Page 11 - Florida Sentinel 10-9-15 Edition

Local
‘Big Money Ced’ Family Reunion Weekend
Commissioners Delay Decision On ‘Go Hillsborough’ Plan
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
On Wednesday, County Commissioners met to dis- cuss whether to move ahead with approving a referen- dum that would ask voters to approve a half-cent tax hike to fund the ‘Go Hillsborough’ transportation plan.
At the end of their discus- sions, it was decided that the investigation being con- ducted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office of a consultant hired by the county should be allowed to run its course.
“It’s impossible to ignore an $8 million transportation deficit,” said Comm. Ken Hagan, echoing the wishes of some of his colleagues to move forward.
“I feel there’s no longer a need to delay a referendum vote.”
County Attorney Chip Fletcher said in his opin- ion, with the ongoing inves- tigation, it would be inappropriate to conduct an audit at this time.
Comm. Stacy White
said his constituents have lost faith in a solution being found.
Comm. Al Higgin- botham said he doesn’t see a problem with the Sheriff’s Office following through with their investigation first.
Comm. Kevin Beck- ner said he thinks they have strayed from their main issue of dealing with the county’s transportation problems.
“I’m comfortable with the Sheriff’s Office conducting the investigation, and I think we just need to move for- ward to fix our transporta- tion problems.”
Comm. Les Miller said to question Sheriff David Gee is pointless, and he finds him to be very profes- sional.
“We have a small group of people who have tried to derail this proposal. My dis- trict wants a better trans- portation system. They put themselves in danger with the current system, espe- cially for those who get off late at night or are just going to work.
“I think a small group of people are afraid if the refer- endum goes on the ballot, it will pass. Don’t allow a small group of people to sway your thinking. Let the voters de-
cide if they want to tax them- selves.”
Comm. Victor Crist
said he’s gone public speak- ing against the tax, Comm. Higginbotham said he thinks they already have the funds for the Go Hillsbor- ough plan without a tax in- crease.
Commissioners also dis- cussed terminating their contract with Transportation Engineer Consultants Par- sons/Brinckerhoff. However, they decided to wait and re- view what their plan is first.
“To terminate their con- tract now would mean throwing away two years of research they’ve already done,” said Comm. Beck- ner.
“I think we should at least evaluate what they have done before making a deci- sion.”
Commissioners agreed to continue their discussions in their November 4th session, then decide whether to hold a workshop to give them- selves time to study the lan- guage of the proposed referendum, review the find- ings of Parson/Brinckerhoff, and put together an over- sight committee.
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
On April 12, 2014, Ely Ed- ward Cedrick Jennings passed away. Known as “Big Money Ced” by any and all in the entertainment industry, this young man was truly a pi- oneer in the music industry, and also over the radio waves as an on-air DJ.
Beginning Friday, October 16th, and ending Sunday, Octo- ber 18th, a “Big Money Ced Family Reunion Week- end” event will be held in his honor.
One of the organizers, C. Rena, said this is the second tribute paid to Big Money Ced. His family and friends in West Tampa are prepared for this event as well.
“I decided to do this after attending his funeral last year, and noticed people were re- uniting who hadn’t seen each other for years. The sad thing about it just about all of them live right here in Tampa.
“It has become a common event for African Americans to hold impromptu reunions at funerals and that needs to stop. I wanted to create an event that would honor Big Money Ced and at the same time bring people together.”
Also known as the
“Ghetto Governor,” Big
BIG MONEY CED
Money Ced was well known outside of the West Tampa community where he grew up, and was respected by DJs who came before him, as well as the ones who are still out there.
The three-day event will kick off Friday with a free Ghetto Governor’s Old School Party at George E. Hodgins Hall, 2401 North Albany Av- enue from 8 p. m. until mid- night.
On Saturday there will be a “Step Out Tampa Bay Ameri- can Diabetes Walk” that will begin a 7:30 a.m. at the Amalie Arena. From 1 p. m. until 4 p. m., there will be an Old School versus New School basketball game, a 3-point shootout contest, a lip sync battle and a DJs battle.
For more information about this event, call (813) 693-1263.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-A