Florida Sentinel Bulletin

On Tuesday at 3:30 p. m., Florida Sentinel Bulletin Advertising Executive, Tommie Wilson, had finished his lunch at the McDonald’s Restaurant on Hillsborough Avenue and 19th Street.

TOMMIE WILSON

According to witnesses, Wilson was in his car attempting to cross Hillsborough Avenue heading south on 19th Street. The witness said as Wilson’s vehicle entered the roadway, two speeding motorcycles approached traveling east on Hillsborough Avenue.

Before Wilson could move, one of the two motorcycles crashed into his vehicle. The witness said the bike’s rider was thrown several hundred feet and his helmet was thrown onto the roof of a pawn shop on the corner where the accident occurred.

The bike’s rider has been identified as Victor Omar Sanchez-Velez, 25. He was admitted into Tampa General Hospital in serious condition, but later died from his injuries.

The witness said Wilson got out of his vehicle, staggered, then collapsed onto the street. The person riding the other motorcycle never stopped after the accident and continued traveling east on Hillsborough Avenue.

Wilson was transported to Tampa General Hospital, and is reported to be in serious condition.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Wednesday, an employee of Fifth Third Bank was named Market President for the Tampa Bay area. This marks the first time an African American in this area has held the title.
Ms. Karen Dee, Florida Regional President of Fifth Third Bank (NASDAQ –FITB) appointed Brian Lamb, to the position. He was serving as Affiliate Head of Business Banking prior to his promotion.

A Tallahassee native, Lamb graduated from the University of South Florida with a B. S. Degree in Accounting. He also has a graduate degree from Stonier Graduate Banking School.

He launched his career with Tampa Electric Energy and remained there for 7 years. Lamb was hired in 2006 as the Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the bank, Lamb served as Chief Financial Officer of Home Discovery Real Estate Services Corporation.[private]

“I think it is a great opportunity and we are going to continue to expand our presence in the market place. Fifth Third will continue to be active in the community we serve. We will continue to be healthy ads recognized by Bloomberg as the 7th strongest banking institution in the world,” Lamb said.

A bachelor, Lamb is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and enjoys golf and spending time mentoring children.

His future goals include continually tapping talented people in the community to add to the workforce and remaining anchored as an integral part of the community as the organization has in the past.

Ms. Dee said, “From the day Brian joined Fifth Third he has provided strong leadership and enthusiasm across the affiliate. He is exactly the right person to lead the growth and expansion of Fifth Third Bank in Tampa Bay.

“He understands the Florida market and has an appreciation for the needs of our Tampa Bay customers. Brian will lead the operations of our Tampa Bay Florida affiliate, reporting directly to me,” she stated.[/private]

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

The East Tampa Business & Civic Association (ETBCA) will host a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, July 21, at 6 p.m. Mayor Bob Buckhorn and staff members will attend that will take place at Ragan Park Community Center, 1200 E. Lake Avenue. During the meeting, representatives from Verizon will also make a presentation to Ralph Smith, of Computer Mentors.

For additional information contact the ETBCA Office at (813) 248-3977.[private]

Some of those individuals who will attend the meeting with Mayor Buckhorn include: Brad Baird, Water Department; Ed Johnson, East Tampa Development Officer Gregory Hart, Minority Business Development Office; Gregory Spearman, Purchasing Department; and Irvin Lee, Public Works Department.

Others includes: Jake Slater, Code Enforcement Department; Chief Jane Castor, Tampa Police Department; Karen Palus, Parks & Recreation Department; Santiago Corrada, Chief of Staff; Shannon Edge, Neighborhood & Community Relations Office; Sonya Little, Revenue & Finance Department; Steve Daignault, Public Works & Utilities Administrator; Tom Forward, Tampa Fire Rescue; and Tonja Brickhouse, Solid Waste Department.[/private]

Tampa Police have arrested a man for seriously injuring his stepfather during a violent struggle.

The suspect, James Archie, 34, was released from a drug rehabilitation program and went to live with his mother, Hazel Fann, 54, and stepfather, Daniel Fann, 61.

His parents suspected him of using drugs again and refused to give him money. Police said Archie became confrontational with his parents and they asked him to leave their home on the night of July 14th. He reportedly left the house, but later returned through an unlocked bedroom window.

Once inside, police said Archie overheard his mother talking about him and he became enraged. Archie confronted his mother and hit her repeatedly, knocking her down to the floor.

