Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY TAMECA JOHNSON

Freelance Writer

Syndicated Radio Personality Michael Baisden chose Tampa as one of three Florida cities to debut his new film “Do Women Know What They Want?”   Baisden joined nearly 400 of his loyal listeners at the IMAX Theater in Channelside Saturday night for a private screening.

Baisden says he decided to do the documentary because the topic was long overdue.  “I think it’s a common question.  Do women know what they want?   I think men want to know.  I think a lot of women

are conflicted as to whether or not women know what they want,” he said.

The film explores a number of controversial topics ranging from interracial dating to “open” marriages. Married couples, dating couples, single women and men in the theater found it hard to keep from laughing hysterically or talking back to the movie screen.

Arthur and Belinda Strawder were among them.  The two have been married 38 years and say they found the film “enjoyable, insightful and thought provoking,” but made it clear some matters discussed do not coincide with their personal or spiritual beliefs.  “The issue of open marriages is an absolute no, no,” says Belinda.  Open marriages are marriages where a [/private]husband and wife agree to openly have intimate relations with other people.

Twenty-nine-year-old Maranda Hill is single and feels “the concept is a fair issue to tackle because it’s real.”  However she makes it clear it’s something she would never condone.   Arthur Strawder says the best way to describe the film is “an unscripted reality show.”

Baisden hopes people are challenged by some of the points made by those in the documentary.

“That’s the great thing about a documentary.  It’s not what I think.   It’s me asking the questions and people telling me what they think, which is what I love.  I love challenging people with the question ‘What do you think?’  So, this is the ultimate what do you think about sex?  What do you think about relationships?  What do you think about monogamy?  What do you think about women being challenged in relationships?   This is my way of allowing my listeners to have an audience and to challenge other people with their questions,” Baisden explained.

The film is for mature audiences and is scheduled for DVD release later this year. (Photos by Ishmon Johnson)

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Tonya Viera and Florence Hutchinson were among the crowd at IMAX Saturday night for the Michael Baisden documentary debut.

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Arthur and Belinda Strawder watched the documentary debut.

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James Mathies and Stacy Johnson attended the Baisden documentary on Channelside.

MICHAEL BAISDEN

…Radio Personality[/private]

At 7 a.m. Monday morning, two St. Petersburg Police Officers accompanied a U. S. Deputy Marshal to a residence on 28^th Avenue, South. The U. S. Marshal was trying to find Hydra Lacy, Jr., 37, and arrest him on a warrant for aggravated battery. Law enforcement officials said they had been to the residence on several occasions trying to locate Lacy, and did not expect to find him there Monday.

The officers and the Marshal went to the residence to talk to Lacy’s estranged wife, who indicated to them that he was hiding in the attic of the residence.

Preliminary reports indicate when the law enforcement officials confronted Lacy, gunfire erupted. At some point Lacy was able to get his hands on the handguns of the officers, and reportedly shot them with their own handguns.

It was reported later that the two police officers were killed, and the Marshal is in critical condition.

[private]Officials report that more than 100 shots were fired at the residence.

Lacy was released from prison June 5, 2008 after serving 15 years on several charges, including aggravated battery

On this most recent charge, police said Lacy’s estranged wife contacted police and asked for help, accusing Lacy of domestic violence.

At 2:25 p.m., it was confirmed that SWAT team members had gained access into the house, and they found Lacy dead.

It was not reported how Lacy died or what part of the house he was found in.

Law enforcement officials had tired forcing Lacy out of the house by demolishing parts of it.

Hydra Lacy, Jr. is the brother of former world middleweight champion, Jeff Lacy.[/private]

On Monday, January 24^th, a prominent Florida attorney will launch a trial against the tobacco industry. The case is expected to last three weeks.

The trial will begin at 8:30 a.m., before 13^th Circuit Judge William P. Levens. The law firm representing Leroy Kirkland against the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company is seeking $10 billion in punitive damages.

Attorney Willie Gary, of Gary, Williams, Finney, Lewis, Watson, and Sperando P. L., is representing Kirkland. The firm is joined by partners Donald Watson, Maria Sperando, C. K. Hoffler, and Manny Socias, along with Associate Attorney Victor Swift.

