Florida Sentinel Bulletin

The Sentinel Editorial Board met with 28 of the 31+ candidates running for Mayor and City Council. Every seat on City Council is up for grabs, as well as the changing of the guard in the Mayor’s office.  This is by no means time for anyone in our community to stay home and not vote.

We have an opportunity to elect our first African American mayor, as well as 2 African Americans on City Council. Low aim, not failure is the crime, so whether you  agree with our choices or not, please vote. The issues of history demand we decide what is best for ourselves and our families.

Mayor
Thomas Scott
If not now, WHEN?

Everyone on the Sentinel Editorial Board, like most Black people in Tampa, have been in the trenches, at church, or on the other side of the aisle with these candidates  at some time or another.  However, we feel  Rev. Thomas Scott is the only person we can pick for the March 1st election. After meeting with all of the candidates for Mayor, some of the experiences were quite surprising, especially since this office is so important.

Thomas Scott has done more for Blacks in this town, than any of his opponents put together.  And this is why we feel he is ready…because he has served us with dignity and great ability.

Thomas Scott has been at the ‘table politics’ for the last 14 years, consistently.  The only other candidate that has been an active participant is Rose Ferlita. No, he does not bull you over with affection, or kisses everyone he sees , but he has been at the table when major decisions have been made, and has not been afraid to speak up on our behalf.

East Tampa has a CRA, because of Thomas Scott. He has been in the forefront and behind the scenes on many issues. He is a pastor and businessman, both attributes needed to be a good leader.  If not now, WHEN, will an African American be good enough, liked enough, respected enough to be Mayor of the City of Tampa?  This is our question?  What is your answer.  Vote for Thomas Scott.

City Council District 1 (Citywide)
Curtis Stokes
This seat was held by retiring Council person, Gwen Miller. Curtis Stokes jumped into the race after serving as an interim Councilman. Stokes is articulate, well rounded and is willing to serve all of the people.  He has served on numerous boards, and as the president of the NAACP. He is qualified and deserves our support.

City Council District 2 (Citywide)
Mary Mulhern
Well, Mary Mulhern has supported our community on most issues, but has disappointed us on one in particular. However, she is a person who feels strongly about communities as a whole, and  will change her stance if she is convinced that her position is not what’s best for that neighborhood.

City Council District 3 (Citywide)
Michael Ciftci
This very crowded race gave the Board a challenge.  The candidates for this seat went from the VERY CONSERVATIVE to the very moderate. We were impressed by Dr. Jason Wilson and Michael Citifci. Although City Council is not about Democrats or Republicans, it is obvious which side of the fence these candidates are on. After much discussion we liked Michael Ciftci, best. He is young, energetic and excited about the possibilities of serving our communities. Young people are our future, and we feel he would serve us well.

City Council District 4
Harry Cohen
This is the old seat held by John Dingfelder, and represents the South Tampa, Port Tampa, and MacDill area. Harry Cohen stood out among this very packed race. Adamant about serving his own district as well as the entire community. His vision and experience in politics will keep the Council on top of people issues.

City Council District 5
Frank Reddick
District 5  has has had an African American on the Council since single member districts were formed. However, this could change if we don’t go vote.  Frank Reddick served as the  an interim City Councilman before challenging Thomas Scott for the seat. Reddick has been a community activist and leader for a long time and gets along well with others. He will do what is needed within our community.

City Council District 6
Kelly Benjamin
In spite of attempts to discredit this young man, Kelly Benjamin is a young man who has had many of the same experiences young people in our community have faced. He has vision and energy. He’s running against Charlie Miranda who has not supported the African Americans in his district.  Mr. Miranda did not meet with our Board this time.

District 7
Lisa Montelione
Lisa Montelione is a businesswoman, a volunteer and has  a lot of good ideas that would help change things in city government. Dean Hale nor Charles Perkins could be reached to interview with our Board, so it leads us to wonder how responsive would they be to their constituents.  Joe Caetano who presently holds this seat seemed out of touch and tunnel visioned.

Last week, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, released a much-anticipated report on an investigation concerning the county government. The report stated there was no criminal wrongdoing and they would not seek prosecution against two top-level officials.

However, earlier this week, Commissioner Kevin Beckner, who initiated the original investigation, Commissioner Beckner acted alone to seek criminal charges although other commissioners felt it was more of a policy violation.

In a telephone interview, Commissioner Beckner said, “There are issues throughout the report concerning administrative procedures and behavior that I think need to be addressed to close out this issue.

“There are many facts that are so glaring that not to discuss them would be negligent on my part as an elected official.”

Commissioner Beckner further stated that a copy of the 250-page FDLE report has been provided to all of the commissioners and he wants them to review the facts and, “Determine if any administrative wrongdoing has taken place. And what if any actions should be taken. That would be the discussion of the board.”

The discussion has not been placed on the Commissioners’ agenda yet. When asked if any further action would be considered double jeopardy, Commissioner Beckner stated that both employees were placed on paid leave and that would be another issue that the board would discuss. However, Ms. Bean’s employment still needs to be closed out.

“It’s not anything personal or race-based, but I have to consider my responsibility as an elected official,” he said.

Last March, Hillsborough County Commissioner Beckner requested the FDLE conduct an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing. Administrator Pat Bean and County Attorney Renee Lee were the primary targets of the investigation.

The status of raises without the approval of the board, that Ms. Bean and Attorney Lee received were brought into question. Both women repaid the funds after it became an issue. They were also accused of reading e-mails linked to the investigation.

Last Friday, the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office released the findings of that probe. The investigation revealed no wrongdoing. Both FDLE and the State Attorney’s Office had conducted independent investigations.

The report stated that although questionable judgement was used pertaining to the raises, no criminal acts had been committed.

