Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

On Saturday, the members of the Tampa Police Department hosted their 25^th Annual Black History Program. For the first time this year, the Committee took the celebration outside.

It was held at the Tampa Police Department’s Police Athletic League. The theme was “Meet Me At the Park.”

As part of their 25^th Annual Black History Celebration, committee members stepped back into the past to honor one of their own. Retired Sgt. Rufus Lewis, was chosen as the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award. Sgt. Lewis retired as a result of a knee injury.

Lewis said, “It was such an honor to have been chosen for the 2013 Unsung Hero recognition from the Tampa Police Department’s Black History Program Committee. First, I thank God for His blessings, grace and mercy in allowing me to go safely through the vigorous struggle of racism in setting a positive example for others to follow.  Secondly, I am truly humbled that the committee felt me to be deserving of this recognition.

“I thought of those persons that were my mentors, Ms. Patricia Pierce and Mr. Samuel Brazelton and the many others whose shoulders I stood upon, as depicted in the mural.  They were two of a few officers hired by TPD during the 50’s and 60’s that made it possible for me and others to continue the fight for equal rights and justice for the minority officers that followed.

“My career in law enforcement, teaching and coaching has enabled me to promote success as I remind youngsters to set goals, make positive choices, and know that success can be theirs, even in the midst of struggles, Lewis said.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

A Hillsborough County bus driver is credited with locating a missing ten-year-old and returning him home safely. He had been reported missing late Thursday evening.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Jean Pierre was dropped off at his bus stop around 7:30 a.m., Thursday. However, she did not realize that the school bus to attend Corr Elementary School.

When his father arrived at the school to pick him up, he was informed that Jefferson had not attended school and had been marked absent. His father filed a missing person’s report with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said the child lives in Gibsonton and had a key to his residence and there was evidence that he had been home and changed clothes before leaving again.

Deputies conducted a neighborhood search for Jefferson, activated reverse 9-1-1, called out the K-9 search team and activated the Aviation Unit.

Shortly after 7 p.m., the bus driver was driving down Causeway Blvd., when she observed a young child walking down the busy highway wearing a backpack. She turned the school bus around, stopped, and picked up the child.

She called the Hillsborough County School District and learned that Jefferson had been reported missing. She then found out where he lived and delivered him to his home. The driver was unaware that the child had been reported missing, police said.

A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office said when the child was interviewed and asked where he had been, he said, “just walking.” The Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation in the case.

The Tampa Police Department has arrested two teenagers in connection with the murder of an 18-year-old man. The shooting death took place on February 15^th, at the intersection of N. 21^st Avenue and Hudson Street, in Highland Pines.

According to police, John Edward Brown, III, and Reginald Johnson, 18, were standing at the intersection when they were approached by armed suspects. Police said the suspects robbed the victims of a bicycle before shooting both of them.

Brown died at the scene. Johnson was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he was treated and later released.

Last Thursday evening, around 8 p.m., police arrested 16-year-old Kito Lamont Felton and 17-year-old Malik Jimer Williams without incident. The teenagers have been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and armed robbery. They are being held without bond.

As news of the shooting circulated within the community, Facebook was abuzz about the alleged shooters. According to some Facebook accounts, the alleged suspects were talking about how they committed the crime. Someone posted the info.

However, Ms. Janelle McGregor, spokesperson for the Tampa Police Department said, the arrests was not linked to any posts on Facebook.

“It was due to our investigation, along with forensic evidence at the scene, and tips from the community.”

BY GWEN HAYES

Sentinel Editor

In its afternoon session Wednesday, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners voted 7-0 to name James Tokley as the Poet Laureate for Hillsborough County. He’s also the Poet Laureate for the City of Tampa, serving since January 1996.

Commissioner Al Higginbotham, District 4, placed a request on the Commission’s February 20th agenda to name Tokley as the Poet Laureate of Hillsborough County. It’s another first for Tokley.

