Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 4-15-16 Edition

Features
Tampa Chapter Of The Links, Inc. Hosting FREE Health Fair Saturday
With an interest in healthy living, the ladies of the Tampa Chapter of the Links, Incorpo- rated plan to inspire the com- munity. For the past several months, they have been plan- ning numerous events that will cater to your health, and pro- vide some fun activities.
“Shining Inside & Out” will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2016,10a.m.–2p.m.at1417 Tampa Park Plaza (Nebraska Ave. and Scott St.).
There will be a number of free screenings available and many educational sessions. From11a.m.to1p.m.,a panel of distinguished physi- cians and health care providers will host a panel dis- cussion. The panel will in- clude: Dr. Sharon Andrews, Psychiatry; Dr. James O. Brookins, Inter- nal Medicine; Dr. Bruce Miles, Dentistry; Dr. Vipul Patel, Urology; Dr. Jacen- tha Buggs, Transplant Sur- geon; Dr. Tina Clayton, Family Physician; and Stephanie Pollard, MPH, Breast Cancer Awareness.
In addition to all the health screenings, there will be a
number of vendors, give- aways, Zumba and Yoga classes, healthy hair classes, holistic health classes and free food.
Free boxes of food will also be given away. However, to get the food worth about $100, those in attendance must get at least one screening and at- tend one of the sessions.
Two years ago, the Tampa Chapter of the Links hosted a Bone Marrow drive following worship service at the Carroll- wood Bible-Based Fellowship Church. Dr. Jacentha Buggs, a member of Bible- Based, spearheaded the event. Chapter members were elated that 71 individuals signed up as donors. One person ended up being a match for a patient.
Dr. Maria Russ is the Health Fair Chair.
This event was inspiration for the members to plan the health fair. Chapter President, Link Kay Andrews and those who make up the com- mittee are inviting the com- munity to take advantage of these FREE services. For addi- tional information, please see advertisement in this issue.
Councilman Files Complaint Against PBA President
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
During last Thursday’s City Council meeting, an election process was initiated to name the new Council Chair.
Councilman Frank Reddick, who was holding the position of Chair at the time, sat patiently as 13 votes were taken before the deci- sion was made to name Councilman Mike Suarez the new Chair.
It was during that process that Councilman Reddick allegedly saw Vincent Gericitano, President of the Tampa Police Benevolent As- sociation (PBA), make throat slashing gestures every time his name was mentioned.
On Tuesday, Council- man Reddick filed an in- ternal affairs complaint against the union boss, say- ing the gestures were made during a meeting that was at- tended by dozens of citizens, and was also witnessed by his colleagues.
Gericitano has said he didn’t make the gestures, and doesn’t know what Council- man Reddick is talking about.
“Because of my position with the Citizens Review Board, I don’t think the PBA likes me, and that may be the reason or the gestures,” said Councilman Reddick.
COUNCILMAN FRANK REDDICK
“I have, and will continue to be, an advocate for a stronger review board that would be less under control of the police.”
Councilman Reddick
said he decided to file the complaint, because he thought the gestures were in- appropriate, and the Tampa Police Department’s Manual of Regulations has a rule against gossip and criticism.
The rule says: “De- partment employees shall not publicly criti- cize or ridicule the de- partment, city administration, or other city departments, their policies, or offices through speech, writing or expression in any other manner when such speech, writing, or other expression is defama- tory, obscene, unlawful,
slanderous, libelous or tends to impair the oper- ation of the department by hampering its effi- ciency, interfering with the ability of supervisors to maintain discipline, or is made with reckless disregard for truth or falsity.”
“Right now, the city is hav- ing issues with the African American community, and this will not close the gap be- tween law enforcement and African American citizens.
“I think Gericitano did it because he doesn’t fear any repercussions from anyone. My message is, African American elected officials will be respected, regardless of whether you agree with our policies or not.”
Councilman Reddick
said he’s happy Internal Af- fairs is taking it seriously.
VINCENT GERICITANO PBA President
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2016