Wilton Manors Gazette 3/22/17

WMG Volume 4 • Issue 5 March 22, 2017

Wilton Manors Gazette

Community

Will Wilton Fly the Trans Flag?

Commission to debate at next meeting

Michael d’Oliveira The debate on whether or not the city probable location would be with the pride will fly the transgender flag is scheduled flag that now flies permanently at Jaycee for the next commission meeting on Park.

In a previous interview, Resnick and March 28.

The issue was brought up by local Commissioner Scott Newton said they activist Michael Rajner who presented a considered the Pride Flag to include and transgender flag, donated by To The Moon represent transgender individuals and owner Antonio Dumas, to the city during that there was no need to fly a separate the Feb. 28 commission meeting. He flag. Commissioner Tom Green previously requested that the city fly the flag to show stated that he supports flying other flags for special occasions support for the transgender but not permanently, community. Recently, the and that he hopes Trump administration the city doesn’t reach decided to rescind Obama a point where every administration guidelines group has a flag flying. that advised public schools “Are we going to have a to allow transgender bisexual flag?” students to use the On Tuesday, bathroom that corresponds Resnick added that to their gender identity. he found different The Trump administration versions of the stated that bathroom transgender flag on guidelines should be left up the internet and he’s to each individual state. not sure which one The issue was brought should be flown if the up again at the Tuesday’s - Justin Flippen city decided to agree meeting by Mayor Gary COMMISSIONER to Rajner’s request. “I Resnick who said he was don’t know how we discussing it because he was deal with it,” he said. contacted by individuals interested in the issue.

While there is no official Transgender Commissioner Julie Carson followed Flag, according to the Smithsonian Resnick by saying the city needed to Institution, the flag donated by Dumas is fly the flag to show “solidarity against the same design of the first Transgender Trump’s action.” However, she’s not sure Flag which was created by Atlanta yet when or how long the flag should transgender activist Monica Helms. be flown for. If it is flown by the city, a Helms donated the first Transgender

“THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO SHOW AND RECOGNIZE THAT DISCRIMINATION HAS NO PLACE.”

Commissioner Julie Carson poised with the transgender flag. Photo: Facebook.

Flag she created to the Smithsonian in 2014.

Commissioner Justin Flippen said the symbol is not as important as “the statement of what we’re trying to say” about inclusion and defending the

transgender community. He added that it would be “irresponsible” of him as a lawmaker to “to be unsympathetic” to that community. “This is the best way to show and recognize that discrimination has no place.” WMG

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March 22, 2017

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Opinion

Springtime in Tallahassee

By Sal Torre

WMG MARCH 22, 2017 • VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 5 2520 N. DIXIE HIGHWAY • WILTON MANORS, FL 33305 PHONE: 954-530-4970 FAX: 954-530-7943

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Seems incredible that we have already reached the last full week of March. You would think that springtime would be in full bloom. Unfortunately, for our northern brethren, nobody informed Old Man Winter. We here in South Florida have the pleasure of enjoying the cool evenings and warm days a bit longer before the heat and humidity settle in. With the springtime holidays of Easter and Passover fast approaching, we should take time to enjoy this delightful weather while it lasts.

If you sense something in the air, it’s not the fresh scent of spring. It’s the ill winds blowing south from Tallahassee. The annual Florida Legislative Session is und erway, and there is plenty to be concerned about. Will guns continue to be easily purchased and allowed in most public spaces and college campuses throughout the Sunshine State? Have the pro-gun legislators learned nothing from the shootings in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale Airport? Will House Bill 17 pass, virtually stripping local governments of their powers to regulate zoning of adult bookstores, noise ordinances, protection of residential neighborhoods, parking, and so much more? Will we see more problems with Vacation Rentals that threaten our single-family neighborhoods? How about the important need for funding the Everglades Restoration Project? Improving the delivery of cleaner water to the Everglades and meeting the demands of a clean water supply here in South Florida. So many of these important issues, that affect our daily lives, are mandated up in Tallahassee, far removed from most of us. We should definitely be more concerned.

We here in Wilton Manors have fresh faces representing us up at the capital. Newly-elected State Senator Barry Farmer is making his presence known. He has introduced a bill to close the gap on gun purchases at gun shows. Currently, individuals can sell guns to anyone without a background check at a gun show. This gives any unstable individual the ability to bypass a background check at a gun store, wait for their local gun show to come to town, and purchase a firearm with no control or barriers in place. Glad to see our local State Senator stepping up quickly with much needed legislation. In the Florida House,

we have Representative Bobby Dubose, who is also making a strong showing. He came in second for the leadership position for the Florida House Democrats and is a strong advocate for our region. Unfortunately, George Moraitis, another House member representing parts of Wilton Manors, is still in lock step with the gun lobby on Open Carry Laws and other legislation.

