Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

A well known Tampa businessman and civil leader died on Wednesday morning following a long illness.

Mr. Perry C. Harvey, Jr., would have celebrated his 82nd birthday on Friday. Mr. Harvey served as the President of the International Longshoremen’s Association, Local 1402 for more than 30 years.

He was the first African American elected to serve on the Tampa City Council, and was the owner of College Hill Pharmacy.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mrs. Barbara Harvey, 3 adult children, 1 adult stepson, 3 grandchildren, and 1 step grandchild.

(See Friday’s edition for more on Mr. Harvey’s life).

Tampa Police charged a man with DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident involving death, vehicular homicide, and driving with a suspended license Friday evening.

James R. Brennan, 49, was charged after an accident that claimed the life of 36-year-old Michelle Renee Wells.

Michelle Wells

According to police, at 8:50 p. m., Ms. Wells was driving a scooter on Nebraska Avenue near 112th Avenue. Behind her was Brennan driving a van.

Police said Brennan did not see Ms. Wells on the scooter in front of him and struck the rear of the scooter. Ms. Wells fell off the scooter and was struck by the van.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Brennan fled from the scene, but a witness said he parked the van at Nebraska Avenue and 109th Avenue. A deputy responded to the scene and saw Brennan getting out of the van, and fleeing on foot. Brennan was captured by the deputy a short distance away.

Brennan is being held without bond on the charges, and according to his arrest report, he refused to take a breathalyzer test when he was in custody.
Tiara Clark, Ms. Wells’ youngest sister, said she had been riding the scooter since February.

“She had been riding the bus before that. We were alright with her riding the scooter, and she always wore all of the protective gear.”

Ms. Wells was a Tampa native and was a student at Hillsborough Community College, studying human resources. Her sister said she also wanted to one day write a book.

“She was looking forward to her nephew’s first birthday in October,” said Ms. Clark. She was on her way home from our other sister’s house when the accident happened.”

Ms. Clark said Ms. Wells was the oldest of three, and a great big sister.

“She always tried to protect her family. She enjoyed being with her family, and loved seafood, especially crabs. We called her the crab queen. She spent every day at our sister, Latrice’s house. No matter where she was, she always called to say she loved her mother every night.”

Aiken’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements at this time.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Last month, Gerber Life launched a contest that would provide a $20,000 to its winner. A student in Tampa is competing for the scholarship.

However, the winner will be determined by votes. Neela Rogers is the student and she needs the help of the community to win. The contest began on August 1st and the voting will end on September 15th.

Members of the community can vote every day until the contest ends. Neela hopes people will go on line and cast a vote for her and her Girl Scouts Brownie Troop.

A second grade student at Temple Terrace Elementary School, Neela is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. David (Niccole) Rogers. She is the granddaughter of Ms. Irene Matthews, Ms. Evelyne Dawson, and Ernest Tarpley.

Neela is an advanced reader who enjoys reading to other students.

The competition is offered to students between the ages of 3 and 8 years old. The students compete by drawing an illustration of what they want to be when they become adults. Then they encourage their respective communities to vote for them.

“She likes to draw and talk about the future and that is what this contest is about. Neela has always talked about being a teacher and archeologist when she grows up. I asked her if she wanted to enter the contest.

“She bounced the idea around for a week and she finally came back excited and ready to enter,” her mother said.

Mrs. Rogers is spreading the word about her 7-year-old daughter and asking family, friends, co-workers, and others to vote for her daughter.
Once Neela saw her art work on facebook and that people were voting for her she became really excited. She can hardly contain her excitement because she feels that she is going to win the contest, her mother said.

“Neela is the only Tampa Bay student in this race and there is no reason she should not win with such a large community voting for her,” Mrs. Rogers said.
In addition to winning the contest, Neela wants her 10 other troop members to have a chance to attend college. She plans to establish a college fund for them using some of the cash reward she will receive if she wins.

Anyone interested in helping Neela win can go to: facebook.com/gerberlife and click on college scholarship, then select the name of the contestant, review the art work, and cast your vote.

Several African-American churches have been hard hit by the recession. With congregants paying less in tithes, several have found themselves with major debts with local banks.

In early July the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, located in Hyde Park at 405 N. Oregon Ave., filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection just days before a local bank planned to ask for foreclosure judgment on their historic property.

The church has defaulted on a $1.1 million loan it took out in 2007 with Fifth Third Bank to buy 43 acres of land for a new sanctuary near Sligh Ave. and I-4.

The bank agreed to lower monthly payments when the church got in trouble, but the church has been unable to meet the obligations of the agreement.

