The Gazette 5/27/21 V8iss11

THE

GAZETTE VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 11 MAY 27, 2021

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OAKLAND PARK

Oakland Park Returning to Normal As COVID Cases Decline

By Christiana Lilly The coronavirus pandemic may not be over yet, but Oakland Park residents can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

During the city commission’s May 18 meeting, City Manager David Hebert made his final coronavirus presentation as well as announced updates on city programming.

“I just really want to say thank you to everyone,” Mayor Jane Bolin said. “I’m glad that this is our last presentation; it really highlights how we really stepped up as a team from some really remarkable leadership from this commission, the city manager, and senior leadership.”

For over a year, Hebert has made a presentation to the commission at each meeting to update them on coronavirus numbers locally and at the state level, as well as information about the city’s outreach programs.

As numbers continue to decline, he will no longer be giving these presentations but will still keep tabs on the virus.

The city will also be discontinuing its weekly drive-through food distribution events at Mills Pond Park in Fort Lauderdale on May 27. The events are a partnership with

the cities of Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors and largely staffed by city employees on a volunteer basis. Hebert said staff have been sharing resources to attendees of other places they can get assistance.

The city’s vaccination pod at Collins Community Center is no longer open; many locations have closed as the demand for vaccinations has decreased.

Some programs will continue, however, including rental assistance, water bill payment options, and help with Comcast bills.

“I think we’re just at the precipice of what’s going to impact our most vulnerable communities in Oakland Park,” Bolin said.

Hebert announced that the city’s Parade of Orchids program surpassed its $10,000; residents have the opportunity to adopt an orchid to be planted at Stunson Nature Trail Park for just $5 as a thank you to people who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic. The first 100 orchids were planted last summer by the Fort Lauderdale Orchid Club and Fairchild Botanical Gardens.

Proceeds from the fundraiser go to the Urban Farming Institute, the city’s community garden.

The city’s vaccination pod at Collins Community Center is no longer open; many locations have closed as the demand for vaccinations has decreased.

Oakland Park. Photo via Facebook.

Hebert also told the commission that the city will be opening up its summer programming for kids, including childcare, but in limited numbers. Some adult activities will also be opening back up.

“This rollout is being done cautiously and strategically until we get to a point where we get more comfortable,” he said. “We will learn as we go as we did on the front end as

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we rolled back on our operations.”

After the presentation, the commissioners gave a special thanks to city staffers who have volunteered their time and worked overtime to get the city through the pandemic.

Commissioners gave a special thank you to Commissioner Matthew Sparks, who served as mayor at the beginning of the pandemic, and Bolin.

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WILTON MANORS

WTF

OPINION

Marc Martorana’s outlandish claims on vacation rentals are absurd and laughable

By Sal Torre A recent Letter to the Editor titled, “Stop Attacking Tourism Here in Wilton Manors,” by local resident Marc Martorana has left me a bit perturbed and in need to respond.

Let me first say that I have always welcomed differences of opinion, encouraged dialogue between members of our community and always open to listen and learn.

If we all had the same opinions and beliefs, life would be pretty boring here in our Island City. However, my patience for misinformation, condescending attitudes, and adult hissy fits Photo via Pixabay. has run a bit thin over the past few years.

Marc’s main accusation is that those who oppose short-term rentals in residential all the other profit making business owners for and to deal with such issues all hours of the day and night, one begins to understand the gravity neighborhoods are anti-tourism and anti- paying their fair share of taxes in our society.

Typical of the privileged few, amongst us less of the situation.

LGBT. The second part of Marc’s letter was an I am a gay man, living in a predominately fortunate ones, to feel a sense of superiority gay neighborhood, in a predominately gay and high-mindedness on what they contribute attack on both Commissioners Paul Rolli and Gary Resnick – well the main take on this is city. Most of my friends, acquaintances, and to society. that Commissioner Chris Caputo better start Sorry to burst your bubble Marc, but many neighbors also identify as LGBT. Most, if not all, are opposed to operating businesses choose different ways to contribute to the watching his back.

Marc heavily supported the election of such as short-term rentals in our residential betterment of our community than just turning neighborhoods. How can all these LGBT a profit on their investment properties. But Resnick when he ran for mayor in 2016. In people be anti-LGBT? Marc’s comments heck, you’re making money and life is good, so 2018, Marc heavily supported Rolli for election as City Commissioner. Then in 2020 it was lack any awareness of all those who have a stop all the complaining.

