Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

No matter where Candi Lane was or what she was doing, she always found the time to work on her true passion, helping our young people develop their skills.

Since connecting with the nationally recognized “Rep Yo School” program, Ms. Lane has organized several events, and has also developed a magazine that will feature the youth the program has helped, and the mentors and sponsors who made it all possible.

“We will have a television show coming out in the fall, and I’m also looking for middle and high school students to be members of a panel.

“We’ve just finished a talent competition, and now we’re preparing for our awards show.”

Ms. Lane said the focus is on teaching students a technique known as “pay forward.” “It’s all about teaching kids how to appreciate what they have, and to help others achieve as well.

“We also reach outside of the organization in an effort to provide help for the homeless.”

Ms. Lane started the local Rep Yo School program 6 years ago, and she said it has grown tremendously since their last awards show.

“We attract kids to the program through word-of-mouth and the internet. We also interact with parents, teachers, and principals at area schools.

“For a student to be a part of the panel, they must have at least a 2.5 GPA, and they must be motivated.”

ST. PETERSBURG – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating an accident that left one woman dead, and at least three others injured.

According to the report, at 6:30 a. m. Monday, Sandra Weems, 58, was driving a Pontiac sedan north in the southbound lanes on I-275 at Exit 16 when she struck a Ford van driven by David C. Davis, 44, head-on.

The crash occurred just before the Miesner Bridge heading toward the Skyway Bridge, according to authorities, and Weems was killed on impact.

Three passengers in the van were transported to a local hospital, with one reported to be in serious condition and two others suffering minor injuries.

On New Year’s Eve (Monday), Tampa police were called to the area of 3702 North 52^nd Street in reference to a disturbance involving shots being fired.

When the officers arrived, they found Shakiya Leathers, 33, with a gunshot wound to her upper chest/shoulder area. She was transported to a local hospital and was last reported to be in stable condition.

Investigators said without warning, three unknown male suspects started firing shots at the victim. They also reported that the shooting was not a random act, and the result of an ongoing dispute between the victim and the suspects.

Detectives have not identified any suspects in the shooting, and are still talking to the victim and conducting interviews with possible witnesses.

JANUARY

Two days before Christmas, Vanessa Cephus learned that her termination as a HART bus driver had been overturned. She returned to her position as bus driver.

Raheem Morris was fired as the Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team.

FEBRUARY

James Tokley, Sr., Poet Laureate for the City of Tampa, was chosen as the African American honoree, and Ms. Carmen Santana Telesca was chosen for the Hispanic honoree for the 108^th Annual Florida State Fair Wall of Fame.

Dr. Will Harris is the Chief of Gynecology and is the first African American to serve in this capacity. He began working at the hospital in 2004 when the Gynecology Department was established as a part time department.

Recently, the family of Mrs. Veola Nelson Pope presented a check for $364,519 from her estate to Bethune-Cookman University.

MARCH

Elder Roland H. Oliver, Sr. passed away Friday, March 2, 2012, at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 53 years old.

The Sulphur Springs Head Start Center renamed in honor of Deborah McNair Calhoun. Ms. Calhoun died suddenly January 26^th at her home. She was 58.

Former Belmont Heights Little League coach, Andrew James, passed away Monday, March 19^th after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 77.

APRIL

Members of Tampa Organization of Black Affairs as they continued efforts to help the community find ways to restore classic R&B and community talk show programming to Bay area air waves.

The National Bar Association (NBA) hosted its Annual Mid-Year Conference at the Hyatt Regency. Several local attorneys and judges were among the award recipients.

Atty. Carolyn House Stewart, the Honorable Mary Scriven, the Honorable Alice Bonner, the Honorable Karla Foreman Wright, Atty. Marilyn J. Holifield, Atty. Bishop C. Holifield, and Tony Dungy were recipients of the Gertrude E. Rush Award Recipient.

Atty. Lansing Scriven, Atty. Grady Irvin, Jr., and Atty. Larry D. Hardaway were recipients of the Herman Marion Sweatt Award.

