Page 24 - Florida Sentinel 7-22-16 Online Edition

Polk County News
Stepping Into The Call
MIN. JIMMY DOWNING, JR.
On Sunday, June 26th, a host of family members and friends congregated at Greater New Jerusalem Bap- tist Church, Reverend Dr. J. L. Downing, Sr., Pastor, to witness The Initial Ser- mon of Deacon Jimmy Downing, Jr. The theme of the afternoon service was ‘Here Am I, Send Me,’ taken from Isaiah 6:8.
Congratulations, Minis- ter Downing!
New Polk County Schools Administrators Appointed
During the Polk County School Boards June 28th meeting, the Board approved appointments made by Su- perintendent Jacqueline Byrd. Congratulations to the new Polk County Public Schools Administrators!!!
They are: Cynthia Can- gelose, Principal – Mul- berry Middle School; Russ Donnelly, Principal – Ridge Community High School; Lacy Emmerling, Assis- tant Principal – George Jenkins High School; Dorothy Ewing, Assistant Principal – Sikes Elementary School.
Tracey Flowers, Assis- tant Principal – Phillip O’Brien Elementary School; Kerry Foster, Assistant Principal – Southwest Ele- mentary School; Gregory Lewis, Assistant Principal – Ridge Community High
School; Gale MacLeod, As- sistant Principal – Medulla Elementary School; Talley Miller, Assistant Principal – Crystal Lake Middle School; Heidi Morgan, Principal – Lena Vista Elementary School; Ismael Portillo, Assistant Principal – Auburndale High School.
Diane Rosebrough, Principal – Snively Elemen- tary School; Joy Scott, As- sistant Principal – Ben Hill Griffin Elementary School; David Denbow, Director of Accounting; and Marc Hutek, Assistant Superin- tendent of Career/Techni- cal/Adult/Multiple Pathway.
Congratulations to our new school administrators!
Happy Birthday!
Shaw-Nuf Talk extends a wish for a very special HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to the brother of Yours Truly, George London, Sr. of Lakeland, as he celebrates another birthday on July 28th; and to Sapharia Grace Dickerson, cele- brating her special day on July 30th.
Shaw-Nuf recognizes The Honorable Presi-
dent Barack Obama as he celebrates another birthday on August 4th.
Shaw-Nuf Talk also ex- tends wishes for a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to: Naquaisha Coward (Aug. 1st); Minister Anthony Landers, Deacon Leon Williams, Yvette Lan- ders and Diane Dukes (Aug. 2); Elder Harvey Lawrence and Dexter Phillips (Aug. 3rd). May the Lord continue to bless each of you with many, many more years of life!
Happy Anniversary!
Shaw-Nuf Talk extends a belated ‘HAPPY ANNIVER- SARY!’ wish to Oscar and Arlalia Wesley of Lake- land. The Wesleys cele- brated their 17th wedding anniversary on July 9th. May the Lord continue to bless this union with many more years of love and happiness.
When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
Lightning is the second greatest cause of storm-re- lated deaths in the U. S. and inflicts life-long debilitating
injuries on many more. Go inside if you hear thunder, but keep away from corded telephones, electrical appli- ances, and plumbing. If you can’t get inside a substantial place, the second safest place is inside a vehicle with a metal roof and metal sides. Learn more at www.light- ningsafety.noaa.gov.
Shaw-Nuf Shout-Out!
This week Shaw-Nuf Talk gives a SHAW-NUF SHOUT-OUT!!! to Debra S. Wright as she moves for- ward in her pursuit to fill the seat of Florida State Senate, District 22.
Talk To Shaw-Nuf
Shaw-Nuf Talk wants to hear from you. Share news and/or photos of your celebrations, special events, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, family reunions, etc., with the readership of The Florida Sentinel Bulletin with Shaw-Nuf Talk by sending an e-mail to: shawnuftalk@yahoo.com or calling (863) 513-8437. Shaw-Nuf Talk will share your exciting news with the readership!
Citizen’s Guide
To Polk County Finance Report
Available
Polk County officials have updated information on the county’s financial state and it is now available in the latest Popular Annual Finan- cial Report. The report was prepared by Ms. Stacy But- terfield, Polk County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller.
The report contains infor- mation for the fiscal year that ended on September 30, 2015.
The report includes finan- cial information for the Board of County Commissioners and the five local Constitu- tional offices --- the Sheriff’s Office, the Property Ap- praiser, Clerk & Comptroller, Supervisor of Elections, and the Tax Collector. It is de- signed to provide citizens with a brief analysis of where County revenues come from and how these dollars are managed.
Financial highlights for fiscal year 2014-2015 include: Property tax rev- enues increased by $10.3 mil- lion, or 6 percent, the second consecutive year increase; Governmental activities rev-
enues increased by $16.6 mil- lion, or 3.3 percent; Govern- mental activities expenses decreased by $15.6 million, or 2.8 percent; the County’s budget totaled $1.27 billion in 2015, an increase of 0.6 per- cent; and Investments made by the Clerk & Comptroller generated $9.4 million in in- vestment earnings.
Ms. Butterfield said, “As the Clerk & Comptroller, I’m committed to increasing accountability and trans- parency in County govern- ment. I remain committed to reviewing our County’s fi- nances each year and report- ing the impacts to the community through this re- port so that residents know how their tax dollars were managed and spent.”
Anyone wishing to obtain more information about the report can access it online or request a printed copy by call- ing (863) 534-4000. The re- port is available online under the “financial reporting” sec- tion at www.polkcounty- clerk.net.
Prayer For Our Nation !!!
On Thursday, July 14th - A Night of Prayer was held at Burkett Chapel Primitive Baptist Church in Bartow. There was music and prayer for: Polk County, our Nation, local leaders, law enforcement officers, sick and shut-in, educational leaders, global tragedies and prayer for our youth.
Joyce Bentley invited Polk County community leaders who participated in this event which included: Jacqueline Bates, Dr. Shandale Terrell, Master Ernest Young, Chief Joe Hall, Kay Fields, Faye Alexander, Evangelist Jeanette Green, Elder Marcus D. Floyd and Princess Milania Floyd and Randy Warren.
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