Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 2-1-19

Features
Church To Host Voter Registration Drive Saturday
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
During the General Elec- tion in November, voters ap- proved Amendment 4, which restores the right to vote to most convicted felons. The ex- ceptions are those who have been convicted of murder or a sex crime.
As a result of the passage of the amendment, nearly 1.5 mil- lion people in Florida now have the right to vote. However, in order to participate in the vot- ing process, the person must be registered 30 days prior to the election.
The final day for residents to register to vote in the up- coming election is Monday, February 4th. The City of Tampa Municipal election will take place on Tuesday, March 5th.
In celebration of the pass- ing of Amendment 4, Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church will host a Voter’s Registration Drive on Saturday, February 2nd, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The event will feature a Continental Break- fast. The church is located at 2101 Lowe Street, Tampa, 33605.
Rev. Dr. Glenn Dames
said, “The passage of Amend- ment 4 was a game changer for people in this state. Those peo- ple who have been long discon- nected from the political process now have an opportu- nity to rejoin the process and learn there is life after mis- takes. The challenge is to find those folks, get them registered and get them to vote.
“Our effort is tri-fold. We want to find them, educate them, and help them get regis- tered so they can vote.”
Although the theme for the event is “Celebrating Amendment 4,” the church is inviting anyone who has not registered to come out and do so on Saturday. Representa- tives from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office will be on hand at the
REV. DR. GLENN DAMES Pastor, Allen Temple AME Church
event to conduct the registra- tion.
The event is free and open to the public. Anyone wishing to obtain more information can contact the church at (813-229- 1438.
About The Election
A total of 32 candidates qualified to participate in the election. The residents of the City will vote for a mayor and all seven (7) City Council posi- tions. Each ballot will include an open seat for mayor, three citywide City Council Seats, (Districts I, II, and III), and one district-specified District Seat. The ballots will also include 18 proposed amend- ments to the Tampa City Char- ter.
Important Dates February 15th --- Sample ballots will be mailed to all eli- gible voters who have not re-
quested a mail ballot.
February 25- March 3 -- - Early voting will take place at seven (7) different locations throughout the city. Voters can vote at any Early Voting site during the period. Voters also can drop off Vote By Mail bal- lots at Early Voting sites when they’re open.
March 5th --- Voting will take place at assigned polling places. Anyone who has not voted must report to their as- signed locations to cast a bal- lot. All mail ballots must be turned in by the voter. It must be dropped off at one of the four Supervisor of Elections of- fices no later than 7 p.m.
Tampa Has Its Own Connection To Super Bowl LIII
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Sunday evening, traffic will be light all over the coun- try. Few people will be out and about. In fact, most will be set- tled down waiting the kickoff for Super Bowl LIII.
And, while Tampa has been relegated to the sidelines as an observer, we still have a stake in the game. When the New England Patriots take on the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII, a former Tampa res- ident will represent this city.
Today, Brad Holmes is the Director of College Scout- ing for the Rams. For more than a decade, he has traveled the country looking for prospective players for the Rams.
Holmes launched his ca- reer with the Rams 15 years ago, when he accepted a role as an Intern in the Public Rela- tions Department in 2003. The following year, he became a Scouting Assistant, and has steadily moved up the ranks to
BRAD HOLMES Director of College Scouting for the Los Angeles Rams
his present position.
So, it is quite probable that
when the team takes to the field in Atlanta on Sunday, many of his recruits will partic- ipate.
He is the son of Dr. Joan Holmes and the late Melvin “Brad” Holmes, Sr., who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and played from 1971- 1974.
Holmes graduated from Chamberlain High School in
1997. While at the school, Holmes was Captain and served as the defensive tackle on the football team. He fol- lowed in his parents’ footsteps and attended North Carolina A & T State University as a Public Relations/Communications major.
Once again, he served as Captain in both his junior and senior year. His mother recalls that the team had just won a national championship and Holmes had come home for the Christmas holidays.
While home, he was in- volved in a near fatal traffic ac- cident. After several weeks recovering, Holmes returned to school and graduated. “He was following in his father’s footsteps, but the accident ended any opportunities for him to play professional foot- ball.”
Instead of being on the field, Holmes, 39, used his college major to secure an in- ternship with the Rams organ- ization.
Dr. Holmes said her son lives in Atlanta with his wife and children. However, his job keeps him traveling from city to city searching for future Rams. She said he has re- cruited such notables as Todd Gurley, Aaron Donald, and Jared Goff, to name a few.
Former professional foot- ball player Tyrone Keys, founder of All Sports Commu- nity Service said, “Brad, our 1st student to be a member of a Super Bowl team brings back fond memories of me being a member of the 1985 Bears Super Bowl team that shuffled to Super Bowl XX--
“I am so excited for Brad to have this experience --- it's been beautiful to witness his educational and athletic quest to be his best. I remember Brad and talking after the NFL draft. Since he didn't get drafted, he men- tioned that his dream was to become a scout. We contacted several teams on Brad’s be- half.
“I had witnessed his work ethic as two-way player at Chamberlain, not an easy feat for a lineman to play a whole game, but he had dedication and commitment.
“I reached out to former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Martin Mayhew, who was working with the Detroit Lions. He re- turned my call and offered Brad an opportunity to join him in Detroit.
“Brad has paid his dues, going from the bottom beating the bushes as scout to now being a Director of College Scouting. He has played a key role in building the Rams team through the draft.”
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2019