Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

The Hillsborough County Public Schools will sponsor the annual Summer Food Service Program for children. The program began on June 10^th and will continue until August 8^th.

The program provides nutritionally balanced meals to children 18 years or younger during the summer vacation when breakfast and lunch are not available. The children receive the meals without being charged, regardless of whether the child is enrolled in summer school. Some locations serve breakfast and lunch while others only serve lunch.

The locations providing the meals and times are as follows:

Tampa Locations

Central City YMCA, June 10 — Aug. 16, breakfast 8 am – 9 am, lunch 12 pm – 2:00 pm; Rampello Downtown Magnet K-8, June 10 — Aug. 8, breakfast 8 am – 9 am, lunch 10 am – 12 pm; Connect by 25, June 10 — Aug. 8, breakfast 7:15 am – 7:45 am, lunch 10:45 am – 11:15 am; Salesian Youth Ctr B&G Club, June 17 – Aug. 9, lunch 12 pm – 2 pm; Cornerstone Kids, Inc., June 12 – July 18, lunch 12:15 pm – 1 pm; N. Capitano, June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 12 pm – 2 pm; Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association, June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 11:30 am – 12:30 pm; Hillsborough High School, June 11 – July 18, breakfast 7 am – 8 am, lunch 10:30 am – 12:15 pm; Broward Elementary School, June 10 – Aug. 8, breakfast 7:30 am – 8:30 am, lunch 10:30 am – 12 pm; College Hill C.O.G.I.C., June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 11:15 am – 1:15 pm; Wellswood, June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 12 pm – 1 pm; Robles (THA), June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 12 pm – 1 pm; Henry & Ola Plygd, June 1 – Aug. 9, lunch 12 pm – 2 pm; North Tampa B & G Club, June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 11 am – 12 pm; North Tampa Rec Ctr, June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 11 am – 1 pm; Zonta B & G Club, June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 11 am – 1 pm; Temple Crest Playground, June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 12 pm – 2 pm; Spring Hill Park, June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 12 pm – 2 pm; Police Athletic League of Tampa, June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 11:30 am – 1:30 pm; Oaks At Riverview, June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 12 pm – 1 pm; 34th Street Church of God, June 10 – Aug. 16, lunch 11 am – 1 pm; Pleasant Chapel AME Church, June 10 – Aug. 16, breakfast 8 am – 9 am, lunch 12:15 pm – 2:15 pm; Orange Grove Magnet School, June 10 – Aug. 9, breakfast 7:15 am – 7:45 am, lunch 10:15 am – 10:45 am; Washington Elementary School, June 10 – Aug. 8, breakfast 7 am – 8 am, lunch 10 am – 12 pm; Wilbert Davis Boys & Girls Club, June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 12 pm – 2 pm; Desoto Park, June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 12 pm – 2 pm; Highland Pines Plygd, June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 12 pm – 2 pm; Belmont Heights Estate #2, June 17 – Aug. 9, lunch 11 am – 12 pm; and Al Barnes Park, June 12 – Aug. 9, lunch 12 pm – 2 pm.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

  Ms. Darlene Harris had decided at an early age that she wanted to become a Social Worker. But, a series of events in her life changed her plans and provided her with a career in which she excelled.

After graduating from Jefferson High School, she enrolled at the University of South Florida in pursuit of that goal. Her plans were interrupted with the birth of her son. Instead of giving up, Ms. Harris simply changed directions.

She was hired as a Library Assistant Trainee in 1982. She successfully managed being a mother, working, and continuing her education. Ms. Harris obtained her B.S.W. degree from the University of South Florida in Social Work. But by that time, she had discovered a different path to follow.

“In almost record time, she completed her studies and soon after became a Librarian for the Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System. This was a defining moment in her life. She proved herself capable and was progressively promoted to the rank of Senior Library/ Site Coordinator,” Mrs. Carrie Hurst, her friend and former co-worker said.

While others may have been content with the double promotion, Ms. Harris was only getting started. She continued to excel and became a trailblazer.

She became the first Principal Librarian to manage three libraries: the West Tampa Library, Robert W. Saunders Library, and the then College Hill Library. This earned her the title of “Urban Library Queen,” a title she has maintained until retirement.

Ms. Harris became an icon in the East Tampa community as she continued to open doors. She is credited with helping to establish the Ada T. Payne Friends of the Urban Libraries, creating a new system wide Adult Programming Coordinator, with uniform adult programs throughout the system.

She also managed to return to school at the University of South Florida, where she obtained her Master’s Degree in Library Science.

During a career that spans 31 years, Ms. Harris has worked at nearly all 28 libraries in the county and left them better than she found them. She is the recipient of numerous awards and commendations.