An unusual hot topic up in Tallahassee is tourism. Funding for Visit Florida is under threat and being held hostage by House Speaker Corcoran. Hmmm, this item should be a no-brainer, funding commercials, advertisements, and other pro-tourism advocacy helps bring in huge tax dollars for state and local coffers. Along with this proposed defunding of Visit Florida are similar threats for Enterprise Florida, the official organization that promotes economic development for the State of Florida.

Does it make any sense to defund the organization that is responsible for the relocation of companies to our state along with the creation of solid employment opportunities? Jobs in aerospace, manufacturing, IT, and green energy. I rarely agree with our Governor, but I fully support his efforts to make sure that these two programs are not gutted but funded during this legislative session.

As we wait here in Wilton Manors, far away from the fun and games in Tallahassee, let’s hope for the best. Tallahassee might be far away, but that distance will not matter once the decisions are made by our lawmakers. We will all feel the effects of their decisions and should be much more aware of the process. I thank all the local activists, involved citizens, local government employees and elected officials who journeyed up to Tallahassee to advocate on our behalf and to hopefully make a difference.

You can still contact our state legislators and voice your opinions and concerns. Contact information can be found easily on the internet for your State Senator and House Representatives, along with Governor Scott’s office.

Keeping our life just better here sometimes demands more involvement and awareness of the political happenings beyond our island city’s borders and responsive municipal government.

WMG

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March 22, 2017

Scenarios For The Future

Real Estate Geek

By James Oaksun In my last column, we saw that the benefits of “community” – at least here in East Broward at present – are most easily enjoyed at the upper end of the income pyramid. Once your household income is in six figures, you have options here in East Broward to have a single family home and be in walking distance of amenities and a community core.

But what if you are not so blessed?

This is an issue that vexes me. Perhaps it shouldn’t. Many of my colleagues tend to the mercenary side. We tend to be compensated on a percentage of transaction value – so the higher the sale price, the more we make. And it sometimes, frankly, takes less effort to sell a higher priced property than a lower priced home.

But I don’t see my role that way, completely. Not as a component in building a more stable, healthy society. I think there are longer term objectives that Realtor-leaders can be working to achieve, in driving to build community. Here are some examples that we will be exploring as we continue with the series.

“Highest and Best Use.” East Broward is pretty well built out. There’s not any vacant land to speak of here, unless you demolish something that is already standing. Or, in the alternative, examine existing structures and spaces carefully and wonder – maybe imagine – what could be their future.

Sometimes I look around Broward County – particularly of late I look at DC – and I see tremendous failures of imagination. We seem so constrained by limitations, many of which may well be arbitrary and subject to change. Perhaps it is time to look carefully at the areas in these 10 community clusters with a fresh set of eyes and some new imagination.

For example, within 10 years or so, driverless cars are expected to become commonplace. Garage and parking demands will be minimized and space for housing and development will increase. Has anyone been thinking about what that will mean here in East Broward and how that will affect our fragile environment?

“A Catalyzing Moment.” I can think right now of three areas – one each in Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, and Pompano Beach – that could be poised for a catalyzing moment, a birth of community. Two have a better foundation than the third.

“Go West.” No I don’t mean the Gulf Coast. I mean west of I-95, where valuations are lower but tradeoffs exist (e.g., greater distance from the beach, east/west traffic issues).

Somewhat by accident I stumbled onto a subdivision with a remarkably high LGBT population and rather large homes at a low price per square foot (yes I have in previous columns trashed that statistic but since everybody else uses it, when in Rome etc).

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“Acceptance is the Answer.” There is also the possibility that East Broward has just become too expensive for the typical person or couple, and that other areas in South Florida would represent better values. Maybe Wilton was a great idea for our community 20 years ago, but time has passed and it is inevitable that Wilton, like the Castro and Ptown, will still be here, but that new opportunities await. And just possibly those new opportunities are relatively close at hand – maybe even less than an hour away from here.

The good thing about Geekery, is that the analysis of data only requires a laptop, software and imagination. And a Florida real estate license is good anywhere from Pensacola to Key West. WMG James Oaksun, Broward's Real Estate Geek(SM), is BrokerOwner of New Realty Concepts in Oakland Park. In addition to having degrees from Dartmouth and Cornell, he is a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (GRI).