Although no workshops, special assignments or speaking engagements have been set up for this non-paid conferment, Tokley will be prepared when called upon to present.

“When you speak of being Poet Laureate for the County, that’s like speaking for the universe; there’s a rainbow of possibilities,” Tokley said referencing the surrounding areas he will serve: Brandon, Riverview, Plant City, Wimauma, Ruskin, Apollo Beach, etc.

Tokely looks “forward to the opportunity being great fun. I’m not only proud for myself, but for all the people I represent, all the poets of all complexions in the city and the county.

“I want them to be willing to read and speak publicly – let people hear and feel their verse, refine their metaphor. I may be the first poet laureate, but I won’t be the last.”

Tokley, a professor at Everest University, paid special tribute to Commissioner Higginbotham and Commissioner Les Miller, along with the other commissioners and County Administrator, Mike Merrill for honoring him.

As a way of saying ‘thank you,’ Tokley presented these words:

There is a time for noble words

When a poet’s rhyme and verse is heard

Above a multitude who seek such

To know wherefore the poet speaks

And to see if he is qualified

Inclined to sing his poetry countywide

But the present tense who knows such things

Has closed its mouth and taken wings

And only the future shall explain

The power of the pen he shall retain

So until such time fate breaks its rank

To God and the County I give thanks.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Some students enrolled in the General Education Diploma have taken the test, but failed some portions. In the past, the students were only required to re-take the portions they failed. However, important changes will take place that will affect those students who have failed a portion of the test and have not re-taken it. The new requirements will take effect on January 2, 2014.

Ms. Debbie Sass, Chief Examiner for GED Testing in the Hillsborough County School District said the two major changes are that if the students have not passed all portions of the test by the end of the year, their scores will be gone.

“Those students will have to start all over again with the new test.”

Currently, the cost of the test is $70 and the costs for re-taking portions are $14 or $16. However, after the beginning of the year, the cost of the test will be $130, and the cost to re-take portions of it will be $26.

Mrs. Doretha Edgecomb, Hillsborough County School Board member said the decision to make the changes in the GED Program came from the state level.

“We really feel that this is unfair and discouraging. But, there is nothing we can do about it, even if we don’t support it. The folks who most need to pursue the GED have the least amount of money to afford the higher cost.

“We need to make sure the people are aware of these changes so that they can be time wise. We want them to be successful, not get caught up in a time crunch so there won’t be any barriers for them.”

She further said that those wishing to take the GED or portions they failed can call the Adult Education Center of stop by that office to obtain whatever information they need.

Currently, between 6,000 and 8,000 students in Hillsborough County have not finished their tests.

The registration deadline for those taking the test for the first time is December 6^th. The deadline for students who already taken it before is December 13^th. 

The last day to take the current version of the GED test is December 16^th. For additional information call (813) 231-1650 or visit the website at  www.acesdhc.org.

BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

Last summer, Antoinette Glover walked into a convenience store in her Wimauma community with her grandson. They hadn’t gotten through the door well when she noticed her grandson standing in front of a big advertisement.

“I got closer to see what had captured his attention, and was shocked to find out he was starring at synthetic marijuana products and the huge posters advertising the products.”

Ms. Glover said it was easy to see how the items got her grandson’s attention, because they were packaged in cartoon wrappers with bright colors, and the products had names like “Spice.”

“I approached the owner and asked him about the way he was displaying the products, and that I was offended. He just flipped me off.

“He intentionally had the products on a huge counter in front of the store so you would see it before anything else.”

Ms. Glover immediately sought to have something done about this, and went before the Board of County Commissioners to bring the problem to their attention. She later appeared before the City Council with the same complaint.

“Commissioner Les Miller told me he would look into it, and see what was going on. At that time, he had no idea how dangerous these products were, and that they were being marketed to children.”

A few months later, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office got involved, and raided a warehouse on Benjamin Road that contained the chemicals used to make the synthetic marijuana, and some of the items packaged and ready for sale.

