Alafia Republican Club Gears Up for Primary

Members of the Alafia Republican Club are gearing up for the Aug. 14 Primary with a number of events over the next few weeks starting with a flag-waving event Thursday, July 26 at 5 p.m. at the entrance to Westfield Brandon shopping center near Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

Organized by Alafia Republican Club members Kelly Clem-Rickon and Jeff Lukens, the grassroots event is intended to give Republicans the opportunity to make personal contact with the public and to give conservatives from throughout the area a chance to help defeat Obama.

"This is wide open to all conservatives, and we want to marshal as many people as possible to make a statement," said Lukens. "Expect many candidates to be there with campaign signs. People can make their own sign, wave a candidate sign, or just wave a flag."

Lukens said he would love to see hundreds of people gathered for the event.

"We are trying to gather everyone in East Hillsborough to come out for this," he said. "Hundreds will pass this intersection during rush hour."

The club will follow up with a meeting July 30 at Beef O' Brady's, 4330 Bell Shoals Rd., Valrico. A social is at 6 p.m. and the meeting begins at 6:45 p.m.

Speakers will include Ken Roberts who will discuss how the Hillsborough County Planning Commission inhibits economic growth by burdensome regulations.

Debbie Cox Roush will discuss the Republican National Convention and volunteer opportunities.

Candidates for various offices also are expected to attend and will be given time to speak about their issues.

Then, on Aug. 4, the club will host another Walking to Win event, meeting at the Valrico Beef O' Brady's at 9:30 a.m.

Club members will follow up with another Waving to Win event Aug. 9 at the corner of Bloomingdale Avenue and Bell Shoals Road.

In addition, every Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Alafia club member Chris Shalosky will host a "Lessons in Liberty" class at the Hillsborough County Republican Club headquarters, 1602 Oakfield Dr., Suite 207, Brandon. Residents are invited to learn about the founding of the country, how it has strayed from its original beliefs and how conservatives can get the country back on track. Each week, the class will discuss a chapter of the book, "We STILL Hold These Truths," by Matthew Spalding. Books are available for loan.

To register, contact Shalosky at shaloskyc@hotmail.com or 813-689-1936.