Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 12-8-17

Features
Sign Language Interpreter At Seminole Heights Press Conference Under Attack
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
If you have been to any major events and speeches in the bay area over the years, more than likely you would have seen a woman there doing sign language.
On the eve of November 28th, the Tampa Police De- partment held a press confer- ence about the arrest of the Seminole Heights serial killer. At that press conference, Ms. Derlyn Roberts could be seen on camera as the person who served as the Sign Lan- guage Interpreter.
However, since that press conference, accusations have surfaced, with some calling Roberts’ interpretation gib- berish. And some, wondering how she was chosen to sign on what has become a nation- ally publicized press confer- ence.
Not only is Ms. Roberts’ professional training and per- sonal background being at- tacked, she has been posted on social media and webpages like Bossip.
After being contacted by the
Sentinel, Ms. Roberts gave the following ac- count:
“I received a call from the Deaf Services Center stating that they needed a signer. I also asked three questions be-
DERLYN ROBERTS Sign Language Interpreter
cause some people are deaf, some are hard of hearing, and some are lip readers. I didn’t know who the audience would be.
“I had been playing golf all day and I was already in bed when I received the call. But I went down there because they said it would be for about 20 minutes.”
Ms. Roberts further stated that she is trained in the American Sign Language. “I didn’t leave anything out. If I didn’t know it, I finger- spelled it as close as possible, such as the name of one of the people they called. I have been trained as a sign lan- guage interpreter and I have been doing this since 2001.
“I am certified in ASL on Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4.” And she
provided transcripts from Gallaudet University and Hillsborough Community College.
As far as her background goes, Ms. Roberts said, “As far as my past is concerned, my past is just that, my past. When I’m driving down the street, I don’t look in the rearview mirror. I look through the windshield. I look in front of me because I look toward the future. Every- one has a past.
“When I signed for Pres- ident George Bush in 2003 at MacDill, I had to go through a background check by the Secret Service before I could stand next to the Presi- dent. I had a criminal back- ground then.”
Ms. Roberts further stated that she operates as an independent agent and does receive payment for her serv- ices.
However, because of an agreement she made with for- mer Police Chief Bennie Holder, many years ago, she does not charge the police de- partment for her services.
“I don’t charge for any- thing I do for the police de- partment because those officers put their lives on the line for all of us every day.”
Ms. Roberts is a Tampa native and her twin sister is Ms. Cherylene Levy.
2nd West Tampa Strategic Action Plan Meeting Set
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The second in a series of community meetings to dis- cuss the Community Rede- velopment Area (CRA) Strategic Action Plan for West Tampa has been planned.
The second public meeting will take place on Monday, December 18th, at 6 p.m. The meet- ing will be held at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center, 2200 N. Oregon Avenue, Tampa, 33606.
The area was granted CRA designation by the City of Tampa in 2015. The next step is the development of a strategic action plan to guide the use of revenues and rede- velopment initiatives. The Strategic Action Plan (SAP) for West Tampa will be a five-year plan, with one-year increments. The plan will in- clude identified specific pro- grams and investments within the West Tampa Re- development area.
The area includes all pub- lic and private property within the boundaries of: West Columbus Drive on the North; Kennedy Blvd., on the South; North Armenia on the West; and the Hillsborough River on the East.
Joseph Robinson is
the Chairman of the West Tampa CRA CAC.
The City of Tampa, the West Tampa CRA Advisory Committee and Consultant Team Kimley Horn invites the community to visit the city website for more infor- mation.
For more information, contact Fred Hearns at (813) 545-3183, or fhearns@netzero.net.
Malcolm Kiner, Man- ager, West Tampa CRA, at (813) 274-7427 or by e-mail at www.Malcolm.Kiner @Tampagov.net.
Or for more information about the CRA visit the web- site at: www.tampagov. net/economic-and-urban- development/programs/com munity-redevelopment- areas/West-Tampa-CRA.
JOE ROBINSON Chairman, West Tampa CRA
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017