Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 12-1-15 Edition

Local
West Tampa Community Demands Promises Made By City Be Kept
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
With at least 8 community groups and countless indi- viduals all taking a stand on the future of West Tampa, one activist looks back on promises that were made to residents in West Tampa that weren’t kept.
“I can recall a project that was supposed to replace all of the wooden telephone poles along Main Street with modern poles, and also his- toric street lights and trash containers were supposed to adorn Main Street from North Boulevard to Howard
Avenue.
“For more than a decade,
I’ve asked what happened to those projects, and I’ve gone ignored,” said Dwight Bolden.
“All I’ve ever wanted was to see the community and the people get what they de- serve. It’s a shame when you see other areas not just get- ting what they asked for, but things they never dreamed about.”
Bolden said he’s particu- larly concerned about the in- terest an Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, has on the Tampa Housing Authority.
DWIGHT BOLDEN
“He’s launched a couple of inquiries about that organi- zation, and I am interested to know how they will turn out.
“West Tampa desperately needs to be developed, but not to bring outsiders in, but for the people who have called the community home for generations.
“When I hear that there are plans to put a major gro- cery store on the corner of Main Street and Rome Av- enue, the writing is on the wall as far as who that store is expected to serve. Cer- tainly, not the current popu- lation in that area.”
Bolden said he will con- tinue to be outspoken when it comes to the interests of the residents of West Tampa.
“We want inclusion on everything going on around here. It’s not fair to have all of these outsiders come in, push us out, and redevelop the area without any jobs being generated for the men and women who call West Tampa home.
“If I’m to be judged be- cause of the love I have for West Tampa, then let it come. I’m going to continue to speak out about what I feel are injustices being per- petrated on the residents.”
Realtor Graduates First Real Estate Pre-Licensing Class
Members of the first graduating class of Thompson Real Estate Institute are left to right: Adalgitza Santos, Bonita Newell, Kenyatte God- high-Bell, Sherryl Cusseaux, Yolanda Anthony, David Mann, Ms. Ann Thompson, founder, Carrie Nathan, Sylvia Fleming, Nina Fleming, Ivette Colon and Daneyree Ramos. Shown on the second row are from left to right: James Black, Lillian Poinquette, Angela Walker, Jimmy Aldridge, Artie Rosebury, Richard Clebert, and Allanah Cusseaux.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Thirty years ago, Ms. Ann Thompson decided to seek a career in real estate. Once this decision was made, she has worked dili- gently to learn all that she could about the business. Once she was satisfied with the experience she had gained, she decided to share her knowledge with others wanting to enter the field.
In October, Ms. Thomp- son announced the forma- tion of Thompson Real Estate Institute, LLC. The Institute offers training classes in pre-licensure, post-licensure, new agent training and continuing ed-
ucation.
Ms. Thompson said the
class quickly filled with en- trepreneurs. The enrollees included individuals ranging from property management firms, to healthcare, educa- tion, business, corporate ex- ecutives, and even representatives from the military.
Ms. Thompson was as- sisted by Ms. Bonita Newell, Director of Opera- tions, Ms. Kenyette God- high-Bell, and Ms. Carrie Nathan, both realtors. Her motto is: -“To Reach, Teach, and Empower Others to Achieve a Successful Career in Real Estate.”
“We are so proud of our students and the fact that
the passing ratio was phe- nomenal. Their next step is the Florida State Real Estate Exam, and upon completion, they will all become Li- censed Real Estate Associ- ates.”
Several of the students have worked in property management. More than two dozen individuals par- ticipated in the inaugural class.
Ms. Thompson further said, one of the many bene- fits of entering the real estate arena, allows an individual a wide array of choices and fields to enter, whether fo- cusing on residential homes to office buildings.
Some members of the graduating class shared the
following comments:
Ms. Sylvia Fleming
said, “I got a phone call from my mother, Ms. Nina Fleming, telling me she saw an ad in the Florida Sentinel about real estate classes, and I should attend. I immediately jumped on the opportunity to enroll be- cause I wanted a change of direction in my care.”
Artie Rosebury said, “As a remodeler, I’ve been working with investors and developers for years, and took the class to gain a better understanding of real estate and investment side of the business. “
Ms. Adalgitza Santos
said, “After being in property management for five years, I
felt becoming a licensed real estate agent was the next ob- vious step to take.”
Ms. Yolanda Anthony
stated, “I took the class to learn more about the Real Estate world. I expect to go into Commercial Real Es- tate.”
Ms. Allanah Cusseaux
said, “The instructor and course was an exhilarating learning experience. I am ex- tremely satisfied with my progress. I definitely believe I will pass my state board exam with flying colors. The knowledge gained has me ready to conquer the real es- tate market and the confi- dence to believe I will be a millionaire broker in no time.”
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