MAY

Freddie Jeffery, Jr., died after crashing into a fence post while riding his  4-wheel drive. He would have celebrated his 39^th birthday the next day.

A tragic accident at a Florida Port left a Tampa longshoreman Robert Dixon, Jr., dead. The accident took place on Monday at Port Manatee in Manatee County.

Eugene Danzey, popular Tampa businessman who became the owner of the first African American owned and operated radio station in the Tampa Bay area died. Mr. J. (Jake) Eugene Danzey died at the Hospice Woodside Hospital, of respiratory failure.

Ebonere Monique, owner of the boutique ghostwriting firm, ‘Mama I Want To Write,’ was named the winner of the 2012 Black Enterprise $10,000 Elevator Pitch contest.

JUNE

A memorial service was held for Sammie Lee Philmore, Sr., a retired law enforcement officer who broke color barriers during his career. He was employed by three law enforcement agencies during his career.

Mr. Philmore died on June 21^st after a lengthy illness. He was 85 years old.

When President Barack Obama visited Tampa in June, a crowd of nearly three thousand people waited hours to hear his message.

Members of two churches had the honor of performing for President Obama. Members of the Beulah Institutional Baptist Church Male Choir sang the national anthem. Rev. Dr. W. James Favorite is the Senior Pastor.

Representing Pastor Greg Powe, Senior Pastor of Revealing Truth Ministries were members of the Mighty Marching Lions Drumline. Band Director Antwaun Underwood directed their performance. Gary Norman is the Assistant Band Director.

JULY

Rogers Park Golf Club, the only African American golf course in Tampa, was nominated for historic preservation.

Church of God In Christ Superintendent Anthony P. Conage passed away Monday in St. Petersburg. He was 56 years old. Superintendent Conage was Senior Pastor of the Queen Street Church of God in Christ, St. Petersburg.

A Tampa woman who has been very active in the community died suddenly on July 6, 2012, of a heart attack. Mrs. Dorothy E. Harmon’s death followed that of her husband, Elder John W. Harmon, Jr., by 3 months. She was 85 years old.

James C. Preston, Jr., Prosecutor for the U. S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, announced plans to retry Ms. Cortnee Brantley. Her first trial ended with a deadlocked jury. Ms. Brantley was linked to the murders of two Tampa police officers.

Mr. Simon Johnson died on July 18 at the age of 77. He was employed at the Florida Sentinel Bulletin from 1957 until 1995. He was assigned to the Production Department and later became a Pressman.

AUGUST

Funeral services for Orenthal James (O. J.) Murdock, a young professional athlete who died were held.

Ms. Altamese Saunders passed away on two days after attending a concert with her family in Clearwater. She was 83. Her daughter, Karen Saunders, said her mother’s death came as a shock to the entire family, because her doctor had just given her a “clean bill of health” on July 19^th during a visit.

City Council members approved without discussion, the tentative settlement between a former Tampa Police Captain and the City of Tampa. The settlement ended a lawsuit that spanned 5 years.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn said the City has agreed to pay former police Captain Marion Lewis $350,000. The presiding judge over the lawsuit must also approve the settlement.

SEPTEMBER

The Tampa Housing Authority learned that they would receive more than $1 million for one of its programs targeting youth. The funds are earmarked to continue the success of the program.

A well-known Tampa businessman, union leader, and politician, died Wednesday morning after a lengthy illness. Mr. Perry C. Harvey, Jr., died two days before his 82^nd birthday.

Over 60 years ago, Dr. William W. (Billy) Andrews decided he wanted to become a physician. Now, Dr. William W. (Billy) Andrews ended his career of nearly fifty years in East Tampa.

A Tampa native, Dr. Andrews and his brother, the late Mr. C. Blythe Andrews, Jr., were the only two sons of the late Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Blythe (Johnna) Andrews.

OCTOBER

Tampa native, Wayne Brookins, 68, died suddenly. He had worked for more than 30 years as a city employee.

