Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

Last Thursday, more than 200 people attended a Town Hall Meeting sponsored by the East Tampa Business and Civic Association. The meeting was the first time newly elected mayor, Bob Buckhorn, has had an opportunity to address the residents and community leaders of East Tampa, and also was the end of his first 100 days in office.

The meeting was formatted where those in attendance pre-wrote their questions to the Mayor on cards. The mayor answered 36 questions in a 2-hour span, and most in attendance said they left feeling optimistic about the future of East Tampa.

Sam Kinsey said he was just happy to see the huge crowd.

“I think the Mayor made a commitment to East Tampa’s development plans. Now, we’ll just wait and see if he delivers. He’s always been a friend to the people of East Tampa, and now that he’s Mayor, we want to see that friendship turn into action.

“When he said he’s committed to bringing economic development to East Tampa, there’s no reason for us to not believe him unless it doesn’t happen.”[private]

East Tampa Business and Civic Association CEO, Diane Hart, said in her opinion, the meeting was excellent.

“Mayor Buckhorn came and brought 13 department directors along with him. He gave assurances and answered questions on topics that ranged from crime to our parks.

“I think the majority of the people wanted to know what’s going on with our city parks and the teen and senior programs that appear to be disappearing. He said he will address those concerns, and deferred some of the questions to the department directors, who weren’t able to answer all the questions, but said they would be coming back for other meetings.”

Ms. Hart said she’s confident with the commitment the Mayor made, but the people have to play their part to make it all possible.

“We’d like to see some of the canceled programs return to the parks and recreation department.”[private]

Businessman, Marvin Knight, said because of another commitment, he wasn’t able to stay for the entire meeting, so he wasn’t able to get everything he needed from the meeting.

“I want to see our neglected areas get the same respect as other parts of the city. One critical area is how our parks are being maintained. We’ve got to figure out a way to bring people together. That’s t he real challenge.”

Retired educator, Ms. Queen Miller, said she left after two hours, but her main concern is when will the city take action on all the abandoned houses in her neighborhood.

“I don’t think I was taken seriously about my question, because the Mayor and everyone else started laughing. I guess they don’t see this as a serious problem.

“I didn’t get an answer to my question, but I want them to know I’m very serious about this problem. My street is full of drug houses, and I want something done about it.”

Rev. W. G. Dixon, CEO of COACH Foundation, said he left the meeting feeling pretty good. “I think the Mayor is reaching out and trying to be fair. He’s saying what he can and can’t do, and that doesn’t make everyone happy. In my opinion, his first 100 days have been pretty good, and I think he has the confidence of the people of East Tampa.”[/private]

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Last Tuesday, the Sentinel printed an article about the possible foreclosure of a historically Black church. A business meeting took place Tuesday evening at the church to inform the members of the debt issues.

Dr. Henry Lyons, Senior Pastor at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church said “We had a very good meeting and answered questions, we explained just what we’re trying to get accomplished, and it looks like the bank is willing to work with us.”

Dr. Lyons further said that it was a general business meeting and any member who wished to attend was welcome.

Court documents show that a new date of sale for the church is August 15th. However, Deacon Rufus Spencer said that the date is tentative and was set 6 weeks from a hearing held last month. “That date is on the record, but the court has ruled that we will have a hearing before the sale can take place.”

He also said the church is being represented by legal counsel.

Last week, Spencer confirmed that Fifth Third Bank had filed foreclosure paperwork. An article in the St. Pete Times stated that the church defaulted on a $1.4 million loan and used existing church property as collateral. [private]

Dr. Lyons said they continue to work with the bank to satisfactorily resolve the issue.

Dr. Lyons said the church began experiencing financial problems when the economy went down. “The money coming into the church just dropped. We have already met with the bank and we are continuing our talks with the bank to get the issue resolved. The bank is working with us.” Church leaders are hoping to modify the loan so that they can pay it off.

