Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 8-16-16 Online Edition

Served As Public Servant For 12 Years
Thank you for the op- portunity to respond to your recent editorial about my re-election to District 1 of the Hillsbor- ough County School Board. I have always ap- preciated the important role The Sentinel plays in the community, and I value the chance to speak to your readers.
As a School Board member, I have always tried to do my best to sup- port not only the children in my district, but all stu- dents who attend Hillsbor- ough County Public Schools.
I have worked hard to ensure that the African- American business com- munity is treated fairly by the School District, and is given the same opportuni- ties as the rest of the com- munity. It’s important to remember that I have al- ways supported and fought for the rest of the District’s many hard- working African-Ameri- can employees, both teachers and non-instruc- tional staff.
Upon the retirement of The Honorable Mrs. Doris Ross Reddick, she passed on her baton to me. I proudly carried her baton. In 2010, I introduced for the first time a policy that recognizes our commit- ment to support our local small minority owned businesses. Because of those efforts, the Office of Supplier Diversity under the leadership of both Mr. Henry Ballard, Jr. and Mr. Ben Moore, has received local, state and national recognition.
Under my Chairman- ship, for the first time ever, the Chief Diversity Officer position was cre- ated as well as other exec- utive level positions of which the positions are held by African-American individuals.
I’ve helped African- American students obtain their high school diploma after earning a Certificate of Completion; this certifi- cate we all know brings challenges for our stu- dents to continue their studies post secondarily. We all know that all stu- dents aren’t going to col- lege. I have been a strong advocate of providing op- portunities for our stu- dents to experience different trades and tech- nical careers. I have been very active and very vocal about providing assis- tance to African American parents as well as helping African-American parents advocate for their children without fear of retaliation.
As the largest employer in the County, I have advo- cated and stood up for the rights of African-Ameri- can employees and en- couraged the Superintendent to diver- sify the facilities depart- ment and we now have for the first time ever the first African-American as the Facilities Maintenance Support Manager.
I have kept my cam- paign promises to stand true, speak the truth and on the 6th of August, I will have my 11th Annual Back To School Fair, which has helped over 5,000 families in all of Hillsborough County providing services to children, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or any other category.
For the last 12 years I have been blessed and honored to serve as your public servant. I am look- ing forward to continue serving you, our children and our families.
Respectfully your public servant, MRS. SUSAN VALDES Hillsborough County Public School Board Member District #1
Accidents
Pedestrian Killed In Accident
According to the Tampa Police Department, a pedestrian was killed in a traffic accident late Friday night. The accident took place at the inter-
section of N. 50th Street and E. Broadway Avenue. The name of the deceased person has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
Bicyclist Seriously Injured In Accident
A traffic accident Sunday evening, around 6 p.m., has left a bicyclist suffering serious in- juries. The accident took place on W. Dr. Mar- tin Luther King, Jr., Blvd., and N. Himes Avenue.
According to police, the man who police
have not identified, pending notification of his next of kin, was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in critical condition with life-threat- ening injuries.
There was no additional information at press time, police said.
Pedestrian Critical After Being Involved In Traffic Accident
According to the Tampa Police Department, a pedestrian was critically injured in a traffic ac- cident in the 4100 block of W. Hillsborough Av- enue. The accident took place Sunday evening.
The pedestrian, who police have not identi-
fied, pending notification of his next of kin, was transported by Tampa Fire Rescue to a local hos- pital.
There was not additional information at press time, police said.
Teenager Killed In Single-Car Accident
An 18-year-old man was killed and two other seriously injured early Saturday in a single-car accident. The accident took place eastbound on Interstate 4 in Polk County.
The accident, occurred shortly after 3 a.m., and all three occupants of the vehicle are from St. Cloud, Florida.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Edger Ramirez-Chavez, 19, was driving east- bound on Interstate 4, when for undetermined reasons, lost control of the 2008 Ford F-150 he
was driving. The vehicle began to rotate and left the roadway, and flipped over.
Ramirez-Chavez, and 24-year-old Leonel Benitez-Cruz were transported to Lakeland Re- gional Medical Center and admitted in serious condition. Francisco Dominguez died at the scene as a result of his injuries.
Officials said charges are pending and the ac- cident remains under investigation.
The road was closed for several hours while the accident was under investigation.
THE FLORIDA
SENTINEL BULLETIN . . .
Picks For August 30th Election
U. S. Senator
Pam Keith
U. S. Representive
No recommendation
State Senator District 19 Edwin Narain
State Rep. District 59
Rena Frazier
State Rep. District 61
Sean Michael Shaw
State Rep. District 70
No recommendation
Clerk Of The Circuit Court Pat Frank
Board Of County Commissioners District 6 Thomas Scott
Circuit Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit Group 3
Carl Hinson
Circuit Court Judge Group 24
Melissa “Missy” Polo, Gary S. Dolgin, and Lanell Williams-Yulee
County Court Judge Group 10 Miriam Valkenburg
School Board District 1 William “Bill” Person
School Board District 5 Joseph Jordan-Robinson
School Board District 7 Stanley Gray
Middleton Class Of 1958
The Middleton High School Class of 1958 will meet on Thursday, August 18, 2016, 5:30 p. m. The meeting will be held at the Police Substation, 3808 N. 22nd St.
The president, Fannie Mae Keith Byron is asking all classmates to be present. Please bring in monthly re- ports. The scholarship raffle will be held.
All records need to be up- dated. Please bring in ad- dresses, phone numbers, email addresses and birth- dates. Classmates are invited to bring a covered dish.
Rose Jones, class re- porter.
FYI
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2016