BTW? - and my mouth is bigger than ever. I feel my blood boiling up again and when that happens, I get in gear. I can't predict my next move but there will be a move . . . I assure you!!

New York! New York!

Just got back and I'm exhausted.  Lots to tell, lots to relay, lots happened.  I'm too tired now though so it will have to wait til I recover my mental & emotional strength.  Plus, I still need to confirm all that happened actually happened - my mind is still reeling.  Or was it all a dream?  Maybe-e-e-e-e-e-e.  Not!

What next?

What do I do next?  How do I keep myself involved?  How can I be involved living here with my passion over there? Who can I celebrate this little victory with?  John.......but not quite the same. Hoopin' & hollorin' all by myself,  freakin' out the cats cause they don't know what's going on, somehow just doesn't quite cut it.  I don't know how to recognize myself, to give me some credit for this little bit of progress.   I'm not emotionally evolved enough so that I can truly appreciate my efforts.  No celebratory parade yet people keep rainin' on it.  Looking in the mirror does not help for all I see is a little girl in front of me, still afraid of the dark.

You CAN fight City Hall...............

Well, the Oversight Hearing of the Committee for Fire and Criminal Justice Services has probably wrapped up their meeting today, 10/28.  So, so disappointed I was unable to attend since it happened as a result of my being persistent w/City Council over the past year - somewhat of a "win" and unable to celebrate.  I should be happy I was able to get this far but..........not having the financial resources, the support and voice is truly frustrating.  Well, I do have my written words so...........Ms. Melinda Hunt had absolutely nothing to do with the scheduling of this meeting - I'm putting that fact out into the Universe - and she is NOT the only one. Does she honestly think the Hearing just all of a sudden got scheduled, or she did something to cause it? I guess so.....but she did not!  Is it wrong for me to want a little recognition for my efforts?  Is it wrong for me to want some media attention for the Island?  Is it wrong for me to want support, financial and otherwise, for the Island?  Is it wrong for me to want personal support for what I'm trying to do?  I guess I appear like a "hater" - And? So?  Bye now.

Things are a poppin'.......................

and that's all I have to say..............for now  :)

The Power of One...............

Because people who are
Crazy enough to think
They can change the world
Are the ones that do.

Steve Jobs
1955-2011

The more the merrier..............

Well, still haven't heard from NY City Council so the following is yet another reminder.  This time I included ALL members of the Committee of the Fire and Criminal Justice.  Think someone will respond..............this time?


"I have sent numerous follow-ups to Councilwoman Crowley (w/copy to Oddo) and she has not seen fit to acknowledge my inquiries. And, surprisingly, neither has Jim Oddo. While I can appreciate that I may now be a "thorn" in both their sides, I assure you that is not my intention. Based on my various communications with Councilman Oddo over the past couple of years, and his pledge to me that he would continue to pursue matters concerning the Department of Corrections and my brother, John S. Turner, who has been buried on Hart Island since January 1972, I will continue on and not allow the injustice that was done to me, and indirectly my brother, until the situation at-hand has been dealt with in, what I consider to be, a satisfactory manner Again, all attachments are self-explanatory and I will not repeat the facts here.

I am now including all of you, members of the Committee on Fire and Criminal Justice Service, in another follow-up (my 4th) to Ms. Crowley in the hope that one of you may be of assistance to me since she has not even acknowledged my existence. While I can certainly appreciate there are more important matters at hand, I note the Committee will be meeting on September 27, 2011 @ 10:00 a.m. and, therefore, suggest the topic of the Department of Corrections, Julie Lantz and John Turner be placed on the Committee’s Agenda.

I thank you for your consideration and trust I will hear from one of you, if not Councilman Crowley, in due course.

Sincerely......."

Now...............what's the hang-up?

Still haven't heard from NY City Council - man they've no idea what a force I'll be to reckon with when I get through to them, and trust me I will.  A force much greater than all of us propels me, and that's the spirit of my brother, John, not to mention the thousands of others.  Don't mess with the Turner family.

So what's the reason now for not responding to my numerous requests? Hurricane Irene, the recent earthquake?  Last month, I suppose it was the potholes, or the weeds that may be growing within the cracks of the sidewalks?  Oh, I know, maybe it's just that you have a bunch of heartless, cold and unfeeling people on City Council who don't think the issues of a woman in Southern California concerning New York and how they treated the death of  her (my) brother so long ago aren't important enough to warrant an acknowledgement. One morning, while you're sipping your latte and reading the paper, you will see your name(s) and believe me, it won't be mentioned in a good light.  Remember that scene at the end of Poltergeist when Jo Beth Williams' character fell in the pool they were building and all the corpses popped up?  Well, beware of the spirits of the dead - they have their ways of getting what they want and need and pop up at the most unexpected times. In this case, these spirits will be going through me, and I will continue on their behalf, including my brother's, so that they may finally & completely rest in peace............before they die once more.  I'm not rich, I've little resources at the moment, but what I do have is passion for my mission.  And, never underestimate the passion of a Hungarian woman. Tenacity, persistence and just being a plain ol' pain in the ass can take a person a long way. Bye for now.

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.

Keep going...............

"You never know how far you can go unless you run".

Secretariat
The Movie, 2010

Quote...........for all time...............

You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world, but it takes people to make the dream a reality.

Walt Disney

Impressions...........of us............

Our fingerprints don't fade from the lives we touch.

Time & Loss..........

Of all the losses, time is most irrecuperable for it cannot be redeemed.