On March 23, 2010, the Commissioners voted to suspend both Attorney Lee and Administrator Bean with pay pending outcome of the investigation. In June, as the end of the 90-day suspension drew near, the board voted 6-1 to fire Administrator Bean, and 5-2 (with Beckner and Sharpe voting no) to allow Attorney Lee to return to work.

When Richedean Hills-Ackbar founded Caregivers’ Helping Hand 10 years ago, her idea as to create an adult day care facility.

“I also wanted young people to do volunteer work at the facility. My vision was for the youth to be mentored and educated by the seniors as they provided aid for them.”

Ms. Hills-Ackbar said she later decided to provide services to all seniors at no cost where they live, instead of creating a day care facility.

“We perform an array of services for seniors, like making sure their yards get cut, and cleaning up their yards. We try to prevent them from dealing with the city’s Code Enforcement investigators, because they feel threatened that they could lose their homes if they don’t comply.”

“We’ve also found out that it’s important to do follow up visits with the seniors to make sure they have continuous service.”

Ms. Hills-Ackbar said among their volunteers are youth from area high schools and from the Department of Juvenile Justice.

“We also partner with the University of South Florida to do some repairs and painting to the homes of seniors.”

Ms. Hills-Ackbar said they are currently looking at eight houses, four of them in the Highland Pines area.

“I’m proud to announce we will be hosting an event on Saturday, February 26th with actor Danny Glover. The event will be a breakfast held at the Blues Ship/Good Luck Cafe in Ybor City. Breakfast will be served from 8 a. m. until 10 a. m. and the event is free.”

On Wednesday, the Board of County Commissioners voted 5-2 to approval an interlocal agreement with the Childrenís Board of Hillsborough County in the amount of $148,117 for the contractual services of Donald L. Dixon.

Dixon is to serve as the Children’s Services Division Director of Family and Aging Services.

Dixon won’t have hiring and firing power and is not a county employee. Commissioner Kevin Beckner said he feels having outside eyes looking into Children’s Services is a great idea.

“However, I want it understood that the Children’s Board is loaning us Dixon’s services. I think hiring them as an independent contractor would have been a better idea.”

County Attorney, Renee Lee, said the decision to take this action was because of the expertise Dixon has shown in performing his tasks.

“This is much like a consultants contract.”

One of two commissioners who voted against the contract, Les Miller, said he felt there was work that needed to be done on the contract.

“There are some holes in it. I think there are problems with it, especially how it’s structured.”

Attorney Lee said an option would have been to contract directly with the Children’s Board and take out direct references to Dixon.

“We could allow the Children’s Board to appoint who they want.”

The second dissenting vote came from Commissioner Victor Crist, who also said he wasn’t happy with the way the contract was structured.

Thanks to a curious dispatcher in Ohio, the identity of a man killed 12 years ago has been revealed.

Chad E. Griffith was killed on November 9, 1998 during a robbery involving cocaine at 9508 North 13th Street. Police said he was shot in the back of the head.

At the time of the murder, Griffith was known as John Doe until last Friday. Griffith, then 20, was from Marion, Ohio.

Samuel Hewitt, then 14, was convicted in the killing. Robert Hewitt, then 16, was convicted of tampering with evidence.

Samuel Hewitt

Robert Hewitt

Griffith’s mother reported him missing two years after his death and again in 2006.

The Ohio dispatcher was viewing a missing persons database. And found descriptions that pointed to Griffith, including a heart tattoo on his left hand. He gave the information to police.

Hillsborough County Medical Examiners determined that fingerprints from Marion, Ohio matched those on file in Tampa of the John Doe.

Griffith’s mother, Brenda Bautista, now living in Winter Haven, Florida, was called and told about the fate of her son.

Authorities said it is not clear why Griffith was in Tampa. It was initially speculated that he may have come to Florida to be close his mother.

Last March, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conduct an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing. Targets of the probe included then County Administrator Pat Bean and County Attorney Renee Lee.

The status of raises without the approval of the board, that Ms. Bean and Attorney Lee received were brought into question. Both repaid the funds. They were also accused of reading e-mails linked to the investigation.

On Friday, the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office released the findings of that probe. The investigation revealed no wrongdoing by the targets of the investigation. Both FDLE and the State Attorney’s Office had conducted investigations.

A 66-year-old man was arrested last Friday and charged with 14 counts of child pornography. The arrest followed the execution of a search warrant at his residence.

According to police, Lovell Stephens, 2025 E. New Orleans Avenue, admitted to downloading files depicting child pornography from the Internet after it was discovered during the execution of a search warrant. The initial scan of his computer reported revealed 14 images, files, and videos of children engaged in sexual acts, ranging from 1-year-old to 13-years-old.

Stephens was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, where he is being held under a $105,000 bond.

In recognition of Black History Month, the Tampa Chapter of a national organization is offering free mammograms. This is the third year the organization has celebrated Black History Month by offering the health screening.

Mrs. Sonia Franklin, president of the Tampa Bay Chapter of Sisters Network, Inc., said the mammograms are being offered through a partnership with Towers Imaging Center.

Mrs. Franklin further stated that the mammograms are for women who are 40 years old and up and who do not have medical insurance to cover mammograms.

On Saturday, February 19th, 7 p.m., playwright Ms. Talitha Anyabwele will present her creation of ‘Black Girl Speaks: A Three-Part Harmony’ at the University of South Florida, Theater 1, 3837 Holly Dr., Tampa. This is the debut for the production to a Tampa audience by the Tampa native.

‘Black Girl Speaks‘ delivers a series of powerful monologues and spoken word told through the eyes and spirit of a Black woman. It has received rave reviews from performing art enthusiasts, educators and the public. The monologues cover the time period from slavery to the present day.