Title: Fight Continues For 9/11 Victim's Family

" This is the WBUR. News podcast for Friday September 11. A service of WBUR. Boston NPR news station I'm Bob -- coming up today. On the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks we hear from the father of one of the Massachusetts victims. And first today. Boston mayor Thomas Menino faced is three mayoral challengers again last night in the second and final debate of the campaign before the September 22 runoff election. As they did in their first debate many -- challengers businessman and developer given McRae and city councilor Sam -- and and Michael clarity. Tried to make many though the issue. Joining us this morning to talk about the debate is our mayoral campaign analyst Larry to -- Boston attorney onetime city councilor and mayoral candidate himself. American morning and thanks again for coming in the morning -- How many knows opponents last night went after him on crime and violence in the city the state schools Boston's budget troubles and weather. After sixteen years on the job Menino has been mayor long enough that was repeated theme of city councilor Sam -- Who frequently said that too much power is vested in one man he asked the mayor if he'd support term limits."

" I wanna ask you -- you know to join me. I'm in in calling for term limits on the office of majors that we can have. You know new ideas in government on a regular basis will let me under them. Every appears legislation for me. I also -- motor city -- not just man's -- so -- for term limits from I would I -- determined every four years I face them for a as the Boston."

" Clarity -- is though many -- been around long enough argument effective it is it catching the era voters."

" I think some voters certainly will be responsive to that. That was the case from Roosevelt ran in 1940. It was the case from Kevin White ran in 1979. That some people think that sixteen years is planning. After sixteen years. The mayor owned the problems he cannot say they re -- problems -- Kevin White problems. In the same sense the fact that the city is healthy financially. That crime is relatively speaking a low that the bond rating is robust. Is also something -- take credit for but no doubt about that there are people out there who quietly perhaps will suggest that sixteen years is plenty."

" Let's talk a little bit more about crime as it was another criticism of many you know last night city councilor Michael clarity said despite statistics that show some crime down in some neighborhoods people are afraid for their safety. And without directly saying it clarity also alluded to discrimination in police department hiring saying. That top police department brass -- not reflect the rest of the city."

" In order to build trust in the community the upper Echelon of the police department pass to -- to look like the face of the city. -- at sixteen years to diversify the -- it -- war. Commissioners department chief superintendent deputy superintendent captain lieutenant tragic case failed. Do you think you sales."

" I am thrilled for them when you think of crime -- what was right and party essentially -- Myron has -- Menino failed in this regard is he vulnerable. On the crime issue and whether people feel safe in mountain."

" I've never met a politician. Who was in favor of crime everyone's against crime everyone thinks crime is too high and arguably one crime is too many. But compared to other cities in this country. Boston is a very safe city not only the murder rate which is what gets in the newspapers. But other crime statistics. And I think more people feel safe and Boston. Then in most any other major city in this country does this mean Menino is not vulnerable on this issue I think it's it's not an easy issue to attack him on. I think most people feel quite safe I think. The issue of diversification. Diversity in the hiring of a senior people in the police department is complicated by civil service exams court cases and other things."

" All right let's talk about corruption which was also a direct and indirect charge the last night developer Kevin McRae hammered away at one point at a recent news reports that many know City Hall. Has sold off hundreds of plots of city owned land many at fire sale prices with a couple of parcels going cheaply. Too well connected people."

" There's other things going on the back room deals with the licensing board nobody has done anything except me writing a letter to the district attorney asked him to look into it. My I have to elected officials in my district could have been indicted by the feds that's corruption may do you call that corruption. I take very that's ridiculous what you said it's not corruption. But taken the apostles put him back on the tackles -- 674. Apostles only and that was so we have children. In two out of 22 times it was nominee."

" Larry over the years a lot of city politicians have been tagged and tainted by the corruption issue but it's not something I think it's generally embroiled. This city's current administration -- when Boston voters think of corrupt politicians."

" Is Tom Menino on that -- not at all. Sadly yeah we had one mayor mayor -- before my time. Who served five months of Danbury. While he was mayor. Sadly when I was on the City Council. People were indicted who were associated with -- white. And sadly people associated with mayor Flynn. Went to jail. There has been none of that. In the past few years selling your opinion did any of these charges are criticisms are heard in the debate last night put any dance in -- reelection. I did not see a knockout punch what I did see was both clarity. And you appearing more relaxed poised may oral. You and I thought was quite crisp. Clarity was far better looked better sounded better than -- the time before."

