Gates High School - Revive the Lutz Civic Association

**6/12/12** Update.  The Lutz Civic Association has a new URL and website.  Add the word "The" in front of the old one.  http://www.thelutzcivicassociation.org/  It is still meeting and I will add to the blog the date and time of the next meeting as I get it.**

The issues surrounding Gates High School is something the Lutz Civic Association would have been involved in the past.  I am not saying LCA would oppose or support the school, simply it is the type of activity it had great expertise with.  Currently LCA seems to be close to death.  The website has not been updated since 2010.  The email address kicks back returns emails, there is no news about it in Lutz Community News.  There are no listing for the meetings anywhere.  This is not surprising, considering the state of the economy, older members retiring, lack of new members joining, the Parks Dept charging fees / increasing fees for meetings/activities,  for the lack of a big thing to fight against or for.

Applicants for zoning changes only have to notifiy adjacent property owners or designated representatives of registered neighborhoods within one mile of the site. (Many neighborhoods are not registered)  How many people who did not in those categories but who would be affected by Gates high School paid attention the big yellow signs placed regarding the rezoning?  It took me months before I finally got around to writing down the application number and looking it up.  How many people know how to look up the information? How many people have ever been to a zoning / County Commission hearing?  How many people have organized campaigns in support / opposition to a re-zoning request?

One of the expertises LCA had is about Land Use issues. There is an inactive page for Land Use News.  A re-activated LCA could be the place to again get information about zoning issues in Lutz. They have fought the big fights before and organized residents.

With people galvanized over the Gates High School now is the time to attend meetings / join LCA to ensure it remains a vital part of Lutz and will help with future re-zonings.

According to the State of Florida Business Registration site (Sunbiz.org) site the officers are: Gary Williams, Marion Smith,  Bahr Ardyth, Paul Vahue,  Auralee Buckingham, and Steve Polzin.  If you know them personally contact them for more information.  Paul Vahue is an Assistant Pastor at First Baptist Church in Lutz and can be reached at (813) 949-7495 or email.

**Update** Found a Facebook site for LCA https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lutz-Civic-Association/277432722313227