Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 8-1-17

Les Miller For Mayor
School
Happy Birthday
District Seeks
et me start by saying
that County Commis- sioner Lesley "Les" Miller, Jr., had no idea that this was coming. In fact, I'm sure he'll be just as surprised to hear about this endorsement as anyone else.
The thing is, after watch- ing how effectively he led the movement to remove a Confederate landmark from county property and reflect- ing on the way he's success- fully navigated his way through the local political landscape over several decades, it occurred to me that, if there was anyone de- serving of an opportunity to become Tampa's first Black Mayor, Les was the guy. I mean, why not?
Out of all the Black politi- cians in the community, as far as I'm concerned, Comm. Miller would be the ideal candidate for the job. He's not too churchy that he'll turn off secular voters and he's not so secu- lar that church folks would feel uncomfortable giving him their support.
Like former President Barack Obama, Comm. Miller sits right in the mid- dle of that sweet spot where he becomes appealing to people on every side of the equation. And, I imagine, that's one of the reasons why he's been able to sur- vive in the game for so long.
I make this proposal be- cause I think it's time for the City of Tampa to reach an- other milestone when it comes to progressiveness and diversity. After all, the city has already had Cuban mayors, Italian mayors, fe- male mayors and white Anglo-Saxon Protestant mayors.
The one thing the area has never had is a mayor whose face represents 26% of its demographic. Some- one like Comm. Miller, a proven winner on every level, could change that nar- rative.
Of course this isn't an in- dictment of current Mayor Bob Buckhorn. From what I hear people seem to be pretty content with his leadership. I just wonder if they realize that the conge- niality he displays is simply an anesthetic he uses to
make his agenda, of gentri- fying as many Black neigh- borhoods as he can, feel less painful?
And that's another rea- son why I feel the time has come for someone like Comm. Miller to take the reins of city government. Right now we have a person making calls on the future of Black neighborhoods who doesn't have a cultural fa- miliarity with the individu- als or the families who live inside them. Nor does he grasp the significance of their legacies.
To someone like Mayor Buckhorn the corner of Rome and Main St. would be the perfect spot for a Starbucks after the new de- velopment is completed. But for Comm. Miller, that same location probably holds special memories from another perspective. It is that personal connection and perspective that makes all the difference in each in- dividual's decision making and how they treat the issue of revitalization.
If Tampa is ever going to have a Black mayor, or wants to preserve areas that are sacred to the Black com- munity, you have to believe that it will have to happen sooner rather than later be- cause in five years, after a large portion of Black resi- dents have been relocated, there may not be enough Black votes inside of the city limits to make such a reality possible.
With that being the case, if Comm. Miller reads this, I hope he, at least, be- gins to entertain the thought of making a run for mayor when the time comes. I know it's a lot to ask of him at this stage of his career.
But, when it comes to making this kind of history, I don't believe there's any- one else, of any age, who is better suited to meet the challenge.
Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bulletin Publishing Company. You can write to Mr. Barr at: Clarence Barr 43110- 018, Oakdale F. C. I., P. O. BOX 5000, Oakdale, LA 71463.
Feedback On
Proposed Bell
Times
The Hillsborough County School District is currently seeking input from parents, students, employees, and the community regarding the 2018-2019 tentative Bell Schedule. Schools will gather input over the next two months and encourages par- ents, students, employees and members of the community to provide solutions and ideas.
The district must make changes to the bell schedule for several reasons. Many stu- dents have been late to school, which costs them instruction time because the current ar- rival and dismissal schedule does not allow buses enough time to transport the students.
The School Board will vote on a final bell schedule on Oc- tober 17th, and if approved, will give families nearly a year to make necessary adjust- ments to their schedules.
The timeline for input is as follows: beginning August 1st through August 25th, members of the community can take part in an interactive simula- tion of the bus routes that cur- rently create time conflicts.
Beginning September 1st through September 20th, members of the community can participate in an online survey regarding the bell schedule.
Additionally, public meet- ings will be held for families to complete the online surveys and ask questions. Four meet- ings will be held between Sep- tember 1st and September 20th.
Parents can also share their input at upcoming Hills- borough County School Dis- trict Board meetings on August 1, August 29, Septem- ber 12, and October 3rd.
Happy Birthday Bro, not a day goes by without thinking about you. I know God will make a way for you to come home soon. Much love, to the realist, free Cat.
C4 world forever. Free Hunk.
Birthday Greetings
FYI
Health Department Offering School Immunizations
The Hillsborough County Health Department is offering im- munizations for youngsters. The immunizations can be received at walk-in clinics throughout the month of August.
The clinics are open from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 8605 N. Mitchell Avenue, Tampa, 33604. The services are being offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Students entering kindergarten, or who are attending or transferring to a Florida public school must have the following immunizations: 4 of 5 doses of DTaP (diphtheria-tetanus-acel- lular pertussis); 4 or 5 doses of IPV (inactive polio vaccine); 2 doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella); 3 doses of Hepatitis B, 1 dose of Tdap (tetanus-diptheria-acellular pertussis); and 2 doses of Varicella.
All students entering 7th grade must have a Tdap booster (tetanus-diptheria-acellular pertussis).
College immunization requirements can vary; entering stu- dents should contact their respective schools to see what is re- quired.
Some parents can schedule an immunization appointment if his or her child has been enrolled in a Hillsborough County school previously. To check appointment availability call (813) 307-8077.
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PAGE 8 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017