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Local
East Tampa Church Suffers Major Flood Damage
Located at 2628 East Lake Avenue, Peace Progressive Church has not only survived the negative publicity the area has experienced for decades, but also has tried to give back to the community,
“First, I owe so much to my pastor, Dr. Bartholomew Banks at St. John Progressive M. B. Church for preparing me spiritually, physically, and mentally for this mission,” said Elder Timothy J. Kemp, Senior Pastor of Peace Pro- gressive.
“I’ve experienced people selling drugs directly across the street from the church as well as committing other ille- gal acts. I know the police are constantly on patrol, but I ap- proach the people myself to see if I can help them heal, or to tell them to move on.”
During the horrific rains the area experienced last month, Pastor Kemp said he’s had to suspend all of the activities that took place on the lower level of the church.
“The entire basement area was flooded, and although its cement block, there is still a
mess to clean up and a lot of mold.
“I’m going to have to have some pumps installed to get the water off the property and I’m also going to have the land graded where the water will properly run off instead of pooling close around the base of the church.”
Pastor Kemp said he had been offering free meals to those in the community who need help, regardless of their background.
“We feed the soul first, and we also offer help with case
management services.
“Due to the recent flood,
we aren’t able to provide all of the services, and I’m reaching out for a hand up to restart the full operations of services to the community.”
On Wednesday, September 30th at 7 p.m., Pastor Kemp will be spearheading a Disaster Flood Relief Drive. The event is sponsored by Rev. Banks, and Dr. Evan Burrows, Sen- ior Pastor of First Baptist Church of College Hill.
For more information, call (813) 247-2345.
ELDER TIMOTHY J. KEMP Senior Pastor Peace Progressive church
West Tampa Alliance Leader Addresses
Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC)
Process
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Since the group was founded in 2013, the West Tampa Alliance (WTA) has en- deared itself to the community, the City of Tampa, elected offi- cials, and law enforcement of- ficials.
When the news came that West Tampa was getting a CRA, no one was more excited than WTA President, Heem Baisden.
“We all saw it as a great op- portunity to not just have a voice in the community, but also become a mouthpiece for residents and business owners who’ve suffered for decades trying to survive.
“We’ve carefully followed the selection process of the Cit- izens Advisory Committee (CAC), and we were excited to be a part of the CAC to have a say in the future of West Tampa and job creation.”
Baisden said when the original selection process was approved in July, everyone was ready to go. Now that it has been rescinded, Baisden said its right back to square one.
“I wanted to know who made the motion that the orig- inal selection process be re- scinded. Now I know it was our own Council representative (Council Chair Frank Red- dick).
“I’m sure Councilman Reddick has his reason for putting the brakes on the process, but he has left us all in shock by his actions. We agree
HEEM BAISDEN
with Joe Robinson that it ap- pears the Council is making up rules as they go along.”
Baisden said the West Tampa community has been deprived for so long, and now not to allow the people to de- cide for themselves about its growth, progress and prosper- ity is a slap in the face.
“Councilman Reddick has left us all with a bad taste in our mouths.
“I want to follow the same line of thinking that former County Commissioner Rubin Padgett had about Tampa General Hospital going private. If it’s not broke, why fix it?”
The West Tampa Alliance wants assurances from Coun- cilman Reddick that the WTA, as well as other commu- nity groups won’t be pushed aside in favor of groups that have no history in West Tampa, and don’t share the desperation of the residents and business owners.
Veteran’s Council To Host Gold Star Mother's Day Ceremony
The Veterans Council of Hillsborough County, Inc. and American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. will honor fallen heroes and their families at the Gold Star Mother’s Day Ceremony. The event will take place on Sunday, September 27th, at 11 a.m.
It will take place at Veterans Memorial Park, 3602 U. S. Highway 301, and is open to the public.
The Gold Star Mothers assist families who have lost children in the line of duty during service with the United States Armed Forces. They provide emotional support to members, volunteer with Veterans and Veterans’ hospitals, and foster patriotism and respect for service members.
Speakers for the ceremony include: Dr. Sheryl Anthos, President of Tampa Bay Blue Star Mothers, and Kelly Kowell, Gold Star Mothers President and founder of My Warriors Place.
The traditional Navy Two Bell ceremony to honor the fallen will be performed, followed by the playing of Taps, and a rifle salute by the Riverview Detachment of the Marine Corps League is also planned.
For more information about Veterans Memorial Park and Museum, call (813) 744-5502 or Hillsborough County Depart- ment of Veterans Services at (813) 246-3170.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-B