Mrs. Iselyn Dallas is a 51-year-old wife and mother. But, that is her chronological age. The popular Nurse Practitioner will also say that she is 6 years old because she has been a cancer survivor for 6 years.

Last April, seven-year-old Zhanaye Williams left home en route to her bus stop. However, she never made it. Police said the child attempted to move a huge gate that encloses the parking lot at the apartment complex where she lived,  and it fell and crushed her. She died of head trauma. Her mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Brookside Apartment, 5008 Sierra Place, and its management, Franklin Street Apartment Management Services.

Three years ago, Mrs. Aiken opened the doors of Michelle’s Cakes Galore Baking and Café. The first year, she operated out of a commercial kitchen before she was ready to open her own shop.

Mrs. Aiken relocated Michelle’s Cakes Galore Baking and Café to 12029 E. U. S. Highway 92, in Seffner and has operated from that location for the past two years.

NOVEMBER

Mrs. Candace Crossley gave birth to her second daughter, Catelyn, on the side of the Interstate while en route to the hospital. Catelyn arrived two weeks earlier than expected.

More than 92,000 people cast ballots during the first five days of Early Voting. The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections has also received an additional 117,595 Vote By Mail ballots.

Although Early Voting will continue until 7 p.m., Saturday, November 3^rd, the Supervisor of Elections said the preliminary election turnout is already more than 28 percent.

Marvin Knight, and members of the Hillsborough County Coalition of Concerned Citizens, in conjunction with other organizations held a day of activities to kick off Early Voting.

On November 6^th, voters throughout the country casts ballots for the presidential election. The voters returned President Barack Obama to the White House for a second term.

During a sexual harassment trial, the insurance companies representing Hillsborough County refused to pay the legal fees of former Commissioner Kevin White. White filed a lawsuit and a federal judge ruled that White was entitled to coverage and ordered the companies to pay White’s legal bill of $157,730.

DECEMBER

During the Hillsborough County Branch of the NAACP elected new officers to serve for the next two years. Mrs. Carolyn Collins was chosen to serve as President of the organization for the next two years.

Others elected were Joe Robinson as 1^st Vice President; and Dr. Natasha Goodley as the 2^nd Vice President. Ms. Pat Spencer retained her position as Secretary, Ms. Ella Coffee was chosen as the Assistant Treasurer.

Executive Committee Members At-Large are: Ms. Pauline Cole, Al Davis, Rev. Shafter Scott, Ms. Saba Baptiste, David Denson, Carlos Gill, Dr. Arlessa Kubon, and Steve Marshall.

Pick up the lastest edition of The Florida Sentinel Bulletin for the full recap.

Tampa Police report that three teenagers have been arrested, and a fourth is being sought after a boy riding his bicycle on Christmas Day was robbed.

Police said the robbery occurred at 4:15 p. m. at 40^th Street and Knollwood. According to reports, Telvin Wright (pictured, left), 15, Quwandre Smith (pictured, right), 17, and Tyler Johnson, 17, along with a fourth teenager, robbed the bicyclist of his shoes, bike, and money.

Tyler Johnson

Police responded to the incident quickly on foot, and with the help of a police helicopter and police dogs, they were able to arrest the three teenagers.

The fourth teenager is described as 16 to 17 years old, 5’9” or 5’10” tall, weighing 170 pounds, and was last seen wearing a black and yellow Nesquick  jacket and jeans.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

NATHANIEL GIRARD GREEN (pictured)

Longevity seems to reign in the family of Nathaniel (Nat) G. Green. He passed away on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at the age of 96. He had been ailing for several months. Green has a younger brother, 82, sister, 78, both in California, and a younger sister, 95, in Tampa.

Green was a sports enthusiast and could often be seen around town in conversation about sporting event, even wearing the paraphernalia of several sporting teams.

Having received his education at Middleton High School, Green loved the Tigers of Middleton High School. His 1940 basketball team won the first State Championship for Middleton. The winning game was played in the gymnasium on the campus of Florida A&M University, where he later earned a scholarship for his athletic ability.

