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\u2019s office.\u00a0 This is by no means time for anyone in our community to stay home and not vote.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0 agree with our choices or not, please vote. The issues of history demand we decide what is best for ourselves and our families.<\/p>\n
Mayor<\/span> 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\u00a0 at some time or another.\u00a0 However, we feel\u00a0 Rev. Thomas Scott<\/strong> 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<\/strong> has done more for Blacks in this town, than any of his opponents put together.\u00a0 And this is why we feel he is ready\u2026because he has served us with dignity and great ability.<\/p>\n Thomas Scott <\/strong>has been at the \u2018table politics\u2019 for the last 14 years, consistently.\u00a0 The only other candidate that has been an active participant is Rose Ferlita<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n East Tampa has a CRA, because of Thomas Scott<\/strong>. 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.\u00a0 If not now, WHEN, will an African American be good enough, liked enough, respected enough to be Mayor of the City of Tampa?\u00a0 This is our question?\u00a0 What is your answer.\u00a0 Vote for Thomas Scott<\/strong>.<\/p>\n City Council District 1 (Citywide)<\/span> City Council District 2 (Citywide)<\/span> City Council District 3 (Citywide)<\/span> City Council District 4 <\/span> City Council District 5<\/span> City Council District 6<\/span> District 7<\/span> 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\u2019s office.\u00a0 This is by no means time for anyone in our community to stay home and not vote. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":210,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3710","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-local-news","pmpro-has-access"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/210"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3710"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3710\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3710"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3710"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nThomas Scott<\/strong>
\nIf not now, WHEN?<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nCurtis Stokes<\/strong>
\nThis seat was held by retiring Council person, Gwen Miller<\/strong>. Curtis Stokes<\/strong> jumped into the race after serving as an interim Councilman. Stokes<\/strong> is articulate, well rounded and is willing to serve all of the people.\u00a0 He has served on numerous boards, and as the president of the NAACP. He is qualified and deserves our support.<\/p>\n
\nMary Mulhern<\/strong>
\nWell, Mary Mulhern<\/strong> 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\u00a0 will change her stance if she is convinced that her position is not what\u2019s best for that neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\nMichael Ciftci <\/strong>
\nThis very crowded race gave the Board a challenge.\u00a0 The candidates for this seat went from the VERY CONSERVATIVE to the very moderate. We were impressed by Dr. Jason Wilson<\/strong> and Michael Citifci<\/strong>. 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<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n
\nHarry Cohen<\/strong>
\nThis is the old seat held by John Dingfelder<\/strong>, and represents the South Tampa, Port Tampa, and MacDill area. Harry Cohen<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n
\nFrank Reddick<\/strong>
\nDistrict 5\u00a0 has has had an African American on the Council since single member districts were formed. However, this could change if we don\u2019t go vote.\u00a0 Frank Reddick <\/strong>served as the\u00a0 an interim City Councilman before challenging Thomas Scott<\/strong> for the seat. Reddick<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n
\nKelly Benjamin<\/strong>
\nIn spite of attempts to discredit this young man, Kelly Benjamin<\/strong> 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\u2019s running against Charlie Miranda<\/strong> who has not supported the African Americans in his district.\u00a0 Mr. Miranda<\/strong> did not meet with our Board this time.<\/p>\n
\nLisa Montelione <\/strong>
\nLisa Montelione<\/strong> is a businesswoman, a volunteer and has\u00a0 a lot of good ideas that would help change things in city government. Dean Hale<\/strong> nor Charles Perkins<\/strong> could be reached to interview with our Board, so it leads us to wonder how responsive would they be to their constituents.\u00a0 Joe Caetano<\/strong> who presently holds this seat seemed out of touch and tunnel visioned.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"