Page 4 - 6-16-15 Tuesday's Edition

Local
U. S. Rep. Hires New District Employees
U. S. Rep. Kathy Cas- tor (FL-14) has hired two new employees for her Tampa Bay District Offices.
The three new employees are Ms. Stephanie Ger- mon and Steven Angotti. She has also changed respon- sibilities of other employees.
Ms. Germon will serve as a Constituent Services Representative. She will as- sist neighbors on matters re- lating to federal services, especially veterans benefits.
She served 20 years in the U. S. Army, including a com- bined six years stationed at U. S. Central Command and U. S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base.
Ms. Germon has a bach- elor’s degree in sociology and master’s degree in mental health counseling, both from Mississippi College.
Angotti will serve as Grants Coordinator and Communications Assistant. In this capacity, he will help constituents and Tampa Bay organizations identify avail- able grants and navigate the federal grants process.
Angotti is a native of Tampa Bay, graduated from Armwood High School, earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental science and policy from the University of South Florida as well as his law degree from the Univer- sity of Miami. He previously served two semesters as an intern for U. S. Rep. Castor.
Damaris Gonzalez will
U. S. REP. KATHY CASTOR
serve as Staff Assistant, di- rectly assisting constituents with their requests for infor- mation. Gonzalez is bilin- gual and possesses vast experience in offices with a high-level of client interac- tion.
Rep. Castor said, “My district offices are focused on helping our neighbors and increasingly interact with our federal agencies daily so we can advocate on behalf of them as they seek to access their federal benefits, espe- cially our veterans who have earned all of the support our community can provide.
“My district offices are also focused on assisting our organizations and con- stituents with the federal grants process, which is be- coming extremely competi- tive. Tampa Bay has done very well in recent years, se- curing millions of dollars in federal grants to support im-
portant local projects that create jobs and invest in our education, research and in- frastructure.
“I want to ensure Tampa Bay remains competitive so that we can bring more of our tax dollars home. I am proud to welcome Stephanie, Steven and Damaris, who will join the hardworking members of my staff to focus on these areas and help all of our neighbors and small businesses thrive as we put the recession further behind us.”
Other changes Rep. Cas- tor is making in her district office includes Tery Sanchez, who has worked for U. S. Rep. Castor for more than 10 years and as- sists neighbors daily, will now serve as constituent services director. Marcia Mejia, who was previously press secretary for U. S. Rep. Castor, will now serve as communications director.
Chloe Coney continues to serve as district director.
Rep. Castor’s District 14 includes the greater Tampa area as well as South St. Pe- tersburg. Office locations are: West Tampa, 4144 N. Armenia Ave., Suite 300 and USF St. Pete, 511 Second St. S.
To contact Rep. Cas- tor’s office, visit castor.house.gov or call 813- 871-2817 or 727-873-2817. Follow her on Twitter @US- RepKCastor for the latest up- dates.
Partnership Chair Sheds More Light On Investigation
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership Chair Essie Sims said the alleged investigation against him isn’t personal.
“First, I was not angry at the meeting a week ago. As far as the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) having to be asked about an audit, any citizen can walk in a meeting and request an audit be done on TIF funds and it can come up for vote.
“I said I was under an in- vestigation at last week’s meeting, and whatever deci- sion the community made, I would move in that direc- tion.”
Sims said he understands the dynamics of what hap- pened in last week’s meeting and he’s open to anyone who wants to know what’s really going on.
“The reason I say the in- vestigation isn’t personal is because I was accused of renting the Ragan Park Com- munity Building on my own and profiting from it.
“Because of what I do for the Partnership and the fact we hold our meetings at Ragan Park, I felt I was in my right to ask for an audit, or for someone to look into this allegation.”
Sims said his request for an audit wasn’t personal and if there is going to be one, he expects to see a citizen re- quest it.
“I’m not happy that my state of mind was questioned and I think the biggest prob- lems is the lack of accounta- bility from the development manager’s office. I’ve seen ev- idence of that. As Chair, it’s my job to hold everyone ac- countable, including myself.”
Sims said on two occa- sions he tried contacting Councilwoman Yvonne “Yolie” Capin’s office, but never got his calls returned.
“As far as the by-laws are concerned they are being changed and I think the lead- ership is being questioned and the group is being hand- cuffed. I think there’s an ef- fort to put the entire East Tampa CRA operation into the hands of the city.”
Eastern Heights
Association Announces
Monthly Meeting
On Thursday, June 18th, the general meeting will be held for the Eastern Heights Neighborhood Association and Crime Watch.
This month’s speaker will be Ms. Melissa DeBrine of Life Path Hospice Community Relations. She will be talking about the importance of making decisions about advanced health care planning.
Eastern Heights Association President, Mr. Samuel L. Mobley, Sr., wants everyone to make sure they prepare for whatever they need to do when it comes to health care.
The meeting will begin at 6:30 p. m. and will be held at 4363 East Osborne Avenue.
For more information, please contact Mr. Mobley at (813) 628-4243.
Legislators Pass Cell Phone And TV Tax Cut Bill
TALLAHASSEE, --- Last week, the Florida Legislature passed a bill pertaining to taxes placed on cellular phone and TV tax. The bill will save
more than $400 million in tax cuts, mostly in reductions to the state’s cell phone and TV tax.
Governor Rick Scott
said, “Giving Floridians back more of the money they earn in tax cuts is the best thing we can do to keep Florida’s econ- omy growing. Cutting Florida’s cell phone and TV tax is partic- ularly important because it will save money for Florida families who pay a cell phone, satellite or cable TV bill.
“Florida’s budget had an over $1 billion budget surplus this year because of the hard work of Floridians, and this tax cut package will send more than $400 million back to the people who earned it. I ap- plaud the Florida House and the Florida Senate for their work on this legislation and I look forward to working with them to keep cutting taxes next year and to keep Florida working.”
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015