Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 8-24-18

Features
Two ‘Souls To The Polls’ Initiatives Planned
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Sunday, August 26th, members of the community are asked to participate in the “Souls To The Polls” vot- ing initiative. This year, spe- cial emphasis is being placed on two voting locations that have had low turnouts during Early Voting.
This event is designed to
encourage citizens to cast
their ballots for the Primary
Election. Sunday is the
last day to participate in
Early Voting. The Pri-
mary Election will take
place on Tuesday, August 28th.
On Tuesday, voters must cast ballots at their assigned poll locations.
One of the locations is in East Tampa and the other in West Tampa.
As of Tuesday night, only 787 people had voted at the Cyrus Greene Commu- nity Center, 2101 E. Dr. M. L. King, Jr., Blvd. This loca- tion was chosen to replace the C. Blythe Andrews, Jr., Public Library, Tampa, 33610, which is under con- struction.
The West Tampa Branch Public Library, 2312 W. Union Street, Tampa, 33607 is an estab- lished Early Voting location. As of Tuesday, 687 people had voted at that location.
Ms. Yvette Lewis, Pres-
BISHOP THOMAS SCOTT Pastor of 34th Street Church Of God
ident of the Hillsborough County Branch NAACP said, “I am calling on all pastors, bishops, ministers, and rev- erends. This is a desperate cry for you to save your com- munity. Please take your con- gregations to vote.
“If your community is not thriving, then your church is not going to grow because your congregation is the community. This election is very important. People think the Presidential Election is more important, but it is not.
“This is the election that determines who will be mak- ing decisions that will affect you and your community,” she said.
Rev. Dr. Thomas Scott, pastor of 34th Street Church of God said, “The “Souls To The Polls” initi- ate has been very successful
MS. YVETTE LEWIS President, Hillsborough County Branch NAACP
in the past. We are trying to increase the number of peo- ple who are voting.
“We will choose a gover- nor in this election and there are several African American candidates in the race as well. We need people in the com- munity to go out and vote.”
Several organizations in- cluding the National Coali- tion of 100 Black Men, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, churches, sororities, fraternities, and other organizations will par- ticipate.
The “Souls To The Polls” initiative will take place from 12 noon until 6 p.m. There will also be free food and gospel music.
For more information contact Ms. Lewis at (813) 505-9120.
Major Is New To The Position, Not The Community
Growing up in South Tampa, Major Calvin Johnson had very little in- teraction with law enforce- ment. “I was more afraid of my father than the police,” he recalls.
However, he knew at an early age that he wanted to make a difference in the com- munity in which he was raised. Since that time, Major Johnson has been successful in accomplishing his goal.
He joined the Tampa Po- lice Department in 1999 and rose through the ranks. Last week, he was promoted to the rank of Major. Of his promo- tion he said, “I was very happy to learn that I was being promoted. It makes me happy to know that the Chief and staff sees something in you and put you in Com- mand.”
Major Johnson will re- main in District III, where he has established a positive rap- port with the residents.
“I try and focus on bridg- ing the gap between the com- munity and law enforcement.” And he does this by getting out of the po- lice cruiser, walking through the neighborhoods and get- ting to know the people his district serves.
During his career, Major Johnson has worked throughout the city. He has also gained experience as a detective and working plain clothes.
After graduating from Robinson High School, Major Johnson served 3 years in the U. S. Army.
He returned home and en- rolled at Hillsborough Com-
MAJOR CALVIN JOHNSON
munity College under the GI Bill. After earning his degree in General Studies, he contin- ued his education at the Uni- versity of South Florida.
At that institution of higher learning, Major Johnson earned his B. A. in Criminology and later, his Master’s Degree in Public Ad- ministration. He also gradu- ated from the prestigious FBI Leadership School, in Quan- tico, Virginia.
Major Johnson is the youngest of 8 children born to the late Johnny and Dorothy Johnson. His fa- ther retired from the military at MacDill A. F. Base and the family settled in Tampa.
A single parent, the 47- year-old enjoys going to the gym, spending time with his family, and loves playing golf.
Major Johnson is re- placing Major Rocky Ratliff, who retired last week. As for his future, he looks forward to working with the people. “There is a lot I can do to help the commu- nity,” he said.
Written By IRIS B. HOLTON, Sentinel City Editor
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2018