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County commissioners investigate cancer concerns at Bayshore High School

Posted at 5:27 PM, Apr 25, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-25 17:27:42-04

About two dozen concerned former Bayshore High School alum and their families spoke to Manatee County Commissioners on Tuesday afternoon about cancer concerns on the property.

"I want to get through to them that there is something wrong with that Bayshore area," said Andrea Ashton.

Ashton's son died in 1993 from cancer. He was a junior at Bayshore during the time.

County commissioners called Tuesday's meeting to hear from scientists about previous testing that has been perfumed on the site. County representatives said the soil results do not show contamination. 

"I can't be a coincidence," said Ashton.

She belongs to a group of concerned former students. They claim at least 170 former students are living with cancer and 92 other have already died from cancer.

RELATED: Cancer concerns among Bayshore graduates

"It's time to look at the facts and have them realize that these people aren't going to go away, something has to be done and it's time," said Ashton.

Several county commissioners voiced support for more testing to be done on the property.

County leaders decided to schedule a meeting with the school district and the health department to talk about more options.  They said the meeting will be held before June.

"We need to figure this out and put this baby to bed," said Commissioner Vanessa Baugh.