Construction worker's mom (81) blamed city building inspectors for son's death (NYC crane)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/03/19/2008-03-19_construction_workers_mom_blamed_city_bui-2.html

Note: This story was from before Thursdays arrest of the inspector!

BY JESSICA DURANDO, TINA MOORE and STEPHANIE GASKELL
DAILY NEWS WRITERS

Wednesday, March 19th 2008, 4:00 AM

The mother of one of the construction workers killed in last week's crane collapse blamed city building inspectors for her son's death - saying they failed to do their job.

"Somebody is responsible for it. This did not happen by itself," said Nile Canzona, 81, from her home in East Northport, L.I.

The body of her 45-year-old son, Clifford, was finally pulled from the rubble Monday, bringing the death toll to seven.

Investigators trying to determine the cause of the collapse are looking at a nylon strap used to hold a heavy steel collar in place so that the crane could be extended.

"I don't think that the right people are doing the inspections," Canzona said. "If you take something to secure something, you should make sure it's strong enough."

Clifford's brother, Chris, a retired construction worker, also blasted the city.

FULL story at link.

[aquart]

1. Is she wrong?

[Omaha Steve]

2. Nope

She was right on the $.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010402078

March 21, 2008 10:47 a.m. EST

Corinna Estarija - AHN

New York, NY (AHN) - The New York City building inspector who was supposed to have examined the construction crane that collapsed in Manhattan was arrested and charged for falsely filing inspection reports of the construction site.

Eleven days after the crane should have been inspected it collapsed and killed seven people. Edward Marquette, 46, was arrested for failing to inspect the crane and saying he had. Marquette was the inspector who should have inspected the construction area after the Department of Buildings received complaints from the neighborhood that the crane didn't appear to be working properly. He works for the Division of Cranes and Derricks of the Department of Buildings.

The Department of Investigation announced that Marquette admitted that he did not inspect the site on March 4.

But according to the Dept. of Buildings, the inspection would not have prevented the accident. The department has authorized a full review of Marquette's inspection assignments and a full audit of all his works for the past six months.