Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

It has often been said that authors oftentimes write about their personal experiences. And, in many cases, the struggle to survive changes the life of the character.

This was the case with Mills Cooper and his new book, Generation Curse. Cooper said he always wanted to be a writer and filmmaker. As a husband and father of one, he was working on a construction job in 2008.

“I was laid off my construction job, started having marital problems and we split up. I decided to distance myself from everyone, and even slept in my car for a couple of months,” Cooper said.

It was during this period in his life that he rededicated his life back to the Lord and decided to write a book. When the book was completed, Cooper said he self-published and sold it from the trunk of his car.

After receiving rave reviews about Generation Curse, Cooper decided to make the book into a movie by the same name. Cooper partnered with Derek Youngblood, who is also a novice in the filmmaking field.

He looked for several actors who would dedicate their time and energy and the movie was created. All of the cast members are local talents.

One of those actors is Alexis Thomas, of Plant City. Alexis said she became involved in the movie because she wants to pursue a career as an actress. “I want to prove that there is more for African American women than going to the clubs.”

The story focuses on a woman who is struggling with drug addiction and prostitution. Her battle to stay on a godly path is daily, but she strives to kick her bad habits. The Generation Curse her family inherited seems to get in her way.

One of her closest friends is a bad influence and she finds herself pulled back into her former life. Elan gives up and leaves it up to her daughter to break the cycle.

Alexis said her character doesn’t want to repeat the life her mother has led, but she wants to break the cycle.

Cooper said the movie will be released in coming weeks.

Last Wednesday at 7:40 p. m., Tampa Police were called to the Grande Oaks Apartments, 2402 East Hanna Avenue, after receiving reports of shots being fired at the complex.

When officers arrived, they found 38-year-old Michael Valentin dead on the sidewalk in front of the clubhouse.

Police immediately searched the area for a suspect, and held several people for questioning. No arrests were made.

Police said Valentin was employed by Critical Intervention Services (CIS), and was specifically chosen for the assignment.

Tampa Police Homicide detectives later released a surveillance photo of a man who was seen riding a bicycle that was later found on the ground next to Valentin.

Detectives are trying to identify the man and speak with him.

Valentin was married, and had two sons, ages 4 and 9.

On Monday afternoon, the Tampa Police Department announced the promotions of employees. Three of the thirteen individuals promoted are African American.

There were 56 candidates eligible for promotion, of which 9 were African American.

The promotions go into effect on Sunday, November 25^th. Chief Jane Castor promoted four Sergeants to the rank of Lieutenant.

Lt. Calvin Johnson is a 12-year veteran with the department. He has served as a supervisor in Districts One and Three. His career includes five years serving as a detective and two years as a patrol supervisor.

As a Sergeant in District Three, Lt. Johnson dedicated his time to serving as a role model for at-risk kids in the area, attending public meetings, and creating positive working relationship with the residents.

He graduated from the University of South Florida and has a B. A. degree in Criminology, and a M. A. degree in Public Administration. Lt. Johnson is the father of two children.

Lt. Richard O’Connor is a 24-year veteran with the department. He has worked with the U. S. Marshal’s Service to establish the department’s first Fugitive Apprehension Task Unit in 2009. To date, the task force has arrested more than 1,000 violent offenders, including 142 on homicide-related charges.

Lt. O’Connor is married and the father of four children.  He earned his B. S. degree in Business Management from the University of South Florida.

Lt. John Preyer is a 23-year veteran of the department. He has spent several years in Uniform District Two. Lt. Preyer has also served as a member of the Tactical Response Team and Honor Guard.

He attended Wagner College and is married to police Sgt. Susan Bridges-Preyer, and they are the parents of 3 children.

Lt. Kevin Schoolmeesters is a 16-year veteran, who was responsible for the Family Violence and Sex Crimes Unit. Lt. Schoolmeesters earned his B. S. Degree in Criminal Justice from Eastern Michigan University. He is married and the father of two daughters.

Chief Castor promoted Lela Davis, Sean Davis, Les Richardson, and Sam Rojka to the position of Sergeant. Sean Davis and Les Richardson are African American.

Matt Kamat, John Miller, Terry Sims, Matt Smith, and Jason Tkach will fill vacancies as Corporals or Detectives.

Ms. Janelle McGregor, spokesperson for the Tampa Police Department said, “The department is starting a grassroots effort that includes mentoring and coaching so that we can increase the number of officers eligible for promotion in the future.”

