When I worked at Pinellas County Economic Development, the Young Rainey Star Center was a gleaming vision of success. It was a transformation to behold, taking an old Department of Energy plant that at one time made triggers for nuclear weapons and retrofitting it into a "shopping mall" for high tech start-ups.

I knew nothing then of the toxic and carcinogenic materials that permeated the facility from its inception in 1956, until it's surface "clean-up" in the mid 90s.

Reports now indicate that over 433 potentially lethal substances were spread about the building during those years. Tragically over 1000 workers toiled unaware of the toxic nature of the materials they were handling and inhaling.

There is Congressionally approved compensation due these workers, but delay and denial have impeded it's implementation. Meanwhile, many are sick. A few have died.

Former Pinellas Plant Nuclear workers have united in a strategic coalition to demand their legal and lawful benefits through the U.S. Department of Labor Energy Employees Occupation Illness Compensation Program.

Discover more of this ongoing story by looking at Steve Andrew's Channel 8's investigative reports.

Congressman Young is aware of these issues, but has not come out in support of these workers. Why? Has he been told to "follow the party line?" Why would he not use his power and authority to demand that justice be done? Perhaps this is another indication that Mr. Young is beholden to a Republican administration whose creed of secrecy and greed hold no bounds.

The method of delay, deceit and denial of the benefits for the Pinellas County Nuclear workers are strikingly similar to the tactics used against Veterans.

I urge you to contact Congressman Young and demand that these workers be given their just and fair compensation. While you have him on the line, encourage him to speak out boldly against a military strike on Iran.

Let's take our country back, folks. We've got alot of work to do.