THE WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF LOWER MANHATTAN

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EDITORIAL

9/11 and the mosque
The debate over the Islamic cultural center planned for Park Place made for a 9/11 anniversary last Saturday the likes of which have never been seen before. A day that is normally an occasion for solemn, dignified observance was filled with loud protests and counterprotests and all nature of believers, including extremists who descended on New York from who knows where.

Letters to the Editor

TALKING POINT
Helping our 9/11 Heroes
BY U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand
Nine years have now passed since the horrific terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

DOWNTOWN NOTEBOOK
Mosque or no mosque, the terrorists are winning
BY Helaina N. Hovitz
For the past nine years, September 11th has been a day to respect and remember those we lost, those who gave their lives to save others, and to celebrate the bravery and courage shown by all who came to the aid of our city.

In Pictures

A peaceful vigil on the eve of 9/11

Reflections from a photographer

Grassroots public input

City is bugging out!

BACK TO SCHOOL
New standards hope to prepare students for global success
BY Aline Reynolds
To kick off the 2010-11 academic year, Lower Manhattan public school principals are prepping their teachers for a new teaching method recently adopted by New York State as well as 47 other states nationwide.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES
Origins of the Zadroga health bill
Last week’s article entitled “Rally around the country for Zadroga legislation,” by John Bayles, described the efforts of a city council member in Los Angeles to support the 9/11 James Zadroga Health and Compensation Act.

Read what the Downtown Alliance has to say!

*Downtown Express photos by Kenzie*

A peaceful vigil on the eve of 9/11
More than 2,000 supporters of Park 51 gathered for a candlelight vigil on Church Street on the eve of 9/11. “This is going to be a peaceful, honorable vigil that I think strikes the right tone,” Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York City Civil Liberties Union, told Downtown Express prior to the event. “It’s important for us, as people are thinking about September 11, to make a strong statement that we honor those who died by standing up for freedom of religion and expression and diversity.”
Sacred day for many is marred by protests BY John Bayles and Aline Reynolds Last Saturday marked the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers. The day began, as did the eight previous anniversaries, with a solemn and respectful memorial event during which the names of those who perished on the tragic day were read over a loud speaker. Only the families of those who died were allowed inside Zucotti Park for the ceremony. Cockfield leaves Lower Manhattan for Albany Errol Cockfield, previously the Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs for the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, is headed to Albany. Senate Majority Conference Leader John Sampson tapped Cockfield for the role of Communications Director. Annual 9/11 event offers perspective for all BY Michael Mandelkern Manhattan Youth hosted its annual 9/11 event, drawing adults, families and children who sat somberly in a circle and shared their thoughts and feelings about the tragic day. C.B. 1 asks L.M.D.C. to hone in on WTC Arts Center Thomas Buergenthal, former Hague judge and lucky child BY Ellen Keohane When Thomas Buergenthal first sought an English-language publisher for his book, “A Lucky Child: A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz as a Young Boy,” he said he was told, “Holocaust books don’t sell.” Radicals provide inspirational light show on Park51 façade BY J.B. Nicholas Soon after the sun set Thursday evening, a lone man pushed a lop-sided, nearly broken shopping cart down Church Street, toward the site of the proposed Islamic Cultural Center. A ratty gray blanket covered the cart, making it virtually indistinguishable from those routinely seen being pushed by homeless people in the neighborhood, enabling the man to glide along essentially unnoticed in the dusk. One debate that occurred on Lower Manhattan streets Saturday On the ninth anniversary of 9/11, Teresa Pinder came all the way from the Poconos in Pennsylvania, to protest the proposed Islamic cultural center. ARTS DOWNTOWN Downtown artists answer HOWL! of the wild BY TRAV S.D. The Slipper Room’s a work in progress, in September and beyond... Fall for the Arts: Downtown and Elsewhere COMPILED BY SCOTT STIFFLER Koch on Film By Ed Koch Albee’s latest asks: OTTO or otto? BY JERRY TALLMER Palindromes, jokes and slogans populate twin-centric plot.	L.M.D.C. set to release $200 million in grants BY Aline Reynolds The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation affirmed at last week’s board of directors meeting that it will go ahead with releasing $200 million in funds to sources other than utility companies. Maloney, Schneiderman win spots on Nov. ballot Turnout was low and many polling stations were plagued with numerous problems on Tuesday as New Yorkers voted in the mid-term primary election. The New York Times reported that Mayor Bloomberg lashed out at the Board of Elections for what he called “a royal screw-up.” Park51 Imam returns home, addresses controversy BY Aline Reynolds Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf told an audience at the Council on Foreign Relations on Monday that the Park51 site on Park Place in Lower Manhattan should not be deemed sacred ground, pointing out that the street also contains a strip club and a betting parlor. MTA board gets ear full on proposed fare hike BY Jefferson Siegel A proposed new round of fare hikes engendered reactions ranging from indignation to frustration in Cooper Union’s Great Hall Monday night as MTA board members, some with ties loosened and bleary-eyed, heard from dozens of speakers critical of the hikes. Downtown Alliance security guards to patrol on electric bikes BY John Bayles Those red-coat-wearing, friendly security guards patrolling the streets of downtown everyday will now be doing so on new, electric bikes. The Downtown Alliance has announced a pilot program that aims to reduce the carbon footprints of its public safety officers and better serve the neighborhood. Short gallery season packs punch BY STEPHANIE BUHMANN Noteworthy exhibitions as 2010 winds down. Koch on Film By Ed Koch Please don’t call it a Fall Arts Preview Compiled by Scott Stiffler It’s more like an Autumn Roundup, OK? FringeNYC: Gone yes, but not forgotten BY SCOTT STIFFLER Tim & Micah’s show over, still worth checking out. Playwright asks: Is a rabbit just a bump in the road? BY JERRY TALLMER Ultra-intimate sexual act viewed as ticket to fame. The A-List By Scott Stiffler

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Volume 20, Number 39
The Newspaper of Lower Manhattan
September 15 - 21, 2010

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