Rufus Spencer, spokesperson for the church, with Dr. Henry J. Lyons as the Servant/Teacher, said they will be going back to court on September 19, 2012 for another hearing. The church is claiming $880,000 in assets and $1.2 million in liabilities.

He told the Sentinel that “the Deacons Ministry has decided not to make any comment on the matter until after we appear in court. Our main concern now is to get past this court date.”

BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

As the battle of words and philosophies go on, November isn’t that far away when we all will go to the polls to vote for the next President of the United States.

Last week, the Democratic National Convention convened in Charlotte, North Carolina, and delegates from Tampa were in attendance.

One of those delegates, Dianne Hart, CEO of the East Tampa Business and Civic Association, said she thought the convention was phenomenal.

“All of the speakers were excellent. We were all impressed with First Lady Michelle Obama and how she talked about her husband. She gave him a more human presence and she was very instrumental in getting people to relate to them by sharing similar lifestyles to the average person.

“This was my first convention, and I was overwhelmed by the energy of all the people in the room who felt the same as I do about the future of this country. This made us all want to go home and do whatever it takes to make sure President Obama serves another term. I’d also like to say that former president Bill Clinton’s speech touched the spirit of all of us, especially when he told the truth about job creation and how the GOP has tried to distort the truth.”

State Representative Betty Reed said she thought the convention was wonderful.

“All of the speakers were inspiring and at the same time, down to earth. This was the first convention I’ve physically attended. I came back pumped up and ready to go.
The room was full of energy, and this was a group of people who want whatís best for the people. Everyone talked about the people and our duty to protect this country. Even the representatives from the military spoke well.

“We can do better and with the right people in the White House, we will do better. The First Lady’s speech was so inspiring, and set the tone for the rest of her husbandís campaign. We all could feel and connect to what she was saying. Weíve all been there at some time in our lives.”

State Senator Arthenia Joyner said the Democrats are fired up, and ready to go.

“The Democrats are organized and have their eyes on the prize. It was a wonderful and exhilarating experience. You could see the diversity of America in the arena.”
Senator Joyner said this was her seventh convention, and this one ranked right at the top.

“Michelle Obama’s message, along with the other speakers, really set the tone for the convention, and showed the nation we truly are a party of all the people; Blacks, whites, Latinos, Asians, gay, straight, men, women, old, young, rich, poor, middle-class, working people and professionals.

“We all left with a better feeling for November. To my constituents, this is the most important election in the history of this country. It’s important we register and vote by mail, early, or in person on election day. This is our country, and no one will take it away from us.”

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On several occasions, one Tampa woman has attempted to participate in television shows. But, although she inquired, she was never contacted.

However, after Mrs. Minyon Williams Scotland became engaged last year, she emailed the website of the “Bridezilla” Show as a joke. As in the past, she never expected to hear from them.

But, to her surprise, the staff at WE TV called her. On Sunday, Minyon, her husband, Foster, her mother, sisters, and members of the wedding party will all be featured on the show. It will air on Sunday, September 9th and Sunday, September 16th, at 10 p.m.

Minyon said, “I was so surprised that they called me. I had a three-hour telephone interview with them and then came to town and followed me around for a whole week.”

Ms. Lauren Kuebler said in a press release, “Bridezilla Minyon loves being the boss and with her wedding day quickly approaching she takes full advantage of her presiding role as bride-to-be. During her makeup trial this Zilla demands a constant flow of compliments from everyone nearby.

“She then stops by wedding coordinator Angelica’s house to break down wedding duties, but disruptive members of her bridal party cause this Zilla to flip out and break more than that!

“The next day while shopping for flower girl dresses, Minyon decides she’d rather focus on herself — pondering whether nor not she should buy herself a second wedding dress. Finally, her sister, Felecia, decides to intervene, resulting in a throw down at the local park!”

Despite all of the drama, Minyon became Mrs. Foster Scotland on June 9th. Minyon, 32, works as a Dental Assistant and is the mother of two boys. Foster, 36, is the father of one daughter and is a college professor and realtor. They are both family-oriented and enjoy spending time with their kids.

Minyon said she is glad that she was chosen for the show, but she’s not being selfish about stardom. “I’m trying to put Tampa on the map!”

At 5 a. m. Tuesday morning, Jobree Platt, 31, and his cousin were returning to the cousins apartment at the Village Oaks Complex after a night at the Seminole Casino.

Temple Terrace Police reported that Platt and his cousin were confronted by a man wearing a black ski mask and armed with a handgun in the hallway near the cousin’s apartment. Shots were fired, and Platt fell to the ground, wounded. The gunman fled and Platt’s cousin called 9-1-1.

