On a 4-3 vote, the Board opted NOT to sign a proclamation which would would have been presented at the beginning of the County’s Bi-Weekly meeting this morning.

Tampa resident Marion Lambert, who referred to himself as from the ‘ Southern Heritage Community ‘ called out the 4 Commissioners who opted not to recognize the divisive proclamation, saying they ougta to be ashamed for doing so(roll tape#1 o.q.”Kevin, Kevin White”)

Lambert was referring to Commissioner Kevin White, one of the 4 votes against recognizing Confederate Flag, who took over Thomas Scott’s District 5 seat last Fall.  Both are African –Americans.

The County Commission angered parts of the black community in Hillsborough County back in January, when they issued a proclamation recognizing the bicentennial birthday of Confederate General Robert E. Lee – on the same day they honored a black community activist Jim Hammond.

That act led to this scolding at the January 18^th meeting by 1 angry citizen (roll tape#2 o.q.”what you did”)

Joining White this week in opposing the proclamation were fellow Commissioners Rose Ferlita, Al Higginbotham, and Mark Sharpe. 

This is the first time the Board has used a new policy to reject a proclamation request.  That policy was enacted in part because of the controversy back in January.

For many African-Americans, the Confederate flag is a painful reminder of the country’s racist past.  But for Marion Lambert, the Commissioners move was devisive and hurtful, (roll tape#2 o.q.”these commissioners “)

Earlier this year, The Sons of Confederate Veterans announced that they had collected 30,000 signatures from citizens , and raised over $60,000 to immortalize the Confederate Flag on A Florida speciality license plate.  It is not clear at this time if any legislator has sponsored such a proposal.