Recent City Commission discussions Caputo’s turn. difference of opinion other than his own.

Fundraisers, financial support, campaign acknowledged the high cost Now on to the anti-tourism assistance and much more, Marc was right and budgetary demands claim. that short-term rentals pose there. Along the way Commissioners Rolli Many in our community Typical of the for our city. The cost of and Resnick stopped marching in step to the including myself have voiced additional code enforcement, same tune Marc was listening to and now strong support and worked privileged few, attorney fees, research, city both are vilified and attacked regularly by Mr. very hard over the years for amongst us less staff hours, inspections, Martorana. our Arts & Entertainment If history is any indication, and if I were Mr. magistrate hearings, and police District; voiced support for fortunate ones, department use up limited Caputo, I would be concerned when might the a hotel; special designated resources and all add up to tables turn on me next. Not to worry, your day to feel a sense of districts for Bed & Breakfast a substantial drain our city’s will come. There seems to be a pretty consistent establishments; and so many superiority and track record here on how Marc treats those he budget. other pro-tourism initiatives supports and calls friends.

Perhaps Marc’s higher taxes here in our Island City. high-mindedness Looking to end on a higher happier note, are not covering the true cost Many of these same people on what they life here in our Island City seemed almost a of his business ventures here are solidly opposed to vacation in our Island City, rather all city return to normalcy once again this past City home rentals in residential contribute to residents’ tax bills tell a much Commission meeting. neighborhoods.

Resident Paul Kuta was back in the more truthful story. society.

Once again, the operation of This week’s Public Commission chambers giving his public short-term rental businesses in Comments at our City comments at the lectern for the first time in our residential neighborhoods has nothing to do with being anti-tourism or Commission meeting were dominated by the over a year. We thank the City Commission, we anti-LGBT — it has to do with preserving the unsettling tales of the problems and concerns thank Paul Kuta and we thank all residents for that short-term vacation rentals have on our participating here in our Island City. nature of our residential neighborhoods.

This wondrous community we call Wilton Now on to the next bizarre statement in daily lives and quality of life in our residential Marc’s claims, that short-term rentals are neighborhoods. Add to those complaints the Manors is what makes life just better here… subsidizing the lower taxes that I and others demands placed on city resources to respond are benefiting from.

As with other individuals who contribute to The Gazette or SFGN, the views and opinions of columnists are Wow, where does one start with this one… exclusively their own, for purposes of discussion, debate and dissent, and do not in any way represent the opinions Well I guess I should be grateful to Marc and of The Gazette or South Florida Gay News, its staff or management.

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MAY 27, 2021

THE

GAZETTE May 27, 2021 • Volume 8 • Issue 11 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Associate publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com Webmaster • Kimberly Swan webmaster@sfgn.com

Editorial

Art Director • Brendon Lies artwork@sfgn.com Oakland Park Editor • Christiana Lilly Wilton Manors Editor • John McDonald

Correspondents

Christiana Lilly• Sal Torre • James Oaksun

Staff Photographers

J.R. Davis • Carina Mask • Steven Shires

Sales & Marketing For ad placement in the Wilton Manors Gazette, contact 954-530-4970

Sales Manager • Justin Wyse justin.wyse@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Associate • Edwin Neimann edwin.neimann@sfgn.com Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com.

SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs.

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Copyright © 2021 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

A brown anole.

Photo via Pixabay.

OPINION

WILTON MANORS

Rep. DuBose Brushes Aside Calls For Resignation

By John McDonald Representative Bobby DuBose is staying in his lane.

Florida’s House Democratic Minority Leader brushed aside calls for his resignation.

“There’s more to it,” DuBose told SFGN in a telephone call from Tallahassee last week.

“I guess the political theater sounds good but technically there’s a structure of how this whole thing is set up.”

DuBose (D-Fort Lauderdale) has announced plans to campaign for the open seat in U.S. Congressional District 20. That decision has those seeking to follow his trail to Tallahassee asking for DuBose to resign as District 94 Representative.

“Due to Florida’s resign to run laws, all elected officials who will be running for the vacant congressional seat must submit irrevocable resignations at the time of qualifying,” reads a letter penned by Oakland Park Vice Mayor Michael Carn, Elijah Manley and Roderick Kemp, three candidates vying for the house seat. The letter was circulated widely on social media Wednesday.