Pictured: Lt. Calvin Johnson is shown with his son, C. J., and daughter, Layla

BY GWEN HAYES

Sentinel Editor

The man who brought awareness of prostate cancer to the Tampa Bay community died Sunday of small cell cancer.

Mrs. Lillie Samuels said her husband, Robert (Bob) Samuels, had been having bouts with the aggressive cancer since July. Death came Sunday morning (5:30 a. m.) while he was in the care of LifePath Hospice. Bob was 74 years old.

Samuels retired as Vice President of Manufacturer Hanover’s Corporate Banking and International Sector (JPMorgan Chase) in 1992. He was one of the first Black banking Vice Presidents in the nation.

Within in 2 years after arriving in the area, Samuels was diagnosed with prostate cancer, an ailment he says he was ignorant about, but learned that African American males were more vulnerable to.

He had retired, coming to Tampa to be close to the Caribbean islands, which he visited often. He took a different direction and decided to learn everything he could about prostate cancer.

Not long afterwards, he became the founding chairman of the National Prostate Cancer Coalition and the Florida Prostate Cancer Network. He began organizing health fairs on prostate cancer, initially for Black men, but later to include all men. The health fairs are still being held, now with Moffitt Cancer Center hosting them.

In 1999, Samuels had throat cancer and fought back to the community.

“He touched and saved many lives,” Bobby Bowden would say on the death of Samuels. “He was a great impact on this community,” he continued.

Mrs. Samuels would echo those sentiments, stating that of all the things her husband did, he was most concerned about people and their quality of health. Before coming to Tampa, Samuels organized health fairs in Harlem at the branch bank where he worked.

Samuels has a number of accolades to his credit. He organized the National Association of Urban Bankers, established a bankers’ funding program to contribute to the UNCF (to date more than $50 million has been donated). Although very ill, with the assistance of his wife, Samuels was preparing to speak on December 4th with bankers at Bank of America.

His awards are numerous: a few, wax figure in Baltimore’s Wax Museum; 2002 USA Olympic Torchbearer; and national, state and local honors.

Earlier this year, Samuels released a book, Don’t Tell Me I Can’t, that entails  his life.

Funeral services will be held Monday, November 26, 2012, 11 a. m. at Beulah Baptist Institutional Church, where the couple worships. Burial will be at a later date at Arlington Cemetery. Ray Williams Funeral Home is handling services.

In addition to his wife, Samuels is survived by 3 sons, and 3 grandchildren.

As investigators with the Plant City Police Department try to figure out what led a 30-year-old woman to kill her 5-week-old son, family members of Talae Thomas are asking themselves the same question.

Last Thursday, Plant City Police responded to a suspicious person call from a resident living near the intersection of West Grant and South Alexander Streets. At the scene, they found Thomas lying in the street. She reportedly told them she needed medical attention, and wanted to go to the hospital. When the officers drove to her apartment, they found 5-week-old Chase dead.

Thomas was then arrested and charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse.

An aunt, Winnie Durant, said Chase was her niece’s first child.

“We have hundreds of pictures with Talae kissing and holding Chase. People have to understand that Talae was a professional, and good at her job. She really loved  her son.

“Right now, this is a time for us to come together. We’ve planned a memorial service for next Saturday, because we’re putting the emphasis on the loss of the baby right now.”

Ms. Durant describes her niece as a sweet gentle person that was suffering from mental problems.

“She was living with her dad, but wanted desperately to be on her own, especially after the baby was born.

“Talae is well educated, and her mental breakdowns started over a course of time and progressed.”

Ms. Durant said it’s important for Talae to know they love her, and want to see her to make sure she’s alright.

“This is going to be a tough holiday season for the family. Ever year some family has to go through this, and now it’s us. It’s really hard.

“We are getting together to try and make sense of all this, and at the same time giving Talae all the support we can.”

On Wednesday, November 14th at 1:45 a. m., Tampa Police were called to the Hollywood Nites Lounge, 3003 North Howard Avenue.

When officers arrived, they found four people stabbed, and the suspect.

According to police, Willie T. Grace, 35, and David Robinson, 39, were fighting inside the club when Grace pulled out a knife and started stabbing Robinson.

David Ross, 32, and Alphonso Morgan, 38, were working security for the club and intervened to break up the fight.

Police said Grace stabbed Ross in the shoulder, and hit Morgan on the back of the head.  Another person at the club, Ebony Chisolm, was cut on her thigh during the incident.