After 2 years at college, he spent 4 years in the armed services and met longtime friend (Tampan) John Cusseaux.

Upon his return to Tampa he married longtime girlfriend, Wilma Stanley. They were married 60 years before she passed in 2006. One daughter, Pattrese, was born to this marriage. She died in a fatal car crash on Christmas Day, 1995.

Green retired from Tampa Electric Co. after 35 years in mechanical maintenance.

A member of New Mt. Zion MB Church since 1938, he was a member of several of the church’s organizations, and for more than 30 years, served as custodian/security for the church.

Funeral services for Green will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2012, 2 p. m. at New Mt. Zion M. B. Church. Wilson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (See funeral notice)

MRS. HAZEL WYNN BOZEMAN – 8/27/25 to 12/24/12

A longtime resident and community activist of the Carver City and Lincoln Gardens community has died. Mrs. Hazel Wynn Bozeman was 87.

Mrs. Bozeman passed on Christmas Eve, December 24^th, in Port Charlotte, Florida. A Tampa native, Mrs. Bozeman was born on August 27, 1925, to Woodrow and Zella Wynn.

She began school in and graduated from high school in Monticello, Florida. After graduation, she met and married Joseph Bozeman. The couple settled in Tampa; became the parents of 3 daughters and a son, and were married for 67 years.

As a resident of the Carver City and the Lincoln Gardens area, Mrs. Bozeman involved herself in several activities. She was a member of the Tampa Urban League for more than 30 years.

She was one of the early organizers of the Lincoln Gardens Progressive Association, a devoted member who served in various capacities; a member of the Carver City Homeowners Association; various Parent Teachers Associations and numerous women’s groups, such as the “Chat and Chew”, Pine Street Ladies, and the Senior Citizens group, her daughter, Mrs. Gwendolyn Bates, said.

In later years, Mrs. Bozeman served more than 10 years as a Girl Scout Brownie leader. When time allowed, she also enjoyed playing pokeno, gardening, and traveling to visit her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Spiritually, Mrs. Bozeman became a faithful member of Bethel A. M E. Church as a young woman and remained active in the church for more than 50 years.

Mrs. Bozeman served as President of Choir #2 for many years, most recently as a member of the combined choir, was President of the Missionary Society for many years. Illness prevented her from continuing in those capacities.

Funeral services for Mrs. Bozeman will be held on Saturday, December 29, at 11:00 a.m., at Bethel AME Church, 500 Cumberland Drive. Reverend Beverly Lane, pastor, will officiate.

Ray Williams Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.

MR. WILBERT WILDS – 11/16/1943 to 12/25/2012

On Christmas Day, a member of a popular West Tampa family lost his battle with cancer. Wilbert Wilds was 69 years old.

According to his brother, Bobby Wilds, Mr. Wilds had been hospitalized for several weeks. He passed at Florida Cancer Center.

Mr. Wilds was the fourth child and fourth of 12 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jetie (Minnie) B. Wilds, Sr., the family worshipped at Tyer’s Temple United Methodists Church.

A Tampa native, Mr. Wilds attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. After graduating from Blake High School, he entered Fort Valley State University.

After college, Mr. Wilds became involved in several careers that ranged from teaching school to coaching football. He worked as an employee of both the Hillsborough County and Sarasota County Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Wilds retired from the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office as an Investigator, his brother said.

The father of three children, Mr. Wilds enjoyed coaching football and working with children.

Funeral services for Mr. Wilds were incomplete at press time.

Aikens Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.

ATTORNEY BILL McBRIDE

A prominent Tampa attorney died suddenly last weekend while visiting his wife’s family. He was 67 years old.

Attorney Bill McBride is credited with shaping the Holland & Knight law firm into one of the largest in the country. He also led an unsuccessful campaign for the governor’s office against Jeb Bush in 2002.

Attorney McBride was married to Alex Sink, former Chief Financial Officer for the State of Florida. He was also the father of two children.

In 2003, Attorney McBride became a partner in the law firm of Barnett, Bolt, Kirkwood, Long & McBride. He was still practicing law at the time of his death.

