Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Last summer, a Tampa Heights apartment complex was drawn into the spotlight after a teenager was killed by police. As residents in the complex voiced concerns about the shooting, they also talked about their living conditions.

On July 22, 2012 16-year-old Javon Neal was fatally shot by police officers. The tragedy occurred after Neal ran up three flights of stairs and ignored officer’s orders to stop.

The tragedy made local leaders focus on what could be done to assist in improving the quality of life for the residents of Central Court Apartments.

City Councilman Frank Reddick listened to the residents and began efforts to address their concerns. On Tuesday, March 27^th, at 10 a.m., Councilman Reddick will hold a press conference to announce the renovations and facelift of the Central Court Apartment Complex, 2510 N. Central Avenue. He has been in constant contact with the owners of the complex.

Councilman Reddick is inviting community leaders, Tampa Heights residents, and other concerned citizens to join him at the press conference.

Councilman Reddick said, “Many complained of bad plumbing, electricity issues, and inoperable appliances. Some of the apartment’s inhabitants said they felt as though they were in a jail the way fences were arranged on the inside and outside of the building.”

In April 2013, the apartment ownership will address some of the negative feelings and grumblings about Central Court.

After several months of discussion and planning, Central Court Apartments will go through major renovations. Each of the 68 units will receive new appliances, plumbing, air handler units, and windows, among other improvements. There will also be a large amount of work done to the exterior of the building involving the roof, painting, lighting, and landscaping.

Councilman Reddick said none of the current residents will be displaced outside the apartment complex during this process. A moving crew will be hired to move families to a transitional unit within the complex and will be moved back into their renovated apartment within 2½ to 3 weeks. Six families will be moved at a time with no additional cost to the residents.

Councilman Reddick further stated that he is excited to see that residents will have newly renovated apartments and the owners of Central Court apartments have listened to the voices of the tenants.

He also credits Peter Leach and his staff, with listening to the residents and working to address their issues and concerns.

The Tampa Police Department is currently searching for a man who shot his neighbor. The shooting took place in the 1300 block of W. Union Street, Tuesday afternoon.

According to police, Antwan M. Steele, 31, became involved in an argument with his neighbor. The two were arguing over property.

At some point, the argument escalated and the suspect shot Steele. Steele was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for his injury. He is expected to recover.

BY GWEN HAYES
Sentinel Editor

Attorney Fred McClure, Office Managing Partner and National Diversity and Inclusion Partner at DLA Piper, is pleased that the Leadership Institute for Women Of Color Attorneys, Inc. (LIWOCA) chose Tampa for their 8th Annual Conference.

As a matter of fact, Atty. McClure, one of a limited number of men on the organization’s Board of Directors, suggested to the Atlanta, GA-based organization that in order to grow they’d have to move around. They did, taking their conference to Washington, DC and now in Tampa.

The conference will be held March 27 and 28th at the Marriott Waterside. The reception will be held on Wednesday, and the one-day conference will be held on Thursday.

Part of the conference is the Student Program, which will take place on Wednesday, 2-5 p. m. Students registration for this program is free, while students will pay $20 for the full conference.

The goal of the institute is to “help women of color attorneys hone skills and build relationships to move forward in law and in business,” states Atty. McClure.

He further stated, “There are more women in law school and more women in law firms (than men), but women of color are underrepresented in businesses and law firms.

“When it comes to partners, the numbers drop off drastically. It may be because of family obligations or the firm not adjusting, but women of color don’t get the same opportunities.”

More than 200 women of color lawyers are expected in Tampa. LIWOCA will award $15,000 in scholarships to 5 law students, bringing their total amount of grants to $120,000.

Keynote speakers will be: Scholarship Luncheon, Anna-Lisa Corrales, Esquire, General Counsel and Secretary, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC; Networking Reception, Phyllis P. Harris, Senior VP and Chief Compliance Officer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.; “A Conversation With,” Teresa Wynn Roseborough, Executive VP General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, The Home Depot; and Allegra J. Lawrence-Hardy, Partner, Sutherland

Local persons expected to have a part in the conference are: Dr. Sharon Andrews (pictured), who will participate in a session on “Waiting To Exhale,” to deal with stress; the Honorable Judge Mary Scriven, Federal District Court, Middle District of Florida; Dawn Siler-Nixon, Esquire; Joanna Garcia, Esq.; Guilene F. Theodore, Partner, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC; Donna Leffel, YMCA; the Honorable Doris Jenkins; Barbara Twine-Thomas, Esq.; Joann Grages, Esq., Stetson University; and Laura Zuppo, Stetson University College of Law Dean of Admissions.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Ms. Cherrisse Wilks said she has wanted to relocate to Tampa for some time. She had been looking for employment in the area and thinks the city is “a great place for young professionals.”

