Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

The Hillsborough County Commissioners voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve a proposal to restore 11 of the previously closed after-school programs at Hillsborough County parks.

Last month, in a 4-3 vote, commissioners decided to close the after-school programs at the County parks.

On Wednesday, Commissioner Ken Hagan proposed a plan that would re-open 19 programs in addition to the current 11.

“There was a lot of talk about duplicity of these services. We identified 19 locations that were stand-a-lone facilities and there was no duplication of services.

They are in neighborhoods so that makes it a lot easier for parents to reduce or eliminate the problems of transportation. This program is important to me. I grew up in it, I worked as a coach when I was in college, and now my son is in it,” Commissioner Hagan said.

Commissioner Miller said, “We are restoring some of the programs, but a little differently. They are going to be strictly recreational. We also said the maximum cost will be $38 per child, those students receiving reduced lunch will pay $30, and those receiving free lunch will pay $20. Hopefully, the fees will pay for the program, if not all, then the majority of it.”[private]

On September 8th, the staff will provide the Commissioners with a report on staffing and other specific information on how the programs will operate. They will also contact the parents who received letters stating that there will not be a program for this school year. The letter will let them know the program is now available and the type of program being offered. The new program will begin October 1st. [/private]

***Look for full story in Friday’s Sentinel***

Tampa Police report that the prime suspect in a convenience store shooting was shot and later died Wednesday morning.

Tampa Police arrived at a duplex on Mulberry Drive in Sulphur Springs to arrest Carlos Laboy. Laboy, 26, was identified as the prime suspect in the shooting of Yasmin Sara during a robbery last Wednesday. Sara is the owner and operator of Y&S Market on 12th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.

Police said when Laboy was leaving the duplex, he was confronted by officers who reportedly told him to stop and not move. Police said instead of complying with the officers, Laboy made a sudden move toward his waistband. The report states the officers who knew Laboy had shot Sara last week, believed he was reaching for a gun. One of the officers fired at least one shot at Laboy, hitting him in the hip. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. At 5:36 a.m., he was pronounced dead.

Police said as Laboy was being transported to the hospital, they got news that Sara, 55, had taken a turn for the worse and was rushed into surgery. He remains in critical condition.

On Monday, officers obtained a gun they believed was used in the shooting through a confidential source. That individual led officers to the getaway driver, identified as 23-year-old Pedro Torres, who was arrested Tuesday night. Police said he cooperated with officers and identified Laboy as the one who shot Sara.

Detectives said Laboy and Torres met in prison.

Torres is currently being held on charges of robbery with a firearm, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a firearm with the serial number removed, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and driving with a suspended license.

Police spokesperson, Laura McElroy, said Torres will also be charged with either felony attempted murder or felony murder, depending on whether Sara survives.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating a shooting death that occurred last Thursday in the Town ‘N Country area.

Detectives said at 11 p. m., deputies responded to the Beacon Isles Apartments on Sheldon Road on a report of a shooting.

Detectives said Rogelio Garcia-Maristany, 35, and Tommy Nelson, Jr., 22, got into an argument that turned physical when Garcia-Maristany attacked Nelson. Deputies said Nelson, in an attempt to stop the attack, shot Garcia-Maristany. Both men were armed at the time.

Garcia-Maristany died at the scene. Nelson called  9-1-1 to report the incident and remained at the scene until deputies arrived.

Detectives are conducting interviews and consulting with the State Attorney’s Office on the incident.

Community Activists Michelle Williams and Clarence Jones are the leaders of a protest against police brutality that began Monday in front of the District III Police Headquarters. The pair said the protest will go on until August 26th.

Williams said this action is long overdue.

“We will no longer sit by and remain idle without fighting this agency back to the fullest extent of the law. We are the only race of people to have substations in our communities. We are the only ones to have genocide committed in our race. We are the only race of people who continue to sit by remaining passive and afraid to stand up for ourselves because of the retaliation from this department. I encourage each of you to know our rights, exercise your rights, fight for your rights, and now that you are fed up, rise up and fight back. Stop getting cozy and get your feet out the quick sand.”

Jones said he feels compelled to address the many cries of the community in regards of the racial profiling, police brutality and police misconduct.

“It saddens me with the Internet site youtube.com with several recent police misconduct videos surfacing. They all show the brutality of young men already placed in handcuffs and an officer yoking them from behind.

“It is not against the law to video tape or take a still picture of a public service employee. They are paid with our tax dollars and they need to start governing themselves as such.”