A memorial service will be held for Attorney McBride on Friday at the Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

On December 14^th, 20 year old Adam Lanza first shot and killed his mother. Then he went to Sandy Hook Elementary School, where his mother taught school.

Lanza shot his way into the school and in the aftermath of his rage 20 children, ages 6 and 7, and 6 teachers lay dead. He also ended his own life.

President Barack Obama cried during a press conference after learning about the shooting. He also vowed to investigate gun control.

The horror of the shooting has revived the call for gun control in this country. Some readers shared their opinions about gun control.

Dr. Samuel Wright said, “There are far too many senseless killings. I support every initiative of our president!”

Howard Harris said, “I lived most of my 78 years in segregated neighborhoods including Roxbury in Boston, Tampa’s College Hills Housing Project and New York City’s Harlem.  Statistically these areas were high crime areas.

“Yet, I knew personally only one individual who was wounded with a gun. He was shot breaking into a business when I was in high school.  I personally do not know anyone killed with a gun and knew only one individual who was murdered by another means.

“Based on street crime statistics, we African Americans should be quaking in our boots. Yet, only 21% of us own guns. On the other hand, Whites have a far lesser chance of being the victim of street crime or home invasion.  However, 47% of them put their families at risk by owning guns.

“The news media reports many more cases of murder-suicide and other family-neighbor related shootings than it does of shootings of home invaders.

“Thank goodness, the tragedy of Newtown is causing sane discussions about guns such as limiting bullet magazine capacity, etc.  History tells us that sooner or later, Americans will get it right. America abolished slavery, gave Constitutional rights to Blacks, labor, women, and recently to gays, and landed men on the moon.  Someday, somehow, Americans will stop the carnage caused by the interpretation of the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution.”

Attorney Roderick Ford said, “The gun control problem lies in a conflict between (1) the First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to bear arms, and  (2) the fundamental objective of government, which is to protect the life, liberty and property of citizens. And so, I think that a balance has to be struck in favor of reasonable limitations on the purchasing of guns, particularly, military-assault-like weapons.  In addition, we have got to find ways to teach civic virtue, ethics, and character, without emphasizing religious dogma, in our private and public school systems.

“We need to bring together the best Constitutional lawyers, Theologians and political theorists in order to figure out how best to construct a secular society that is deeply-rooted in a “universal morality” that respects life.”

Maurice Kemp said, “Despite guns being the weapon of choice and the leading cause of homicides (the FBI reported 67 percent of homicide were caused by guns in 2010), I do not favor gun control as a principle means to control the growing violence in our American society. In other words, the growing violence in our American community is not the results of the number of additional guns being manufactured, distributed and sold.

“The growing violence is the results of the growing disregard for human life and well-being or simply stated, criminal-mindedness.  And, this disregard is the result of the law of large numbers and too many highly impressionable people being exposed to violent homes, violent neighborhoods and just as importantly, violent popular mass media – television, cinema, radio, etc.

“In essence, guns do not kill people, people do. As for criminal-minded people, they do not tend to follow new laws, even those designed to control guns, any more than old laws, those that currently make possession of a firearm as a felon illegal.

“For the people that generally follow the law, intent on committing a violent act in the heat of the moment, they will switch to the next most convenient means of harming the next in the absence of having a gun.  Bottom line is, human life is precious and we need to promote its value far more often than we do presently.”

Danny Green said, “Yes, I support gun control. I just think there is no reason for people to be able to own high-powered guns and rifles.  That type of weaponry should be reserved for military personnel only.

“However, I do support homeowners owning a handgun and hunting rifles.”

Ms. Pat Spencer said, “With the way the world is going, we need gun control.  It is true that ‘guns do not kill people, people kill people.’  However, without the guns, or the bullets, people will have to think more than they do now before killing.  Having protection is not bad, but the murders that are committed are mostly not for protection, but the action of sick minds.

“Gun control will not erase all killing, but I am sure the number of killings will be lessened.”