Ms. Wilks was granted her wish through employment after Mayor Bob Buckhorn offered her a position as the Grants Specialist for the City of Tampa last month. She relocated to Tampa from Jacksonville, leaving the position of Grants Administrator. As the Grants Specialist, Ms. Wilks is assigned to the Revenue and Finance Department. Her position will require that she work across city departments to apply for and manage the implementation of various grants on the federal, state, and private levels.

“I’m looking forward to securing grants to complete some of Tampa’s well deserved projects,” she said.

Mayor Buckhorn said, “From housing programs to neighborhood improvement projects, there are federal and state dollars that can help us get the job done. Encore just won a $30 million grant from the Housing and Urban Development Department, and grant dollars will help us complete the Riverwalk in the next 14 months. Cherrise will help Tampa continue to leverage our power and relationships in Tallahassee and Washington, D. C.”

A native of Crestview, Florida, Ms. Wilks earned her B. S. Degree from Florida State University in Family, Child, and Consumer Finances. She continued her education at the University of North Florida, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

Her hobbies include volunteering with children’s organizations and crossing things off of her Bucket List. This year, the 33-year-old plans to swim with dolphins. This is only one of 100 things on her Bucket List, Ms. Wilks said.

On Friday morning, 30 law enforcement officers from 10 state and local agencies were sworn in. Their new duties now focus on identity theft and income tax fraud.

Prior to the addition of manpower, there was less than 25 Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigators assigned to the area. However, the new agents will have the authority to investigate the crimes on a federal level and have access to taxpayer information. Their authority now allows them to cross jurisdictional boundaries as well.

Law enforcement sworn-in on Friday represent the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tampa Police Department, Largo Police Department, St. Petersburg Police Department, Clearwater Police Department, and Brooksville Police Department.

Officers also represent the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

Police are currently searching for a man in connection with a homicide. The incident took place Friday evening in the 500 block of 26th Avenue, South, in St. Petersburg.

According to police, Ms. Felicia Celeste Vickers, 21, was in a car, outside the residence Friday evening shortly before 12:45 a.m., when the shooting occurred. Ms. Vickers was a passenger in a vehicle with several other people. The people in the vehicle reportedly stopped in front of the residence of Morris Vernell Hires, III, to purchase drugs.

Hires was standing outside of the vehicle when he became involved in an argument with one of the other occupants. At some point, Hires allegedly produced a handgun and shot into the vehicle, striking Ms. Vickers.

The occupants of the vehicle drove off before police arrived, but took Ms. Vickers to Bayfront Medical Center, and left. Ms. Vickers died from her injuries at approximately 3:30 p.m., Friday.

During the course of the investigation, police were able to identify the other people with Ms. Vickers and interview them.

Hires is described as a Black man, about 5’7”, and weighing about 135 pounds. He has a tattoo on his right forearm of the letters MOE surrounded by flames.

Police said Hires also uses the alias of Antonio Baker and Malcolm Myey. He is considered armed and dangerous. Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Kenneth Miller at (727) 892-5916, or the police non-emergency number at (727) 893-7780.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

For decades, there has been a rivalry between two historically Black institutions of higher learning. The rivalry has pitted family members and friends against each other when the two schools meet in competition.

However, recently, the two institutions, Bethune-Cookman University, Hillsborough County Alumni Chapter and Florida A & M University, Tampa Alumni Chapter, recently set the rivalry aside to work together. The schools have entered into a partnership to participate in the HBCU Round-Up.

Alumni members from both schools will host the “First Annual College Fun Day In The Park.” The event will take place on Saturday, April 6^th, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. It will be held at MacFarlane Park, Shelter #405, 1700 N. MacDill Avenue.

A graduate of Bethune-Cookman University, Mrs. Regina Lock-DePass said, “This is the first time these two HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) have come together to make history and create a family atmosphere while promoting community development.”

Mrs. Lock-DePass also said the event is historical because this is the first time the two groups have united to accomplish a common goal. She further stated that the last time the schools jointly worked together was several years ago when Tampa hosted the Florida Classic.

“The two HBCUs realize the missed opportunity in the Tampa Bay Area since the Florida Classic Football game no longer occurs in Tampa. This game was a sincere loss to the local community. Both universities have a long standing history together so the alumni in the Tampa Bay Area decided to sponsors an event to bring the two history making schools together for the first time…

“The Florida Classic Football game in some cases can be life changing… I decided that after my first game in Tampa I wanted to attend a HBCU for my future and as a result I graduated from BC-U in 1989 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology,” she said.

Some of the planned activities include a Health Fair and College Awareness. Designed as a family event, the event will also offer food, games, and a wide variety of family-oriented events.

