Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 7-7-17

Local
Third Worker Burned At TECO Power Plant Dies
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
A third man injured in an industrial accident has died. Antonio Navarrete, of Wimauma, was 21-years- old.
Navarrete had been a patient at Tampa General Hospital since the accident at the Tampa Electric’s Big Bend Power Plant last Thursday.
Navarrete, along with Armando J. Perez, 56, of Wimauma, and Gary Ma- rine, Jr., 32; and his step- father, Frank Lee Jones, 55, were all admitted to Tampa General Hospital after the accident with life- threatening injuries.
A spokesperson for Tampa Electric said in a written statement, “Unfortu- nately, one of the hospital- ized BRACE employees has passed away.”
A statement by BRACE said, “We are very saddened to report that BRACE em- ployee Antonio Navarrete has died as a result of in-
ANTONIO NAVARRETE
juries suffered during the in- cident at Tampa Electric's Big Bend power plant.
“Our heartfelt prayers and sympathy are extended to his family and friends as we keep our primary focus on supporting our employ- ees and their families during this difficult time.”
Gofundme pages have been created for Navarrete at www.gf.me/u/8gei6, and for Perez at www.gf.me/u/8g9ve, who is another BRACE employee severely injured during the incident.
Christopher Irvin, 40, a Crew Supervisor for Gaffin
Industries, and Michael McCort, 60, an Engineer with TECO, died at the scene.
All of the injured and dead were burned by what is known as “molten slag,” a by-product of coal used in creating electricity.
Officials said the slag gushed from a tank onto the workers who were below. They further said it resem- bles lava from a volcano and can reach a temperature of 1,000 degrees.
A spokesperson for Tampa Electric said the blast took place shortly after 4 p.m.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched its investi- gation into the accident last Friday. The spokesperson said the investigation can take several weeks or months to complete.
Gordon Gillette, Pres- ident and Chief Executive Officer of TECO said, “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families of everyone who was touched by this incident.
“Safety is the No. 1 prior- ity at Tampa Electric, and we are working hard to deter- mine exactly what happened and why. We will be con- ducting a complex investiga- tion to determine the root cause.”
The company declined comment beyond that com- ment saying they will not be able to provide any addi- tional information.
Commissioner To Revisit Confederate Statue Issue
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Hillsborough County
Commissioner Les Miller, Jr., said he will once again bring up the issue of the Confederate Statue. The statue that has resulted in controversy and divided the population of Hillsborough County is located outside the old Courthouse in downtown Tampa.
He plans to revisit the issue during the regular meeting on July 19th. He fur- ther stated that since it is not a public meeting, anyone wishing to make a comment must do so during the public speaking segment of the meeting and not at the time of discussion, which is set at 10:45 a.m.
Commissioner Miller
made a motion to remove the statue and donate it to the Daughters of the Confederacy during a board meeting on June 21st.
Prior to the meeting,
Commissioner Miller
said, “These types of statues are being removed all over the country and it is time that Hillsborough County re- moves this one. These types of statues are divisive.”
He was supported by
Commissioners Pat Kemp and Al Higgin- botham. However, his mo- tion was defeated 4-3 with Commissioners Stacy White, Sandy Murman, Ken Hagan, and Victor
LES MILLER, JR. Hillsborough County Commissioner
Crist voting to keep the statue at its current location. Commissioner Crist wants to place a wall of diversity be- hind the statue.
Commissioner White
declined to speak with the Sentinel following the vote. He also led a motion to pre- vent the relocation of any war monuments.
All four are Republicans and all four will be seeking re- election in 2018.
After the vote was made public, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn made the follow- ing statement: “There is no honor in treason and there is no valor in enslaving people because of their race. That statue represents the worst of humanity, not the Tampa we aspire to be. This decision doesn’t speak for our city or the people that I represent.”
Commissioner Miller
said he is revisiting the issue because “There has been a groundswell of people want- ing it removed. There have been demonstrations to try and get it removed, so I’m going to try again to see if I can get it removed.
“Those who want it re- moved are 2-1. Maybe some of the Commissioners have had a change of heart and mind,” he said.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2017