Mr. Fann, who is partially paralyzed, tried to help her, and police said Archie repeatedly beat Mr. Fann in the head with his mother’s walking cane. He kicked Mr. Fann while he was lying on the ground unconscious, police said.

Archie then reportedly grabbed a knife and threatened to kill his mother if she did not unlock the burglar bars so he could leave. Out of fear, she complied and Archie fled.

During the struggle, Mrs. Fann was able to call 9-1-1, before Archie broke her phone. An officer familiar with Archie responded to the scene and was able to get information about where Archie was located. Archie was found at 26th Street and Lake Avenue and was arrested. Police said he was uncooperative and threatened to harm the detectives. He eventually had to be restrained before he could be transported to jail.

Daniel Fann was hospitalized with life threatening injuries. He is currently in critical condition.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, on July 1st, personal trainer James Williams, III was arrested for one count of sexual battery on a female client.

That incident occurred on June 27, 2011 at Club Tone, a fitness club owned by Williams on Linebaugh Avenue.

The victim, an adult female, told detectives she hired Williams as a personal trainer and met him at his studio that morning. During a personal training session, the victim was allegedly sexually battered.

On July 2nd, Williams posted a $50,500 bond and was released from jail.

Since that time, a second adult female victim has come forward with the same allegations against Williams. As a result of the investigation, detectives issued a warrant for the arrest of Williams for two counts of sexual battery.

On Wednesday, Williams was arrested in Little Rock, Arkansas by U. S. Marshals, at the Peabody Hotel. He will be booked into the Pulaski County Jail.

Tampa Police have arrested a woman on charges of armed robbery and first-degree murder.

Police charged Ayana Brown, 21, with the murder of 83-year-old James Frazier. Mr. Frazier was found dead in a room at the Haven Motel on Nebraska Avenue, Saturday morning.

JAMES “POPS” FRAZIER

Police said a person called 9-1-1 10 a. m. Saturday to report a man dead in a room.

Detectives entered the room at the motel and found Mr. Frazier dead from upper body trauma. Reports indicate Brown was arrested in the 6400 block of Nebraska at another motel.[private]

Known as “Pops,” Mr. Frazier had lived at the motel for years. According to a neighbor, he had been seen Thursday arguing loudly with a group of women near the motel.

Detectives are continuing their investigation into Mr. Frazier’s death.[/private]

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

The legal battle between a former Tampa Police Captain and the City of Tampa is headed to the Florida Supreme Court. Last week, Marion Lewis learned from his attorney that attorneys representing the City of Tampa planned to file an appeal and their first brief in the case.

When contacted by the Sentinel, Attorney Jerry M. Gewirtz, lead attorney in the case stated, “We mailed to the Florida Supreme Court on Friday a jurisdictional brief. It will become official on Monday. The other side has 20 days to respond, and the Florida Supreme Court will determine to accept jurisdiction in the case.”

The City is arguing three points in the brief.

Last month, a panel of Appellant Court judges issued a ruling in favor of Lewis, who expressed a desire to return to duty. Of the most recent development, Lewis said, “We will let justice run its course. I still have confidence and faith that justice will prevail.”

In 2007, Marion Lewis qualified to run for the office of Mayor of the City of Tampa, challenging then incumbent Mayor Pam Iorio. Lewis was informed by city officials that he would have to resign his position as Captain with the Tampa Police Department if he planned to seek the office.

He refused, stating that he had already clarified, via the Tallahassee Office of Elections that the “Resign to Run” rule did not apply to him. Lewis said he was forced into retirement by the city and filed a lawsuit.

The rule in question states that an employee cannot challenge his or her supervisor in an election.

In January 2011, after more than 4 years in the courts, the Second District Court of Appeals released a unanimous opinion in the case of Marion Lewis v. City of Tampa.

The City of Tampa filed several motions urging the court to rehear the case.

The case can be resolved through a settlement between the two sides. Or, Mayor Buckhorn can authorize City Attorney Jim Shimberg to settle it.

Attorney Shimberg can only authorize up to $25,000. The City Council must approve anything above that.[private]

A local court ruled in his favor, but the City won a decision in an appeal. The case then went before the Florida Appellate Court, who has ruled in Lewis’ favor in January 2011 and again in June 2011.

Shortly after the ruling was released, Lewis said the City offered his attorney “a token agreement, which we turned down.”

Mayor Bob Buckhorn appeared on the Jetie B. Wilds Radio Show, which airs on WTMP AM Radio Station on Sundays. During the show, Mayor Buckhorn accepted questions from the public on June 26th.

