Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 7-24-18

Local
Councilman Seeks
Latest ‘Stand Your
Extension For 170 Families
Ground’ Shooting
In Apartment Complex
Draws Controversy
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Recently, the Department of Housing and Urban Devel- opment (HUD) informed 170 families living in the Tampa Park Apartments that they would have to move. The res- idents were given 30 days to relocate without any assis- tance.
HUD officials alleged the complex has not passed in- spection for the past 4 years. As a result, three concerned citizens took the issue before City Council last week.
Ms. Connie Burton, Bishop Michelle Patty, and Tony Daniel all spoke on behalf of giving the resi- dents more time.
Bishop Patty said, “We are very concerned about those 170 families being dis- placed without any consider- ation for moving expenses, availability of finding some- place, uprooting their chil- dren, and especially transportation issues.
“Section 8 vouchers are only good if there is some- where to go and currently, there is a long waiting list in Hillsborough County. They need more than 30 days.”
Bishop Patty further said, “Some of the residents are background challenged, some are credit challenged, and the biggest issue is trans- portation finding somewhere to live that is decent and safe.
“We appreciate City Council taking action, but we know that City Council really does not have a bid in this issue. But, we thank God that they are speaking out on be- half of these residents.
“This is a federal matter and we are calling on Bill Nelson and Kathy Castor to get involved.”
BISHOP MICHELLE PATTY
Letter From Councilman
Councilman Frank Reddick sent a letter ad- dressing the issue to Ruben Brooks, Director, Southeast Region Multi-Family Hous- ing, with HUD. The letter stated as follows:
“Dear Mr. Brooks:
“On behalf of the Tampa City Council, I write to ex- press great concern for 170 families who have been in- formed by the U. s. Depart- ment of Housing and Urban development (HUD) that they are forced to relocate themselves no later than Au- gust 1, 2018 from their resi- dences at Tampa Park Apartments. The City Coun- cil requests a delay of a min- imum of sixty days. HUD’s actions place undue hardship and an extreme burden on residents.
“For many, complying with your directive is just not feasible. Many of the current residents are without the means to respond adequately in such a short time period. Several are without trans- portation or without the abil- ity to make such abrupt arrangements due to the lack of finances. There are no as- surances that replacement housing is even attainable on
FRANK REDDICK City Councilman
such short notice. “Furthermore, the Hills-
borough County School Dis- trict resumes on August 10th. It is unimaginable that HUD would intend to disrupt the lives of the children that would be uprooted from their community school and friends at such an inoppor- tune time.
‘Sensitivity and compas- sion for the concerns of our constituents calls for a rea- sonable extension to permit alleged deficiencies to be cor- rected. Allowing for such an extension would relieve the immediate impact on fami- lies and once resolved may permit the residents to re- main in their homes. Tampa City Council thanks you for your serious consideration of this request. Your immediate response will be greatly ap- preciated.
Sincerely,
Frank Reddick Tampa
City Council Chairman Dis- trict 5 .
Councilman Reddick
also sent copies of the letter to
Senator Bill Nelson, Rep. Kathy Castor, Jerome Ryans, Tampa Housing Au- thority, and F. Malcolm Cunningham, Jr., Esq., who is representing the Tampa Park Apartments Complex.
Last Thursday, a 28-year- old man was shot and killed outside the Circle K, 1201 Sun- set Point Road, in Clearwater. The shooting has drawn a na- tionwide outcry.
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Ms. Britany Jacobs pulled into a handicapped parking space. Ms. Jacobs’ boyfriend, Markeis McGlockton, and their 5-year-old son went into the store.
Detectives said Jacobs was waiting outside when she was approached by 47-year- old Michael Drejka. The two became engaged in an ar- gument over Ms. Jacobs parking in the handicap space, police said.
Witnesses alerted the clerk about the argument in the parking lot. At that point, Mc- Glockton went outside the store, and walked over to Drejka. Witnesses told police McGlockton forcibly pushed Drejka and Drejka fell to the ground.
Detectives said that while Drejka was on the ground, he took out a handgun and fired one shot at McGlockton, hit- ting him in the chest. Mc- Glockton died as a result of his injuries.
Drejka had a concealed weapon permit at the time of the killing.
On Friday, Pinellas County
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri
stated that the shooting was ruled a “stand your ground” shooting. Drejka was not ar- rested.
The incident has uproar throughout the nation. The Clearwater/Upper Pinellas County Branch of the NAACP held vigils over the weekend.
State Rep. Sean Shaw said, “The “Stand Your Ground” law is making our streets more dangerous and
MARKEIS McGLOCKTON
making it more difficult for law enforcement to do their jobs. We should place trust back with those investigating and prosecuting potential crimes rather than applying a blanket immunity standard that can be too easily manipu- lated by violent criminals. I have consistently said that the “Stand Your Ground” law should be repealed and will do everything in my power as At- torney General to ensure it happens.”
Karen Skyers, candidate for Florida House District 61 said, “The recent killing and protection of the shooter under Stand Your Ground once again underscores the fatal flaws in this law. Ever since its passage in 2005, Stand Your Ground has been a license to kill, often with Black men paying the ultimate price.
“Once again, protestors will take to the streets, hands will be raised, and outraged voices will demand change. But unless those same protes- tors, those same voices de- mand the same accountability come Election Day, nothing will change, and the deaths will continue. Change begins when laws change. We need candidates unafraid to take on the NRA, and unafraid to demand the change long overdue.”
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 13