The Gazette 2/2/23 V10iss3

GAZETTE

OAKLAND PARK COMMISSIONER MATTHEW SPARKS RESIGNS

By Christiana Lilly

Just months after Oakland Park voted in new commissioners, Commissioner Matthew Sparks resigned from his post.

Sparks put in his notice Jan. 9 and his resignation went into effect Jan. 18. In his letter to the city, he shared that he will be moving outside of Florida.

“It is with great respect and bittersweet sadness that I … tender my resignation,” he wrote. “I will be moving out of state and will no longer reside in the City of Oakland Park after Jan. 22.”

Sparks’ term was supposed to end in November 2024; the city must now decide whether to appoint a new person to the commission or to host a special election on March 14. The city estimates that a special election would cost $74,415. The date to qualify for an election passed on Jan. 23.

A flight attendant for American Airlines, Sparks won a spot on the commission in 2016 and married his partner a few weeks after being sworn in. He described his politics as “fiscally conservative and socially liberal.” He rotated into the role of mayor in 2020, forcing him to lead Oakland Park through the struggles of a global pandemic. He encouraged residents to mask up and get vaccinated, kept close tabs on cases in the city, helped launch community programs to assist residents, and participated in weekly calls for updates.

Sparks was also in favor of the city expanding its green initiatives. Last year, the city passed an ordinance that he spearheaded that would require electric charging stations in new construction multi-family residences. In 2020, he shared that he was happy to hear that the former KMart lot would not be going to Walmart, but instead to a Sprouts grocery store. Sparks was also in favor of updating the city’s facilities — including Fire Stations 9 and 20, the former having broken ground in January.

The Oakland Park Commission has been supportive of the LGBT community. In 2017, Sparks voted in favor of banning conversion therapy in the city, which passed. In 2021, the Human Rights Campaign awarded the city a perfect 100 score on its municipal equality

index after years of scoring 97 to 99 out of 100. Many LGBT people have served on the commission as well, including four running for office in 2020. In 2021, the city installed equality signage throughout Oakland Park.

OAKLAND PARK

“I will be moving out of state and will no longer reside in the City of Oakland Park after Jan. 22.”

- MATTHEW SPARKS FORMER OAKLAND PARK COMMISSIONER

Matthew Sparks. Photo via Facebook.

WILTON MANORS CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH COOKOUT

By John Hayden

The start of February is also the start of Black History Month. As part of marking the occasion, The Cookout will be held at Mickel Park in Wilton Manors on Feb. 4 from 1-6 p.m. Music, food, and games combine to celebrate Black culture and bring people together. Sponsored by Hotspots! Happening Out, they said the The Cookout is “a Black History Month Celebration [that] provides a safe space for all who are interested in coming together to enjoy free food, music and games.”

The event is free, but proceeds from drink donations will be welcomed and benefit Black LGBTQ+ Liberation Inc. (BLINC).

GAMES PRIZES & AWARDS

No cookout would be complete without some fun and games with a healthy side of competition. There will be a Spades tournament and a Dominos tournament, both with cash prizes.

WILTON MANORS

There is also an effort to recognize people and businesses that highlight Black excellence. The city of Wilton Manors accepted nominations from the community

of a person and/or business that reach that goal. Recipients will be honored with a city proclamation that will be read publicly at The Cookout.

CITY WORKS ON LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENTS FOR WATER SYSTEM

By John Hayden

Wilton Manors is a work in progress. The parks and businesses and neighborhoods thrive and seem to “just happen.” But a lot of work happens behind the scenes and underground. At the city commission meeting on Jan. 24, the city’s Director of Emergency Management and Utilities, Dave Archacki, reported on his department’s involvement in the city’s master plan.

Much of his report focused on the city’s much maligned water system. The report looked at current projects and long-term improvements. Ten water improvement recommendations, 10 wastewater improvement recommendations, and 10 stormwater improvement recommendations were highlights of the plan.

Archacki stressed that the order they are

undertaken is often affected by other projects. If a road or underground utilities are being updated, the city will prioritize area projects to minimize public inconvenience and save money by not needing to reopen a worksite.

POSITIONS FILLED

The Community Affairs Advisory Board (CAAB) and the Financial Advisory Board (FAB) had unexpected openings that were filled by commissioners. Mark Freeman was chosen to fill the unexpired term of Michael Kalb on FAB. His experience includes financial and technical expertise.

Curtis Fedder was chosen to fill the unexpired term of Jasmen Rogers. Both were unanimous decisions.

February 2, 2023 • Volume 10 • Issue 3

2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305

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Photo via Pixabay.

Director of Emergency Management and Utilities, Dave Archacki. Photo via www.wiltonmanors.gov.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS VITAL TO OUR COMMUNITY

February marks the annual celebration of Black History Month. This month is an important reminder of the struggles, accomplishments, and achievements that have been made by African Americans in our society. Black History Month provides a platform to recognize and honor the contributions of African American people throughout our country’s history as well as the impact made by individuals who are a part of our local community today. One way we honor Black History Month in the City of Wilton Manors is by recognizing individuals who have had a meaningful impact in our city. This distinguished set of individuals includes:

· Terry Dyer, a Black leader in the LGBT community whose impact in his short three years in our community has been history making.

· Lorenzo Robertson who created Ujima Men’s Collective for Black same gender loving men to meet, educate, and build a strong network to address their safety and health concerns in the community.

· J.T. Tucker, AKA Blade, the only Black independent owner/operator of a Barber Studio in the heart of Wilton Manors. These individuals have had an immeasurable impact on our community. It is a great honor that we will recognize these individuals at “The Cookout,” a Black History Month Celebration organized by Hotspots!

Happening Out on Feb. 4 at Michel Park from 1-6 p.m. The event is free to the public, and a proclamation will be read honoring Terry, Lorenzo and Blade. By recognizing the efforts of these accomplished individuals through celebration, we can build unity within our community while continuing to strive towards achieving full equality for all citizens, throughout our nation, regardless of background or beliefs.

I am grateful that Black History Month provides us with an opportunity to honor those who paved the way for future generations by fighting for civil rights and equality for all citizens. From Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, Maya Angelou, Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman — the list goes on — these individuals are just some examples of those who fought tirelessly against racism and oppression throughout their lives so that future generations could benefit from their efforts today. Taking time during this month to honor these leaders, as well as the local leaders we’re recognizing this month here in Wilton Manors, will help us move one step closer to becoming the truly inclusive and welcoming city — and country — we strive daily to be.

— CHRIS CAPUTO WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSIONER

From left to right: Terry Dyer, Lorenzo Robertson, and J.T. Tucker. Photos via Facebook.