Several years ago, a class action lawsuit against the tobacco companies was heard before the Florida Supreme Court. The court ruled that each plaintiff had the right to file his or her own lawsuit. As a result of that ruling, approximately 8,000 lawsuits have been filed in the courts.

Attorney Gary said, “I’m excited. I’m looking forward to coming to Tampa and getting justice for my client.”

Atty. Gary further stated that as a result of the Supreme Court ruling, his firm is representing about 500 cases against the tobacco industry. Cases against the companies are being tried all over the state and about 30 of those cases have gone to trial.

The lawsuit is seeking in excess of $10 billion in damages, which is in excess of the jurisdictional limits of the court.

The lawsuit states that Leroy Kirkland is a certified member of the earlier lawsuit, Engle vs. Phillip Morris et al, and that his injuries and damages were proximately caused by actions of the defendants as determined by the Engle jury in their verdict on July 7, 1999.

The lawsuit contends that Kirkland was “addicted to, used, purchased, and smoked cigarettes containing nicotine that [private]were designed, manufactured, advertised, and marketed by defendants RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, Lorillard Tobacco Company, Lorillard, Inc., and Phillip Morris, USA, Inc.

“The plaintiff did so in sufficient quantities and for a sufficient time period to cause injury in the form of diseases and medical conditions, which has been determined by Engle jury in its verdict.”

In addition to the diseases linked to tobacco, the lawsuit contends that the defendants placed cigarettes on the market that were defective and unreasonably dangerous; the defendants concealed or omitted material information not otherwise known or available knowing that the material was false or misleading or failed to disclose material facts concerning the health effects or addictive nature of smoking or both.

The lawsuit also contends that the defendants agreed to conceal or omit information regarding the health effects of cigarettes or their addictive nature with the intention that smokers and the public would rely on the information to their detriment.

It further contends that as a result of “conspiracy and fraud perpetrated by each defendant,” Kirkland has suffered cancer of the larynx, esophageal cancer, bodily injury; pain and suffering; disability; disfigurement; loss of capacity for enjoyment of life; medical care and expenses; lost wages, earnings capacity; mental anguish, psychological and psychiatric damages and the aggravation of pre-existing injuries.

Attorney Gary said the lawsuit is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, cost, and interest allowably by law.

The lawsuit was filed in June 27, 2008.

Attorney Gary has tackled and won verdicts against other giant corporations in the past. He won a $240 million jury verdict against the Walt Disney Corporatio9n in a lawsuit that alleged the corporation had stolen ideas to create a sports theme park.

In 2001, the firm was awarded a $139.6 million verdict against the Maris Distributing Company against Anheuser Busch.

In Jackson, Mississippi, the firm won a half billion award against the Loewen Group, a large Canadian funeral home chain.[/private]

BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

After listening to City Attorney Chip Fletcher’s explanation of what a partial ban on panhandling would mean, the Tampa City Council voted 4-3 to move ahead with the ordinance.

The ordinance on a partial ban was the idea of Council Chairman, Thomas Scott, who never accepted the idea of a complete ban.

Council-Chair Scott, along with some of his colleagues, felt a complete ban would hurt non-profit groups and vendors who depend on the money they collect either to help children with medical disabilities, or just to live.

According to the proposed ordinance, a partial ban would involve panhandling being prohibited on certain streets, mostly where the traffic is the heaviest.

Voting no on the proposed ordinance were Councilmen Joe Caetano and Charlie Miranda, and Councilwoman Yvonne Capin.

The ordinance now will move on for a second reading on February 3rd where a public hearing will also be conducted.

Most adamant about a total ban was Councilman Caetano, who initiated the effort for a total ban months ago, citing public safety issues. However, no evidence was ever produced to justify that panhandling represented a public safety issue, other than the arrogance of some panhandlers when they approach a motorist.

Council members Gwen Miller, Mary Mulhern, Curtis Stokes, and Chair Scott all voted in favor of the partial ban.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

After graduating in 1960, a young man enrolled in an institution of higher learning to continue his education. Now, after more than 40 years as a Hillsborough County educator, he has decided to close this chapter of his life.

