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Local
Community Group Leader Upset Over Treatment By Contractors
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity To Host Summer Cruise Fundraiser
On Saturday, July 18th, members of the community are invited to join the Pi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fra- ternity, Inc., on a summer boat ride. The cruise will launch from 603 Channelside Drive at 8 p.m.
It is being hailed as “The Re- turn of the Omegas Marquee Fundraiser --- The Omega Psi Phi Boat Ride.” The ship the cruise will take place aboard the Starship.
Brother Ray Wood,
spokesman for the organiza- tion said, “This is our annual fundraiser and we hope that members of the community will help. Each year, we select one gifted young man to fur- ther his education and realize his dreams who might other- wise not be able to attend col- lege.
“The scholarship is based on the student’s academic achievements. We want the community to help us help others.
“We are asking everyone to come out and have an enjoy-
able evening of entertainment. We will cruise around the har- bor and enjoy good food and have fun.”
Those attending the cruise will enjoy a step show before the Starship launches. The sig- nature dress theme for this year’s event is “All White At- tire,” for each of the guests. Those participating in the event will enjoy a buffet menu, a huge music selection featur- ing the latest musical hits for dancing, and a car bar.
All proceeds of the event will support the Pi Iota Scholar- ship Fund. The fund helps gifted children in the greater Tampa Bay Area to meet their educational expenses while in pursuit of their academic ca- reers.
Attorney Carl Hayes is the Chapter Basileus.
For additional information about the cruise contact Terry at (813) 382-6470, or email him at terryjturn4@hot- mail.com; or Kelvin at (813) 220-5634, or kdeez1@aol.com.
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
When Robert Morris heard about what was going on in West Tampa with the re- development project, he thought it would be a great op- portunity for him to take ad- vantage of low property values and secure a location for what he describes as a theater- restaurant.
Morris found the perfect spot on Main Street, just west of Albany Avenue, and as a de- veloper, he’s already hired contractors and sub-contrac- tors to being work on trans- forming the building into his vision.
Heem Baisden, President of the West Tampa Alliance, a community-based awareness group, has an office around the corner from Morris’s business, and the two have met on more than one occa- sion.
Baisden, who has been at his location for more than two decades, gets up early every morning to jog through the area, then returns to his office.
Last week as Baisden was returning to his office, he was
Robert Morris is converting this building on Main Street in West Tampa into a theater-restaurant.
jogging down the sidewalk in front of Morris’s place, but had to stop because it was cluttered with materials being used to renovate the space.
“I saw a lady there, and I asked if they could put some kind of barrier around the ma- terials to prevent someone from being hurt traveling down the sidewalk.
“I felt the materials were creating a safety hazard, and I would be in everyone’s best in- terest if some kind of barrier or sign could be put up to alert pedestrians.”
Baisden said suddenly the woman started yelling at him, cursed him, accused him of being homeless, and then
threw something at him.
“All I did was make a re- quest, and I immediately started getting all of this pro- fanity from this woman. She was being very disrespectful, and when I tried telling her who I was, she just yelled and cursed louder and called po-
lice.
“When police arrived, they
made matters worse by imply- ing I instigated the incident because of the way I was dressed.”
Baisden said if this is a sign of what’s coming to West Tampa, it’s not welcome, and this kind of behavior will not be tolerated by his organiza- tion or the others in the area.
Part of the incident was filmed by a witness. Baisden said he won’t be filing a com- plaint against the officer who responded to the incident, but he does want the public to know what kind of people are invading West Tampa.
Baisden said even for a homeless person, that kind of behavior can’t be acceptable.
Morris said he’s spoken to the ladies who were at the lo- cation at the time of the inci- dent, and he’s still not clear about what happened.
“I know police were called and they handled it.
“The ladies had been work- ing all night, and were packing up to leave when Mr. Bais- den came by. His behavior scared them and that’s why they reacted the way they did. I don’t know what was said, but I think it was inappropri- ate from both parties.
“I was told Mr. Baisden was yelling at them and scared them, and that his tone wasn’t polite.”
Morris said he’s told his employees to be respectful of everyone in the community, and he’s sorry Mr. Baisden took it personal.
“I don’t want Mr. Baisden to be upset and I don’t want to stop any progress that’s been made in West Tampa.
“I apologize for the incident, and I plan to meet with Mr. Baisden to apologize to him personally, and see how this can be resolved.”
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-A