Another case of asbestos worry

"It seemed like they were much more concerned about me talking to the Daily News than about the health and safety of me and my children," Saunders said.

Last night, Tillman said there had been no such conversation.

"That is not true at all," Tillman said. "I never, ever said that to Miss Saunders . . . At no time did I say those words."

David Poulterer, 45, who worked as a PHA plumber for six years, said he complained about illegal asbestos removal at Hill Creek in 2004. But no one listened to him, he said.

"I brought all this to their attention five years ago," Poulterer said. "Everybody looked at me like I was crazy and that I was just a troublemaker."

One evening, Poulterer returned home from work and as he took off his clothes, he found a big chunk of asbestos hanging from the hood of his jacket.

Poulterer said he returned to work the next day and "cursed out" a PHA supervisor, Pamela Dunbar. Dunbar charged him with insubordination. Poulterer was suspended for five days without pay. The April 20, 2004, disciplinary report never mentioned that Poulterer was angry with Dunbar over his repeated exposure to asbestos. Efforts to reach Dunbar were unsuccessful. Anyone with concerns or questions about asbestos should call the Health Department's Asbestos Control Unit at 215-685-7576.

Staff writer Barbara Laker contributed to this report.