DuBose said his resignation is a mere formality because no one can hold two offices

at the same time. However, the resignation is not imminent.

“We resign effective January 11,” DuBose said. “If I resign prematurely it leaves the district without representation. So there’s still work to be done. For example we’re just finishing up a special session. If I resign prematurely there will be no one there. There are still constituent services to do. They’ll still be committee weeks before the date is set. There’ll be deadlines to get bills in, appropriations and stuff like that we still have to represent.”

DuBose said a special election does not guarantee representation, noting the case of House District 97 when Jared Moskowitz was tapped by Governor Ron DeSantis to direct the Division of Emergency Management.

Moskowitz’s successor, Representative Dan Daley was not seated by the Speaker of the House until after the 2019 session.

“Once the election is held then it will shift from the governor to the Speaker of the House as well as the senate president on these special elections and it’s within their discretion whether they’re going to seat the

individuals that will represent … say District 94,” DuBose said.

The death of longtime Congressman Alcee Hastings caused a cascade of intentions in CD-20. DuBose, Senator Perry Thurston, Representative Omari Hardy and Broward County Commissioners Dale Holness and Barbara Sharief are all in the running for the Democratic nomination. DeSantis has set the special primary election for Nov. 2 with the general election scheduled for Jan. 11.

Manley said DeSantis is moving slowly leaving parts of Broward and Palm Beach Counties without representation in Washington, D.C. for nine months. He wanted DuBose’s resignation effective at the conclusion of this month’s special session, effective May 21.

DuBose, who defeated Manley in the 2020 Democratic primary, said he intends to fulfill his state duties, applying the same procedure that he did when he left the Fort Lauderdale Commission for Tallahassee in 2014.

“I plan to give the district as much representation as I can because when I ran for office initially in this cycle that’s what I

Rep. Bobby DuBose. Photo via Facebook.

signed up for,” DuBose said. “Whether or not there’s someone seated in the session it’s not necessarily in my power, that will be up to the Speaker of the House.”

NEWS

OAKLAND PARK

Human Remains Found In Oakland Park

By Christiana Lilly Human remains were found in Oakland Park, and the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are hoping the public can help identify the body.

In a release sent out by BSO May 19, the remains were found in the 4200 block of North Dixie Highway.

“Investigators believe the person’s death and burial took place sometime between 2014 and 2015. At that time, the area was undeveloped land,” according to the release.

The remains are being examined and an autopsy is being performed with hopes of identifying the body as well as the manner of death.

According to NBC6, the search began last week and reporters saw law enforcement use

Photo via BrowardCrimeStoppers.org.

a backhoe along the canal. Cheers were heard when articles of clothing were found.

This story will be updated as details are released.

Anyone with information should contact BSO Homicide Detective Andrew Gianino at 954-321-4376. To remain anonymous, contact Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or browardcrimestoppers.org.

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NEWS

OAKLAND PARK

WILTON MANORS

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Wilton Manors is Taking Action Oakland Park Against Problematic Vacation Rentals Commissioners Discuss Alcee Hastings Avenue Proposal

By Christiana Lilly The Oakland Park City Commission discussed a proposal to rename part of 21st Avenue to Alcee Hastings Avenue in honor of the late Congressman Alcee Hastings.

The idea was proposed by Vice Mayor Michael Carn, who is also running for a position in the Florida House. He recommended renaming the stretch of street from Prospect Road to Northwest 26th Street, then asking Fort Lauderdale to get on board to continue the name north to Commercial Boulevard and south to Sunrise Boulevard.

Commissioners Aisha Gordon and Mitch Rosenwald were both in favor of the renaming.

“As a representative, he had an extraordinary career,” Rosenwald said during the discussion.

Hastings served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1993 until his death from pancreatic cancer on April 6, 2021. He first represented the 23th District, then the 20th District. He also served as a judge of the 17th Judicial Court of Florida from 1977 to 1979, then was nominated by former President Jimmy Carter in 1979 as a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. That nomination made him the first Black federal judge in Florida.

As a judge and a representative, he stood by the LGBT community, voting to prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation, voting against banning gay adoption, and voting against defining marriage as only between a man and a woman, among others.

In fact, he issued a congressional proclamation celebrating the first issue of SFGN. “When HIV patients needed an advocate, or AIDS agencies needed a voice, he would be there, as the man who could stand up and be heard, fearless in his advocacy, demanding the government do more than the government had done,” SFGN publisher Norm Kent wrote in a tribute to Hastings.

