By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

The family of Ronald Silver II, 36, a Department of Public Works (DPW) employee who died from heat exhaustion on Aug. 2, are calling for immediate action from city government and legislators.

The family and friends of Ronald Silver II, 36, are demanding better communication from city government about ongoing investigations after the Aug. 2 death of the Department of Public Works employee. Shown here, Silver’s aunt, Renee Meredith, as she demands change on behalf of her family and all who are impacted by DPW policies and procedures. (Photo courtesy of Renee Meredith; and AFRO photo by Tashi McQueen)

“Our family is seriously heartbroken,” said Renee Meredith, Silver’s aunt, on Aug. 12 at a press conference. “Ronald was the backbone and heartbeat of our family. He was taken from us long before his time in what was a completely preventable death.”

The Silver family, through their attorney Thiruvdeven “Thiru” Vignarajah, are asking for the city council to convene immediate investigative hearings and assign a liaison to the family for direct updates on ongoing investigations. The family is also calling on DPW workers to share their stories about the agency’s work environment.

Vignarajah said the family is looking for the council to convene these hearings as early as this week. He also spoke on the investigation called at the state level. 

“They want more than platitudes and press conferences. They want action and they want it now,” said Vignarajah, standing in front of City Hall. “A statewide investigation is a wonderful step in the right direction for workers who are going to be toiling in the hot summer heat next year–but it’s August– it is hot today.”

Vignarajah said the family saw the press conference from last week where city council members called for city officials to cooperate with hearings on the matter. 

City council members did not say how soon they are looking to start their city council hearings on the matter. He emphasized that the family is pushing for hearings now– not at a later date.

“The hearings don’t do workers any good if done during the cool of October,” he said.

Vignarajah shared that the family is exploring their legal options and will speak out more about the loss of their family member in the next week.

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