Jones said in the past, he’s had dialogue with Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor in regard to these issues and he would like for hat dialogue to continue.

Williams and Jones said they have people from other areas of the state and country joining them in this protest, and expect to see full participation from the citizens of Tampa as well.

BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

Jackie Beiro describes her beliefs through a quote from A. Philip Randolph: “A community is only democratic when the humblest and weakest person can enjoy the highest civil, economic, and social rights that the biggest and most powerful possess.”

“This was the reason I filed to run for Hillsborough County Supervisor Of Elections,” said Beiro.

“Not one person in my party showed any interest, so I stepped up to the plate in 2010. As the only Democratic candidate, with less than 3 months to qualify, we fell just short of the 8,000 valid signatures required to get on the ballot, so we started early for the 2012 election to ensure that would not happen again.”

Beiro said she is announcing her resignation as a candidate due to recent family health issues that will require long-term attention. [private]

“Although I’m stepping back, I am not stepping away from advocating on behalf of those with no voice and little political clout. However, in stepping off from the front lines, I have a suggestion or two for the Democratic Party: A glaring common threat was found in the 15,000 voters that have signed my petitions. It is the reality of the Democratic Party as an organization and what it means to the average Jane and Joe. The party is littered with folks who talk big, but in reality deliver little more than lip service. Democrats need to be more inviting and accessible. They need to make room for minority voices and issues, not stifle them, and certainly not dislike and disavow them when they speak up.”

Beiro said she was surprised to find out that the majority of the people she spoke with had no idea there is a local Democratic Party. “They have never been invited to participate in the party, and have no clue as to what it is the party does.”

Beiro said her message to the Supervisor of Elections Office is the need for more education and the creation of a simple system.[/private]

A former Hillsborough County classroom teacher was arrested Friday and charged with having sex with a student. The incident allegedly took place in June 2010.

More than a year ago, on June 8, 2010, Tampa Police were contacted by the Hillsborough County School District in reference to a teacher allegedly having a sexual relationship with a student. The suspect was arrested on a warrant Friday. Officials learned of the incident after the student allegedly told friends about it. The victim was 16 at the time the offense took place.

According to the investigation, Dwight Levasiyea Ellick, 28, allegedly took the victim to his apartment on June 4, 2010, where the sexual encounter took place. He was employed as a Math teacher at Freedom High School at the time. The Tampa Police completed their investigation into the complaint and turned their findings over to the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office.

The State Attorney’s Office recently decided to seek prosecution and issued a warrant for Ellick’s arrest. He was taken into custody at his residence without incident. Ellick was placed under a bond of $7,500.[private]

Ms. Linda Cobbe, spokesperson for the Hillsborough County School District said that after the allegation became known, Ellick was transferred to an attendance office at a non-school location to work. He worked at the facility until June 30th, when his contract was not renewed by the Hillsborough County School District.

A graduate of Wharton High School, Ellick was a starter on the football team and won a scholarship to Notre Dame University. At Notre Dame, he also played football.

After graduation, Ellick returned to Tampa and began working as a substitute teacher with the school district in 2007. He was hired as a Math teacher in December 2008 and assigned to Freedom High School. He remained there until June of last year when the investigation began.[/private]

Last Friday night at 8 p. m., 3-year-old Eugene Wallace and his parents were inside the Metro PCS Store on East Fowler Avenue. At some point while his parents shopped for a cellular phone.

According to the police report, Eugene hadn’t eaten much that day, but his mother reported that it did not seem anything was wrong.

Police said Eugene was running around like normal children do when the manager asked the mother to stop the child from running. At that point, the mother held Eugene next to her side. About 10 seconds later, Eugene collapsed and hit his head on the lower part of the counter. He stopped breathing, CPR was started, and Tampa Fire Rescue arrived and continued the efforts while transporting him to the hospital.

Hospital officials said Eugene never regained consciousness and was later pronounced dead.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident, and Woody’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Eugene would have turned 4 years old on August 15th.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Death is inevitable, but as a rule, parents don’t expect to bury their children. However, nearly two weeks, ago, Ms. Vannetta Scott found herself attending the funeral of her 5th child, Iesha Dominique Washington.

No Death Threats
Ms. Scott said her family did not receive any death threats. But, she wanted to let everyone know how special her youngest daughter was.

During the funeral services for 18-year-old Iesha Washington, Ms. Scott said she felt the need to send a message to the nearly 2,000 people who attended. Iesha was killed during a shooting at a party on July 29th.