However, his career did not come without controversy. In 2009, he was accused of spending more than $24,000 in taxpayer money to lease a Lexus, although the expenditure was found to be legal. He was also accused of sexual harassment in 2011 by a Winsome Packer, a former staff member, a claim he vehemently denied. In 2017, the federal government paid a $220,000 settlement, a move that Hastings disapproved of.

“At no time was I consulted, nor did I know

The late Congressman Alcee Hastings.

Photo public domain.

until after the fact that such a settlement was made,” he said in a statement. “I am outraged that any taxpayer dollars were needlessly paid to Ms. Packer.”

Commissioners said they did receive emails from residents who were not in favor of the resolution.

“Everybody has a past,” Carn said. “You go through the courts and you have your day in court to get done what you get done, but society is a society of redemption.”

Gordon agreed, saying his good deeds as a judge and congressmen outweighed possible impropriety.

Mayor Jane Bolin and Commissioner Matthew Sparks said that while they admire the legacy that Hastings left behind, they wondered if it was appropriate to rename a street in Oakland Park after him since he was not local.

“I guess what I want us all to be thinking about is when we think about renaming in Oakland Park, one of the things that came to me was we do that for residents — people who came from Oakland Park,” Bolin said. “I know he’s done a lot and brought a lot to our community and that isn’t to be ignored.”

Because of the late hour, the commission decided to table the discussion and continue it at a future meeting. City Manager David Hebert said he would investigate the cost of renaming a street, but he didn’t think it would be high.

Rosenwald’s proposal for an affordable housing/workforce housing plan was also moved to another meeting for a longer discussion.

As an LGBT tourism destination that lacks sufficient hotel beds to serve the number of tourists we welcome, properly run vacation rentals play a critical role in supporting our local business community and the residents they employ.

On the other hand, mismanaged and improperly run vacation rentals have no business being in our city. They are on notice; they are not welcome here!

As a commissioner, I have worked aggressively to increase enforcement on problem vacation rentals. I have made this a regular agenda item, under new business, since February (https://bit.ly/3wF0wY7) when I demanded a plan from our city staff on how they would identify unregistered vacation rentals and address them.

Those who regularly attend our commission meetings will recall that I petitioned my fellow commissioners to change our code to require all short-term rentals be registered with the city, and not just those that are not homesteaded.

At our most recent commission meeting, I requested that vacation rentals be made a recurring part of our reports from the city manager and/or police department during each commission meeting so we can understand the progress being made to address the problem vacation rentals that still exist in our city.

Here’s a few of the actions we’ve taken recently: • Our police department has been trained on new procedures for handling code complaints like noise, too many cars, etc. The new procedures ensure that owners of short-term rentals will receive a notice of violation, and, with the magistrate’s support, the maximum fine allowable by Florida law. These fines quickly escalate for repeat offenders.

• Our code compliance department is nearly complete with the review I requested at the February 23 commission meeting, resulting in many unregistered vacation rentals being identified and brought into compliance. Some of these unregistered short-term rentals have already had to appear in front of the special magistrate.

• We have hired a new code compliance supervisor and part time code officer. Our code compliance team has been woefully understaffed, and this additional staff will hopefully provide our residents with much needed relief.

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Photo via PxHere.

This is not an exhaustive list of all that we have done, and I certainly remain open to any additional measures we can legally take as a city to address problem vacation rentals. As a commission, we have asked our city staff and city attorney to evaluate our short-term rental ordinances and ensure we are doing absolutely everything we legally can.

While there were a number of suggestions recently from residents on how we might approach this problem, our city attorney reminded us that a number of them would potentially be against Florida law and result in our city being sued. Miami-Beach recently lost a very expensive lawsuit for trying to implement fines and regulations that were not allowable within Florida state laws.

I want to reiterate that I do support properly run vacation rentals. I have publicly disclosed that I manage a short-term rental. It is for that reason that I proactively reviewed my public statements and votes with the Florida Commission of Ethics to ensure I was acting ethically in my duties as a City Commissioner.

I believe in transparency in governance, and therefore, I will continue to seek their opinion anytime I have input (positive or negative) about short-term rentals.

If you are experiencing a problem with a vacation rental in your neighborhood, you can contact the police department or code compliance for immediate action. A small number of problem vacation rentals exist and I am confident we can work together as a city to ensure they come into compliance and change ownership for the better. As always, you can email me your thoughts at ccaputo@ wiltonmanors.com..

