THE
GAZETTE VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 FEBRUARY 17, 2022
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WILTON MANORS
TERM LIMITS TO BE DECIDED BY WILTON MANORS VOTERS & MORE NOTES FROM THE COMMISSION MEETING By John McDonald Voters will get to decide if elected officials OTHER NOTES FROM THE FEB. 8 in Wilton Manors should have term limits. MEETING: Commissioners gave their final seal of approval for a 2022 ballot referendum that The Commission approved the creation of would establish term limits for elected office. a Financial Advisory Board. All five members This fall voters will decide if 12 years is enough of the Budget Review Advisory Committee for elected city officials. Commissioners (BRAC) will transition to the new volunteer would be allowed a maximum of three four- board. year terms and the mayor allowed to serve Commissioners unanimously approved a a maximum of six two-year request by Manor Bowl Inc. to terms. vacate a portion of the rightThe ballot proposal, debated of-way north of its property at In this atmosphere in one form or another for 1517 NE 26th St. The parcel of years, passed unanimously land vacated is 12 feet in width of hated fueled on a 5-0 vote, but not and 155.80 feet in length for a by big money without resident Michael total of 1,869.60 square feet Rajner’s last minute plea for in area. The bowling alley was from right-wing reconsideration. built in 1959. Propane tanks are billionaires such “It’s a small city,” Rajner currently on the vacated rightsaid. “I think you’re going to of-way. as Peter Thiel, we miss out on talent.” Lynn Lawrence was selected Rajner said the election need to be ever as the city’s Black History format Wilton Manors uses honoree. Lawrence is more diligent in our Month involving multiple candidates the owner of the Wilton Drive also poses problems for Dairy Queen. pursuit to protect overseas ballots. “She’s been operating that and defend our Community Affairs successfully, as not only a Advisory Board Chairman woman but as a minoritydemocracy. Michael Sansevero disagreed owned business for 22 years,” with Rajner. Sansevero said. “To have such “It’s a small city but there’s no shortage of a minority-owned business operating in candidates,” Sansevero said. “If someone’s Wilton Manors over that long period of time term-limited out there’s six or seven especially in the early years is historical and other people ready to take it. Many of the groundbreaking and commendable.” commissioners come in with very little The Commission was united in opposition experience … you learn on the job, but that’s to seven bills currently proposed in the state what brings in fresh ideas and leads to legislature. Those bills are SB 974, SB 510, SB positive changes and new approaches and I 148/HB 7, SB 1820/HB 747, SB 1834/HB 1557, think that’s a good thing for the city.” SB 1842/HB 1305 and HB 211. Sponsored by
Photo via Adobe.
Sen. Dennis Baxley and Rep. Joe Harding, SB 1834/HB 1557 — dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill has garnered national attention and condemnation from President Joe Biden. The second and final public hearing for Community Development Block Grant funding was held. Todd DeJesus, Capital Projects Administer, said the city will receive $76,000 in its 48th year participating in the program. The primary objective of CDBG funds, DeJesus said, is to improve the quality of life for low to middle income persons or neighborhoods. DeJesus said the city’s Parks & Recreation Advisory Board is “adamant” the funds be used for a new children’s playground at Hagen Park.
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Economic Development Manager Kimberly Allonce gave a quarterly report. Allonce said the city’s office occupancy rate is 97.9% with a $33.43 cost per square foot. Retail occupancy rate is 98.1% with an average price of $29.54 per square foot, up nearly $8 this year. The multi-family apartment occupancy rate is 97.7% with an average asking rent of $2,095 per unit. Vice Mayor Paul Rolli asked Allonce to do a better job of contacting and cultivating relationships with developers. “I just don’t see the result of high-level outreach or marketing and that’s what we’re looking for,” Rolli said. The next regular commission meeting is Feb. 22.
