Page 10 - 8-14-15 Friday's Edition Updated

Sentinel Carrier Calls Deputies Who Came To His Aide ‘Angels’
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Johnny Watson may not recognize the names of Deputy Cley Hobelmann or Deputy Ronald Magneson, but he will never forget what they did for him. In fact, as he retells the story of being stranded in an un- familiar area of town, he refers to them as “my angels.”
Watson has been a Sen- tinel Carrier for many years. And, being a Tampa native, he is familiar with most areas of town. However, a week ago, many areas of town were unable to ab- sorb the downpour of rain that fell over a 21-day period. Many of the streets were flooded, un- derwater, and blocked off.
On that Monday night, the rain had finally stopped as Wat- son set about delivering the newspapers to stores. It was ap- proaching midnight and he had reached the end of his route.
But, the streets he normally travels in Town N’ Country were blocked off and he was forced to take an alternate route. “I was on Benjamin Road and I saw the puddle of water. I tried to go around it and the front tires made it.”
But, the back tire fell into a pothole hidden by both the dark-
JOHNNY WATSON
ness of night and the standing water. The rim was severely damaged and the tire burst. Watson knew he had a flat tire, but didn’t know how bad it was.
He slowly drove the car to the intersection of Johns Road and Benjamin Road to a Circle K. As his luck would have it, the store was closed.
Watson said he immedi- ately began making telephone calls. But no one answered.
“Itwasdark,Iwasina
strange area of town, and I was scared. So, I called the Sheriff’s Office. I told them that I am 63- years-old, I was scared, I was broke down, and I had a tire, but I didn’t have a jack. I really want to thank these two deputies for helping me.”
Within a short period of time, the two deputies arrived and one had a hydraulic jack. They changed the tire for Wat- sonandhewasabletobeonhis way.
During the last week, the rainfall has not been as extensive as it has been in the recent past. But, as Watson prepares to de- liver his papers on Thursday, knowing the chances of rain are estimated at 60% and that there is still standing water in some areas, he hopes that history does not repeat itself.
But, if he does, he sincerely hopes that others like Deputy Hobelmann and Deputy Magneson are somewhere around.
‘Barbers Against Violence’ Want To Use Skills To Help Young Black Males
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Torrance Blake, an area barber, applauds the efforts of Darrell Starling and Dr. Lewis Brinson who have suc- cessfully mentored young men through their businesses.
Blake said he created “Bar- bers Against Violence” to accom- plish the same things as Dr. Brinson and Starling, and feels all barbers are natural men- tors to youth.
“A lot of conversations go on in barber shops you won’t hear anywhere else. I’m reaching out to every barbershop in the area to donate a couple of hours a day on a Sunday afternoon to mentor young men.
“I want to expand what other barbers are doing, and I envision the Mayor getting involved as well as the creation of activities we can all do together. I believe we can help communities unite.”
Blake said young teenage boys will talk about things in a barbershop they won’t say any-
where else.
“The barbershop has always
been a place of comfort, informa- tion, and wisdom.
“The older guys come in and just sit around and talk, mostly about their families or their his- tory. There’s a lot young Black males can learn from interacting with them.”
Blake said he wants to form alliances with police and other agencies.
“I’d like to also go nation- wide, because it’s time to take a stand.
“It’s up to us to create an en- vironment where these young men cannot just hang out, but gain valuable knowledge about things they can do to better themselves. They can also learn how important it is to plan for their futures, and make sure their families are in a good place economically, socially, and fi- nancially.”
Blake said this has been on his mind for a long time, and he hopes his effort to unite all of the barbers in the area is successful.
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PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2015