— Chris Caputo

WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSIONER

NEWS

WILTON MANORS

Wilton Manors to Identify, Regulate Vacation Rentals in the City

By John McDonald The slow march to reign in vacation rentals the state constitution.

Police Chief Gary Blocker said 13 has begun.

Long a thorny issue for public officials to applications are in the department’s queue, navigate, Wilton Manors has taken steps to which increases compliance to 43%.

The big knock-on vacation rentals are the identify vacation rentals operating in the city. At the May 11 commission meeting, Kim impact on quality of life for full-time residents.

Holinko, acting code compliance supervisor, Commissioner Chris Caputo said it’s a few gave a presentation on the department’s bad apples spoiling the party. To mitigate those bad apples, Blocker proposed training regulatory efforts.

Holinko said the city’s software program on noise ordinances and parking regulations examined 359 properties, and of those with proper routing of road reports from numbers, 152 properties were not operating as officers in the field.

Blocker said complaints are often a vacation rental. Holinko said 207 properties required further research while 76 properties anonymous and it is important for those were licensed with the city and 43 properties negatively impacted to give their contact information to officers for a follow-up were registered as long-term rentals. investigation.

Four properties were multi“It’s beneficial to our family/business dwellings. investigation if they ask for On May 5, three properties the officers to contact them were cited by a special so we can interview them and magistrate for not registering see how these VHR operations as vacation rentals. Holinko at these homes are negatively said 75 properties remain impacting their quality of under investigation and life and a lot of times their notices have been sent to the testimony is key to fulfilling owners. Owners have 30 days the elements of an ordinance to comply or contest once put violation,” Blocker said. on notice by the city.

Blocker said anonymous If the owners live at the reports can spur action on vacation rental property, no capacity limits and parking registration with the city is violations, but if it’s a matter required. That was found in six of a loud party, then witnesses instances, said Holinko. must give their name to code Holinko said 21 properties compliance officers. have been licensed as vacation Mayor of Wilton Manors Peter Nasca is one resident rentals bringing the city’s who has consistently total to 97, a 28% increase in complained about vacation compliance since outreach rentals in his neighborhood. Nasca has efforts began.

Holinko described her efforts as very labor said the issue could potentially turn Wilton intensive as the department is short two Manors into an “upscale flop house” and proposes limiting stays for vacation rentals. employees.

“My wife, son and I have lived in Wilton Mayor Scott Newton advocated bringing in a representative from Broward County Manors for almost 13 years,” Nasca wrote in a Property Appraiser Marty Kiar’s office to shed letter to the Gazette. “We love it here but this light on the topic, particularly when it comes vacation [party] rental issue is out of control.

I realize that the city has limited control over to homesteaded properties.

“I think a lot of people don’t understand the issue but something needs to be done. We what you can or cannot do when you don’t oppose vacation rentals, but they need to have a minimum stay requirement like in homestead your home,” Newton said.

Commissioner Gary Resnick suggested the the Keys.”

Blocker said since January 2020, police city send its vacation rentals list to Kiar’s office to continue the investigation as required by received 157 calls for service at vacation home

“I think a lot of people don’t understand what you can or cannot do when you homestead your home.”

- Scott Newton

Photo via Pixabay.

properties with half involving a disturbance.

That’s roughly 13 noise complaints per month.

The Gazette reached out for data from Airbnb, one of the travel industry’s leading vacation rentals companies, for more information. Samuel Randall, public affairs spokesman for Airbnb, referenced the company’s guidelines for hosting but declined to share data on the number of Airbnb hosts in Wilton Manors.

Wilton Manors resident Marc Martorana warned cracking down on vacation rentals would have negative revenue consequences for the city.

“If these tourism rentals chose to leave our city, taxes for year-round homeowners would skyrocket and be unaffordable for many of our residents,” Martorana said.

Florida Representative Bobby DuBose has seen the vacation rentals controversy play out before.

“It was an issue when I was on the Fort Lauderdale Commission,” said DuBose, who

represents District 94 in Tallahassee, which includes the westside of Wilton Manors.

“Fort Lauderdale is the Venice of America so the marine industry has short-term rentals.

It’s one of those things, I come from the local government, I believe in home rule but I’m not going to say, hey it’s all or nothing because when I come up here in session sometimes the places I can find are short-term rentals.”