During her tenure, Ms. Harris has served as a mentor and role model for members of the community. She has also traveled nationally and internationally including two trips to Senegal, West Africa.

A Tampa native, Ms. Harris is the youngest of five children born to Jonas and Maggie Harris. She has one son, Tony, and enjoys reading, traveling, and meeting people.

She is a member of Exciting Central Tampa Baptist Church, and now that her time is her own, she plans to take the days as they come. She officially retired on June 15^th.

Anyone who would like to send Ms. Harris well wishes can email her at msdee004@gmail.com.

A Temple Terrace man who was critically injured in a traffic accident has died. Johnny Withcelson Jean was 29-years-old.

According to Tampa Police, the accident took place at the intersection of N. 22^nd Street and E. Frierson Avenue. Jean, who was riding a motorcycle, was struck by a vehicle driven by Fredrick Bowden, 64, of Tampa,

Jean was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he was admitted in serious condition. He died shortly before 8:30 a.m., Friday.

Police said Jean was struck as he attempted to make a turn. The preliminary report indicated that Bowden, who was driving a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro, violated the right of way of the motorcycle.

Funeral arrangements for Jean are incomplete. Harmon’s Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.

The federal government has filed court documents asking a judge to allow them to keep nearly $400,000 seized from a Tampa business. While no one has been arrested in the case, the government has filed its request in Civil Court.

The business, known as M. Gold and Diamonds, is located at the University Square Mall. The kiosk is owned by Aneel Mohammad.

Government officials allege that beginning in September 2011, the business began accepting business from new customers. Those customers were allegedly making purchases using debit cards with money fraudulently obtained from identity theft and federal income tax fraud.

The Secret Service cited in court documents that Mohammad was aware of where the money on the debit cards was generated.

The Secret Service affidavit said that in August of 2011, the business conducted less than $17,000 on debit cards. However, the following month, the business generated $374,000 from debit cards.

The federal government launched a multi-agency investigation into income tax fraud in September 2010, after more than $25 million were loaded on to pre-paid debit cards. In the Tampa area, hundreds of millions of dollars in tax refunds have been paid on false refund claims.

In September 2011, First Data, the company that process debit card payments contacted M. Gold and Diamonds after the sharp increase in purchases made on prepaid debit cards. The company discovered that 352 card transactions had taken place between September and October 2011.

Of those transactions, 294 appeared especially suspicious “because they were for whole dollar amounts and were executed with cards whose controlling companies primarily issued pre-paid debit cards for electronic tax refunds,” court documents stated.

The company contacted Mohammad and was reportedly told he was accepting debit cards as down payments on jewelry. The company asked for documentation and invoices for the purchases.

However, after he failed to provide the requested information, his account was closed and the contents of the account, $379,797,57, was placed in a reserve account.

The court documents stated that when Mohammad was interviewed by law enforcement, he admitted that he was aware of the tax fraud and stopped accepting the debit cards. However, after his business declined, he began accepting them again, the court documents stated.

A Tampa man is accused of forcing two sixteen-year-olds who he allegedly met on line, into prostitution. He is being held at the Hillsborough County Jail without bond on charges pertaining to human trafficking and prostitution.

According to the Tampa Police Department, shortly before midnight on Wednesday night, several police officers responded to the USA Inn, 2905 N. 50^th Street, Room #216, in reference to a possible armed home invasion in progress. Once the officers arrived, they discovered the source of the disturbance was not a home invasion.

Officers discovered that a family member of a female juvenile was attempting to retrieve her from the room. The girl’s family had learned the victim was allegedly being forced into prostitution at the motel.

The manager of the motel called police as the cousin of one of the girls began kicking the door to the room in. the two female juveniles fled the scene before police arrived.

However, they were located and detectives interviewed both of them. One of the girls told police that Naba Raheem Lewis, 33, had rented two rooms at the motel, police said.

Based on the interview with the girls, police obtained a search warrant for both of the two rooms Lewis was renting. They obtained evidence that included $3,840 in cash, along with other evidence collected.

Lewis was taken into custody and charged with several crimes that included: procuring a person under age 18 for prostitution, deriving support from proceeds of prostitution, renting space for the purpose of prostitution, human trafficking for commercial sexual acts, false imprisonment, forcing another to become a prostitute, and unlawful use of a two-way communications. device.

BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

The presence of the father in today’s household is not what it was decades ago. However, there are some who are thankful for the role their fathers played in their lives. They all are grateful that their fathers raised them right.

James Ransom, (pictured, left) said there were a lot of important male figures in his life, and even at a young age, he remembers the role his father played in his life.

