Update: There will be no more updates to this specific post as of 5:25p Thursday. Please visit the homepage of BocaNewsNow.com for more information.
Update: Rabbi confirms names of two victims. Visit BocaNewsNow.com for the latest.
Update: Surveillance video of the crash has been released. Watch it here.
Update 9:57p — We have received an unconfirmed report that Ian Weiner, a principal of the company seen above, was not on the plane.
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — The message on the website of PEBB Enterprises — the Boca Raton company which lost seven members in the Akron, Ohio plane crash, is blunt: “We ask for the media’s understanding and cooperation at this time of unimaginable loss and mourning and are not responding to media requests at this time.”
But the media already knows that seven members of the company — including two executives — perished in the crash. By not releasing or confirming names, PEBB is forcing the media and public to speculate… speculation being pubished or brodcast by television stations, websites, even an Ohio Jewish newspaper. We have learned, for instance, that Jared Weiner who lives in the Oaks was killed. We have been unable to confirm whether his brother died as well — Ian Weiner, another executive with the company. Ian also lived/lives in the Oaks.
We know that Thomas Virgin of Boca died — we know this from Facebook posts. And a family member told reporters that Diane Smoot of Boca died in the crash.
That leaves three or four unnamed passenger victims.
There’s no reason for this. There is nothing that increases the liklihood of a knock on the door or a telephone call from the media than an element of secrecy.
There is no question: this is an absolute disaster that has an everlasting impact on a Boca Raton company and at least seven families. But PEBB has real estate interests in several states and is clearly successful enough to charter a private jet. There is a point where your business is so successful — and has enough of an impact — that customers and clients have a right to know the details of an adverse event.
There are few events more adverse than a plane crash that kills seven executives and employees.
If PEBB truly wants respect for families and loved ones, PEBB needs to release the names of those who perished. It’s easier to respect one’s privacy when you know whose privacy you’re respecting.
