Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 5-22-20

Feature
Citizens Share Opinions On Retaining District 3 Seat
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
With the August 18, 2020 Primary Election looming closely, there is growing con- cern about the person who will replace County Commis- sioner Lesley “Les” Miller in the District 3 seat. Miller has termed-limited out for the seat.
Several citizens in the area were contacted about their concerns for the District 3 race, which has 4 African- American applicants and 2 Hispanics.
The consesus of those con- tacted is that casting a ballot in August will be the only way to insure that a qualified African American maintains the seat for the next 2 years.
JAMES L. GREEN, JR.
“The number of African- Americans running in the County Commission District 3 race is a good thing. This will allow voters within District 3 to consider the ideas of candi- dates from different genera- tions, backgrounds and life experiences on the best course of action for improving the lives of residents within their district. I’m confident that vot- ers of District 3 will select the candidate that offers the best vision for community im-
provements and services from their Hillsborough govern- ment over the next 2 years.”
JARVIS EL-AMIN
“I think the real question is, ‘How we as a community and each candidate in this race is going to increase Voter turnout, particularly among young voters.’ I think none of the current Black candidates is going to drop out. With an Obama Style turnout we will maintain Black representa- tion.”
CHLOE J. CONEY
“I lived in Tampa, FL dur- ing segregation, during the 50s, and 60s, when African- Americans COULD NOT vote. And when we could vote we had no representation in gov- ernment. I understand the sac- rifices our Black elders fought to get us to vote and to have representation on City Council and County Commission. Our elders, like C. Blythe An- drews (Sr.), Moses White, Jetie B. Wilds, Sr., Carl Warren, Sr., Mrs. Essie
Mae Reed, Rev. Leon Lowry, and others that fought tirelessly for us to have a seat at the table.
Rubin Padgett was the first Black County Commis- sioners elected in 1986, not long ago. Hillsborough County, Florida is a diverse County and needs diverse rep- resentation. District 3 has more African Americans living in that District and we need a leader that understands the true needs like poverty rate, unemployment, affordable housing, education and most of all our cultural interests, not just transportation.
“What example will we give our Black children when they visit Hillsborough County Commission meetings and see no one that looks like them as Elected Officials? I am calling on every African American in Hillsborough County to come together to fight for the one seat our Black elders gave their time and Blood in this District 3 race.
“We need to educate our community on what is hap- pening in the District 3 race and get our Black people reg- istered to vote!”
DR. SAMUEL L. WRIGHT, SR.
“As a former City Council- man in my hometown who
represented the Black commu- nity, it is difficult to fathom that District 3 could be repre- sented by anybody other than a Black person in this commu- nity. When you look at the composition of the County Commission, we don’t have any other diversity really, so it is imperative that we keep this seat.
“District 3 is a huge district that includes a number of African American communi- ties and it is paramount that someone represents the con- stituents who live and travel frequently in those communi- ties.
“For many years, the slave master spoke for us, but thank GOD we can speak for our- selves today. I trust we will do some voter registration, and most importantly, educate District 3 residents so that Black folk know what may be imminent in the upcoming election. I don’t think Rick Fernandez and no other like him can represent us like we can represent ourselves!
“For future elections, I am willing to work with commu- nity leaders. We must say who will be our best voice to elimi- nate this kind of debacle in the future. WE MUST BE VIGI- LANT AND NEVER LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN!”
CAROLYN HEPBURN COLLINS
“This year, 2020, we go to the polls to VOTE for local, state and national representa- tives, coupled with issues that appear on the ballot.
“We are challenged in more ways than one. Who are "we?" My answer details "we" as African Americans.
We have VOTED for Felons’ VOTING Rights to be restored and the legislators de- clare the peoples did not know what they VOTED for.
“COVID-19 presents us with potential hurdles due to safety precautions that may re- sult in interference with us casting our VOTES.
“All four of the candidates are good peoples with experi- ences and platforms with vari- ables that encompass the people’s needs.
“Tampa/Hillsborough County has struggled for years to hold on to one elected offi- cial in every office since the in- ception of Single- Member District Legislation. If African Americans are not strategic and analytical in this and fu- ture elections, we may lose the one seat we have on the School Board, the City Council and the County Commissioner.
“This year's election is crit- ical in all offices. Clearly, all politics are locally, so let’s do our vetting and put the best candidate in the seat to repre- sent us, locally, statewide and nationally. Register (and check your status and sig- nature update); educate yourself (ask for help if needed). And Vote!”
YVETTE LEWIS
“It is truly, a great concern -- the one African American seat on County Commission might disappear. This is an issue the NAACP raised sev- eral years ago, because of gen- trification of the African American community. We (Black folks) must realize that, yes District 3 was created to ensure African Americans have representation.”
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2020