WTC settlement considered a positive step
Hours after $125 million was added to a settlement for 9/11 responders, many of those gathered at a Smithtown fundraiser for the workers said the increase was a positive step, but not enough.
"They need that money now," said John Feal, 43, a demolition supervisor who injured his foot and later developed respiratory problems.
Feal of Nesconset started the Fealgood Foundation, an advocacy group for 9/11 responders.
"Just imagine the financial burden," he said.
Feal stood at the front of the ballroom at Watermill Inn in Smithtown and asked every person who worked at the World Trade Center site after the attack, and every person who lost a spouse or loved one who did, to stand. More than half the people in the room did.
"I don't think you can put a limit of money on what these first responders did down there," said James Schmidt, 29, a Blue Point firefighter. "I don't think that's just."
Walter Dunn, a former Blue Point fire chief, said he worked at the site for one 12-hour shift after the attack. While he didn't get sick, Dunn said he knows other firefighters who did.
"Where it's going to stop, nobody knows," said Dunn, 40. "While they may want to limit their exposure, what happened, happened."
Feal says his foundation has raised $250,000 in the past 4 1/2 years. He said Thursday's announcement "was better than the first offer," but didn't address all the needs of responders, including health care.
Among the attendees at yesterday's event was Luke Rodriguez. His mother, Paula Rodriguez, 44, of Lindenhurst, developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, her family said, after working three months at the site as an emergency medical technician. She died last week.
Luke Rodriguez, 24, also of Lindenhurst, said he thought the extra settlement money was long overdue.
"I think it's late now," he said. "It's well-deserved money that should have been in place years ago."
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.newsday.com%2Fimage-service%2Fversion%2Fc%3AZGJhNWE1YTQtNmNmYS00%3AZWJkZjJiNjMtMmY5YS00%2F0828shark1-jpg.jpg%3Ff%3DLandscape%2B16%253A9%26w%3D770%26q%3D1&w=1920&q=80)
'Beneath the Surface': A look at the rise in shark sightings off LI shores It seems shark sightings are dominating headlines on Long Island and researchers are on a quest to find out why more sharks are showing up in Long Island waters. NewsdayTV meteorologist Rich Von Ohlen discusses how to stay safe.
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.newsday.com%2Fimage-service%2Fversion%2Fc%3AZGJhNWE1YTQtNmNmYS00%3AZWJkZjJiNjMtMmY5YS00%2F0828shark1-jpg.jpg%3Ff%3DLandscape%2B16%253A9%26w%3D770%26q%3D1&w=1920&q=80)
'Beneath the Surface': A look at the rise in shark sightings off LI shores It seems shark sightings are dominating headlines on Long Island and researchers are on a quest to find out why more sharks are showing up in Long Island waters. NewsdayTV meteorologist Rich Von Ohlen discusses how to stay safe.