“I understood the problem was the people who were making this stuff kept changing the chemicals so you couldn’t outlaw the products,” said Ms. Glover.

“But, I just prayed there would be a way to get it out of our stores.”

Ms. Glover appeared before the City Council and County Commission again, and revealed to them the products were killing young children.

“I brought them a petition I had circulated, and I started handing out fliers warning other parents about the products.”

On Wednesday, Ms. Glover claimed a victory when Commissioners voted unanimously to put the problem in the hands of their Code Enforcement and Consumer Protection Offices.

“Code Enforcement will now look in the stores, and fine a violator $500 per violation,” said Comm. Miller.

“A violation is considered one of the packages, so if you have hundreds, that’s $500 each. If it’s a repeat violation, the fine will go up to $1,000 per violation. We decided to hit them in the pocket, because it wasn’t a criminal offense to sell or use the products.”

Comm. Miller said it took them 7 months to come up with this plan, but he’s happy something is being done.

“Our enforcement area will include all of Hillsborough County, including Plant City, Temple Terrace, and the City of Tampa. Councilman Frank Reddick will be making sure the city is responding.”

Comm. Miller said now it is a violation to sell, manufacture or possess synthetic marijuana products.

City Council To Adopt Separate Ordinance

On the suggestion of Councilman Frank Reddick, the City Council Thursday voted to adopt their own ordinance, and have asked City Attorney Julia Mandell-Cole to have a draft prepared by April 4^th.

Councilman Reddick said they will be seeking an inter-local agreement with the county to help with the cost of testing the products.

“I also feel it would be more threatening to have Tampa Police officers enforce the ordinance instead of the city’s Code Enforcement officials.”

Attorney Mandell-Cole said that would involve a Municipal Ordinance Violation process, and although the matter would go before a judge, it’s still not exactly criminal.

For the second time in less than a week, a shooting has left a young man dead in East Tampa.

Tampa Police report on Tuesday night at 9 p. m., Dexter Gardner, 26, Thomas Causey, 41, and Bertran Sampson, 26, were hanging out in the courtyard of Causey’s apartment on 22^nd Avenue near 29^th Street.

Police said a group of men walked up to the three men, and opened fire. The suspects then fled to a car parked nearby.

The suspect vehicle, a gold 2001 Dodge Intrepid, was found by patrol officers shortly after the shooting at 11th Avenue and 27^th Street. It had been reported stolen from an apartment complex in the county several days before the shootings. It is being processed at this time.

When officers arrived, they found Gardner dead and Causey with serious injuries. A short time later, officers learned Sampson was also shot, but had fled to his home.

Detectives said the shooting was not random, and only one of the three victims was the intended target.

Pastor Calls On Community Leaders To Save Youth

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

In response to an epidemic of gun violence, a Tampa minister is calling on leaders to help save the youth. He has scheduled a meeting Monday, February 25^th, 7 p.m., at Exciting Alive Church, 5705 E. 32^nd Avenue, Tampa, 33619, in Grant Park.

Pastor Antonio Hawkins said, “I’m calling on all of the leaders in the community: pastors, teachers, principals, law enforcement, parents, evangelists, activists, community leaders, everyone with an interest in our children to attend this meeting.

“We want to start a movement and we are calling this movement ‘The Saving Our Youth Revival.’ The last young man who was killed was from Grant Park and there have been many others. Tuesday night, another young man died and a second was seriously injured.

“My heart is hurting and we are losing our young people far too often. It is going to take all of us working together to save them. We can’t depend on the government to do it, we can’t depend on law enforcement, we all have a part to play.

“This is about reaching our kids. We’re not talking about the ones who come to church, we are talking about the ones who don’t. If they are not coming to us, then we must find a way to go to them.

“I am asking everyone who thinks he or she is a leader who wants to make a difference to attend this meeting. We have got to do something and do something quickly. It will only last about an hour and a half,” the 28-year-old pastor said.

