wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Thank you WNYC and to Matthew Schuerman and to Cindy Rodriguez for doing this well researched report. Unfortunately, WNYC has been very timid in questioning and pointing out the flaws in many of Mr. Bloomberg's policies and how his deputies have transformed agencies to be revenue generating machines while pushing their missions and the functions for which these agencies were created aside.

Your 2-part report was a very detailed analysis of the deaths of construction workers. But you have not touched upon the lobbying on the part of the DOB to prevent any enforcement of existing laws and education of the public. It does not address the systemic effort of the DOB to ignore complaints filed by property owners and renters reporting illegal and unsafe construction and demolition activity. These complaints are ALL summarily closed with the following: "NO VIOLATION WARRANTED FOR COMPLAINT AT TIME OF INSPECTION" ; No mention of the 'self-certification' program promoted by DOB which leaves contractors, builders and developers to 'certify' that they have followed building standards; The increase in inspectors has not been to increase or to handle inspections of construction sites. These have been hired to generate revenue by targeting existing homeowners with fraudulent complaints generated within DOB or in cooperation with developers to gain access to property to impose exorbitant fines to force them to lose their property. No effort has been made by DOB to work cooperatively with homeowners to improve and resolve existing defects and violations that go as far back as 30 years; I have had to deal with 6 years of constant violations and blight and unsafe conditions generated in Corona where the DOB has chosen to ignore them.

I appreciate the focus on building safety. We ALL have noticed for years the incredible push for luxury residential buildings, literally every where you turn around. They've put many people out of business, and made housing a near-impossibility for probably half of the City population. I wish you had begun the discussion years ago. BUT, my comment is really on the focus of the investigation. . .

While we can count the number of Dept. of Buildings failings that have caused death and destruction, beginning, I'm sure, way before the Deutsche Bank Building fire, how do we account for the cost-and-corner-cutting methods that have been employed all over the city that have not caused immediate construction-related problems, but for which new residents of these buildings will suffer and pay with their health and dollars for decades to come.

I decided long ago--whether or not I could afford it--I will never buy new construction in this City--way to risky investment. I could end up with a lemon for the rest of my life and lose my meager savings and hard-earned pay.

Thanks.