Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

After his mother suffered a stroke, a Tampa man attempted to have lunch delivered to her through a food delivery program. To his dismay, he learned that not only is the program not available in East Tampa, there is a waiting list as well.

Billy Wheeler said, “My mother had a mild stoke on June 17th and I became her principal caregiver. It’s not easy preparing three meals a day when you’re not used to it. I thought that if I signed her up for the “Meals On Wheels” program that would give me more time to prepare dinner.

“I was told that the program was not operating in East Tampa because of a shortage of volunteers. Fortunately, I’m here to be sure my mother gets her daily meals. But, I’m now wondering how many other seniors and disabled persons may be in our area who are not so blessed.”

He said his mother, Mrs. Delores Wheeler, who is 89 years old, is doing better every day. Now, his thoughts turn to others in the community who may not be fairing so well.

When contacted by the Sentinel, Ms. Cindy Vann, Director of Donor Relations for Meals On Wheels Tampa, confirmed the service is not available in East Tampa.

“It is a constant challenge trying to meet the growing needs of our recipients. We are a private organization and we don’t receive any government funds. Our program operates on volunteers. The volunteers are the heart and soul of what we do.”

Ms. Vann stated that there are several food distribution sites in Hillsborough County and she tries to keep the volunteer routes about 10 miles.

Volunteers use their own vehicles and gasoline. They also can choose when they wish to volunteer. The volunteers deliver the lunch meal Monday through Friday.

Ms. Vann said the volunteering usually takes place from 9:30 a.m. until about 12 noon. Anyone wishing to learn more about the program can visit their website at www.mow.org. Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact Ms. Jan Costello at (813) 238-8410. [private]

The recipients of the lunch program are people who are unable to cook for themselves; people who have difficulty shopping for food; disabled adults who do not have mid-day care; expectant mothers with pregnancy difficulties or restrictions; seniors who need a balanced diet and nourishment; and patients discharged from hospitals or rehabilitation facilities. The recipients qualify for the meals on a sliding fee scale, ranging from free to $4.75 per meal.

Wheeler said, “I was surprised that the program is not available in East Tampa. Unfortunately, we need it the most and it’s just not available. Once my mother improves, I’m thinking about volunteering.”[/private]

BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

Since 2009, the City of Tampa’s Parks and Recreation Department has used guidelines set by the National Recreation and Park Association when it comes to background checks on volunteers with youth sports programs.

Parks and Recreation spokesperson, Linda Carlo, said anyone working with youth on city-owned property will be screened accordingly.

“It is the responsibility of each youth sports organization to perform the background checks on their personnel using the national guidelines, and then submit a list to us of the eligible volunteers.”

According to Carlo, all misdemeanor violence offenses committed within the past 7 years will make a volunteer ineligible.

“Also, if anyone has been found guilty of a sex crime, violent felony, drugs, theft, embezzlement, child endangerment and other related felonies within the past 10 years, they will not be allowed to work around youth.

“Every league that has an agreement with us provides us with the proper paperwork. The standards have been raised to further protect the children.”

Artis Gambrell, Jr., who heads the Belmont Heights Little League program, said the tough guidelines will deplete available volunteers by 30% to 40% at the park.

“I hope we can come up with a viable solution. We want to protect our children, and at the same time provide them an outlet. I think the intention of the guidelines is good, but are a little too extreme.”

Carlo said each youth sports organization will be held accountable for the information given to the city, or the lack of information on volunteers working with their programs.

Gambrell said they are part of a national organization, and have always been mandated to do background checks.

“The difference is with the criteria. We have our own criteria, and it’s not as stringent as the one the city has. If I have to use the criteria the city has ordained, it will be detrimental to the BHLL program.”

Tampa Police have arrested a 20-year-old in a shooting incident that occurred Wednesday night.

According to reports, Antonio Butler, 31, and Deandre Adams (right), 20, were involved in an alleged drug transaction at 12th Street and Eskimo Avenue at 11:30 p. m.

Police said during the transaction, Adams allegedly shot Butler in the buttocks. He sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

Adams was arrested and charged with aggravated battery. He is being held under a bond of $22,500.

Just after midnight Sunday, pilots with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit spotted a body floating in a pond. The body was recovered and identified as Sean Lamont Parrott, 39.

Detectives have learned Parrott and a friend had been in and out of the water all day Sunday. At 4:35 p. m., Parrott and his friend entered the water and at some point, he turned and no longer saw Parrott standing. The friend got out of the water and called 9-1-1. Family members told detectives Parrott was able to swim.