Bills in both the House and Senate to give the state greater control over vacation rentals died in committees this past session. The bills were largely seen as preemptions of local authority.

“I understand the desire for them, but we have to make sure we keep all the stakeholders at the table, hopefully moving forward it can pick up where they left off and really get something across the finish line,” DuBose said. “I get it people arguing about the quality of life. I’m a home rule guy. It’s not an easy thing. Next session, the issue will still be here.”

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

WILTON MANORS

We Love Candy Hearts and Orange Slices The Progress of Public Art in Wilton Manors

In your May 13 edition of the Gazette, you gave a platform to a malcontent named Thomas Paul Severino, a self-proclaimed author, who proceeded to express his disagreement with the existing public art efforts being made in Wilton Manors in his article “Candy Hearts, Orange Slices, and a Rainbow Bridge.”

I must say that Mr. Severino shows skills in writing fiction, but no skills in public art, and it is incumbent upon me to correct the record.

Rather than express his support for the new public art efforts, he chose to cast aspersions, making light of a few sculptures such as “Slices of Heaven” and “Sweet Hearts” placed on Wilton Drive as well as others such as the painting of the Rainbow Bridge.

Those like Mr. Severino have posed one of the biggest obstacles to progress here in Wilton Manors, by setting lofty goals that are too high and unattainable with no practical, realistic solutions.

For decades, there has been “talk” of public art in Wilton Manors, but no action to back it up. The City of Wilton Manors itself had not made any concerted efforts towards placing public art around the City. Rather, it has been left to private 501(c)(3)’s to promulgate projects within the City.

An example would be the Wilton Art projects such as “Art in the Air” and “Art Sign.” Other examples would be the murals done by Claudia Castillo and the folks at Island City Art Advisory.

To my amazement, as with many, for a City with such an abundance of creative residents, the dearth of public art is shocking and is something that needed to be corrected.

Many of our neighboring cities have made so much more progress in this area.

Not content to wait any longer for the City to take steps, I proceeded in late 2019 to generate support for a Sculpture Walk program to deliver art to the Drive and other parts of the City to foster commerce in our City by attracting more visitors and resident involvement in the business district.

I presented a plan to the City in January of 2020, but no action was taken by the Commission.

What Mr. Severino does not realize, mainly because he failed to properly research this topic, is that as a result of the lack of City involvement, this has been a private, volunteer effort of Sculpture Walk Wilton Manors, a project of Art Walk Wilton Manors, Inc.

As a member of the Wilton Manors Community Affairs Advisory Board, I raised the concept of Sculpture Walk to that Board, and the Board funded the project with an initial $1,000 contribution which helped to launch the program sponsored by Art Walk Wilton Manors. By further raising funds through citizen donations and working with business owners who gave consent to displaying a sculpture on their property, we were able to by-pass the City’s complacency with the status quo and move quickly to install eight sculptures, despite a pandemic, in location along Wilton Drive.

The first two sculptures, “Talking Tubes” and “Slices of Heaven,” installed in March of 2020, served as our proof of concept, and following their installation, we received an overwhelming amount of support and praise. This project also fits perfectly within the goals of the Wilton Manors Business Association which has held workshops on how to generate more consumer traffic to support our businesses.

What Mr. Severino also fails to comprehend is the model we are using to achieve this success.

Based upon a template used in several cities, a non-profit undertakes a “lease, loan or donate” plan for acquiring the art. Thus, rather than having to raise a massive amount of funds for any one piece (such as the “Charging Bull” which Mr. Severino so adores at the New York Stock Exchange), which could cost tens of thousands of dollars, we are able to lease sculptures for a nominal amount for one-year terms. Such a plan makes a Sculpture Walk much more affordable and much easier by which to raised funds for multiple pieces. As such, with a budget of only $10,000 which could hardly purchase one such sculpture, we were able to rent four sculptures and were also able to attract donations of four other sculptures. There are many cities that have a City-sponsored public art program, which is generally funded through impact fees on developers of new construction in their cities.

As we know, Wilton Manors is a small city with a limited budget, and there has been no new construction by which to extract impact fees.

So, while Mr. Severino talks about his lofty goals from a perch, we are down in the trenches getting it done. You can understand my disgust when someone then takes a platform to minimize the Sculpture Walk efforts and to criticize the choice of art.

For decades, there has been “talk” of public art in Wilton Manors, but no action to back it up.

