Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

The Hillsborough County Branch of the NAACP will host a two-day job fair in June. The event will take place in the auditorium of the Middleton High School, 4801 N. 22^nd Street.

Ms. Stephanie R. Brazell, Hillsborough County Branch NAACP Empowerment Center Manager said, “Area employers will be available to talk to potential employees at the ‘2013 Hillsborough County NAACP Diverse Employment Job Fair.’

“The NAACP is planning to have at least 100 corporate and small businesses on hand with the intent of offering skilled and un-skilled entry level professional positions. The potential employers are seeking individuals who are seeking employment or a career change.”

She further stated that the NAACP is also offering Resume Writing and Career Guidance assistance.

The NAACP has also partnered with “Dress for Success” and the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa (CDC of Tampa Inc.) and University Area Community Development Corporation, Work Out Time, and other entities to provide free business attire for those who qualify.

Ms. Brazell further stated that the NAACP is seeking all types of corporate sponsors and potential employers ranging from hospitals, fast food restaurants, hotels and resorts, financial institutions, and higher education schools among others. Those wishing to serve as sponsors must sign up by May 1, 2013.

“The greatest advantage for employer participation is having the ability to interview face to face with candidates during the event,” she said.

For more information, visit the website at Hillsboroughnaacp.org or call Stephanie Brazell at 813-234-8683.

BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

During the week of April 15^th, representatives with the Tampa Housing Authority will be greeting representatives from St. Louis, Missouri based McCormack Baron Salazar to talk about the demolition and redevelopment of the 71-year-old North Boulevard Homes Public Housing Complex.

T.H.A. Chief Operating Officer, Leroy Moore, said the developers are coming to meet with their business partners, and initiate the public involvement process.

“They will be meeting with the NAACP and all of the community organizations in the West Tampa area to go over their redevelopment plans,” said Moore.

“The actual one-on-one meetings will start next week, and the public meetings will be announced later.”

Moore said the meetings will be held at different locations throughout the West Tampa area.

“The representatives from McCormack Baron Salazar will introduce themselves to the groups, and accept suggestions and ideas on the redevelopment of North Boulevard Homes, and the impact it will have on the residents there and in the surrounding community.

“None of the one-on-one meetings are open to the media.”

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Rev. Abraham Brown died in September 2010, at the age of 83. On Tuesday, April 9^th, U. S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor and members of the U. S. Postal Service will rename the East Tampa Post Office in his honor. The dedication ceremony will take place at 10 a.m.

Congresswoman Castor fought to keep the Produce Station, 2810 E. Hillsborough Avenue, from closing in last summer. After being successful in that endeavor, Congresswoman Castor submitted a bill in the U. S. House and the U. S. Senate to rename the building in honor of the late Rev. Brown. President Barack Obama signed the bill last year.

A Tampa native, Rev. Brown graduated from Middleton High School, and continued his education at Florida A & M University. Following graduation, Rev. Brown returned to Middleton High School, and taught classes. He also served as an assistant football coach and eventually became the Head Coach at Blake High School. Rev. Brown retired as an educator while assigned to Chamberlain High School as Dean of Boys.

In the mid 1970s, Rev. Brown launched a program to visit prisons and to offer help to ex-offenders. As the Prison Crusade grew, Rev. Brown provided transportation to various prisons in the state so that family members could visit. The organization was later renamed “Abe Brown Ministries.”

He also served as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of College Hill for several years.

Early last year, the U. S. Postal Service announced plans to close more than 3,700 postal locations throughout the country.  The Produce Station on East Hillsborough Avenue was on that list, but an outcry from the community successfully lobbied to keep it open.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

A 23-year-old Tampa woman was sentenced to more than 5 years for income tax refund fraud and stolen identity. Police became aware of the illegal activity after she reported a burglary at her apartment.

U. S. Attorney’s Office, U. S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday sentenced Ms. Remesa Alexandria Buemer to 5 years and 5 months in federal prison.

According to the plea agreement, Ms. Buemer reported a burglary at her apartment on September 15, 2011. When the officers entered the apartment, they reportedly observed several new and high end items in the apartment.

When officers asked permission to search the premises, Ms. Buemer agreed. During the search, police found numerous notebooks containing personal information of several individuals. The officers also found medical records from U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs that also contained identifying personal information.

Twenty-three prepaid debit cards were located, showing that Ms. Buemer had filed fraudulent tax returns in the names of other people. She used the cards to purchase furniture, jewelry, and to withdraw money from ATMs.

Authorities said Ms. Buemer filed false income tax returns from January through September of 2011.

