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Local
Tampa Youth Wins National Oratorical Contest
Jeffrey D. Jones, Jr., a 13- year-old 8th grader at Seffner Christian Academy, won a na- tional youth oratorical contest. The National Baptist Deacons Convention of America annually sponsors the contest via its youth department. This year’s event was in Augusta, Georgia.
The three youth finalists came from the District of Colum- bia, Florida and Virginia. Jef- frey, of course, represented Florida.
The New Mt. Zion Mission- ary Baptist Church of Tampa, FL, Inc., helped sponsor Jeffrey’s participation in this national event. Jeffrey’s pastor, the Reverend Larry Roundtree, II, has a strong interest in posi- tive development. The church sponsors a community-wide pro- gram that provides moral guid- ance to youths and strives to improve their life skills.
Jeffrey’s pilgrimage to Au- gusta included excursions to At- lanta, GA, where he was part of a youth delegation that toured col- leges in the Atlanta area, visited the King Center and toured the headquarters of Coca-Cola and CNN.
At the Augusta meeting, Jef- frey had opportunities for wholesome fellowship with youths from across the Eastern seaboard and he attended reli- gious education classes and
Jeffrey Jones, Jr. with the tro- phy and certificate he earned as Na- tional Youth Oratorical Contest Winner.
workshops on topics that affect youths. There also were opp0rtu- nities to apply for scholarships, as well as perform community service, such as supporting chil- dren’s charities.
In Tampa, Jeffrey is an ac- tive member of his church and participates in youth choir and other youth department min- istries. Additionally, he volun- teers with his father during the summer to deliver Meals on Wheels.
Jeffrey lives in Brandon with his parents, Lisa and Jef- frey Jones, Sr., and his sister, Bianca.
(This information prepared by Deacon Richard E. Banks, Coordinator of Saving Our Children’s Ministry, New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Tampa, FL, Inc.
Radio Talk Show Host Blasts HART, Go Hillsborough Plan
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Community activist and radio talk show host, Robert “Pete” Edwards said he’s ap- palled with the plan being pre- sented by Go Hillsborough and HART to improve public trans- portation in Tampa.
“First, I want to go on record as saying public transportation has been a problem in Tampa for decades, and HART has had plenty of funding during that time to make it better. They did- n’t!”
Edwards said he thinks there’s something deeper going on with this plan by HART and Go Hillsborough, and it re- volves around funding for a light-rail system.
“If voters say yes to the pro- posed tax increase, what hap- pens to the money accrued after HART has gotten the funds they need to improve the system?
“As in the past, we will find ourselves paying taxes for proj- ects that have nothing to do with public transportation, and don’t directly benefit the poor and working class people who represent HART’s life blood.”
Edwards said he can see no
ROBERT “PETE” EDWARDS
way the minority community will benefit from this proposed plan, and it’s nothing but a Tro- jan Horse.
“They’re making it look at- tractive on the outside and ap- pealing to the poor and working class by saying this is for their benefit.
“All you have to do is see where the funds are going to be spent, on what, and who will benefit. From what I’ve seen so far, there’s nothing that will benefit the bus riders.”
Edwards said he will be seeking support from the com- munity against both the Go Hillsborough and HART initia- tives, and considers them both
phoney.
“It’s a shame that if you live
in West Tampa, on a Sunday after 7:30 p.m., you can’t catch a bus. That’s ridiculous. Even during segregation, the bus service was better than it is now.
“I’m very upset with the rep- resentation on the HART board, and I believe some of the ap- pointees should step down be- cause they’ve been there too long. I think they are just out of touch.”
Edwards said he’s not going to allow the people to be fooled, and there will be fare in- creases now and later.
“I think Go Hillsborough and HART are trying to make the poor and working class peo- ple finance projects they will never benefit from.
“It’s time the truth be told as to what’s really behind this pro- posal. I see no accountability for the amount of money they’re asking for.”
Edwards said he considers what they’re doing as an act of desperation to correct a long time wrong.
HART has six open house meetings scheduled for August, and the last one from Septem- ber 4th through the 6th.
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