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Victims of Toxic Mold at RCC Denied Chance to Speak at County Legislature Committee MeetingJune 26, 2008 The problem of toxic mold poisoning in Rockland Community College's offices housed in Brucker Hall was to be the subject of a County Legislature Multi-Services Committee meeting yesterday, but several of the affected employees were denied a chance to speak when the Chairman Philip Soskin, D-Monsey, abruptly canceled the meeting after speaking to an attorney hired by the county Insurance Department. Since 2007, nine worker's compensation claims have been filed by employees based on exposure to mold and unidentified toxins. Eight employees, including executive officers, have been moved out of the 171-year-old Alms House that now serves as the college's administration building. Legislator Joseph Meyers, D-Airmont, had called for the hearing and was unhappy that the employees were not heard. On Tuesday, July 1st at 8pm, at the regular County Legislative meeting in New City, Melissa Gluckmann, perhaps the most seriously affected employee, will return with others to speak in the public comment portion of the meeting. She has written to her supporters asking them to come out and support her attempt to remove her co-workers still at risk in the building until some remedy for the situation is found. In her own words, the former international programs coordinator for the college describes what her life has become after her long-term exposure. Below is the text of her letter to friends and supporters, followed by links to the NBC news and The Journal News coverage. Friends, Your support during the past 3 years of being ill has meant more to me than you will ever know. I have experienced loss of so much of the quality of my life - I can't be spontaneous, can't just jump on a plane, check into a hotel, rent a car, walk into a store - everywhere I go is a potential land-mine for me as I have no ability to process chemicals and can't breathe properly. I can't tell you how many hotels I have checked out of because I can't breathe properly, how many weird rashes I have on a regular basis, how much weight I have gained from mold lingering in my bloodstream. I spent nearly a year in bed, sleeping endlessly because I literally could not pick my head up off the pillow - despite desperately wanting to. I was poisoned in a bldg that I worked in. I went to work and it almost killed me. Imagine going to work, feeling like you have the worst flu of your life for a YEAR PLUS, having your hands and face/mouth go numb the minute you walk into the office, having your mouth taste like sheetrock/dust, picking up your phone and realizing you don't know your home # anymore - or the name of the woman you say good morning to every day for nearly 2 years - you know it is in your brain - but you can't find it. That was my existence every day. Today, I can't walk up a hill or stairs without gasping for air. I have a handicap permit for my car. I carry an inhaler to breathe. It won't get better - in fact, it will likely just get worse over time. As many of you know, when I asked to be moved, and then BEGGED, and then wrote a 4 page letter (sent certified mail) to the college President asking for help - I was virtually ignored. And then having to beg workman's comp to believe that you're not a hypochondriac. Then losing 3/4 of your income in one year because you resigned because you had to go the ER and your Dr said NO MORE EXPOSURE! Imagine buying your food and gas for your car on a credit card? This became my life. I took a huge risk by calling the Journal News - they thought I was a loon at our first meeting, but I had so much written evidence that they had to consider my story. And boy did they - front page, two times and now NBC's major news last night. But now I need your help. I try not to ask for much of the people who already so good to me, but this is a plea that I can't avoid. The Rockland County legislator, Joe Meyer, had graciously gotten the RCC mold topic on the agenda. Yesterday, at the meeting, and we were told that no public commentary would be permitted. They shut us down. Thankfully NBC news was there with their cameras (see video of my interview w/ NBC: http://video.wnbc.com/player/?id=268912 ) The good news is that there is a legislative meeting next Tuesday, JULY 1st at 8 pm in New City in Rockland County . I will be there and will be speaking in the public comment section that typically opens each meeting. Renee (the other sick employee - there are many of us, at least 13 who have filed worker's comp cases) is planning to speak also. We expect NBC and the Journal News (who has written 2 front page stories this past week in Rockland County) to be present again. My dear friend Hamilton has offered his son to help make RIBBONS to show that we have a cause and that we stand for healthy workplaces. (Since Renee and I don't have casts/wheelchairs, etc - we have been often questioned about why we're making a fuss.) Your participation on July 1st at 8pm would mean a great deal to us, especially for those who are struggling in that bldg but are afraid for their jobs, so they're silent. The legislators need to hear our stories and close that bldg. There are single mothers who work in that bldg. There are seniors who work there. Someone's sister or brother is breathing in that toxic crap every day that you sit in your nice air conditioned, safe office. So please, please be there on Tuesday. A million and
one thanks. ________________________________________________________________________ NBC News coverage of County Legislature shutting down public comment. "RCC mold hearing delayed
as county plans probe" Journal News story
here. |
