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TAMPA, Fla. (WLFA) — Time is winding down for the Tampa Racial Reconciliation Committee.
Tuesday was their final scheduled meeting for the topics they want to present to Tampa City Council, and some members feel they haven’t made much progress.
“We’ve been on a gerbil wheel for the last six and a half months,” said Daryl Hych, a board member.
The recommendations they want to make to the council involve economic development, opportunities for youth, ignored history, returning citizens, and affordable housing.
Facing realities of trying to implement these programs meant the committee discussing briefly the passing of District 5 Councilwoman Gwnedolyn Henderson.
“We have, right now, no one there representing interests of the African community,” said Connie Burton, a board member.
The committee will request two six-hour meetings with subject matter experts from the city to discuss the recommendations. Public input will be allowed.
Then the committee will draft its final recommendation to present to city council for the upcoming budget.
But some members feel the weight of these topics warrant more time for discussion.
“What we do in this committee is going to set precedent for, as Ms. Connie said, for the next governmental administration,” Hych said.