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Community

Gary Resnick reaching out to the community at the Pride Center in 2014. Photo: J.R. Davis.

Mayor Promotes Face to Face Social Networking

By Michael d’Oliveira In the age of social media, Mayor Gary Resnick wants more residents to participate in old-fashioned face to face social networking.

To that end, the mayor announced a potluck event “so neighbors can meet each other again.” It’s scheduled for Thursday, April 6 at 5:30 p.m. at Coral Gardens Park, Northeast 27 Drive and Coral Gardens Drive, in the eastern portion of the city. Resnick said organizing the event was the fulfillment of a promise he said he made during his reelection campaign.

Resnick asked those who attend to bring food and to leave their smartphones. He added that there will also be games, activities and refreshments.

City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said the first “neighborhood block party” will

serve as a test and that the city hopes to do one every couple of months. “We’re looking for neighbors who want to host one,” said Henderson.

That desire for face to face social interaction isn’t only shared by the mayor.

The Circle of Friends is a group formed last year by residents Janice Fromal and Benjamin Little. But while the group is filled with members who want face to face socialization, Little said the members don’t really think about the reasons why. It’s just something they do.

“We’re an older group and I’m not sure how much any of us are really happy using social media. This is an older crowd. We’re all over 60. I don’t think social media enters into our thinking at all.”

The group meets the second Wednesday

of each month from 4 to 6 p.m., usually at Hagen Park, and does a different activity each time. On April 12, members will be meeting in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea for dinner. Those interested must sign up before the event. The last event scheduled so far is on July 12.

“We’ve had card games. We’ve had board games. We’ve had bingo. We’ve had

somebody come and talk to us about the challenges of exercise [at an older age],” Little said. “We get together as a group and have a good time.” WMG For more information on hosting a city block party, call 954-390-2120. To sign up for the Circle of Friends April dinner, call 954 390-2130.

Business

Wilton Manors May Soon Get First Hotel

By Michael d’Oliveira A real estate finance company plans to purchase the Shoppes of Wilton Manors, keep the retail component, and add what would be Wilton Manors’ first hotel.

“We would love to build a hotel. We’re considering a lot of different things,” said George Spillis, of Coconut Grove-based Grass River Property. “My partners and I desperately want to build a hotel on the property.” But Spillis stressed that everything is still in the preliminary stages and the company is still working with architects to come up with a design.

Roberta Moore, Community Development Services director, said the property is zoned for a hotel but developers would have to go before commissioners for approval of their site plan and a replat of the property.

City officials have expressed support for the idea of a hotel in the city and have tried

unsuccessfully to bring in someone to commit to a public/private partnership to develop the Hagen Park parking lot. The desire to get a hotel built is also one of the city’s objectives in its new Economic Development Plan, which was presented in December. If Grass River Property were to build a hotel, City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said city staff would most likely consider that objective satisfied.

Asked if plans include demolishing the current shopping center, Spillis said it would be kept intact and continued to be used for retail. The only new thing would be the hotel. “If anything, we’ll be renovating.

We know the retail works there.”

If approved, Spillis estimated that the hotel would probably be between 120 and 125 rooms. “We would hope to start construction in 2018.” Henderson said that

number is similar to what the city wants to see built.

Doug Blevins, chair of the Wilton Drive Improvement District, has been a longtime proponent of a hotel on Wilton Drive and he’s in favor of one at the Shoppes of Wilton Manors. “I’d like to see a public/private partnership but I’m in support of any decent, moderate-sized hotel.

Nothing overbearing or overshadowing [the neighborhood] ... as long as they have a parking garage component.”

Blevins added the tax base would be increased and that with more tourists staying

in the city, instead of just at the vacation rentals and bed and breakfasts, the daytime businesses would benefit. “Economically, it would be a real boon to the city. The time is perfect for a hotel.”

Paul Rolli, president of the Central Area Neighborhood Association [CANA], who lives in the neighborhood directly behind the shopping center, is less certain than Blevins about the possible hotel. He said he, and the CANA board, would want to meet with the developers and see their plans first before he either supported or opposed it. “It’s too early to tell.” WMG

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March 22, 2017

Off The Wall

Wilton Parking Spaces at a Premium

By Pier Angelo

Paying for parking on the Drive often feels like paying rent to a greedy slumlord. How can businesses on the Drive survive, thrive and fill the coffers of the City if people cannot come to the Island City because finding a parking space is such a hassle?