For more information, contact Jackie Hearns, (FAMU Alumni) at (813) 453-2871; Mrs. Lock-DePass, (BC-U Alumni) at (813) 814-3958; or visit the website at  HYPERLINK “http://www.alumnitampabay.org” www.alumnitampabay.org.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

On Tuesday, during the regular meeting of the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership, (ETCRP), an announcement was made that a national chain was interested in building a store in East Tampa drew criticism from some of those attending the meeting.

Wal-Mart is currently looking at building a super center on the property formerly occupied by Abraham Chevrolet, on 19^th Street and E. Hillsborough Avenue.

However, Mayor Bob Buckhorn said that while Wal-Mart has expressed an interest in the property on E. Hillsborough Avenue, nothing is set in stone.

Mayor Buckhorn said, “Wal-Mart is looking at the site, but I haven’t seen any plans, nor has anyone here. They have filed for administrative waivers as part of their due diligence investigation. We don’t respond to rumors, but I haven’t signed off on anything.”

Mayor Buckhorn further stated, “If they were to come into the area, they would bring jobs and much needed shopping opportunities for East Tampa and would revitalize the site on East Hillsborough that has been vacant and abandoned for six or seven years.”

In addition to having applied for administrative waivers, the company has also applied for the installation of a traffic light at 19^th Street and E. Hillsborough Avenue. The City’s Transportation Department has already granted approval. The company is waiting on approval from the Florida Department of Transportation.

Ms. Ali Glisson, Public Affairs Director for the City of Tampa said, “We have received numerous inquiries from the public about a proposed Wal-Mart along Hillsborough Avenue.

“When contacted by the City of Tampa, Wal-Mart acknowledged that they are still very interested in the referenced site. However, they said that they are in the early process of site investigation and have not finalized the transaction.”

Bill Wertz, spokesperson for Wal-Mart said, “Wal-Mart does have an interest in this property as the possible site for one of our Supercenters. I can’t give you many details at this point, as we are just in the very early stages of talking to the City about our plans.”

BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

Elijah Dukes said when he was a teenager, and his father went to prison, that was the beginning of a series of bad decisions and displaced anger that cost him a career as a Major League ball player.

“Everyone knows about the problems I’ve had, and I know a lot of people have written me off. There was one person, however, who never gave up on me, and that person is God.

Dukes said right now, he’s trying to get more involved with his five children, coaching, and giving back to the community.

“I’m ready to move forward with my life, and I understand I must live by the laws of the land like everyone else.

“I’ve started attending church, and for the first time, I’ve had time to concentrate on what I need to do to get my life together.”

Dukes said he’s getting back into baseball, and trying to create a stress free life for himself and his children.

“We all have rules to follow, and everything will be fine if we can do that. I have matured tremendously over the past 10 years, and now that I’m able to take a step back, this is the time for me to be a father to my children.

“What I was going through with the mothers of my children caused me to withdraw from them, and that should have never happened. Now, I understand I can be a part of their lives in spite of the differences I may have with their mother.”

Dukes said as far as professional baseball is concerned, it’s on the back burner right now, but not totally out of the picture.

“I’m still young and in great shape. I plan to take a year to get things cleaned up in my life so I can move forward without all the stress.

“I realized I was my own worst enemy, and now I plan to stop that.”

Dukes has reunited with one of his former trainers, Joe Troupe, and he is mentoring Troupe’s son as a baseball player.

“I appreciate what Joe did for me with the opportunity to play professional baseball. Everything that happened after that was my own doing.”

Dukes said his siblings and mother are all riding with him in this growing process, and they’ve started communicating better.

“It’s been a real plus in my life that I can actually talk to them face-to-face now instead of over the phone.

“I realized I had pushed away from my family, and all they were trying to do is offer me support. With all I’ve been through, they’ve been there for me from the beginning to the end.”

Dukes said they are more personal now, and have the utmost respect for each other. He said he also understands that at the end of the day, family is all you have, so they should be the last people you turn away from.

“I’ve always respected my elders and family, and I plan to keep it going.

“Right now, I’m working on creating an organization called ‘Serving Wisdom In New Generations’ (SWING). I want to bridge the gap between the church and the community, because I feel our clergy have not done their part in rescuing our children.

“We need the wisdom of our elders, so we need them to get more involved with the youth so they can develop a personal relationship, and teach them to hold themselves accountable for the mistakes they make.”

Dukes plans to offer free baseball camps, tutoring, children activities, and a  youth ministry in the future, but said he will need the support of everyone to make it happen.

“We need to raise awareness that our young people are not alone, and there are people out there who want to help them. I’ll go door-to-door if I need to, because it’s that important to me and them.

“I want to help kids work through their problems, especially the ones at home, and teach them to love and care about each other.”

Dukes said he hopes that what he did in the past, will help kids having problems relate to him better.

“When they see I’ve made the same mistakes they’re making, I can show them what’s in their future, and turn them around.

“I want the kids to understand they have choices, and teach them how to make the right ones.”