City Councilman Frank Reddick called in and advised Mayor Buckhorn that Council members had been advised by the attorneys not to discuss the case.

“He (Mayor Buckhorn) didn’t agree with the voluntary gage order, but said he couldn’t make a comment on anything that is pending in the courts,” Reddick said.

On Thursday, during the regular City Council meeting, the City must provide Councilman Frank Reddick with a status report on the case, as well as the cost of defending the case to date. Councilman Reddick requested the information shortly after learning of the ruling.

Lewis stated that the Florida Supreme Court has the option of deciding if it will hear the case or not. His attorney has until the end of the month to file his brief in the case.

Lewis stated that if he is successful in the lawsuit, he plans to return to the department as a Police Captain and wants to “be made whole.”[/private]

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Tuesday, the first African American promoted to the rank of Major with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office died.  Retired Major Arnie Lee Myers, Jr., was 82 years old.

His daughter, Mrs. Adrienne Myers Comache said her father had been on dialysis for the past three years. He had completed his treatment at the center Tuesday, when he suffered a heart attack and did not recover from it.[private]

A native of Haines City, Major Myers attended the public schools of Polk County. He continued his education and earned an AA Degree in Political Science and Administration; a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature; and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

He served several years in the U. S. Army and in later decided to pursue a career in law enforcement. Major Myers joined the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in January 1965. During his tenure, he became the first African American promoted to the rank of Major.

Major Myers received numerous awards and commendations during his 23-year career in law enforcement. He served as President of N.O.B.L.E. of Florida and was the recipient of the “Detective of the Year” Award.

He ended his career with retirement on May 24, 1988, and in his retirement letter to then Sheriff Walter C. Heinrich, Sr., Major Myers wrote, “I’ve enjoyed a law enforcement career in which I accomplished much more than originally expected.”

After retiring, Major Myers became a published author of 4 books; hosted a radio program entitled “The Law And You;” hosted a weekly television series entitled “The Two Way Street” on USF Channel 16; and wrote a column for the Florida Sentinel Bulletin.

Major Myers is survived by Mrs. Marye A. Herrington Myers, his wife of 51 years; 5 children; 16 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; and numerous other family members and friends.

Funeral services for Major Myers took place Monday (today) at 1 p.m., at Mt. Tabor M. B. Church. Stones Memorial Funeral Home was in charge of handling arrangements.[/private]

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

An employee of the security company that works at the Hillsborough County Courthouse has alleged that a former Hillsborough County judge made a racial statement after he was asked to remove his wallet while going through security. The former judge denies that he made the statement.

In a report released by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the incident took place on July 1st. Two of the three people interviewed were G4S Security employees identified as Ms. Marie Leggon and Ms. Lurene Easterly. The third person was Ms. Maria Ramos, an employee of the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office.

All three women identified former Judge and now practicing Attorney Robert H. Bonanno as the person who was allegedly abusive.[private]

Ms. Leggon stated in the report that Ms. Easterly began to wand Attorney Bonanno and asked him to place his wallet in the x-ray machine. She stated he became verbally abusive and made comments like, “stupid low-life … dumb Black lady.”

Ms. Leggon stated that as Attorney Bonanno attempted to leave the building he was asked to wait for law enforcement and refused.

Ms. Easterly stated, “He started calling me names like, ‘stupid dumb Black lady’ and ‘low life.’ I asked him not to call me names. He kept calling me names. I told him I would call a deputy. He said, call them, he didn’t care.”

Ms. Ramos stated, “The man screamed very loudly to Officer Lurene Easterly nasty words, ‘stupid dumb Black lady’ and ‘low life.’”

When contacted by the Sentinel, Attorney Bonanno acknowledged that there was a verbal exchange, but denied making any racial remarks.

“This is a big to do about nothing. When she asked about my wallet I did ask why I had to put it in the tray because I don’t have to do that at the other Courthouse. She said, ‘because I told you to,’ and I admit it rubbed me wrong. But I never called her names, I never said that.

“I said, ‘your attitude is a pain in the a** and I probably shouldn’t have said that. I could have worded it better. I went upstairs dropped off my paperwork and left. I wasn’t in the building no more than 3 or 4 minutes,” Attorney Bonanno said.

He further stated that he never told anyone his name and that he wasn’t aware that a report had been made until he was contacted by the St. Pete Times.

He also said he thought about reporting the woman because of her attitude, but didn’t because he doesn’t like to cause people trouble.[/private]