Police said another cousin, Jerron Brown, 29, heard the gunshots from the second floor and ran outside. He heard his cousin on the phone frantically calling for an ambulance. He ran to Platt’s side and talked to him as he clung to life.

When police arrived, they asked Brown to step aside, and seconds later, Platt was pronounced dead.

Police did not report how many shots were fired, or where Platt was shot. The only description released of the gunman was that he was a Black male, 6’4” tall, and wearing a black ski mask.

Police haven’t established a motive for the shooting, but did say the gunman may have followed the pair home from the casino.

According to his Facebook page, Platt, who lived in Lutz, graduated from Charlotte High School in 1999 in his hometown of Punta Gorda, Florida. He was awarded a $1,000 scholarship, and later attended and graduated from Tallahassee Community College in 2002. He was employed at Makin Ends Meet at the International Plaza.

Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and identification of the suspect in this case. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-873-8477.

Last week, 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.

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis stated that the funding is to support the agency’s YouthBuild Program. YouthBuild is a non-residential, community based alternative education program. It provides classroom instruction and occupational skills training to at-risk youth and young adults between the ages of 16 and 24.

The program helps out-of-school youth earn a GED or high school diploma while learning critical occupational skills in construction, health care, information technology and other fields.

Jerome Ryans, President and CEO of the Tampa Housing Authority said, “These dollars will ensure that our YouthBuild Program assists more youth and provides life-changing skills needed to survive in these tough economic times. The PPS Department and its staff are to be commended for submitting such a fine grant.”

Ms. Solis said 74 YouthBuild Programs in 28 states and the District of Columbia would receive funds ranging from $700,000 to $1.1 million. The grants will help 5,000 youth and young adults obtain certifications and skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

The Department of Labor now funds 127 YouthBuild programs.

Youth and young adults enrolled in the program offered by the Tampa Housing Authority receive classroom training where they have actually constructed a small building on-site at their training facility. More than 45 individuals have graduated from the program and have gone on to find employment.

Pictured, l to r:  Ralston Gallimore, Pamela Brookes, and Derrick Ware.

There is a new phenomenon sweeping the nation, the world and the Central Florida Area.  It is a new faith-based positive social media website coupled with a worldwide Christian Talent Search called Crazy Praise Live.

Crazy Praise Live.com is the brainchild of former Tampa resident and successful African American businessman, David Michaels.

Michaels, now an Orlando resident had long since built for himself a very lucrative swimming pool company.

His chain of sign stores had created and manufactured signage countrywide creating a very comfortable living for himself and his family.
Michaels was approached and propositioned somewhere around February 2006 in regards to becoming an investor in a small nationwide Gospel talent search and tour.
Having never been the type to scoff at a challenge or fear venturing into new arenas, he accepted the proposition.  Since he was raised in the church, Gospel music was a genre that was not unfamiliar to him.

He became involved in the tour operations.

While traveling with the tour, Michaels noticed something that troubled him.  Being such an astute businessman, Michaels stated, “I noticed that most of the Christian artists involved were skilled in their crafts, but were lacking the necessary business skills to become successful in the industry.”

Fueled by a desire to help artists achieve a greater degree of success in their music ministries, he began to mentor artists young and old and launched crazypraiselive.com.
The website became a mechanism for local artists to connect with artists all over the world.

“In exchange for an artist’s social media, they have an opportunity to gain international exposure, increase their networkability and fan base through crazypraiselive.com”, states Michaels.

In addition to the social media structure of the website which is complete with forums to discuss trending religious and secular topics; chat rooms and business directories; vocalists, musicians, dancers, comedians, choirs, groups, mimes and spoken word artists can enter the weekly Worldwide Christian Talent Search and for a small yearly registration fee; Christian ministers/entertainers can register to win $2,500.00 by uploading performance videos.

Weekly winners will have a chance to compete in the Grand Finale.  Over $100,000 in cash prizes will be given away at the Zora Neale Hurston Festival in Eatonville, Florida in January 2013, which is now sponsored by Crazy Praise Live due to its overwhelming success at the January 2012 festival. $50,000 in cash and a brand new Toyota truck will be awarded to the Grand Prize winner.

Crazy Praise Live is currently being introduced nationwide in over 500 churches.  A large part of Michaels’ vision is being able to empower organizations and individuals from all walks of life by giving them tools to acquire financial gains.

Tampa’s next Crazy Praise Live sponsored event will be held at Abundant Life Ministries, 4701 E. Hanna Ave., on September 22, 2012 at 6 p. m.  They will be celebrating the First Anniversary of the church where Reverend Randy Randolph is the Pastor.