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LAND O’ LAKES/LUTZ EDITION
JANUARY 14, 2015
Gearing up to protect neighborhoods By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
About 90 concerned residents turned out to a strategy meeting on Jan. 8, as opponents gear up to battle a proposed charter school for up to 1,050 kindergarten through eighth-grade students in Lutz. Charter Schools Inc., of Boca Raton is seeking permission from Hillsborough County to allow a school for students in kindergarten through eighth grade at the southwest corner of Lutz Lake Fern Road and Sunlake Boulevard. The operator of the school would be Charter Schools Association of Coral Gables, according to the application filed with Hillsborough County. The proposed Sunlake Academy would operate on 7.46 acres. A 1-acre outparcel at the site represents a potential child care
Mike White, president and founder of the Lutz Citizens Coalition, said residents who want to protect their quality of life need to “fight fire with fire” by hiring experts to represent them during public hearings. Otherwise, legitimate concerns — such as traffic congestion and potential for flooding — might be disregarded by the hearing officer, White said.
center in the future that is already permitted by existing zoning. A public hearing on the request is set for Feb. 16. The meeting begins at 6 p.m., but the precise time this request will be heard won’t be known until that evening because there generally are a number of items on the agenda. The hearing has already been delayed twice and there’s a chance it could be delayed again, Mike White, president and founder of the Lutz Citizens Coalition told area residents and interested parties who gathered at J.F. Swartsel Masonic Lodge, 3109 Lutz Lake Fern Road. The application for the project shows two phases. The first phase includes a two-story building with 33 classrooms, and the second See CHARTER, page9A
Watoto choir shares story of Africa’s vulnerable children By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
The Watoto Children’s Choir is kicking off its four-month United States tour with appearances in Florida, including local stops. The choir’s tour, entitled “Beautiful Africa: A New Generation,” seeks to raise awareness about the plight of orphaned and vulnerable children in Africa. The performances — which are free and open to the public — include original African music, dance routines and life-transforming stories from rescued orphans and women who are part of the choir. Local stops on the tour include a 7 p.m. performance Jan. 14 at Victorious Life Church, 6224 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, and three performances at Van Dyke Church in Lutz. The Van Dyke performances are at 6 p.m. on Jan. 17, and 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 18. Van Dyke is at 17030 Lakeshore Road. Each of the children in the choir has suffered the loss of one or both parents. They live in Watoto Children’s Villages where they are nurtured to become productive citizens and leaders in their own country. Edwinsmith Kigozi, now 29, was just 11 years old when he went to live in a Watoto Village. His parents had both died. His uncle did not have the means to support him and they welcomed Watoto’s help, said Kigozi, now a team leader with the organization. The concerts feature a fusion of contemporary gospel and traditional African rhythm. Watoto’s children’s choirs have been traveling internationally since 1994 as amSee CHOIR, page9A
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF WATOTO CHILDREN’S CHOIR
The Watoto Children’s Choir is touring around the Southeastern United States, including stops in Wesley Chapel, Lutz and Tampa. Allan Nyakaana takes center stage here.
Grandmother’s comforting book gets published By Michael Murillo mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com
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The first story Aleda Reilly wrote wasn’t designed to launch a writing career, sell a lot of copies or even get published. All she wanted to do was comfort her grandchildren. “(It was) just to help them through a really emotional, tough time,” said Reilly, who lives in Land O’ Lakes. Following the death of her mother, Gladys Soldato, Reilly’s grandchildren were confused and upset at the loss of their beloved Bama. They were close to their great-grandmother, and adult explanations weren’t doing the job for Isabella and Katie, ages 4 and 2. As their grandmother, Reilly wanted to console them and describe complicated feelings in a way they’d understand. So she sat down and wrote them a story. “Angel Balloons” describes the two girls spending time with Bama until she passes away right after Christmas. They’re told she didn’t get to say goodbye because she was tired, and now lives with the angels in Heaven. The girls send Bama drawings and stickers tied to balloons so she can receive them and share them with the angels. When Reilly showed the story to the girls, it wasn’t illustrated or published. It was just a story written by their Avia, a term for grandmother. But they got the message. “I read it to (Olivia) and in an exasperated attitude she said, ‘Well you know, Avia, if anyone had told me this, I wouldn’t have been so upset at the time,’” Reilly recalled. She decided that other children might benefit from “Angel Balloons,” and she selfpublished it. Tate Publishing, a family-owned
MICHAEL MURILLO/STAFF PHOTO
Aleda Reilly combs through copies of of her children’s story, ‘Angel Balloons,’ which has been published in a variety of formats. She wrote it to help her grandchildren cope with the loss of their great-grandmother.
Christian-based publisher later picked it up, turning it into a fully illustrated publication, a 3-D book with glasses, coloring book and audio download. Reilly appreciates any format that conveys the story to more children. Parents can be reserved when it comes to serious subjects with children, she said,
and aren’t always sure how to address new feelings. She wrote this story to tackle a serious topic in a positive way that young readers can understand. She’s pleased it can now reach more children than her initial audience of her two grandchildren. See BOOK, page9A