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Features
‘No Sales Tax’ Holiday Expands To 10 Days
Tampa Attorney Named 2015 Leader In Law
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
For the first time in sev- eral years, Florida legislators have expanded the “Back- To-School Sales Tax Holiday. Last year, the sales tax holi- day only included one week- end.
This year, the holiday will begin on August 7th at mid- night and conclude on Au- gust 16th at midnight. In addition to increasing the number of days that parents can shop, the amount items can cost has also increased.
The sales tax holiday ex- emptions include clothing items, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $100 or less per item; certain school supplies selling for $15 or less; and the first $750.00 spent on personal computers and certain com- puter-related accessories are exempt. The computers must be purchased for non-com- mercial home or personal use.
Articles that are normally sold as a unit must continue to be sold as a unit and can- not be separately priced as individual items.
Items placed on layaway or picked up during the holi- day period are eligible if they meet the other require- ments.
Additionally, if an item is purchased during the sales tax holiday and returned after it ends, there will be no sales tax if the item is ex- changed for the same item, such as a different size or color.
Eligible items purchased by mail order, catalog, or through the Internet are ex- empt when the order is ac- cepted by the company during the holiday period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the holiday period.
Several items that may be considered clothing or school supplies are not ex- empt from the sales tax. Some of those items in- cludes, handbags, neckwear, baby clothes, backpacks, coats and wraps, etc.
For a complete list of items that are eligible or in- eligible for the no sales tax holiday visit http://dor.myflorida.com/D ocuments/tip15a0105.pdf.
A Tampa attorney has been chosen as a 2015 Leader In Law. The honor was awarded to her by the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL). Attorney Fentrice Driskell is currently a shareholder at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, Attorneys At Law.
This award honors FAWL members who have made a significant impact in their com- munities, made meaningful contributions to their communities through legal service or volunteer activities, and has served as a posi- tive role model for FAWL members.
Attorney Driskell received her B. A. de- gree from Harvard University and served as Harvard’s first African American Woman President of the Undergraduate Council.
She received her J. D. degree from George- town University Law Center and earned the Dean’s Certificate for Outstanding Service to Law Center Community.
Attorney Driskell is involved in a num- ber of organizations, including the Hillsbor- ough Association for Women Lawyers, the George Edgecomb Bar Association (Presi- dent), Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (Fellow), The Florida Bar (Standing Commit- tee on Diversity and Inclusion), Tampa Cross- roads, Inc. (Board of Directors), Hillsborough County Bar Association, William Reece Smith, Jr. Litigation Inn of Court, American Bar As- sociation, Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Associ- ation, Hillsborough Education Foundation, and the Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the National Bar Association.
In her law practice, Attorney Driskell has significant experience representing banks and other financial institutions in commercial business litigation and bankruptcy matters.
ATTORNEY FENTRICE DRISKELL Named 2015 Leader in Law
She also counsels clients on consumer finance litigation, including claims related to the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, Fair Credit Report- ing Act, Fair Credit Billing Act, and Truth in Lending Act.
She handles commercial and contested foreclosures, and works with clients to enforce creditors’ remedies, including in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings.
The Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers Board nominated Attorney Driskell for the award in recognition of her “outstanding accomplishments and success in the legal profession.”
‘Unity’ Is Vital For West Tampa Community
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
No community in Hillsborough County or the City of Tampa is being pulled in different directions more than West Tampa.
Mrs. Ruth McNair, President of the West Riverfront Crime Watch Association, has told residents during her meetings to remain vigi- lant over what’s happening with the makeover of the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.
Mrs. McNair has also made sure they pay attention to what’s happening with the Oakhurst Square Apartments, and the bar on Cass and Edison Street formerly known as the Double Decker Lounge.
“We have to make sure we’re being treated fairly with all of these changes going on, and that no one tries to push us out.
“We ask that the people involved with all of these projects to show us enough respect to let us know what’s going on, and how it will im- pact our community.”
The West Riverfront Community expects to see a rise in events involving students from the University of Tampa who have rented houses and apartments in the area.
“We will keep a close eye on all of their ac- tivities and we will not tolerate vandalism, loud noise, or trash being left on our streets. We also don’t want a lot of traffic, both cars and people just walking around,” said Mrs. McNair.
Just north of the West Riverfront commu- nity, North of I-4, the West Tampa commu- nity in that area is gearing up for the aftermath of relocating hundreds of residents of the North Boulevard Homes Public Housing
Complex.
“We know that’s coming, and we just want
to make sure everyone is treated fairly in that process, and that they are told the truth about their futures,” said Dee Jackson, Vice-Pres- ident of the West Tampa Alliance.
“We’ve already lost the residents of the Presbyterian Village Apartments, and after all of the people in North Boulevard Homes are gone, we are going to see a big drop in African American votes. We have to come up with a plan to make sure we maintain representation on the City Council and other agencies.”
Residents are also keeping their eye on progress being made on the West Tampa Re- development project.
During a recent meeting held at the West Tampa Library, several investors attended and inquired about opportunities in the area.
Representatives with the West Tampa CDC also attended the meeting, and again told those in attendance there is a vital need for jobs, job training programs, substance abuse treatment facilities, and new businesses.
“We’ve got to get this community healthy before any of these big projects come,” said Michael Randolph, West Tampa CDC De- velopment Manager.
“We’re not looking for promises anymore. We’re looking for commitments, and we want it all in writing that the people of West Tampa will not be cast aside during the development process.”
Randolph said they all know there are going to be changes, especially along Main Street, but it’s vital those changes don’t come at the expense of existing Black-owned busi- nesses or the residents.
PAGE 2 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015