BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer
A West Tampa community activist group, Occupy Tampa, West Tampa business owners, and residents will join forces on Saturday, March 17th for a Community Support Rally.
The rally is being held to gain community support and in-put into plans for the redevelopment of West Tampa and the future of the North Boulevard Homes Public Housing Complex.
Scheduled to speak at the rally are Rev. Charles McKenzie (pictured), President of the Tampa Rainbow Coalition; Dr. Carolyn Collins, President Tampa NAACP; Dwight Bolden, Community Activist; Ashley Midkiff, Southern Poverty Law Center, and Tatiana Denson.
Dr. Collins said she will be addressing the issues of civil and voting rights at the rally. “I am aware of the situation involving the North Boulevard Homes, but I haven’t had the opportunity to talking directly to anyone with the Tampa Housing Authority. Whatever the plans are, we have a representative working with housing that will keep us informed.
“Anytime you talk about displacing people, you also change the voting power o that community. Once people are displaced you destroy that commonality. It’s important to get people registered to vote in that area, but after they are dispersed, it changes the dynamics.”
Dr. Collins said she grew up in the North Boulevard Homes Complex and admits they have changed.
“I see the complex as a very solid structure, and I do see where some modifications can be made to maintain those buildings north of Main Street. We need to have some kind of community forums to find out exactly what the intent is for the redevelopment of West Tampa.
“The time has come for us to build West Tampa the same as East Tampa without tearing everything down.”
As far as realtor Ed Turanchik is concerned, Dr. Collins said his intent does not reflect or respect the interests of the people of West Tampa.
“Ed Turanchik does not live in West Tampa, and has shown from the past through his involvement with Civitas what his interest is in the area. It’s all about business and we must unite as a community for the future of West Tampa.”
Dr. Collins said the voting population of West Tampa needs to be looked at, and they need to know what the voting age population is in public housing.
The rally will be held in the parking lot just east of the ZanziBar Lounge, and will feature entertainment by DJ Pun, Soultry and Floyd Joy. The rally will begin at 11 a. m.
Tampa Housing Authority spokesperson, Lillian Stringer, said they will not be participating in the rally, and had no knowledge their logo had been used on flyers announcing the rally.