“Slices Of Heaven” by Craig Berube-Gray. Photo via Sculpture Walk Wilton Manors, Facebook.

Under this model, the choices are not as expansive as we would like, since we need to find artists who create public art sculptures, are willing to lease their art for one-year terms and assume liability for the art.

While we have endeavored to find local artists, this has been a challenge and we are always welcoming of these artists. If Mr. Severino is aware of any, we would love to get that information. I doubt he does. We have been combing the country looking for artists interested in our model and so far, have been successful in finding several who have given us wonderful sculptures that the residents of Wilton Manors have loved and embraced.

As to the meaning behind each piece or the suitability of the piece for Wilton Manors, that is a very subjective and individual matter.

I am sorry Mr. Severino does not understand the art. As to “Sweet Hearts,” Mr. Severino complains that it does not embody “true diversity” but I would differ even on that ancillary point, that piece embraces Unity, Love is Love, Hugs and Kisses which I would argue are very much values that reflect our community.

People such as Mr. Severino are a distraction, but Sculpture Walk will continue to make strides in bringing sculptural art to the Drive and in the next phase, to other parts of the City.

While we have not been able to engage the City in our program, just recently we were successful in having the City of Wilton Manors enter into an agreement with Art Walk Wilton Manors to

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permit sculptures to be placed on City-owned properties such as City Hall and the parks. This is a major breakthrough and a next step towards further progress.

Ultimately, I agree that the City of Wilton Manors needs to take on a public art program.

Mr. Severino may also not be aware that I submitted a comprehensive Public Art Policy to the City Commission to act upon, that would recognize a public art committee and seek to fund public art of all kinds.

Just recently, and most likely largely as a result of the popularity of the public art projects recently launched, the City Commission, with the support of Commissioner Caputo, is taking steps to engage itself more in this realm.

However, until such time as the City buys into a more comprehensive plan, I am fully content, unlike Mr. Severino, to take smaller steps to further public art in Wilton Manors, and I would appreciate those like Mr. Severino to embrace these efforts rather than minimize or mock the efforts.

If he would like to volunteer his services, rather than just write about it, we would welcome his input. In fact, we would appreciate any input and welcome volunteers and donations to Sculpture Walk Wilton Manors.

Please send me a message at msansevero@ wmeg.org.

— Michael Sansevero WILTON MANORS RESIDENT

7 •

MAY 27, 2021

5. 27. 20 21 •

25

ANNOUNCEMENT

WILTON MANORS

New Newsletter Launching In Wilton Manors

YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND US...

BUT WE MIGHT BE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.

Press Release Hey Islanders! Because Wilton Manors is one of the most vibrant, sunny places in Florida, we wanted to highlight the majesty of the Island City with its very own newsletter.

The Islander will launch into your inboxes on June 1 with three incredible issues every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The publication will be an all-new independent sister publication to The Gazette.

“I’m really excited with the direction we’re headed,” Editor Avraham Forrest said. “Even the first week is already feeling like a great issue.”

Expect to find local stories, amazing deals, original features and so much more. Sign up and, by all means, share it with friends, family and community!

KENSINGTON & COMPANY REALTORS 1038 East Las Olas Blvd Fort Lauderdale (954)523-3338

As we continue to publish, we hope to not just keep Islanders informed, but grow as well.

We would love to hear your feedback on what works, what doesn’t and what else you want to know.

Share your events and listings to be included even before the first issue drops!

You can also share comments by emailing islanderwm@gmail.com.

NEXT TO PUBLIX, OPPOSITE OF WALGREENS

ARRESTED?

CORNER OF NE 15 AVE AND E SUNRISE BLVD IN VICTORIA PARK Fort Lauderdale

DON’T BE A DOPE! CALL 954-763-1900

NORMKENT.COM

THE LAW OFFICES OF NORMAN KENT AND RUSSELL CORMICAN

TRAVELING BY TRAIN? You can get SFGN at Tri Rail stations in Palm Beach, from Delray Beach, to Boynton, to Lake Worth.

Russell Cormican

Attorney at Law 12 SE 7th St Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

sfgn is also available in the lake worth, boynton beach, and delray tri-rail stations.

• 5. 27.2021

Attorney at Law 2520 N. Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33305

THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAW CENTER OF SOUTH FLORIDA

straight facts, gay news.

26

Norman Elliott Kent

NORM@NORMKENT.COM

8 •

MAY 27, 2021