Detectives said preliminary indication is that strong tidal currents may have caused Parrott to be pulled under the water and drowned. An investigation by the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine if any other factors may have been involved, but detectives said they do not suspect foul play.

Last Thursday, Ms. Beverly Harvin, a veteran Tampa Police Department employee, was arrested and charged with disclosing confidential information. She was released after posting a $2,000 bond.

A second employee, identified as Ms. Priscilla Phillips, 57, has also been implicated in the offense. Ms. Harvin and Ms. Phillips have both been suspected without pay, pending the outcome of disciplinary hearings. The discipline can range from suspension to termination.

According to police, Ms. Harvin, 47, was charged with criminal disclosure. She reportedly learned from another employee that her nephew was one of three suspects under investigation, and informed her nephew and his father of the details listed on an internal bulletin.

According to police, an internal Officer Safety Bulletin was issued on January 16th. The bulletin contained sensitive information about stolen guns that undercover officers had purchased. The three suspects, reportedly known to be heavily armed, were identified along with a vehicle.

On January 19th, police said Ms. Phillips, a data entry clerk, recognized one of the suspects as Ms. Harvin’s nephew. She reportedly took a photograph of the bulletin with her cell phone and forwarded it to Ms. Harvin. Ms. Harvin is alleged to have called her nephew and his father and disclosed the information in the bulletin.

Police said that act exposed the undercover officers to danger and put them at risk if they had attempted to buy additional shotguns and assault rifles from the suspects. The act also compromised the ongoing investigation because the department was forced to terminate that portion of it.

Both women were interviewed on Wednesday and both admitted to the offense. The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office determined that Ms. Harvin should be charged. Ms. Phillips was not charged, police said.

Ms. Harvin was hired in February 1986 as a Community Service Officer. She was later promoted to an Investigative Assistant and worked in the District One.

Ms. Phillips was hired in December 1984 and had been assigned to the District One office as well.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Saturday, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn launched a program that will serve to clean up neighborhoods with the assistance of individuals ordered to complete community service hours. Known as Operation WIN, the program kicked off Saturday in Southeast Seminole Heights.

Mayor Buckhorn said this is the first time the program has been implemented. It will concentrate on the inner city. On Saturday, the clean up took place at 4405 North 10th Street, between Chelsea and Emma Streets.

“We are partnering with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Salvation Army. We are tackling code enforcement violations by cleaning alleys, rights of ways, abandoned properties, and foreclosed properties where people are illegally dumping garbage, furniture and other trash.

“We are going to do this once a month and it will help improve the neighborhoods and will give those who have a debt to pay to society to pay it in a productive way,” Mayor Buckhorn said.

The program is being operated through the City of Tampa Code Enforcement. The program will focus on a different neighborhood each month. The neighborhood groups will also take an active role in the operation.

WIN is an acronym for “Working in Neighborhoods.” It is slated to improve the quality of life for residents throughout the city and ties in with Mayor Buckhorn’s plan to build strong neighborhoods.

Mayor Buckhorn further stated that the Environmental Detective position in East Tampa is still operational. The position, currently held by Detective Jason DeGagne, concentrates on enforcing illegal dumping laws.

Anyone wishing to obtain more information about the program can contact Code Enforcement and Tax Director Jake Slater at 274-8380, or via email at  jake.slater@tampgov.net.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Last month, Patrick Donahoe, Postmaster General for the U. S. Postal Service, announced possible closures of more than 3,700 post offices in the country. Among those on the list for study was the Produce Station at 2810 E. Hillsborough Avenue.

It is the only post office in Hillsborough County on the list. There are 15 others in Florida that will undergo a feasibility study.

On Monday, U. S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor hosted a strategy meeting at the Cyrus Greene Community Complex to discuss ways to save the Produce Station. It is the only post office in the East Tampa community.

Postal Union Representative Alan Peacock made one of the most significant points during the meeting. The post office is currently under a mandate to pay $55 billion over the next 10 years in prepaid employee benefits. “That mandate has not been put on any other organization, government or private, in the country. If we can reverse this, that would put more money into the post office,” Peacock said.

He further stated that there is currently Bill 1351 to reverse that mandate. Bill 1351 currently has 181 supporters.

Senator Joyner said, “That sounds like it was premeditated for the death of the post office, then privatize it. What bothers me is that you’re the only ones,” she said.

