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Elderly Residents In East Tampa Neighborhood Fear The Outdoors
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
A host of elderly homeown- ers living in the vicinity of St. John Progressive M. B. Church have been complaining for years about the drug activity in their small neighborhood.
Ms. Queen Miller is one of those residents, and she said it has gotten to the point where she along with her neighbors spend very little time outside.
“We have boarded up houses that people are running in and out of, boarded up houses that people are still liv- ing in, open-air drug sales, and a lot of it is going on very close to the church.
“We don’t blame the police, because there are patrols that come through this area. But, if they aren’t parked here 24 hours a day, it just doesn’t help.”
Ms. Miller said for years, she’s tried to get her neighbor- hood organized into a group that can speak out on the prob- lems before the City Council and other elected officials.
“We want something done about this problem. We’ve seen representatives from Code Enforcement in the area as well as police, but when they leave, it’s business as usual for these people.
“They know the area better than the police, and with Machado Street coming to a dead end, it has become a fa- vorite spot for people to just hang out.”
Ms. Miller said there are a couple of places she knows il- legal activity is going on.
“It’s just a matter of the po- lice catching them in the act. It doesn’t help when they get ar- rested, because they bond out and come right back to the same corner.”
Ms. Miller said she along with her neighbors have vowed to not allow anything or any- one force them to move away.
“I’ve lived in this area for more than 40 years, and I’m not going anywhere. If they (the drug dealers) think they can scare me away and take over, they are mistaken.
“I have faith in the police department to sooner or later get rid of all of them, but I seri- ously think Code Enforcement will be the best way to get that done.”
On Tuesday, April 14th in the Annex of St. John Progres- sive M.B. Church, a Health Consumer Council meeting will be held from 9 a. m. until 10:30 a.m. Ms. Miller said that will be a great opportunity to address the problems in an open forum.
“I’d like to see all of the res- idents attend, but even more I’d like to see all of the area pastors in attendance.”
Beauty Unlimited
JESSICA
This week’s Spotlight feature is the lovely Jessica, and as you can see, it doesn’t get any better. This young lady aspires to be the face of success today and in the future, and is not shy when it comes to posing for the camera. Jessica is capable of accomplishing anything she wants, and is never short of confidence. Congratulations to Jessica as this week’s Spotlight feature.
Mid ‘90s Dies Suddenly
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Tuesday morning he was preparing for a new busi- ness venture.
A popular athlete who played football for H. B. Plant High School in the mid 1990s, passed suddenly Tuesday morning. He was 43 years old.
Donte Williams, who was a standout football player, who currently resides in Largo, was stricken at his home.
According to his mother, Tampa resident Ms. Debra Williams, it is believed that blood clots may have caused Donte’s death.
Ms. Williams said her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Patri- cia Williams told her that Donte was preparing for his day’s activities when suddenly he started gasping for breath. Paramedics were called; Williams coded, the atten- dants revived him; transported him to the hospital; and he coded again at the hospital.
After high school, Williams went to Miles Col- lege in Alabama on a football
scholarship and trans- ferred to Al- abama State before re- turning to Tampa.
Having been a busi- DONTE ness owner WILLIAMS of Tampa Bay Natural Stone, Largo, Williams had to shut the business down after the market dropped. He worked part-time with Ambas-
sador Limousine.
He had made preparation
to start his own business, a lim- ousine service. Tuesday morn- ing, he had to sign off on the vehicles that he would use in the business, his mother stated.
The family is preparing for a celebration of his life that will be announced later. Following his wishes, several of Williams’ organs were do- nated.
Williams is also the father of 2 children – Terrene and Laura (stepdaughter).
Anyone who would like to reach Mrs. Williams may contact her at (813) 900-6080.
PAGE 12-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015