“The most significant thing is I learned you should believe you can be whatever you want to be if you prepare yourself properly. He conveyed the presence of having confidence by the way he stood tall and made well informed decisions. He was a believer that you can lead, and still follow the leaders. Above all, he was my hero.”

Ernest Coney, Jr. (pictured, right): “My father, Ernest Coney, Sr., instilled a lot of integrity in me, and what it means to be a man. He led by example, and had an impact on my entire childhood as a student athlete and what he did for the community and people he met.”

YaSin Aquil: “My dad, Hakim Aquil, has been a friend and mentor to me. He’s always been a positive role model to me and my siblings. He’s never hesitated to provide us with assistance, and he always puts you in a place to make your own decisions, and be held accountable for those decisions.”

Gerald White: “My father gave me a strong work ethic, and told me to respect my elders and have strong respect for family. He taught me how to raise my children right, and to always seek knowledge. He also felt the more you gain, the more you can give.”

Bobby Wilds: “Jetie B. Wilds, Sr., raise me, 8 other boys, and 3 girls, and whatever we did, he made sure we did it right. He taught me to always care about the other person, and his message went down the line to all of us. He supported me throughout my educational and athletic career, and never missed any of my games. He, along with my older brothers, taught me great things to pass on to my own children.”

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Recently, the Girls Scouts of West Central Florida elected Mrs. Felicia Gilmore-Long as its new president of the Board of Directors.

A native of Pinellas County, Mrs. Gilmore-Long was a Girl Scout in the same Council for four years. She has served as a Girls Scouts Board member for the past seven years.

As president of the organization, Mrs. Gilmore-Long is responsible for providing leadership to the 23-member volunteer board. Her responsibilities also include establishing and reviewing policies that will ensure the organization continue to provide essential leadership experiences for nearly 21,000 girls in eight counties.

This includes leadership to the Girl Scout Council as it pertains to council bylaws, financial strength, members’ needs, and ensuring effective and efficient executive management of the council. She will also have responsibility to the national Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA by complying with charter requirements, ensuring that the council adheres to codes (local, state and federal) and to the communities served.

“Felecia’s recent appointment with the Girl Scouts is a clear example of her continued leadership both within the Bank and the community she serves,” Brian Lamb, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank (Tampa Bay) said.

“The Girls Scouts is a wonderful organization and I am proud to be stepping into the leadership role for the next two years,” Mrs. Gilmore-Long said.

Mrs. Gilmore-Long currently serves as a Financial Center Manager for Fifth Third Bank. She is assigned to the East Tampa location of the bank.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

The former president of Hillsborough Community College has died following a two-year battle with cancer. Dr. Gwendolyn W. Stephenson passed on Thursday.

Dr. Stephenson was the longest-serving president of Hillsborough Community College. She was hired in 1997 and during her tenure, was recognized as bringing stability back to the institution.

Dr. Ken Atwater, current President of Hillsborough Community College and Dr. Stephenson’s successor said, “Dr. Stephenson brought extraordinary leadership and thoughtful guidance to HCC and propelled the college into becoming one of the most admired and respected community colleges in the country.

“Her strong sense of fairness and ethics and her unwavering commitment to excellence, transformed this institution and made it the pillar of quality education that it is today. At a time when many would shy from the challenge of running this well-storied college, she ran toward it and met it head on with grace and dignity.”

During her tenure as President, she is credited with several accomplishments including the opening of the fifth college campus, creation of more than 170 new academic programs, the opening of the college’s student apartment complex, and numerous other accomplishments.

Dr. Stephenson retired in June 2010. Following her retirement, one of the buildings was named in her honor.

She is survived by her husband, Steve Stephenson, son, Jason, (Laura); daughter, Marion Smith, (Fred); and grandchildren, Hunter and Walker.

A Memorial for Dr. Stephenson will be held later in the summer. The family is requesting in lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory be made to the: HCC Foundation, 39 Columbia Drive, Tampa, FL 33606, in support of the Dr. Gwendolyn Stephenson Endowment. The fund helps student with financial need.

The victim of a June 9^th hit and run accident has been identified as Patricia Diann Hall-Louisy. She is 60 years old.

Mrs. Louisy was found in the area of 12^th Street and Lake Avenue rolled up in what police called an apparent crash scene. She was unconscious and unresponsive.

According to a family member, Mrs. Louisy was hit just past midnight on her birthday, and is not expected to survive her injuries.

Mrs. Louisy is a 1970 graduate of Howard W. Blake High School, where she performed as a dancerette with the high school band.

Her sister, Aundretha Reeves, said Mrs. Louisy got married 6 years ago to Breland Louisy.

“She has severe head injuries, and we had a family meeting to decide what to do next. The final decision of when to take her off the respirator will be made by Breland.”