Ms. Buemer was arrested in November 2012, and entered a guilty plea on January 17, 2013. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $462,039.60. She could have received the maximum sentence of twenty-two years in federal prison.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

N’Jhari Jackson is anything but a typical ten-year-old. While others his age may be concentrating on sports, his full attention is dedicated to other children. In fact, the back of his business cards reads, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have…” taken from Hebrews 13:16.

Last week, the youngster realized that his effort to brighten the lives of ill children has not gone unnoticed. He was presented a bronze medal as a Distinguished Finalist by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

N’Jhari founded the “Pajama Buddy Voyage” five years ago and has given more than 1,800 new stuffed “Buddies” to children in hospitals facing surgery. Some bags have been shipped as far away as China.

His mother, Ms. LaShina Lewis Jackson, said of her only child that his community service began five years ago. “He sends bags to children, when he hears about them.”

And, other people inform him, including doctors and nurses. N’Jhari now visits four hospitals, Shriner’s Hospital, Arnold Palmer’s Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, and Tampa General Hospital.

Ms. Lewis Jackson moved to Tampa to accept a job in 2007. Shortly thereafter, N’Jhari was hospitalized for surgery. “I couldn’t go into the operating room with him and someone gave him a large stuffed toy. One kid who was on his way to surgery asked N’Jhari where he had gotten it from, and he gave it to the kid,” his mother recalls.

That was the beginning of “Pajama Buddy Voyage.” When hospitals began closing the playrooms because of the risk of infections, N’Jhari created “Pajama Drab Bags.” The custom-made bags contain all types of donated gifts ranging from books to Kindle readers.

His mother said that whenever her son meets a child who needs assistance, he steps up. In January, N’Jhari met five-year-old Hailey Bankhead, who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer.

Ms. Lewis Jackson recalls him saying, “Mommy, I wish we could just take it to her.” So, on a Friday afternoon, the two drove to Atlanta to deliver the items he had for her. At the time, Hailey had just undergone surgery to have a kidney removed and the gifts made her smile.

On April 6^th, the mother and son team will travel to Atlanta so that N’Jhari can participate in a 5K Walk to benefit the Hailey Bankhead Foundation. He has already raised $1,200 for the foundation, his mother said.

Ms. Lewis Jackson said her son never ask for anything for himself, even for his birthday or Christmas. “If someone asks what he wants, he talks about his program. Now, people don’t even knock, they just leave donations on the door.

“He’s grateful for all of the donations. And even though the award was presented to him, it’s really for the community.”

A native of Chicago, N’Jhari is a 5^th grade student at Paideia School of Tampa Bay. He enjoys swimming, he plays guitar, and speaks Chinese. The son of Christopher Jackson, of North Carolina, N’Jhari attends Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church, where he participates in the Youth Choir and in the Pioneers Club.

For the 13^th year, the University of South Florida is offering executives an opportunity to earn an MBA if they qualify. The assistance comes in the form of a $22,500 scholarship.

The scholarship covers half the cost of the program. The 21-month program will begin on August 2, 2013.

To qualify for the scholarship, the individual must have at least five years managerial experience; have a proven record of commitment with a Tampa Bay 501 (c ) (3) not-for-profit agency; commit to at least three additional years of service to a local not-for-profit after graduation; have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution; currently earn less than $100,000 and have a GMAT score of 500 or higher. All scholarship applicants must take the GMAT exam.

The applicants must also submit a completed Executive MBA Program Preliminary Application form; two recommendation forms; a statement of support from current employer; university transcripts; and a current resume. The finalists will be interviewed.

Applicants with degrees in other areas, such as Juvenile Justice, Psychology, Sociology, or Education can also apply.

The deadline to apply is June 1, 2013. For more information call (813) 974-4876, or visit the USF Executive MBA website.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Federal agents arrested a 39-year-old businessman last Friday on charges of income tax fraud. He was released from the Pinellas County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

Agents arrested Freddie Wilson, owner of Against All Odds Bail Bonds, 5006 E. Broadway, Suite #7, on Thursday. He was charged with engaging in the theft of government funds and willfully obstructing a criminal investigation.

According to investigators, Wilson opened an account at the Wells Fargo Bank on May 8, 2012, and deposited 18 U. S. Treasury checks, worth $53,061, into the account. All of the checks were payable to third parties and were either payments of income tax refunds or Social Security.

“Records show the funds were quickly depleted after the U. S. Treasury checks were deposited,” police said in the affidavit. The bank closed the account on October 11, 2012.

Wilson opened a bank account at Hancock Bank on June 22, 2012. He allegedly deposited 376 U. S. Treasury checks, valued at $312,759 into the account. None of the checks were made payable to him, police said.

The checks were in the names of different people who told police they did not authorize anyone to use their personal information.

