Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 9-18-18

Local
Two Tax Referendums With One Logical Choice
TAMPA -- On Novem- ber 6, 2018 the citizens of Hillsborough County, besides the normal group of offices to be de- cided, will have a unique opportunity to either vote up or down on two (2) sales tax increase referendums that will determine where we stand with supporting our schools and local transportation.
In my opinion there is no question that the African American Com- munity, withstanding sales taxes are generally "regressive" to low-in- come and minority wage earners, should stand tall and vote "YES" for the school tax increase.
The school issues and needs are clearly defined in that you can at any- time know what capital improvements are needed and exactly what school would be im- proved. Our community has quite a few aging schools in need of re- pairs, including HVAC and roof replacements. The administrative costs are very minimal and eachofuswouldbeina position to "readily trust and verify the scope, plan and anticipated out- comes of each school project, if the tax passes.
It's a "no brainer" and as a longtime conserva- tive community advocate I strongly urge not only our community, but those who live in rural unincorporated East Hillsborough County for once to put aside "racial" differences and support these school improve- ments.
The sales tax proposal for "mass transit" im- provements is a different and cloudy, non-trans- parent, promises made, not kept, continuing saga that, in my opinion, puts low income, minority neighborhoods and rural Hillsborough County on the short end, where like before we will get the crumbs.
I've been involved with local transporta-
tion, HART and auxiliary transportation issues since the planning of the Marion Street Transit way. A system that was sold on being upscale, improved routing and time frequencies that initially set for $9 mil- lion and when it was fi- nally completed the cost was pegged at $19 mil- lion.
Later efforts have been "hit or miss" and in some cases HART and its supporters, including some elected officials "misled" us with ghost improvements till this day.
A recent TV station broadcast the needs for sidewalk placements for safety, etc., reasons near Tampa Bay Tech. You would think why the BOCC had not addressed that area before now. That's one of many ex- amples why the present transportation tax plan should be voted down until they get it right.
We all know that the people who are support- ing this plan do not, nor they will ever intend to put working class, mi- nority, low-income and rural neighborhoods first.
I personally can't sup- port it because lack of transparency on many issues. Look, imagine voting yes for this system because those who don't ride the bus or notice crumbling or no side- walks only want to look good via "photo op" in front of the Rays new stadium and the airport.
Finally, many African American leaders are supporting this trans- portation initiative. Read the plan and tell me why at this time our community should sup- port something that we know in advance we will automatically get the short end or maybe a few crumbs.
ROBERT “PETE” EDWARDS Conservative Community Advocate
Mayor’s Youth Corps Recruiting For Class Of 2019
Tampa teens looking for an inside glimpse of how City Hall works are invited to apply for seats on the Mayor’s Youth Corps.
The Mayor’s Youth Corps is comprised of up to 40 stu- dents in grades 9, 10, or 11, who attend a public or pri- vate high school within the Tampa city limits.
Applications are now being accepted for one-year terms. Application forms are available in City of Tampa school Guidance Offices and will be accepted until Oc-
tober25at5p.m.
Members of the Youth Lead- ership Council review the ap- plications, conduct interviews, and make recom- mendations regarding ac- ceptance into the program.
Youth Corps members learn about and participate in city government, meet with Mayor Buckhorn, conduct community service projects, and produce videos for a youth oriented YouTube channel. Teens also learn leadership and employability skills while serving in the
Youth Corps.
The Mayor’s Youth Corps
provides a forum for Tampa teens to engage with city leaders, participate in their community, connect with their peers, and learn about civics and city government. It is an opportunity that will give them experience and know-how to help their com- munity.
For more information, please contact the Mayor’s Youth Corps Coordinator, at 813-274-5909 or via email at molly.biebel@tampagov.net.
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018