Spencer further said that there is nothing new about their situation. He also said they still have plans to build a new church on the 43 acres of land adjacent to I-4 near Sligh Avenue they purchased in 2007. The cost of the land was $1.1 million.

Founded in 1906, New Salem M. B. Church moved to its current location in 1950. Dr. Lyons has been its religious leader since 2004.[/private]

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

A new law passed during the last legislative session will affect future generations of high school students. It makes enrolling and passing an online class mandatory.

State Representative Betty Reed confirmed that the law goes into effect next month and will affect incoming 9th grade students. It requires all students to enroll in and pass at least one class online in the Virtual School Program.

“We were against this law because we know that every family does not have a computer. We fought against it because we felt it is not in the best interest of all children, period.

“We also realize that those who don’t have a computer won’t have the knowledge and can’t help the children to navigate the computer. But, those in favor of the law feels the children can go to the library,” Rep. Reed said.

Steve Hagerty, spokesman for the Hillsborough County Public School District said the law goes into effect next month and applies to all incoming 9th grade students.

“If you are a high school student, you must take at least one online learning class. The class must also be a requirement for graduation and cannot be an elective,” he said.

Hagerty stated that students can use the library or Media Center at their respective schools and have 4 years to take the course. [private]

“They don’t have to sit at the computer for 50 minutes like they would in a regular class. This is just a way of forcing kids to learn technology. We anticipate more kids will be taking more than just one class online.”

He further said that students can take the classes online with the Florida Virtual Program, or the Hillsborough Virtual Program, operated by the Hillsborough County Public School District. [/private]

BY GWEN HAYES
Sentinel Editor

Asha H. N. Coleman, a middle school student from Tampa, won a national oratorical contest Tuesday at the annual meeting of the National Baptist Deacons Convention in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Asha followed in her brother’s footsteps as the national winner. Lyfe L. Coleman was the national winner of the contest last summer (2010) when the convention was held in Tampa.

Asha competed against two finalists from states along the Eastern seaboard of the USA.

Asha is a delegate to the youth department of the convention and spoke about spiritual worship and empowering young people for leadership.

Asha is an 8th grade student at Memorial Middle School. Lyfe is a 10th grade student at Middleton High School.[private]

Asha, 13, and Lyfe, 15, are members of The New Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Tampa, Inc., Rev. Dr. Walter J. Williams, pastor. They are active participants in drill team, youth ushers, youth choir, Shepherd’s Men, community service, and other activities.

Asha, 13, and Lyfe, 15, are members of The New Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Tampa, Inc., Rev. Dr. Walter J. Williams, pastor.

The siblings are the son and daughter of Tampa businessman LIFE, Sonia Coleman and Jennifer Williams. They are the grandchildren of (paternal) Roosevelt Coleman, Earnestine Coleman, (maternal) Ulysses Harmon and the late Mary Harmon; and aunt, Jerlean Johnson.  Their great-grandmother is the late Alberta Macon; and their godparents are Rev. Bruce Strange and Mrs. Martina Strange.[/private]

Tampa Police report that on Monday morning, a man and woman had their 10-year-old son climb through the unlocked bedroom window of a home on Alaska Street in Sulphur Springs. Once inside police said the child unlocked he front door, allowing his mother, father and neighbor to enter the residence and remove a television, computer table and other property.

Sarah Conner

Neighbors saw the suspects around the home and told the responding officers. The officers went to the neighbor’s house and asked if they could look inside. The neighbor reportedly let the officers inside where they reported seeing some of the stolen property.

Charged with grand theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor were Reginald Butler, 38, Sarah Conner, 30, and Adrina Mayo, 38.

Tampa Police detectives, following up on leads, identified a man being sought following a murder Friday night.

According to reports, police received a call at 9:25 p. m. of shots being fired at 3402 North Clay Street.

Officers arriving at the scene, entered the residence and reported finding 33-year-old Carl Kidd dead. Witnesses reported that the suspect in the shooting was a Black male.

