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Local
County Commission Partners With HCC To Grow Manufacturing Workforce
In support of the Hillsbor- ough County Manufacturing Academy Initiative, County Commissioners approved a partnership with Hillsborough Community College to enhance workforce training for manu- facturing careers.
The County’s $322,000 in- vestment will provide two years of programming enrichment and $80,000 in new and up- graded equipment for training.
Under the agreement, HCC will provide training and re- sources to prepare high school students and graduates, post- secondary school students and graduates, and residents for ca- reers in manufacturing.
This will include programs that lead to industry certifica- tions, career-focused summer camps, introducing veterans to manufacturing career opportu- nities, fast track manufacturing training outreach activities, aligning curriculum with indus- try standards to facilitate accel- erated degrees, and paid internship opportunities.
Former Elected Official Re-Enters Political Arena To Help Community
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Recently, a former Hillsborough County Commissioner Rev. Dr. Thomas Scott filed to run for a seat on the Commission. He will campaign for the Countywide Dis- trict 6, currently held by County Com- missioner Kevin Beckner, who must vacate the seat due to term limits.
When contacted by the Sentinel, Dr. Scott talked about his reasons for seeking to hold public office again.
“One of the reasons I’m running is be- cause after looking at the makeup of the community, I feel we need another ear to listen to the concerns of the community. We need another person who is willing to listen because we are facing some very im- portant issues. We need someone who will be able to work to move forward.
“Transportation is one of the major is- sues our community is facing and I feel that my leadership will afford me the op- portunity to move forward. We must ad- dress issues such as economic development, and the rising number of homicides in our community, among other important issues that we are facing on a daily basis.
REV. DR. THOMAS SCOTT
... To run for County Commission District 6
“We need to create job opportunity on the forefront. In 2001, I was on the fore- front pushing for living wages. We need to create programs for high risk and de- pressed neighborhoods.”
Dr. Scott, 61, further said that educa- tion is also a very important issue and that programs should be developed collectively with the City of Tampa, the Hillsborough County School Board and the Board of County Commissioners.
“I believe if we offered the opportunity
for a good education that would go far in deterring crime. The public is crying out for experienced leadership that will build a consensus with the board and move for- ward.
“When you look at my record, a CRA and TIF for East Tampa, the park in Progress Village, and operation Clean Sweep are just some of the things I have accomplished,” Dr. Scott said.
In 2011, Dr. Scott sought election for the Mayor of Tampa position, but was un- successful. He has not held an elected po- sition since that time.
The first office in which Dr. Scott was elected to serve was the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners in November 1996. He served as the Chairman of the Board from November 1997 until November 1998. He was re- elected as Chairman for two additional terms in November 2002 and 2003.
After leaving the Board of County Com- missioners due to term limits, Dr. Scott was elected to serve on the City Council in 2007. He has also served on numerous boards and committees throughout Hills- borough County. He is currently the Sen- ior Pastor at the 34th Street Church Of God.
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-A