According to the arresting affidavit, federal agents executed a search warrant at Wilson’s business and his apartment. During the search warrant, agents seized six boxes of documents. A few weeks later, an attorney representing Wilson spoke with investigators and told them that Wilson needed some of the documents seized to continue operating his business.

The agents agreed to allow Wilson to copy three boxes of the documents at a local FedEx copying center. After about three weeks, on March 14^th, the agent returned to the center to retrieve the documents and learned that someone had taken the copies as well as the original documents.

The agent stated in the affidavit that he contacted one of the attorneys representing Wilson and was told that Wilson would return the documents on March 16^th, at 8:30 a.m. However, the agent said Wilson did not keep the agreement.

When the agent returned to the copy center on March 18^th, to retrieve the documents, half of them (one-and-one-half boxes) were missing and not returned by Wilson.

The agent stated in the affidavit that “Wilson was uncooperative with law enforcement with regard to both the search and seizure warrants and did not want to turn over the Camaro.”

He purchased the Camaro in September 2012. Agents said he also used the money for personal expenses, to repay loans, and spent more than $30,000 at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. He also cash checks payable to himself for $110,445, the agent wrote.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

A 20-year-old man being sought for first-degree murder has been arrested. He turned himself in at the Hillsborough County Orient Road Jail at 6:30 p.m. last Thursday, and is being held without bond.

Rodney Dejontae Speights, Jr., is accused of fatally shooting 20-year-old Osh Totter “O. T.” Williams. The shooting took place on Sunday, March 24^th, outside the Snack Attack Food Store, 6824 N. 50^th Street. Police said an altercation the day before led to the shooting.

Williams’ mother, Ms. Teresa Williams, had publicly said she wanted Speights to surrender to police because she didn’t want his mother to suffer the loss of her child.

According to police, the shooting took place around 3 p.m. Speights was captured on video walking up to Williams outside of the store. He engaged Williams in conversation before the shooting took place.

Police said Williams was shot with a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Williams was struck several times and died at the scene.

Speights fled in a vehicle.

Police said Williams and Speights had been involved in a fight the day before. Prior to the shooting, Speights told a witness that his intent was to fight Williams in retaliation for the fight they had Saturday.

Williams was a Tampa native and attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. He attended King High School, before attending Gary Adult School. Ms. Williams said the young man was supposed to take his GED Test within days of his death.

Ms. Williams stated the family is currently trying to raise money for his funeral.

The young man is also survived by his father Gregory Shipman, five sisters, and a brother. He also has 5 nieces and 5 nephews, his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Beatrice Pinder, other family members and friends.

Anyone wishing to assist the family can contact Ms. Williams at (813) 562-4075. Funeral services are planned for Saturday, April 6^th. Wilson’s Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

On Tuesday, members of the Hillsborough County School Board held a workshop to discuss school security. The School Board approved the hiring of national school safety expert Michael Dorn, who delivered his report during the workshop.

For several years, middle schools and high schools have permanently assigned school resource officers or school resource deputies. But, that has been a luxury elementary schools did not have.

However, the murder of 20 students and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December has drawn national attention to school security.

Recently, members of the school board received a letter from the Hillsborough County Elementary Principals Council bearing the signatures of all 140 elementary school principals. The letter discussed concerns about campus safety and security.

It also suggested “Safety, security, and crisis training for all employees; Establish/increase clear controls or limitations for campus access; and Ensure every elementary school has a full time security officer assigned.”

When contacted by the Sentinel, Mrs. Joyce Miles, Principal of Oak Park Elementary School has a permanently assigned officer.

“I am in favor of having an officer. I don’t know what I would do without him. The officers are trained as First Responders and if someone comes on campus, they would know what to do.

“Since he has been here, he has built a rapport with parents and has gained great respect. I recommend it for all schools.”

Mrs. Beverly Smith, Principal of Edison Elementary School does not have permanently assigned security.

“I think it’s would be a fantastic idea. Just their presence deters some parents who are upset about something coming on campus. Things happen throughout the entire day.”

A spokesperson for the Tampa Police Department said there are currently 27 school resource officers assigned to middle and high schools in the city limits. Additional officers cover elementary schools at arrival and dismissal time.

A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said there are 47 school resource deputies, including a Truancy Center deputy, permanently assigned. However, all of the schools in the county have deputies working on an off-duty basis. Their salaries are drawn from the Sheriff’s budget and they are required to report to the schools.

Steve Hegarty, spokesperson for the Hillsborough County School District, said the school district also has 19 school security officers assigned to elementary schools.

“Our people have a lot of training and they are assigned to the schools. They can detain someone until police arrive. But, they are not police officers and don’t make arrests.”

He further stated that the schools are covered until the end of the school year. However, there is ongoing discussion and he is unsure what comes next.