Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 1-8-16 Edition

Features
Fans React To Firing Of Lovie Smith
COACH LOVIE SMITH
Thousands of Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans awoke Thurs- day to the shocking news the team had parted ways with Head Coach Lovie Smith after only two seasons.
Most fans feel Smith never got the chance to turn the team around and work with first round pick Jameis Winston.
The shock over Smith’s dismissal was also reflected in comments by some of the play- ers who have said they were shocked to hear the news.
These are the comments of some Buc fans who wonder what lies ahead for the team.
Ronald Pressley, Sr.: “I was
shocked
when I
heard
they had
fired
Lovie. I
don’t
think he
was given enough time to turn the team around. It sounds like they had already made up their mind they wanted someone else. This is going to make it tough for them to hire a new coach when they’ve let three coaches go after only a couple of seasons.”
Pete Edwards: “I think it’s a betrayal of trust. Lovie came here on faith that he would get a chance to turn the team around. They won’t enjoy any success if this is the way
they be- tray their head coaches. When you’re an African American
PETE EDWARDS head coach in
college or the NFL, the rope is shorter and so is the patience.” Tyrone Keys: “Basically,
in today’s
climate
where
every-
thing is
bottom
line,
that’s the
way it is.
My thinking is they wanted to keep stability on offense, and they started downward trend- ing. They did the same thing with Raheem Morris. They feel they need to keep continu- ity on the team, especially with Jameis Winston on board. I think they already know who they are going to hire, and it’s someone already on the staff.”
Dee Jackson: “When you step back and look at it, we shouldn’t be sur- prised. The his- tory of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been one of head coaches com- ing and going. One thing is for sure. It’s been proven that a lot of players who were on the Bucs roster went to other teams and became Super Bowl winners. It started with Steve Young, then went on to Trent Dilfer, LaGarrett Blount, and Mike Bennett, who is now with the Seattle Sea-
hawks.”
After Shootings:
Funeral Directors Say Vigilance Is Key At Services
JEFF RHODES Co-Owner, Ray Williams Funeral Home
LA CHERYL AIKENS LFD Aikens Funeral Home
WAYNE BRIGHT LFD and Manager of Wilson’s Funeral Home
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last week, the community was shocked after gunfire erupted during a wake at a local funeral home. This is the first time in recent history that such an event has occurred.
At the time of the shooting, Harmon’s Funeral Home was providing services for four in- dividuals. John Harmon said at the time that the shoot- ing happened outside and since it was New Year’s Day, he thought it was fireworks. He further said he was made aware that someone had been injured. Three people were shot, including the boyfriend of a young woman who had died while texting and whose service was being held. People came inside stating that shots had been fired.
Other funeral directors said if they are made aware of
a possibility of trouble, they will take steps to keep both their staff and the families safe.
Wayne Bright, Manager and Funeral Director at Wil- son’s Funeral Home said, “This was an eye-opener. I think we just need to be more cognizant of what is happen- ing. We need to realize that things can escalate quickly, just be mindful, and avoid al- lowing problems to get to that point.”
Ms. La Cheryl Aikens,
Funeral Director and owner at Aikens Funeral Home said, “We are always aware that things like this can happen, and we can only take all nec- essary precautions and have our staff be aware and vigi- lante.
“We are proactive and are more aware of people’s feel- ings and emotions during their period of grief.”
Jeffrey Rhodes, Co- Owner of Ray Williams Fu- neral Home said, “We have had situations in the past where we were made aware in advance that there may be problems and we have secu- rity on hand. If we feel there will be anything retaliatory, then we will have security on hand for the safety of our staff and others.
“Some families will re- quest security if they feel there is going to be problems and we will take the necessary pre- cautions,” he said.
The directors also said that in the past, the police will con- tact them if they feel there will be problems during the serv- ice. At that time, the funeral homes have security inside and law enforcement handles matters outside.
However, it is a case-by- case situation and merits its own security measures.
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016