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Features
Expressway Toll Approved:
Black Community Impacted Again
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
On Tuesday, July 28th, res- idents opposing the Florida Department of Transporta- tion’s Tampa Bay Express plan attended a meeting to voice their displeasure over the pro- posed new tolled highway ex- press lanes.
The tolled lanes would run 87 miles along Interstates 275, 4, and 75, and would cost up to $2-per-mile to use.
According to the Tampa Bay Express project website, the new lanes will allow driv- ers to consistently travel at 45 miles-per-hour, or higher, even during peak traffic times.
Another opponent of the plan said the lanes would limit public access to downtown Tampa. He also said the lanes would make the I-275 down- town east exit express access only, and would close the I- 275 Floribraska exit.
LENA YOUNG-GREEN .....opposes the project.
According to a study done in Wisconsin, the additional lanes would led to a 20% loss in property value in Seminole Heights and Tampa Heights because the express lanes would not have access points in those areas. The study said the estimated total loss in property value would be more than $350 million.
One opponent of the proj- ect, Lena Young-Green, said she along with other resi-
COMMISSIONER LES MILLER
dents have grown tired of see- ing their neighborhoods de- stroyed in the name of development, redevelopment and expansion projects.
“The history of this city in- dicates since the early 1960s, Black communities have been the target of development projects, starting with the con- struction of I-4 in 1960, Urban Renewal in 1965, and an array of other projects since that time.”
“What’s happened to the Carver City/Lincoln Gardens communities could have been prevented if the residents had been told what to do to have a voice. Nobody told them about Title 6 with the Federal High- way Authority.”
Ms. Young-Green said, oftentimes, projects have begun without any prior notice to the residents, and their roadways and property are negatively affected.
“I moved into this commu- nity because I wanted to raise my children in an environ- ment where they’d be exposed to African American culture and ideals.
“What’s going on now is the government is trying to uproot us from the places we have history for the sake of these projects. I’d like to see at least one non-Black commu- nity affected by these projects to the extent of what’s hap- pened in Black communities.”
In a meeting held Tuesday,
August 4th, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) approved the $3 billion plan despite almost 100 people ob- jecting to it.
County Commissioner Les Miller said about 97 peo- ple wanted to speak at the meeting, and the votes weren’t there to trash the plan.
“I made a motion for MPO and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to compromise with the resi- dents, especially those in Seminole and Tampa Heights. Also, I suggested converting Tampa Street and Florida Av- enue into two-way streets.
“Neither side is going to get what they want, but I’d like to see some concessions made, and I hope the needs and con- cerns of the residents were taken seriously.”
Comm. Miller said they are hoping everything will work out and he told the MPO staff to keep him on point as the project moves forward.
City Explores Idea Of Citizens Review Board
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
For several years, citizens have commented about the ex- istence of a Citizens Review Board. However, last week, the idea of creating such a board began to come to life after City Council Chairman Frank Reddick addressed and initi-
ated the idea at City Council. Additional topics of discus- sion focused on the power the board would have, who would serve on the board, who its members will answer to, and
how will the city pay for it. Last Thursday, more than two dozen people spoke in favor of creating such a board. Many talked about similar
MAYOR BOB BUCKHORN
boards in other cities.
After the fatal shooting of
Michael Brown by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, the U. S. Depart- ment of Justice required that city to create such a board.
However, local officials said the “one size fits all” ap- proach is ineffective because each city is unique and has its own issues.
City Council Chairman Frank Reddick said, “I initi- ated the Citizens Review Board concept because of the U. S. Justice Department’s in- vestigation. I’m afraid that if they come back with their findings and suggest a Review Board, then they will set the mandate for the board and that’s the reason I wanted to move forward.
“If we establish the board ourselves, then we can make our own policies without the Justice Department’s interfer- ence.”
Chairman Reddick fur- ther stated that if the Citizens Review Board becomes a real- ity, then it will likely be com- posed of 11 members. Each City Council member will ap-
ERIC WARD Tampa Police Chief
point a member, the Mayor will appoint two members, and the Police Chief will ap- point 2 members.
He further said the board would be independent and would have some type of power to make recommenda- tions. He believes that in this way, the board would bring about accountability and help build a better relationship be- tween police and the commu- nity.
When asked why the Hills- borough County Sheriff’s Of- fice does not experience the same problems as the city, Chairman Reddick said, “We do not have an independ- ent voice outside of Internal Affairs. The Sheriff’s Office has the Black Advisory Board that is a diverse board where peo- ple can voice their com- plaints.”
Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward said, “I have been working with Mayor Buck- horn and researching the possibility of a Citizens Review Board for several weeks, look- ing to see how they have worked in other law enforce- ment agencies.
FRANK REDDICK Chairman City Council
“If structured appropri- ately, and with unbiased mem- bers, a Citizens Review Board could have a positive impact by increasing trust and en- hancing the community’s un- derstanding of how our department works. I look for- ward to appearing before City Council next month to discuss the issue.”
Mayor Buckhorn said, “As he stated yesterday, Chief Ward is looking at similar types of advisory committees all over the country to deter- mine what if anything is ap- propriate for Tampa. Every jurisdiction is unique and we are committed to doing what is appropriate for our commu- nity, our police department and the people we serve.
“Whatever decision we ar- rive at will reflect the reality of our city and not the inadequa- cies of another jurisdiction. Our Police Department works everyday to build relationships with the community and the men and women who serve pride themselves on treating everyone they come into con- tact with on a daily basis with dignity and respect."
PAGE 2 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015