" After the first debate you said you thought that the challengers counselors unit clarity and businessman -- needed to do something in the second and final face off last night to differentiate themselves from one another. Did anyone come close to that."

" The most interesting a statement made was saying use requests that people vote and that sounds simplistic. But united preliminary election. In the middle of the baseball season with the Senate campaign and gubernatorial campaign it's likely to be a low turn out."

" So who has the leg up headed into the September 22 primary election of the three challengers assuming that. Mayor Menino survives and and goes to of them on November election."

" I expect it's between clarity noon and it depends upon turn out. If the turnout is small I think clarity will be in the final if all sorts of people show up to vote who are on nobody's list that I think we'll see -- you."

" Larry to Kyra former Boston city councilor onetime mayoral candidate Boston attorney thank you very much for joining us this morning great. The debate audio this morning came courtesy of Fox25. TV. Were continuously tracking the Boston mayoral race on our website wbur.org. Where you'll find candidate profiles and the latest developments again it's at our new website wbur.org."

" A series of remembrances in Massachusetts take place today on the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks the -- of silence and a memorial service will be held at Logan Airport this morning. The two planes that crashed into the World Trade Center towers took off from Logan of the ceremonies will take place today at the Statehouse and at the Rose Kennedy Greenway. After the terror attacks most of the families of victims accepted compensation from a special government fund. Another hundred or so filed lawsuits against the airlines and airport security companies and won a total of a half billion dollars in damages. But the family of a Boston based flight attendants -- low is among three families who haven't yet settled their lawsuits against the airline industry. -- was aboard American Airlines flight eleven. Today we're speaking with her father Mike -- about what he hopes to get from the case. Might take -- back and tell us why your family. Didn't settle this case along time ago."

" Here are too many unanswered questions. In the first days after medal everything it is closed this forest -- sister station sales speakers if you will that. It's continued. From Lee joint congressional inquiry through the -- and commissions and for my daughter -- felt like it was duty and obligation to pursue the truth and so accountable."

" Give us an example of some of the key questions you'd think remain unanswered at this point that it like to find answers for."

" Most money questions deal with the security companies. So there were on the Frontline and it could have prevented that'll -- should have prevented -- Over the to cheers it's weak colors and red depositions. And personally convinced panel and it could've been provisions at the security. Situation. In my opinion more -- that he was and I -- Some measure of accountability and justice."

" What are you hoping will result from the lawsuit that."

" I want a public trial are at least an archiving of all of the information over a million pages depositions and testimony. That belongs in the public arena."

" Generally speaking without violating that confidentiality. Order what's in the that we should all -- about."

" One of the feud true strong statements that came the National Commission. Retired admiral -- that's and that. For 1919 hijackers. I get on board the aircraft with prohibited weapons which groups like. Options and these documents. Would show what happened."

" Are you confident in security measures that have -- instituted cents at the nation's airports."

" I think there has been some improvement I think mostly heightened degree of awareness but my fear is that the same culture. Complacency. Lute currently corporate security companies into the government run TS. I think quite a bit of the tea estates. Preferences for for show for public construction sectors quite a bit ago."

" So then do you fear that 9/11 the bringing down of airplanes could be repeated in the us."

" A lot of opposition to 9/11. Will happen again. -- outfield and airliners maybe it is crucial rail the stadium but it will cut."

" And let me ask you one more question -- how will you spend this day."

" My daughter Allison a spent Wednesday in Boston -- steps. Took the train them to new York and we will. Be -- tea ceremony at ground zero. We will be they're. With SARS era. It's something that -- Need to do each year world continues to steer."

" Michael thank you very much appreciate -- bituminous. My glow is father of Sara -- a Boston based flight attendant who died on American Airlines flight eleven on September 11. Family and two others plan to go to trial next April."

" Audiotapes of Bernard Madoff reveal how the failed Ponzi schemer coached hedge fund managers who funneled investor money to. Massachusetts' top securities regulators secretary of state William Galvin this week made public the Madoff tapes. -- QB you are his current package provides a lesson."

" The recording is from a phone conversation in 2005. When the Securities and Exchange Commission was investigating me now. Madoff was speaking to executives at Fairfield Greenwich advisors at Connecticut hedge fund that. Billions invested with him."

" Obviously thought well this proposition that would have put them but. Okay."