Hildreth Fleming graduated from Howard W. Blake High School in 1960 and enrolled at Florida A & M University. Four years later, he earned his B. A. Degree in Social Studies.

Fleming returned home and obtained employment with the United States Customs Department. He later followed his heart and joined the Hillsborough County School District.

His first assignment was at Just Elementary School, where he completed his first year. The next year, he was assigned to Franklin Middle Magnet School.

During his 42-year tenure, Fleming has witnessed the school evolve from segregation to integration. Next year, it will evolve again to an all male academy. He is retiring as the Student Intervention Specialist.

During his tenure, Fleming [private]has worked under the supervision of Hillsborough County School District Superintendents and 14 principals.

He shares a belief that the late Rev. Abraham Brown shared with him that remained throughout his career.

“Rev. Brown said, ‘teaching will become more effective when we begin teaching the students and not the mandated programs.’ I believe that because you can’t teach a child advanced Mathematics if he can’t add,” he said.

Of his retirement, Fleming said, “I decided that I have had an excellent career and now is the time. I want to spend more time with my ailing mother. I love kids and I will still be working with my church and with community programs.

“I was able to help kids and I see some of them today who come up to me and say that I have helped them. This was the same concern that was given to me by concerned teachers at Blake High School.

Fleming credits the mentoring programs of the 34th Street Church of God, the George Edgecomb Bar Association, the program of Dr. Pat Hauser, and the implementation of the Golf Program at the school with helping the school reach success.

However, he views success as a two-sided coin. “An All Boys Academy has its benefits, if it is going to remain a true Magnet School such as Young and Williams. But it won’t be successful if it is going to be a magnet school in name only.

“The community has to become involved if Franklin is going to continue to be successful and the school cannot be isolated. It must reach out to the community.”

A member of Beulah I. B. Church, Fleming works with youngsters through the church’s mentoring program as well as with the George Edgecomb Bar Association Mentor Group.

A Tampa native, he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. F. T. (Eunice) Floyd. Fleming is married to Mrs. Queen Mock-Fleming, the father of 5 adult children and grandfather of 7. His hobbies include music, cars, and the Arts.

Fleming will be the guest of honor at a retirement celebration at Franklin Middle Magnet School at 2 p.m., on January 26th.[/private]

Tampa Police Detectives filed a murder charge against a man already in jail for murder. The most recent murder took place in May of last year.

According to Tampa Police, Dontae Morris, 25, was charged in the murder of Rodney Jones, 41, who was shot and killed during an attempted robbery. The shooting took place at the Cotton Club, 2405 W. Albany St., during the early morning hours of May 31, 2010.

According to police, two men approached Jones outside the club and demanded money. Morris is alleged to have shot Jones and fled the scene.

Police reportedly identified Morris through text messages and witness statements. The investigation is continuing in reference to the second suspect.

[private]The latest charge brings the count to five murder charges filed against Morris. He is accused of killing Derek Anderson, 21, on May 18th; and is charged with shooting Harold Wright, 25, on June 8th. Wright’s body was discovered on the side of the road in Palm River.

During the early morning hours of June 29th, Morris is said to have shot and killed Tampa Police Officer Jeffrey Kocab and Officer David Curtis, both 31, at the intersection of N. 50th Street and E. 23rd Avenue.

Officer Curtis had reportedly stopped the vehicle in which Ms. Cortnee Brantley was driving because the license plate was not visible. Morris was a passenger in her car.

When police attempted to arrest Morris on an outstanding warrant, he is said to have shot both officers at close range and fled the scene on foot.

He surrendered to police on July 2nd after a massive, nationwide manhunt. He is currently being held at the Hillsborough County Jail without bond.[/private]

BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

For more than two years, Ernest Coney, Jr., Chief Operating Officer for the CDC of Tampa, has talked to businesses in the area in an effort to create a system where jobs could be created.

It was announced last Thursday that an on-the-job training program has been developed.

