Dear Editor:
The media have done a good job of keeping the public apprised as to the progress in paying moneys to legitimate survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attack.
They have, however, caused concern by highlighting the few survivors who seem ungrateful with the large sums of money they may be getting. This is unfortunate because most of the survivors are grateful and are not complaining [ I know five of such surviving individuals].
We have been advised that many survivors will receive more than $1 million and that they will not pay income taxes for two years. This advice is casually provided in the media but without details of support.
Since the moneys so provided are coming from the taxpayers, it is incumbent upon the administrators of these funds to make public certain information regarding distribution of the moneys.
To allay those fears-and to minimize the potential for fraud and misuse of these funds- I have a suggestion. Make available to the public-possible on a website- the following information with regard to the survivor beneficiary: 1) name; 2) address [city and state]; 3) details of the source and amount of funds dispersed to the surviving beneficiary [including such things as workers’ compensation, social security benefits, pension benefits, welfare benefits, insurance payments, special federal payments to police and firefighters, etc].
If such information were readily available to the public, it would help to allay their fears that the funds are- or are about to be – mishandled.
While many of the beneficiaries may not want to have such information made public, they should consider that any moneys coming from taxpayer funds are public records.
When such large sums of money are placed in the hands of the few, it is all too possible that the “fingers in the till” syndrome will kick in. By making the details of the compensation easily available to the public, confidence can be restored.
Frank Landrigan