And when a spot is found you need a loan from the nearby bank to afford it. The meters are strictly enforced and many people go home each night with upsetting parking tickets. Many do not come back.

Why is Wilton Manors so stubborn on this subject? Take a look at Delray Beach. One of the wonderful things about the “Village by the Sea” is that you can actually walk around the downtown easily after parking your car in one of the many parking garages that pepper the city.

They have the Orange Grove Lot (29 spaces), the Railroad Lot (191 spaces), Monterey House Lot (82 spaces), Frog Alley Lot (23 spaces), Village Lot (40 spaces), Old City Lot (55 spaces), Robert Federspiel Garage (202 spaces - FREE to park Sunday - Wednesday -$5 after 4 p.m. (FREE before 4 p.m.) on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays), Anchor Park ( 82 spaces ) and many more, too numerous to mention.

Got the picture? That’s why the town is packed day and night and business is good.

Maybe something is beginning to seep into the brains of the City Commission. Their solution? City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson pushed for the implementation of a 90-day Park & Ride shuttle along Wilton Drive.

According to Ms. Henderson the shuttle would allow employees to park in any city lot and then been taken to another location along the drive. The shuttle would also take patrons between stops allowing them to patronize a

variety of business establishments. The route would feature eight stops between City Hall and Richardson Park. The program’s hours of operation would be Thursday’s thru Sundays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The vote came after a recent presentation by Lanier Parking, a contractor who is responsible for running the city’s parking nightmare. It is something but not much. It’s like putting a Xmas bow on a pig.

In the meantime residents and visitors keep waiting for the pie in the sky “parking garage” that is more of a tennis ball being bounced back and forth than anything else.

While there may be disagreements about whether or not The Drive is in decline, one thing that is universally and unanimously agreed upon is that parking remains a problem. The number of empty storefronts with “for lease” and “for rent” signs keep going up in astounding number for a local shopping venue, and the vacancy rate is higher than the national average.

In 2011 A non-profit group of residents and business owners in gay Wilton Manors appealed to city commissioners with a brand new vision for the drive that cuts through the center of the island city, now home to one of the largest LGBT communities in America.

The vision was to convert the barren two-lane highway known to locals as ‘The Drive” into a tree-lined thoroughfare, which would include lanes for bicyclists, wider sidewalks, boutique businesses, and increased, more accessible parking.

In customary fashion they received the cold shoulder. The idea wilted and died as everything else related to WM City Hall ultimately does. WMG

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March 22, 2017

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Officials from the Florida Department of Transportation will attend the Wilton Drive Improvement District meeting to provide an update on the redesign of Wilton Drive. State and city officials are working together to narrow Wilton Drive from four lanes to two. The goal, say officials, is to make the street safer for pedestrians and bicyclists by widening sidewalks and improving bike lanes. Some residents have expressed opposition to the project because they believe it will negatively impact traffic and hurt local businesses. The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 30 at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Chambers and is open to the public. WMG

Shred Event Just in time for Tax Day, residents can shred their sensitive documents for free on Saturday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hagen Park. “Every day, millions of individuals and small businesses discard valuable information that can be used to steal people’s identity. Identity thieves often called “Dumpster Divers” comb through consumer and business trash in search of their ill-gotten treasure. The cost of identity theft is in the billions and is the nation’s fastest growing crime,” reads the advertisement for the event. Proof of residency is required. The event is sponsored by Adrienne Foland of wiltonmanorshomesforsale.com and the City of Wilton Manors. For more information, call 954-205-6594.. WMG

Police raise money for Special Olympics Officers from the Wilton Manors Police Department will work as “celebrity waiters and waitresses” to raise money for the Special Olympics. The fundraiser will be held Friday, March 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Shawn and Nick's Courtyard Café in Wilton Manors. WMG

“Heart” tribute band performs at Mickel Park The “Heart” tribute band “LifeLine will perform at the next free concert event at Mickel Park on Friday, March 24 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs, and invite their family members and friends. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase. For more information, call 954-390-2130.. WMG

Woof & Wine Dog lovers, wine lovers, and those who love wine and dogs, are invited to Woof & Wine. The event will be held on Thursday, March 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 811 NE 28 St. – the city parking lot near Island City Park Preserve. The event will feature free wine and appetizers. Pet owners will also be able to fill out forms so that they can register and use the city’s dog park at Colohatchee Park. For more information, call 954-390-2130. WMG

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