“My daughter was supposed to speak, but she couldn’t do it. I just said, ‘Spirit, have your way,’ and I spoke at her funeral. The message then as it is now is, “It’s enough, enough is enough, there has been enough killing. It has to stop now. I have a lot of anger, but I won’t seek retaliation. God is too much into this. I’m asking Him to give me some kind of respect and peace of mind.

“The pain is unbearable. My son saw his sister die. My other daughter held her and wiped away the blood from her face. I don’t want another mother to feel what I’m feeling. I don’t want another family to have to suffer like my family is suffering right now. It hurts so bad.”

Ms. Scott said she really doesn’t remember much of the funeral because her grief was too great. However, she was told that she received a standing ovation.

The Next Step
Ms. Scott said after the funeral, she was approached by someone who told her that she should speak out against the violence. As the mother of a murdered child, Ms. Scott plans to take her message to the masses. She plans to start by speaking to the students at Spoto High School, where Iesha would have started her senior year next week.

She hopes that the message she carries will make someone think before they resort to picking up a weapon. She hopes to prevent another tragedy such as this.[private]

Effect On Family
It has been twenty days since Iesha was killed and her mother cries every day. “Sometimes, it can be a song or a television commercial that makes me think about her. My nephew came up to me and said he wanted to go back to the church to see Iesha sleeping. Jeffrey is two. She had a special relationship with kids.

“She has 2 nieces, Kyndi was born June 30th and Kaelyn was born August 24th of last year and she was looking forward to Kaelyn’s birthday party. She just loved children and they loved her.”

Her 5 siblings are each trying to handle her death in their own way.

About Iesha
Born on July 17, 1993, Iesha Washington was a happy person. Since her death, her mother has been looking at pictures and said she couldn’t find a single picture where Iesha was not smiling.

She was a young woman who knew what she wanted and took action to make it happen. Her mother said she wanted to be ahead in school so she took classes during the summer.

Iesha planned to seek a career as an ESE teacher.

God Was Preparing Her
Looking back over events leading up to her death, Ms. Scott said she believes God was preparing Iesha. The family went to Applebee’s to celebrate her 18th birthday on July 15th.

Ms. Scott said when she asked Iesha about the type of cake she wanted. “She said she wanted a Hanna Montana cake and I asked if she was serious. She sang and she was so happy. She was glowing. God was already preparing her.

Iesha had been attending church on a regular basis and on the day after her 18th birthday, she joined New Hope Tabernacle of Joy, the church her uncle, the Rev. Harold Scott pastors.

The following Sunday, on July 24th, Iesha was baptized by her uncle.

In the days leading up to her death, Iesha spent special moments with her grandmother, Mrs. Annie Bell Brown.

“They had gone on the porch and there was a dove out there. Iesha tried and tried to shoo him away, but he wouldn’t leave. Finally, she told my mother, ‘I guess the dove just wants to be with me.’ She didn’t know God was getting her ready.

“She was a very respectful child. I’m glad I got a chance to tell her how proud I was of her at the Baptism and just how much I loved her. God answered my prayers.”[/private]

Pictured: Ms. Vannetta Scott, center, is shown with two of her daughters, Ishia Washington, left, and Iesha Washington, on the right.

BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

Since he was 14 years old, Sanford Harper, II, has been a practicing Muslim. He often dresses in Muslim gowns when he’s out in public and he’s never gotten a complaint from anyone.

Last Wednesday, Harper was in traffic court to dispute a citation for not wearing a seatbelt.

However, before he could take a seat in the courtroom, he said he was approached by a bailiff who told him he had to leave. “I asked him why did I have to leave, and he told me because of the way I was dressed. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.”

Harper said what made it even more confusing was when a second bailiff approached him and told him he was dressed alright. “But, that didn’t matter, because the first bailiff who told me to leave stuck by his guns and told me I couldn’t sit in the courtroom dressed in an African gown.

Harper said since the incident, he’s gotten several phone calls from the Sheriff’s Office, apologizing for the incident.[private]

“The apologies are empty as far as I’m concerned, because they’ve done so many bad things to me. I want my identity back and I want to be able to practice my religion the same as others.”

Harper’s attorney, Eric Taylor, said right now the case is in an investigative stage.

“We’re taking a look at the case to see what direction to head in. I will say the Sheriff’s Office was wrong for asking him to leave. Right now, I’m hesitant to make a judgment without the facts to determine if that was the policy of the judge, because judges can adopt any policy they want for their courtroom when it comes to the way you dress.”

Taylor said he’s going to review the policy of that judge, then advise his client what the net step should be.

“It’s possible, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLUI) may get involved.” [/private]