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Weekly Challenger
Published April 30OPINION: Let’s cross every line they redraw
By Geveryl Robinson | Contributor Anger. That’s what I felt when I heard about the Supreme Court’s 6–3 decision in Louisiana v. Callais: a decision that, in plain terms, weakens one of the last protections under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and opens the door for states to…
Weekly Challenger
Published January 26OP-ED: Affordability is a critical issue in St. Petersburg, and I’m committed to addressing it
BY LINSEY GROVE | Contributor ST. PETERSBURG — As a candidate for St. Petersburg City Council District 6, I am committed to representing all the different communities that make up District 6 and using my diverse skill sets and experience to solve the issues we are facing. I love…
Weekly Challenger
Published January 21OP-ED: No Site. No Silence.
BY GEVERYL ROBINSON | Contributor ST. PETERSBURG — On Saturday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m., residents in Child’s Park and South St. Petersburg will gather for a No Site, No Silence town hall, not out of convenience, but out of necessity. This is not a town hall born of routine civic…
Weekly Challenger
Published November 05Faith Leaders’ endorsements boost Darling’s momentum in HD 62 Race
ST. PETERSBURG — Momentum continues to build for Kyandra Darling, the St. Petersburg native and Democratic candidate running to represent Florida House District 62, as more than a dozen local pastors, ministers, and imams have announced their endorsement of her campaign. The…
Weekly Challenger
Published October 10The Colonel: Committed patriot and public servant
Don McRae’s quiet, calming style, unselfish commitment, loyalty, and devotion served him well as he was appointed to higher levels of service as human rights director, deputy city manager, assistant city manager, deputy city administrator, chief of staff and eventually city…
Weekly Challenger
Published September 18Competent leader or figurehead
“Some posit Chief Watts is either not as committed to diversity as he travels the community asserting, or he is not ready or capable of making the courageous decisions required for the job as Chief of St. Pete Fire Rescue,” Dr. Goliath Davis.” Goliath J. Davis, III, Ph.D. |…
Weekly Challenger
Published July 10Loud and right! My response to the mayor’s ‘Plan for progress at St. Petersburg Fire Rescue’
‘My review of the mayor’s plan leaves me wondering why he is assuming so much responsibility for what Watts didn’t do,’ questions Dr. Goliath Davis. BY GOLIATH J. DAVIS, III, Ph.D. | Contributor ST. PETERSBURG — I read Mayor Welch’s plan with great interest and take this…
Weekly Challenger
Published July 09The plan for progress at St. Petersburg Fire Rescue
‘The people of St. Petersburg elected me to move our city forward, and that is my focus,’ expressed Mayor Ken Welch. The mayor and Fire Chief Keith Watts at Fire Station 9 in Lake Pasadena. BY KENNETH T. WELCH | Mayor of St. Petersburg ST. PETERSBURG — I’ve been blessed to serve…
Weekly Challenger
Published July 02The ‘more qualified’ card
‘Where is the “Watts Plan?” Where is your written, codified approach to correcting the ills you witnessed and the implementation of the management study recommendations?’ BY GOLIATH J. DAVIS, III, Ph.D. | Contributor ST. PETERSBURG — In my previous commentaries regarding the lack…
Weekly Challenger
Published June 28Fire department promotional update
Fire Chief Keith Watts held a promotional ceremony on June 20, during which 12 firefighters were promoted; however, not a single one was Black. BY GOLIATH J. DAVIS, III, Ph.D. | Contributor ST. PETERSBURG — As you might imagine, stories are swirling fast and furious regarding the…
Weekly Challenger
Published June 25Community members ask: Why?
“St. Petersburg’s Black Community is all too familiar with the struggle for justice in all aspects of life, including the garbage strike, school integration, the achievement gap, baseball, restrictive covenants, segregated swimming facilities, and other segregationist policies…
Weekly Challenger
Published May 28Black Voters Are Not Pawns: Why the Fight Over Florida’s District 16 Matters to Us All
Black Voters Are Not Pawns: Why the Fight Over Florida’s District 16 Matters to Us All (Op-Ed) By Geveryl Robinson, Contributor Let’s be clear: what’s happening with Florida Senate District 16 is not just about geography; it’s about power. And once again, Black voters are the…