The elected officials in attendance, Rep. Betty Reed, Councilman Frank Reddick, Senator Joyner and Congresswoman Castor agreed to address the issue and rally support for Bill 1351 among their elected peers. County Commissioner Les Miller, Jr., was unable to attend due to a conflict in scheduling.[private]

Another topic of discussion was the number of businesses in the immediate area, as well as new businesses moving into the area. Ed Johnson, Manager of East Tampa Redevelopment and Santiago Corrada, Chief of Staff for the City of Tampa said they would work with the officials to contact the businesses and request that they further utilize the services offered by the Produce Station.

Congresswoman Castor said that post office currently has 2,064 boxes with 1,666 being rented at $23 for 6 months. She encouraged other businesses to take advantage of the rentals. She also pointed out that 35 employees would lose their jobs or be relocated to another post office if the location is closed.

“We learned today that we are going to rally to keep the post office open. We must be proactive and encourage the community to continue to use it to keep it open.”

Councilman Reddick stated that he has three boxes at the post office. He visits it five days a week and it is always crowded.

Rev. Thomas Scott stated that he uses the post office and that it’s always crowded. He also pointed out that it is in walking distance for many people and that many senior citizens take advantage of its location, especially at the first of the month.

Mrs. Joan Dawson, who has started a petition drive to keep the location open said she feels it serves the people of the community and should remain open.

Ms. Yvette Lewis, of the NAACP said there is always a line in the post office when she goes to take care of her business.

Ms. Sonja Bexley said there are not enough people working at the window to take care of the customers.

Ms. Enola Rice and Paul Bernicchi, U. S. Post Office employees said that no action would be taken until the completion of the study. They also said that if a decision is made to close that location, the members of the community would have an opportunity to voice their concerns at a public meeting.

Rev. Thomas Scott pointed out that several years ago, the Postal Service had planned to close the MacDill Post Office. However, proactive community support prevented that closure from happening.

Also attending were: Rev. Charles McKenzie, Willie Felton, co-owner of the Midtown businessman, (the Midtown Post Office in St. Petersburg is also slated to close), Ms. Rebecca McGowin, Evan St. Ives, Jerry Balloon, Ms. Andrea White, Sol Davis, Sr., Ron Bradford, Ms. Lalita Lovett, Cedric McCray, Irving Ward, Ms. Ethel Ward, Don Lee, Ms. Mary A. Green, Aaron Smith, Herman Monroe, Ms. Mary Darby, and Ms. Debbie Shannon. [/private]

A longtime employee was arrested Thursday morning for helping a family member. She was released after posting a $2,000 bond.

According to police, Ms. Beverly Harvin, 47, was taken into custody at 10 a.m. Thursday and charged with criminal disclosure. Police said Ms. Harvin learned that a family member was under investigation by police. She is alleged to have alerted her nephew that he was the subject of a police investigation. Currently, she is suspended without pay.

Ms. Harvin was hired in February 1986 as a Community Service Officer. She was later promoted to an Investigative Assistant and worked in the District One.

No additional information was available at press time. The investigation is continuing.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Tuesday, September 6th, at 2 p.m., a retired employee will appear before the Hillsborough County School Board. The purpose of his appearance is to respond to Level III of the grievance he filed prior to his retirement.

Henry Ballard, Jr., said his on-going battle began in March 2008, after his position changed and with it came more responsibility. However, Ballard said his pay grade remained the same.

He stated that he brought the matter to the attention of his immediate supervisor and to Mrs. MaryEllen Elia, Hillsborough County School District Superintendent. Eventually, he stated that he was given a 68 cents an hour raise and his pay grade was changed.

Ballard said the difference in his salary and that of others in comparable positions was approximately $35,000 less per year. He said the District has refused to formally review the position and adjust the salary as it should be.

“I have worked tirelessly to bring the program from having a budget of $1,084 for the entire community to a million dollar organization. But, the District will not be able to keep a competent person in this position if his or her salary is not at the level it should be. I have learned that since the Office has been vacant, the database we worked so hard to create has only been used by one principal this summer, which is a requirement for principals to use.”

He further stated that this fact alone proves the position should have been filled immediately upon his retirement. The school district decided to keep it vacant for up to 90 days.

Ballard same he feels that he has been disrespected and not treated fairly by the Superintendent and some of the board members. “I want to be treated fairly and have the board acknowledge and correct the discrimination and disparity of this situation,” he said.

Ballard said that his salary should have been changed to reflect those new responsibilities. He stated that he responded to Levels I and II of the grievance process and appearing before the Board is the next progressive step.

Ballard will have 10 minutes to speak during the early afternoon session. Beginning at 5 p.m., members of the community will have a chance to speak during the public forum.