BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
Five years ago, Mrs. Tonja Brickhouse assumed the duties of Director of the City of Tampa’s Solid Waste Department. On Friday, she submitted her letter of resignation, effective immediately.
While her resignation may seem abrupt to the public, Mrs. Brickhouse said the decision did not come without much prayer and thought. “I prayed on this and gave serious thought to my decision for about the last 6 months. But, when God says ‘it’s time,’ you move.
“I have worked in public service first in the Air Force for 26 years and then here for 5 years. It is time for me to work in other areas and use some of the gifts and talents that God has given me,” she said.
Mrs. Brickhouse said the Trayvon Martin issue had an affect on her decision as well. “We read about all of the murders and crimes, but if our people are not economically empowered, nothing changes. People need to use the gifts and talents that God has given them to try to break the cycle.”
During her tenure with the City of Tampa, Mrs. Brickhouse is proud of the things she has accomplished in the position. She points to the number of Solid Waste employees who are currently enrolled in college; the improvement of services, the positive changes in orders and standards, and the business transformation, to name a few.
“I’m really proud of being able to empower my employees. Many of them have returned to school and are doing positive things. It is encouraging to know that.”
A native of Virginia, Mrs. Brickhouse graduated from the University of Virginia, as an Economics and Psychology major. She then became a member of the U. S. Air Force, where she remained for the next 25 years.
Mrs. Brickhouse earned her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Troy State University, and retired from the military in 2007. The family decided to make Tampa their home.
Her future plans include returning to school to obtain her doctorate degree in Economics and Psychology. Mrs. Brickhouse she has not decided on which institution of higher learning she will attend, but she is weighing her options. She does know that she will begin classes in 2014.
She also plans to continue her work with the Alpha House of Tampa.
Mrs. Brickhouse is married to Raymond Brickhouse, Sr. They are the parents of Raymond, Jr., and Ashley.