He further stated that his plan is to have a mobile event that will visit each community one day a week. The mobile event is still in the planning stages, but will be discussed in greater detail at the meeting.

“We want people to see the global picture that the church cares. We want people to see that we want to make sure the professionals of tomorrow are there and ready when the time comes for them to walk into their purpose as doctors, nurses, scientists, etc.”

Anyone wishing to contact Pastor Hawkins can reach him at (813) 280-9861.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Derrick Gaines has been a member of the Hillsborough County School District for more than 20 years. He most recently served as the Assistant Principal of Administration at Middleton High School.

Earlier this month, Gaines learned that he earned a promotion to principal and was assigned to Van Buren Middle School as its principal.

Gaines arrived just in time to be a participant in the school’s Annual Black History Program.

A native of Hillsborough County, Gaines attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. He graduated from King High School in 1982, and continued his education at Florida A & M University, where he earned his B. S. degree in Education.

After graduating Gaines taught in the Leon County School District for several years before returning home. For the past 24 years, Gaines has served as an educator and coach.

In 2003, Gaines was promoted to Assistant Principal for Student Affairs at Sickles High School. Two years later, he was appointed Assistant Principal for Administration at Tampa Bay Technical High School.

In 2007, Gaines was transferred to Middleton High School to serve as its Assistant Principal for Administration. His most recent appointment was on February 5^th.

In keeping with the theme, seven students participated in a play known as “The Graduate,” created by twin sisters, Dr. Philetha Tucker-Johnson and Dr. Phyllis Tucker-Wicks, of Bles’d Productions.

The play, which took place in the school’s gymnasium on February 13^th, focused on a fictional school known as The African American Institute Of Black Studies.

In the play, the Valedictorian takes a trip with other students to hear what some students produced for their final presentation. The final presentations included tributes to such notables as The Jackson Five, Alicia Keys, Don Cornelius, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Whitney Houston, and Malcolm X.

As the Valedictorian talked, other students did a skit about the person she was speaking about. Ross Anderson said, “One student, Mark Coleman, recited the entire “I Have A Dream,” Speech and received a standing ovation from the students. He was very good.”

In addition to the play, fifteen students selected a theme and submitted an essay. The winner of the essay contest was Johanna Couchman, daughter of Dr. Marcus Coachman. The theme she selected was “Look at the diversity in the United States. What are the benefits of such a diverse society.”

Pictured: Johanna Couchman was the winner of the essay contest. She is shown with Principal Derrick Gaines.

Since the inception of the Men’s Health Forum, first introduced by the late Robert (Bob) Samuels (pictured), more than 10,000 men have received health screenings.

The forum began as the African-American Men’s Health Forum in 2000 in an effort to reduce the gap in health outcomes for Black males and others in the community. Samuels had a growing concern because of the number of Black men who were dying after the illness had been found in late stages. The forum expanded to other nationalities in 2010.

The 2013 Bi-Lingual Men’s Health Forum will be held on Saturday, March 9th at the University of South Florida Tampa Campus in the Marshall Center. Although the forum is aimed at the medically underserved, all men are welcome to come out and get their wellness check-ups. Doors open at 8 a. m.

Information is available on a variety of topics and there are health screenings. Pre-registration is recommended at 1-888-MOFFITT (663-3488), press #5 or visit http://www.MHFTTampa.com.

According to statistics released from the 2012 forum, Erika Harris, External Relations Liaison at Moffitt Cancer Center, said 523 men attended.

496 men examined, 63% were uninsured

324 men tested, 47% had pre-hypertension, 38% had high blood pressure

270 men were eligible to receive a voucher for free testing at Moffitt Cancer Center

107 men completed the prostate exam, 20 had abnormal results

190 men received skin cancer exam, 29% received referrals for further examination

Of 350 men tested randomly, 20% were at risk for diabetes

52 men tested, 56% had some sing of depression.

These services are provided at no cost. Support and donations come from several local groups and agencies.