Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 2-26-19

Feature
Political Forum Hosted By NAACP Was Well Attended And Revealed The Many Community Splits For Support
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
It was a night of twists and turns at the Hillsborough County NAACP’s Community Political Forum held last Thursday.
One of the most popular and heavily attended of its kind, the forum was held at Middleton High School. The evening jumped off with rounds of questions for City Council candidates running for all seven districts.
But it was responses from the mayoral candidates that generated the most buzz of the night.
Things started off slowly with all seven candidates sharing their plans on how they would improve diversity among city staff.
Both Harry Cohen spoke on the importance of including different voices, while Topher Morrison added that diversity of race and creed also were neces- sary.
“I’m all about diversity and I lead by example,” said retired banker David Straz. “Look at my staff. I have women, Muslims. And I pay $15 an hour.”
Things got interesting when the candidates were asked about their work in the community prior to running for the city’s highest office.
Ed Turanchik, an attor- ney and former Hillsborough County commissioner, cited his involvement in bringing affordable housing to West Tampa and his push for low- cost community rail over CSX lines.
Straz stated that both East and West Tampa “have been neglected” before men- tioning his efforts to expand indigent care while chair of the board at Tampa General Hospital and his support of Police Athletic League sports teams.
“East Tampa and West Tampa are very important to me,” he said.
But businessman Morri- son – a self-described ‘un- derdog’ – was more blunt: “Not nearly enough.”
“If we’d had done enough, you wouldn’t have to ask the question,” he said. “It’s em- barrassing, but it’s true.”
Jane Castor, the former Tampa Police Chief, kept her tone even when highlighting her work to keep children out of the criminal justice system.
But when pressed by Tu- ranchik about her accepting contributions from developer and Tampa Bay Lightning owner, Jeff Vinik, she vehe-
mently denied any coziness between the two.
“I am not for sale,” she said. “Individuals know me and know that I’m a very fair- minded individual who makes decisions in the inter- est of the community.”
More dust kicked up later in the forum when Morri- son confronted Straz on his support of Trump.
Straz took the hit head on, calling his vote “a big mis- take” because Trump “does- n’t have David Straz’s values.”
“Yes, I voted for Trump,” Straz said. “And I apologize for voting for him.”
The night ended on a high note for Straz, however, with his win of the straw poll.
Results of the City Coun- cil straw poll are: Walter Smith for District 1; Joe Robinson for District 2; Nicholas Glover for Dis- trict 3; Bill Carlson for Dis-
trict 4; Jeffrey Rhodes for District 5; Guido Manis- calco for District 6; and Quinton Robinson for Dis- trict 7.
Early voting ends March 3rd. Election Day is March 5th. Visit www.votehillsbor- ough.org to find early voting and precinct locations.
Candidates for City Council District 5 from left, are: Ralph Smith, Jeffrefy Rhodes. Todd Cole, Orlando Gudes and Ella Coffee. (Photograph by BRUNSON)
Meeting
Groundbreaking For Affordable Housing Planned
On Thursday, February 28th, at 10 a.m., Blue Sky Communities, a top 50 affordable Housing Developer in the United States, will host a Groundbreaking. The event will take place at the in- tersection of E. Broadway and Williams Road, in the Mango area.
The location will offer a family community of new homes. The announcement is significant for Hillsborough County residents who are desperate for workforce housing options.
To be known as Preserve at Sabal Park, will offer 144 new homes. The complex will feature one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three bedroom units. New residents will enjoy a Clubhouse, playground, pool, lake views and services.
Elected officials and community leaders are expected to attend the groundbreaking.
The funding for the development is provided by Hillsborough County, Hillsborough Housing Finance Authority, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Raymond James, Citi Community Cap- ital, TD Bank, and Freddie Mac.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2019 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3