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HOPE 28th Annual Convention Focuses On Teen Civil Citations; Plans To Address Elderly Care
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
A local community organ- ization that successfully pushed county officials to embrace giving civil citations to youth caught with misde- meanor marijuana posses- sion instead of arresting them, will next tackle elderly care.
More than 20 churches and religious groups that make up the Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality (HOPE) met Monday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church for its 28th annual convention to discuss progress on other issues it has identified at previous gatherings.
After three years of work- ing with public officials – in- cluding Chief Circuit Judge Ronald Ficarrotta and Public Defender Ju- lianne Holt – a pilot pro- gram was launched in August to reduce the arrests of youth caught with small amounts of marijuana.
Initially, Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee de- clined to support the policy, saying civil citations did not help offenders get the serv- ices needed to assist them with their drug problems.
However, HOPE mem- bers did not back down and persisted in lobbying Sher- iff Gee to support the pro- gram. Sheriff Gee eventually reversed his deci- sion.
About 30 youth have re- ceived the citations since the start of the program, Judge Ficarrotta said.
“The numbers look very good,” he said.
Founded in 1988, HOPE’s mission is to improve the quality of life in the county by identifying community is- sues and research solutions, and engage decision-makers in implementing those solu- tions.
Past issues addressed by HOPE include fair hiring, homelessness, public trans- portation, and education re- form.
Looking forward, the body will focus on passing a
CHIEF JUDGE RONALD FICARROTTA
bill that ensures all Florida youth receive equal access to
civil citations.
A bill addressing this
issue was filed during this year’s legislative session, but failed to get a full vote from the House Judiciary Com- mittee.
Republican State Rep. Ross Spano – who is up for re-election – said he will champion the bill if he re- turns to Tallahassee. He faces Attorney Rena Fra- zier in the District 59 race.
Democratic Rep. Darryl Rouson, who won a hotly contested Senate District 19
SHERIFF DAVID GEE
race in August, said he also will support the bill, if elected. He faces Republican John Houman in the Gen-
eral Election Nov. 8th.
“I will be glad...to give
strong support on the bill,” he said.
Other political operatives pledging their support for HOPE causes included Tim Schock, who is a candidate for the County Commission.
Schock said he supports HOPE’s push to get the county to establish a trust fund that would boost afford- able housing for families earning less than $30,000.
“This is not something you can hide from,” he said. “I am committed to address- ing this issue.”
FYI
Bounce-A-Rama Fall Festival
The Bounce-A-Rama Fall Festival will be held on Sun- day, October 30, 2016, 1-6 p. m. at the Bounce Boy Indoor Fun Factory, 5008 E. 10th Ave., Tampa 33619.
The first 200 kids get in free.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-A