The Courier’s coverage of Officer Cesar Borja, the NYPD officer and Bayside resident who succumbed to pulmonary fibrosis January 23 after exposure to the toxic dust from Ground Zero, was truly outstanding. This was a story about a police officer, husband, and father who diligently served the city that he loved.
His son, Ceasar Borja, Jr. was at the center of an awareness and consciousness-raising campaign to “Remember All The Heroes,” as your recent editorial headline put it. His efforts had results of almost miraculous proportions, as President Bush pledged $25 million to assist the first responders in need of health care and then met privately with the Borja family.
The president’s pledge was a modest commitment for a tremendous task, but after years of neglect, it was a groundbreaking historic moment. Again, The Courier captured how this son of a hero was empowered by his love for his father to rise to the occasion and speak out for all of the casualties of the World Trade Center attacks.
Then, on February 13, The New York Times published a story challenging a few of the facts originally published by the Daily News. Citing Officer Borja’s written log and interviews with his wife and oldest son, reporters from The Times said that the notes show no written entry prior to December 24, 2001, and that the shifts were recorded as 12 hours, not 16 hours as previously reported.
Normally, such information would be run in a small box as a correction, perhaps with a brief explanation.
However, in this case the corrected facts did not alter the essence of the story. The dust from the attack could be detected for months, and inhaling it for 12-hour shifts was apparently quite deadly enough. End of story? Not for The New York Times.
Incredibly, the article in The Times took a malicious twist and attempted to cast doubt on the fact that Officer Borja’s death was the result of exposure to Ground Zero dust. They pointed to the fact that he smoked cigarettes.
If smoking is not known to cause pulmonary fibrosis, why did The Times launch this innuendo and almost certainly mislead many of its readers? Inhalation of toxic dust particles such as those released at Ground Zero is associated with this disease.
The Courier, to its credit, avoided the trap that had so many other news organizations following the wayward New York Times like lemmings.
Your editorial, “Remember All The Heroes” was a powerful counterweight. As one who attended the officer’s wake and funeral, I am grateful for the comfort that I felt after seeing my convictions echoed in The Courier.
Here, in this reader’s words, is the dramatic and powerful story that withstood all the scrutiny and cannot be repeated too often:
A New York City police officer, husband, and father of three, worked for more than 200 hours near Ground Zero, believing his government’s assurances that there was no environmental hazard. A few years later, he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a disease known to develop in some individuals after exposure to certain environmental toxins, including asbestos and silica that were released from crushed glass and building materials at Ground Zero. Exposure to Ground Zero dust had caused the same or similar diseases in other individuals who were exposed. On January 23, we lost another hero of 9/11. His name is Officer Cesar Borja.
It’s dramatic, powerful, and fully accurate. It was fully accurate last month, and it remains fully accurate today.
Richard Jannaccio
Sleeping in the Bronx,
Living in Queens
Shopping Center Tows Nun
On Friday, February 9, I was on my way home from school and decided to first check a shoe sale at Marty’s in Whitestone Shopping Center. I bought the most expensive shoes I’ll ever own (and can’t afford) – $29 plus $162.55 for car towing.
I’ve been to Whitestone Shopping Center several times, always parking in the center. I would never willfully park in a “No Parking” area. Friday, the lot was crowded so I backed into the section against the fence to make it safer when exiting. I saw no signs, especially because I had backed into the space.
Fifteen minutes later, I had the shock of my missing car! I thought it was stolen.
The people in Marty’s could not have been nicer and they assured me that it had been towed at the request of the Shopping Center’s landlord, Mr. Rico. Parking against the fence was for employees only and I had missed the sign. The tow truck driver must have been watching me to have accomplished this in fifteen minutes.
The salesperson at Marty’s called Infinity Towing, Queens Village and I was told that they had the car. It could not have possibly been in Queens Village so soon. More likely it was behind the stores! For $108, I could come and pick it up, or for $162.55 it would be returned to the parking lot.
One hour later, my towed car was returned by a very surly driver. At least the younger man in the car was nicer.
I never park willfully where I am not supposed to. This has to be a moneymaking scam and I am strongly protesting. Even the Motor Vehicle Bureau gives you an opportunity to protest or explain. The landlord of the Whitestone Shopping Center must be desperate for money to have instigated this practice.
Sister Ann Keppel, CSJ
Fresh Meadows
