-Page 10 WIRE www.sunnewspapers.net The Sun /Saturday, April 26, 2014
Paralyzed teen waiting
on $3,5M settlement
TALLAHASSEE (AP) claimants or those who settlement. "We want to
Aubrey Stewart was hire prominent lobbyists make sure that this kid
standing next to his fare better than others is taken care of for life.
LHOME & GARDEN family's car three years who might have more val- He needs to be cared
ago when a massive id cases. The Panhandle for and $3.5 million is a
SHOW branch from a city-owned Republican has refused to reasonable settlement
tree suddenly broke let Stewart's or any other to make sure that he's
. ................. .................. .... ExpoTradeShowsxom and crashed down on claims bills be heard in cared for and I think
him, breaking the then- the Senate during his the Legislature should
15-year-old's spine and two-year term as presi- approve."
leaving him paralyzed dent, which will end later Joseph Stewart,
from the waist down. this year. Aubrey's father, said even
th Jacksonville officials "We've really not had $3.5 million is unlikely
8 n n u a l had been warned about a process that allowed to cover the lifetime
the rotting tree, so claims bills to be heaid expenses for his son, now
they quickly reached a on their merits," Gaetz 18. Aubrey, the youngest
$3.5 million settlement said. "Instead it's been of six children, has had
Ch4arlotte County Spring with Stewart's parents to who the lobbyist is, who 12 surgeries to repair a
pay for his care and to the sponsor is and how shattered spine, broken
make their home wheel- the biscuits were in the ribs and bleeding on
chair accessible. But most majority or minority the brain. The medical
of that money has never office that morning." bills topped $1.6 million
H o e & G a rd e n been paid. Despite his concerns, last July, and economist
Under Florida law, Gaetz has introduced Frederick Raffa has told
any claim over $200,000 no legislation to reform the Stewart family's law-
against the state or a the system. His refusal yers that Aubrey's future
city, county, school to make any exceptions care expenses could reach
S h o w district or other entity has angered not only the $9 million to $11 million.
must be approved by the Stewart family but the The teen now wears
Legislature even if the Jacksonville City Council, diapers and must use a
Slaturdqmy 'a Sund4my money would be paid by which recently voted 19-0 catheter and a colostomy
a local government or its to urge Gaetz and the bag. His parents must
JW_ insurance carrier. Legislature to pass a bill. change him, bathe him
A p ril 2 6 0"1 27 Florida Senate Jacksonville had and tend to bedsores
President Don Gaetz received four complaints and other complications.
says the state's system over eight months about Joseph Stewart quit his
for paying claims against the tree before the branch job as a truck driver for
1 OAMmm4pm government entities is fell on Stewart. Top Choice Poultry to
broken. He says it relies "It should be paid," help his son after his wife
too much on emotion, Jacksonville Mayor hurt her back moving
Charlotte Harbor and sympathetic Alvin Brown said of the their son.
Event & Conference Center HEADLINE NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
(Downtown Punta Gorda on the river, between the two bridges) Fla. House votes Florida Department of and former Secretary of
to change state Environmental Protection State Colin Powell.
pension plan to revoke the permit
allowing the Dan A. Pharmacists could
$2 A DM ISSIO N & TALLAHASSEE (Ap) Hughes Co. to drill on an oversee more
Florida could try to steer island surrounded by a techs under bill
public employees away sanctuary. Hughes has
F R E E PA R K IN G from the state's tradition- been allowed to drill there TALLAHASSEE (AP)
al pension plan under a since 2012. Big-box pharmacies
bill passed by the Florida The $25,000 fine issued would be allowed to use
House. April 8 stems from a as many technicians as
The House voted 74-44 drilling operation using they need under a bill
HOM E on Friday for a measure acid to create fractures. approved by the Florida
that would stop elected The DEP says Hughes' House.
officials and top employ- permit allowed one acid The bill (HB 323)
VALUES ARE ees in state government treatment, but the com- passed 85-33 Friday.
from enrolling in the pany did another without Current law requires
state's traditional pension approval. approval from the state's
plan. The company says it board of pharmacy for
INCREASING The legislation would complied with the law. anything over a ratio of
Separately, a state
also automatically place three technicians to one
newly hired public administrative judge is pharmacist.
ProtectYbur employees in an invest- reviewing a challenge Proponents, including
Investment ment 401 (k) plan if the to another permit that Walgreens and the Florida
employees failed to make would allow Hughes to Retail Federation, say
Now is the time a choice within eight drill an exploratory oil the law would allow
months of starting their well near the Florida the large pharmacies to
HGTV to repair & upgrade jobs. Panther National Wildlife bring down drug prices.
Meet experts The measure would not Refuge. Opponents contend the
take effect until July 2015. higher technician ratio
H om e from every A similar proposal is 22 WWII veterans would create a scenario
moving in the Florida from Florida for more errors.
building trade Senate, but it's unclear if honored by France Florida is among 18
Repair & See the latest the measure will pass. states allowing a maxi-
-4 MIAMI (AP) -The mum of three technicians
products for Collier County French Consulate is to one pharmacist.
Rem odeling.4. wants oil firm's awarding 22 U.S. World
.1 4 your home permit revoked War 11 veterans in
Dad delivers baby
Florida with its highest
Sem inars and yard. NAPLES (AP) Collier distinction. on side of 1-595