" I mean -- does most of the talk telling fund managers what to say and what not to say to the federal regulators."

" You know what part of this all the caught the guys took it to look at record examination. And they they would accords. You know they have been doing it -- questions that we look at -- we left. Would you could write a book."

" Made -- shows little respect for the regular -- still he spends nearly an hour prepping the -- from -- field. It's not clear from the little talking they'd deal whether anyone at the hedge fund suspected may -- might -- fraud. At one point to fund manager asks me enough how many people in New York operation actually made the decision went to buy yourselves not."

" They had a good populate that disgust. When the when we should get it out of the -- not the only one that pulled the trigger. Obama did well there are always there but."

" In hindsight made -- statement -- we -- Washington times Fulham hogwash. May not -- the Fairfield folks at one point unless you know the better off fuel our. He does in Europe the conversation several times when he gets calls on a cellphone. Leaving the hedge fund executives waiting on the line."

" I suspect. It's pretty -- solicitations for charity problem."

" In the end is made up tells the Fairfield Greenwich executives they don't have to be too brilliant to brush off the SEC's questions that he concludes by telling them to --"

" casual. Because it it is cooperating get it over with -- about a year -- after the question and brought."

" And that's what they did it. For WBUR. Anchor -- Was and all the Bernard Madoff recordings on our website wbur.org. We've divided the audio into sections and pulled excerpts it's it wbur.org."

" This weekend and you pick. Go head to head at the -- banjo and fiddle contest which is now in its thirtieth year. Competition is always fierce as the musicians are well season they are also predominantly male. A local teen -- girls plans to give them a run for their money. -- shell Canada won the New England banjo championship in July making her the first female and the youngest musician ever to earn that title. And WBUR's. And -- found out the fifteen year old men playing bad news since they stood taller than her."

" In her living -- North Andover Michelle canning eagerly opens that -- to show me one of the fourth instruments he owns. Area suspension."

" She smiles new releases. And her fingers crossed into snack body and street. The fifteen year old looks especially young man behind such an old term instruments conditional first now for the fans know seven years ago."

" And has eight years old I licked my grandmother's house asleep -- thing. And I said pat and let's make a band so he said -- to -- you -- the bench and I had no idea what I think Angeles. So people gone out of his closet and opened it up and that he called it and I just found a Muslim thing after that."

" Michelle's parents and a teacher willing to take turns such a young kicker."

" I play with her a lot of play guitar. That's Michelle's dad -- and at some point a couple years ago I had trouble keeping up with there."

" It tells me only his musical the two Brothers also play instruments but not in her style. Apparently taking miss Hilton bluegrass festivals and contests in New England north misery. Human food as chronicled -- the first question always is -- he. Michelle's mom Donna has two daughters eat -- ability when fans this summer at the New England into the championship in me. This -- Raton -- the crowd rooted here. A lot of the people they want can't -- living in that -- kids start playing. They get excited. The snow gets excited about moving her chops at -- jam sessions in coffee houses and restaurants. I'm listening routinely takes me along to this rulings each coach Ian and tavern in plot. -- many rooms here filled with -- guitarist banjo pickers. As usual Michelle is junior by far. She's jamming with three other musicians. Even that would plays guitar."

" But accepted defective fifty euros -- circles -- sixty euros."

" How would remembers when he first saw Michelle with her -- do a few years ago she deployed. -- different limits now. She didn't allow me as a -- players in this was great person. Came over and joined a gym we had. She was nervous now she rocks. And rocks and rocks and rocks according to Michelle's mom Donna. She chaperones that teens festivals and jam sessions and drives her home over. Sometimes at night which is -- really it gets cold and I think I'll look at it some time and I think Michelle I'm tired it's time now. -- is equivalent to sign up. Michelle has a life outside the band -- At high schools she's in the drama club and the jazz band and she says her friends think her -- do is pretty cool because it's different. Michelle says she'd keep picking up all night long if she could it. Latest -- data is three day me. There's no telling held late this -- don't know but chances are. Even when Michelle canning gets home she'll keep picking as quietly as she can. And it. -- you -- yeah."

" canning compete tomorrow after the old banjo and fiddle contest and watch our video of the fifteen year old playing this on. And see a slide -- of the pictures your mother has taken since Michelle was eight years old. It's all on our new website WBU guardado. This podcast is a free service of WBUR Boston to make a contribution to support the news go to our website wbur.org."