The program will hire 20 East Tampa residents in permanent positions at Enviro Focus Technologies, a battery recycling center on Broadway and 66^th Street

East Tampa Development Manager, Ed Johnson, said the formal agreement and a request for funding will be prepared and submitted to the CRA board for approval at their February 10^th meeting.

“The agreement will be between the CDC of Tampa and Enviro Focus. All of the technical language is being worked out now, and if everything follows schedule and the CRA board approves the agreement, the program should start in March.”

Johnson said a series of job fairs will be held and the 20 applicants will be selected form that process.

The East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership will use $36,000 ($1,800 per hiree) of Tax Increment Finance (TIF) dollars to prepare the applicants for the process.

ETCRP Chairperson, Evangeline Best, said 20 jobs are on the table for now, but their plan is to let the process continue and more jobs be added in the future.

[private]“The success of the first group will depend on whether more will be added later. Councilman Scott has gone on record as saying he wants to see more companies get involved in this process and make even more jobs available.

“The motto for the project will be, ‘Jobs On The Way Through The CRA.’ East Tampa is developing the model that we’re sure other CRAs will be picking up on.”

Ms. Best said in her opinion, Coney deserves all the credit for making this possible.

“He just never quit or took no for an answer. He kept going back when doors were closed in his face, and kept calling when calls weren’t being returned. It was his persistence that made this possible.”

The responsibility of the CDC will be job fair/recruitment, applicant processing, orientation workshop, “Steppin’ Stones”: Weeklong training, and 9-months of tracking applicants.

The employer responsibilities will be to participate in recruitment and interviewing, hire applicants, provide training in safety, forklift certification, lead certification, and 90-day OJT: skill specific, and retention (work with CDC tracking and supporting applicant).

Each hiree will be paid $1,200 in 3 installments at 90 days, 6 months, and 9 months. The CDC will provide $600 per hiree after services have been provided by the employer.[/private]

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

On Friday, the District Court of Appeal of Florida Second District, issued a ruling in the case of a former Tampa Police Captain who was forced into retirement after he announced his bid for the Mayor’s Office. The Second District Court reversed the decision of a lower trial court.

The court wrote in the opinion, “Marion S. Lewis appeals the final summary judgment entered in favor of the City of Tampa by which the trial court concluded that by his qualifying as a candidate to run for mayor of Tampa, he automatically had resigned his position as a captain in the City of Tampa Police Department, We Reverse.”

The battle between Marion Lewis and the City of Tampa began when he qualified to run for Mayor in January 2007. Lewis said he had conferred with the State Elections Office on the “Resign To Run” law. That office determined that he was not required to resign his position.

However, the City of Tampa took the position that he was required to resign, stating that once he filed the Oath of Candidate form.

Lewis contended that after filing for the office, he was forced into retirement. In his first lower court appearance, the judge ruled in favor of Lewis. However, the city filed an appeal and the trial court [private]entered a partial summary judgment in favor of the City. The trial court also denied Lewis’s motion for summary judgment on an amended counterpetition.

The Justices also wrote, “We conclude that the trial court erred in entering the final judgment that determined Lewis automatically resigned from his employment by filing his Oath of Candidate form. We therefore reverse the final judgment and remand with instructions that the trial court enter a final judgment on the City’s complaint consistent with this opinion and consider the remaining allegations of Lewis’s counterpetition.”

A Tampa native, Lewis was a Tampa Police officer for 27 years.

Earlier this month, Lewis withdrew his name as a candidate for the Mayor’s Office, stating that he could not devote his full attention and energy to the campaign because he was waiting on a decision from the Second District Court of Appeals.

When contacted by the Sentinel on Friday, Lewis said his attorney notified him of the court’s decision.[/private]

Tampa Police are investigating a reported rape at a local high school.

On Thursday at 1:46 p. m., the mother of a Jefferson High School student reported a sexual battery of her daughter to the School Resource Officer. The officer and a Sex Crimes Detective interviewed the 17-year-old victim. Detectives are working to determine if there are any witnesses.

The suspects in the reported rape are two Black male students. The school is  working closely with detectives on the investigation, and anyone with information is urged to call police at (813) 231-6130.