After identifying the shooter as Louie Cromartie, 26, detectives located him the following day. He was arrested in the area of 18th Street and 24th Avenue.[private]

CARL KIDD

Cromartie was charged with first-degree murder, robbery, being a felon in possession of a firearm, trespassing in an occupied structure, battery, petit theft, and opposing an officer without violence.[/private]

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

A deacon at a historically African American church confirmed a local bank has filed foreclosure paperwork. However, he said the church is currently in negotiations with the bank in an effort to resolve the issue.

An article in the St. Pete Times newspaper stated that the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 405 N. Oregon Avenue, defaulted on a $1.4 million loan from Fifth Third Bank. The collateral is existing church property.

Deacon Rufus Spencer, a lifelong member of the church stated, “Our church will not be closed. The bank had begun foreclosure procedures, but they are willing to work with us to resolve the problem. We are grateful and appreciative to them.”

Spencer further stated that there is nothing new about their situation and that the membership is aware of everything that is going on.

“We are pressing on and we are still looking forward to building our new edifice. It will just take time because of the economy. We are asking the public for their prayers and support.”[private]

In 2007, the church purchased 43 acres of land adjacent to I-4 near Sligh Avenue. The cost of the land was $1.1 million.

After the article appeared in the newspaper, Spencer said they conducted an investigation and determined the source. “It was narrowed down to a non-member who apparently made some accusations to the St. Pete Times, but whatever he said is not true. We are used to them writing anything they can about Dr. Lyons.”

Spencer also said the church has removed Jacob Dyck of his role “but not because of any wrongdoing.”

Founded in 1906, New Salem M. B. Church moved to its current location in 1950. Rev. Dr. Henry Lyons has been its religious leader since 2004. [/private]

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

In February, Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller, Jr., introduced the concept of the Kitchen Cabinet meeting to discuss issues in the community. Now, he is preparing to host the second meeting that will take place on Tuesday, July 26th, 6:30 p.m., to 8 p.m., at the Progress Village Recreation Center, 8802 Alamanda Avenue, in Progress Village.

Known as the “District 3 Kitchen Cabinet Organizational Meeting,” the meetings are a method Commissioner Miller uses to keep his campaign promise to his constituents.

Commissioner Miller said that although this meeting is taking place in Progress Village, residents in District 3 with questions, concerns, or comments are invited to attend because many issues overlap individual neighborhood boundaries.

This is the second of a series of meetings that Commissioner Miller plans to host throughout the community. He stated that no community is without its own unique problems.

Some of the areas in his district include East Tampa, West Tampa, Seminole Heights, Palm River, Suitcase City, Progress Village, and East Lake.

Anyone wishing to learn more about the meeting can contact Ms. Bernadine King or Larry Williams, at (813) 272-5720, Commissioner Miller’s Administrative Aides.[private]

Commissioner Miller said, “This time the meeting is in Progress Village, the last one was held at the Children’s Board. It doesn’t matter where they are held, that’s just a meeting place. We are asking everyone to come.

“We want to hear from the people of District 3. We want to know what your concerns are. If you don’t have any concerns, then just come and listen because sometimes that helps, too.

“If we are doing something wrong, let us know. If we are doing something right, then let us know that, too.”

Commissioner Miller said the meetings will be held at various locations throughout District 3.

He further stated that any issues raised at the meeting or any information gathered will be taken back to his office to address. [/private]

Upset after a car filled with juveniles cut off his car, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies said that a nightclub manager pretended to be a Florida Highway Patrol trooper and tried pulling over the car.

Deputies arrested Leonard Woods, 47, and charged him with impersonating an officer.

The victim called 9-1-1 during the incident. Woods was arrested later at his Valrico home.[private]

Deputies reported that Woods, who manages a club on West Hillsborough Avenue, was driving in Valrico early Friday morning when he was cut off by a 17-year-old driver.

Deputies said Woods followed the vehicle, turning a flashlight on and off and showing the driver a badge. Allegedly Woods was wearing a gun belt that has a handgun, handcuffs, pepper spray, flashlight and baton.[/private]