Mayor Bob Buckhorn said he’s aware of all the concern about the redevelopment plans for the west bank of the Hillsborough River, and the West Tampa community.

“First of all, I wouldn’t call anything a plan at this point. What the Urban Land Institute and the Tampa Housing Authority have are studies, not plans. What the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce has is a study, not a plan. There are no plans.

“Before anything is finalized, there will be several community meetings held, and everything will be based on a community consensus.”

Mayor Buckhorn said the studies done by the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce, and the West Tampa CDC will all be discussed at length, and segments of all the studies will be put into the final document that will be a plan.

“I want to go on record as saying not one school in West Tampa will be impacted by any of the development projects. Also, displaced residents will be handled exclusively by the Tampa Housing Authority.

“I have intentionally not attended any of the meetings going on to discuss their outlook on what they expect from the redevelopment proposal. I’m also happy people are engaged in the revival of West Tampa.”

Mayor Buckhorn said once and for all, there is no plan to react to at this time, because everything is still in the discussion stage.

“Nothing will move forward until the community has been heard. The only official study right now is the one submitted by the ULI.

“Once everything is finalized, if there are land use or zone issues, the City Council will have the last word. Other than that, it would be only a guiding document. If we set up a CRA, the Council would have to approve it.”

Councilman Frank Reddick said when the Mayor goes forward with any redevelopment plan, it has to come before them for approval.

“There are three plans out there. The West Tampa Chamber of Commerce doesn’t have funding, and they need to establish a CRA before they can even get started.

“The West Tampa CDC is in a worse position, because they don’t have a funding mechanism. They also need to set up a CRA.”

Councilman Reddick said the plan that shows the most promise would be the ULI recommendations, because the Mayor would have direct input into the funding.

“I think in the end, what we will see is a mixing of all three plans. They all have the same goal.”

Reporter Leon B. Crews can be reached at (813) 248-0724, or e-mailed at lcrews@flsentinel.com, or noelswerc@gmail.com.

BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

From his experience as a football coach at Plant, Blake, Middleton, and Tampa Bay Vo-Tech High Schools, Horace Drew found himself drawn to young people. He also found himself acting as a father figure to a lot of the young men he coached.

Because of his passion for helping kids, a month ago, Drew founded the “Rays Of Hope Community Outreach Ministry.”

“I started giving away bicycles last year, and this year, I was able to provide bikes to the YET Center, Peace Progressive M. B. Church, Genesis, Abundant Life, Living Faith Church, Potter School, Edison School, and I’m looking for others in need.

“I want to continue the dream of Rev. Sam King, who passed away last year. His dream was to make sure our young people are successful, know about life, stay out of trouble, and know about God.”

Drew said his ministry is a year-round activity, not just something for the holidays.

“I believe a ministry is supposed to reach out to kids all over, not just in one area. I want to reach them all over, no matter how far I have to travel.

“I also have a dream of taking a group of kids to the MLK Center so they will know more about their history.”

Drew said God has really changed his life, and he’s concerned about the future of young people today.

“We’ve lost so many of our kids, and it’s up to us to save them.

“You have to have something special to deal with kids. The first thing is you have to listen to them. You also have to have patience.”

Drew, along with a group of volunteers, travel to the Salvation Army every other Saturday to feed the homeless, and always leaves them with a spiritual message.

Drew said none of what he’s been able to accomplish would have been possible without the help of his sponsors, Wilson’s Funeral Home, Ray Williams Funeral Home, Gudes Funeral Home, Discount Cleaners on 22^nd Street, Port-A-Pit Barbecue, Dr. Miles of Florida Orthopedic, H & H Security Agency, and Caspers Company (McDonalds).

Horace Drew is a 1977 graduate of Hillsborough High School. After graduation, he moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he attended college and worked as an electrician.

The father of four said the cold climate forced him to move back to Tampa, and he feels it was God’s will that he return home.

If you want to contact the ministry, you can e-mail them at  HYPERLINK “mailto:raysofhopeoutreach@gmail.com” raysofhopeoutreach@gmail.com.