Police said Grace was subdued by other security personnel outside the club. Robinson, who according to a family member was stabbed 12 times, was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

Grace was also transported to a local hospital for injuries he sustained during the incident. He was medically cleared, and has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

After being processed, Grace was released after posting a bond of $15,000.

According to a family member of stabbing victim, Robinson, he didn’t know Grace prior to this incident. However, it is alleged that Robinson and Grce bothhve children with the same woman. The family member, who didn’t want to be identified, said Grace walked up to Robinson like he was going to shake his hand, and started stabbing him.

The family member said Robinson lost his father when he was 3-years-old to violence.

A twenty-three-year-old Tampa woman has been indicted on tax fraud charges. If convicted of the charges, she could face up to 20 years in jail.

According to the U. S. State Attorney’s Office, Ms. Remesa Buemer has been charged with wire fraud, filing false tax returns, theft of government property, and aggravated identity theft. The indictment also notified Ms. Buemer that the government will seek a money judgment in the amount of $159,265.60, which she allegedly received by committing the offenses.

Court documents stated that from as early as January 21, 2011, through at least September 15, 2011, Ms. Buemer engaged in a scheme to file false tax returns. She used the identities of others without their permission and provided false information on tax returns that generated fraudulent refunds.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

While in high school Donald Odom knew that he wanted to become an attorney. He achieved that goal and now after 28 years of dedicated service, he has retired.

A native of St. Petersburg, Attorney Odom graduated from Gibbs High School. He enrolled at the University of South Florida as a Political Science major. After earning his undergraduate degree, Attorney Odom continued his education at the University of Florida.

Attorney Odom launched his career in the firm of Williams & Middleton in St. Petersburg. “The late Ike Williams gave me my start. I was hired as a law clerk and I stayed with the firm for about 4 years,” he recalls.

About two years later, he was hired by Hillsborough County. Assigned to the Water Department, Attorney Odom said he was the Principal Primary lawyer for that department.

During his career, Attorney Odom worked under four County Attorneys. At one point, he thought about specializing in the field of personal injury.

However, as time passed, he said, “With the prevalence of advertising the field has become more of a business than a profession. The business aspect has sort of taken over where the professionalism once was.”

Attorney Odom said he has also witnessed an increase in African American attorneys, and that is good. “There are a lot more Blacks and that’s a good thing. When I started, I think I knew every Black attorney personally. Now, there are more than 90,000 attorneys practicing in Florida.”

A widower, Attorney Odom is the father of three adult children, Donald, Jr., Barbara, and Donita Odom Moody. He also has two granddaughters, Sherie and Myiah. He is a member of Riverview United Methodist Church.

As for the future, Attorney Odom said for about the first year, he’s going to take the days as they come. He enjoys traveling, cooking, and motorsports.

He is also going to pursue other interests, such as skiing. Next month, the 62-year-old will take ski lessons and ski for the first time. He is a member of the Onyx Ski Club, a local African American club with about 50 members.

However, he’s not in a hurry about choosing what to do next. Attorney Odom said it will be something different, but something he wants to do.

BY GWEN HAYES

Sentinel Editor

A Tampa mother of 2 needs to raise at least $50,000 for a much-needed kidney transplant and to cover anti-rejection medications.

Ms. Darlene Yvette Moore, 41, a Tampa native, has been on dialysis for nearly 3 years. This is her second time of dialysis. The first time she was on for 2 months.

Although she’s reaching out to the community, Ms. Moore has to have an attorney set up a trust for her before she accepts funds for the transplant.

Being disabled and on a limited, fixed income, Ms. Moore has not been able to complete that task.

She has battled malignant hypertension (high blood pressure) for 18 years, since the birth of her son. The current  bout with dialysis began when she was given the wrong medication, which consequently led to kidney failure. That was in April 2010.

With all that she is going through, having nearly died numerous times, and surviving 9 car accidents, Ms. Moore looks positively to the future.

Ms. Moore went to the University of South Florida, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in English Education and worked as a Social Worker for the Department of Children and Families for 10 years.

She enjoys playing the piano, drawing and painting Black art. Ms. Moore attends Mt. Calvary Seventh Day Adventist Church. Her adult children are Alexandria and Cornelius. She is the daughter of Rose Durand and Charles Moore and has a brother, Charles.

“After the kidney transplant, I’d like to have a productive ministry to help people and see lives changed,” she stated.

Her priority now, however, is getting the trust fund established.