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City Council Members Have Issue With Mayor Intervening In Their Hiring Of Aides
Hillsborough Students Beat State Average On Exams
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
An issue has surfaced be- tween the Tampa City Council and Mayor Bob Buckhorn on the hiring of the aides of the seven council members.
Council members have ques- tioned whether the city’s Human Resources depart- ment overstepped its author- ity when it didn’t allow the hiring of a legislative aide for new councilman, Guido Maniscalco because of a DUI conviction.
It was also reported that in August 2014, Mayor Buck- horn was involved when Councilman Mike Suarez decided to reclassify his aide to part-time and hire another part-time aide.
Council Chair Frank Reddick said in his opinion, the city’s Human Resources Department is coming up with unwritten policies.
“The City Attorneys said there was no policy to prevent the aide for Councilman Suarez from working on Crist’s campaign. But, the Mayor hired an outside attor- ney, at the taxpayer’s expense, who said the Mayor is author- ized to make that decision.”
Council Chair Reddick
said there has been other in- ternal issues with city admin- istration for a long time, and it’s frustrating how the Mayor can do this.
“As a Council, we are all very upset about this. We are also concerned because we don’t know where this will end.
Councilman Suarez said his problem is the City Attor- ney had already signed off on it.
“This whole thing has been handled distastefully, espe- cially in regard of what it
means to this Council. I’m not comfortable with this and there is some charter language and ordinance that need to be changed.
“We went forward with our action after conferring with City Attorneys, and that’s what makes this so confusing. I have a great aide and she’s liked by everyone. I just don’t understand the reason behind this.
“There is a separation of powers issue here.” Council- man Maniscalco said this decision by the Mayor puts a hold on him getting his staff up and running.
During Thursday’s Council meeting, there was a heated and debated discussion be- tween Council members and City Attorney Julia Man- del.
“I think all of this is a bunch of foolishness, and it’s ridicu- lous that the Mayor’s office would undertake something like this and take this kind of action. This has got to stop, said Reddick.”
Ms. Mandel said there are decisions made in regards to employment with the city that aren’t specifically covered in the employee manual.
Councilwoman Yvonne Capin said the statement that it’s alright because it’s been that way for years doesn’t mean it’s right.
“Things have changed over the years, and that doesn’t make it always alright, espe- cially if the decisions are being made not based on any charter stipulations or ordinances, but simply because that’s the way it’s been done for years.
Council members voted and approved adopting a timeline to work on an amendment to the Charter to address this issue.
Hillsborough County stu- dents exceeded the state aver- age on both the Algebra I end-of-course exam as well as the English Language Arts as- sessment, according to scores released Friday by the Florida Department of Education. The Hillsborough students' 5-per- centage-point gain in the Alge- bra assessment was the biggest increase among Tampa Bay area aschool dis- tricts and the state's largest districts.
The scores show that 69 per- cent of Hillsborough County students passed the Algebra I end-of-course exam compared to 64 percent last year, while
statewide 67 percent passed. Among Tampa Bay area school districts, Pasco posted a 68 percent passing rate, while Pinellas and Polk posted 56 percent passing rates.
While the state is proceeding with an examination of the state’s new Florida Standards Assessment this year to an- swer questions about the reli- ability of the tests and results, the Algebra and Language Arts assessments still are re- quirements for graduation. Students who failed the as- sessments will have multiple opportunities to earn the scores they need.
On the English Language
Arts assessment, 55 percent of Hillsborough County students earned a passing score, while the statewide average was 54 percent. On the local level, Pasco had a 57 percent pass- ing rate, Pinellas had a 55 per- cent passing rate, and Polk students posted a 44 percent passing rate.
“Congratulations to our stu- dents and teachers, and their support team. The results on the Algebra I and English Lan- guage Arts assessments are impressive, especially given all the distractions around testing this year,” Jeff Eakins, Hills- borough County School Dis- trict Acting Superintendent said.
City And Nonprofit Partner To Offer New Program For At-Risk Youth
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
In an effort to provide ad- ditional programs for at-risk youngsters, the City of Tampa and a not-for-profit organiza- tion have joined forces. The new program targets young- sters in the Sulphur Springs Community.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Pastor Ken Whitten, of Hope Street of Tampa, Inc., will offer the new program- ming for at-risk youth at the George Bartholomew Commu- nity Center, in Sulphur Springs.
Mayor Buckhorn said, “Creating partnerships that change lives and stabilize neighborhoods requires every- one doing their part. Govern- ment doesn't have all the answers. We need the faith- based community, social serv- ice providers and neighbors to join us.
“I want to thank Pastor Whitten and his team of vol- unteers for their dedication and for the good work they will do as a result of this partner- ship.”
Pastor Whitten said, “Hope Street is excited about the possibility of engaging with the Tampa Parks & Recreation Department in the use of the Bartholomew Center for the purpose of rescue, restoration,
recover, and relief to the Sul- phur Springs community. If the engagement is successful, this Fall youth ages 16-21 who have dropped out of school will have the opportunity, through Catapault, to receive a high school diploma.
“In addition, because 20% of all juvenile delinquents in Hillsborough County live in Sulphur Springs, we hope to have an Evening Reporting Center (ERC) to offer mentor- ing, tutoring, recreation, and an opportunity, under supervi- sion, to meet with their proba- tion officer and mentors,” he said.
The program targets at-risk
youth and strengthening rela- tionships with the surrounding neighborhood. Hope Street of Tampa offers the following services at no cost to the City:
Catapault Learning – Aimed at 16-21 year olds, this program will assist partici- pants in obtaining a High School diploma.
iWork – This program will work with residents to identify and enhance skills needed for potential employment.
Department of Juvenile Justice Reception Center- By creating a central meeting space, minors will have the opportunity to meet with pro- bation officers throughout the week in their community.
Block Party – Through so- cial gatherings, Hope Street will solidify and enhance rela- tionships with the surrounding neighborhoods.
And, Adopt-A-Block – Vol- unteers will adopt families in the Sulphur Springs commu- nity, and work with them one- on-one to provide assistance.
In addition, snacks and/or dinner will be provided to mentees, volunteers, and tu- tors.
Hope Street of Tampa had previously provided limited programs at the Center. On Thursday, City Council granted approval for the ex- pansion of the program.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2015