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WILTON MANORS
OPINION
LAW AND DISORDER
A recent news cycle reported on the Republican National Committee’s declaration that the attack on the Capitol a little over a year ago on January 6, 2021 was just “legitimate political discourse.” The RNC makes it sound like these thugs were at a tea party instead of killing and injuring police officers. The Grand Ole Party of law and order has become the party of mob rule and deadly seditious complicity. The censorship is real, the threat to our democracy is real, the dead capital police officers are real, and yet the mainstream Republican establishment that make up the RNC turn a blind eye, attach those who break from the party line and dare to speak the truth. Just ask Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger about the price to pay for being a true patriot, for defending the constitution and our democracy. The RNC should be proclaiming Cheney and Kinzinger as American heroes, instead they censor them, ostracize them, pour millions into primary challenges to defeat them, all while embracing lies, criminals, and traitors. Just take a moment to imagine if a rioting mob of Black Lives Matter protesters stormed Storming of the United States Capitol in 2021. Photo credit: Tyler Merbler, via Wikipedia. the Capital Building on that Jan. 6. The cries from the right would be loud, harsh, and swift mass incarceration; quick arrest of to the long hard fight of so many left-wing blinded by falsehoods should cause us all a leaders nation-wide and total lock down of activists. Peter and hubby Matt might think few sleepless nights. But not to worry, the that their billions will protect same right-wing zealots who want you to communities. Somehow them from the gay-bashing thugs believe that the election was stolen and peaceful protesters of color they are helping to release in that deadly riots are just legitimate political are much more dangerous In this atmosphere our society but history should discourse are the same ones that came up to our way of life than the tell them something different. with the catchy phrase, “Guns don’t kill hordes of right-wing thugs of hated fueled Money and connections did people, people kill people.” So just rest easy who kill, destroy property, by big money not help the millions who Islanders, those deadly weapons uncovered attach lawmakers, and were led away to concentration by our Police Department are no threat at wish to bring down the from right-wing camps once the Nazi hordes all — just the collection of a law-abiding gun legitimate government billionaires such took control and wiped away enthusiast, perhaps not. of the United States. Just This week marks the four-year anniversary the democratic institutions of when you thought you saw as Peter Thiel, we of the deadly shooting at Stoneman Douglas Germany and most of Europe. it all! And stay tuned there need to be ever These right-wing zealots High School. As many mourn the tragic is much more to come of seem all too eager in their loss of life on that February 14, 2018, let this so-called legitimate more diligent in our determination to rip open us be ever more vigilant to put an end to political discourse. pursuit to protect Pandora’s Box, unleashing the hatemongering, stop glorifying lawless In this atmosphere of hatred, discourse, lies and many behavior of many on January 6, 2021, hated fueled by big money and defend our unknowns into every corner of get deadly assault weapons out of our from right-wing billionaires democracy. American society. This reality communities, and make those who bankroll such as Peter Thiel, we need makes the recent discovery of such behavior pay the price of public outrage. to be ever more diligent in the stash of deadly weapons by We have much work to do as a community our pursuit to protect and defend our democracy. I find it a bit ironic our Wilton Manors Police Department so and a nation if we want to continue to that this far-right conservative was able to unnerving for our community. Such weapons honestly say that life is just better here. marry his life-long same-sex partner due in the hands of those filled with hatred and
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GAZETTE February 17, 2022 • Volume 9 • Issue 4 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
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WILTON MANORS
WILTON MANORS HONORS DAIRY QUEEN OWNER FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH By John McDonald
The recognition came as a surprise, said Lynn Lawrence. “It’s a little shocking,” Lawrence told the Gazette. At the Feb. 8 Wilton Manors Commission meeting, Lawrence was selected as the city’s Black History Month honoree. She has owned and operated the Wilton Drive Dairy Queen for 22 years. “It’s a good community,” Lawrence said. “I love being here. Wilton Manors is a very friendly place. It feels like home. Everybody looks out for each other. It’s a great place to be and I’m blessed to be here.” Lawrence moved to Florida from North Carolina in 1990 and after working a less than fulfilling job, she went to the bank, got a loan and took a chance on the iconic softserve ice cream franchise. “I was in the right place at the right time and God showed me the way,” she said. Lawrence said her daily business approach is to treat everyone with kindness and respect. “It’s all about how you treat people,” Lawrence said. “I love working here and
serving our customers. If you are good to your customers, they’ll be good to you and our customers are very loyal.” Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton said the honor was well-earned. “Lynn has been an outstanding resident of this city for a long time,” said Newton. “I think she should have been recognized a lot sooner.” Located at 1950 Wilton Drive, the Dairy Queen is a throwback to a bygone era. Customers order their treats at a window. The tiny building is 69 years old, Lawrence said, and she fondly recalls first taking over. “It was like the Andy Griffith show here,” she said. “The police officers would stop by and say hello and give me their cards. Everybody knew everybody.” Mary Ulm, president of the Board of Directors for the Wilton Manors Historical Society, said she uses the Dairy Queen as a wayfinding landmark for directions. “People always know where it is,” said Ulm. “I often use it as a point of reference
Lynn Lawrence. Photo courtesy of Lynn Lawrence.
when sending people to Richardson Park.” Ulm said Lawrence’s gentle and giving spirit have served her well through the years, remembering how she sent financial support across the street to the annual Taste of the Island event. “That impressed me,” Ulm said. As a Black woman, Lawrence said she is grateful for the work of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and does not view her race or gender as hindrances, instead acknowledging those identifiers have instilled a strong desire to succeed. “I feel like in life whether you are white or Black, if you want to do something you have to push hard and make it happen,” she said. “You have to keep trying and never give up and treat every failure as a learning experience. If you really want something you have to work hard for it.”
Outside the iconic Wilton Manors Diary Queen. Photo via Zomato.
“Lynn has been an outstanding resident of this city for a long time. I think she should have been recognized a lot sooner.” - Scott Newton
Mayor of Wilton Manors
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REAL ESTATE
WILTON MANORS
HAVE SKYROCKETING HOUSING PRICES MADE WILTON UNAFFORDABLE? By James Oaksun
T
he recent rapid increase in housing costs — whether to buy or rent — has stressed many current and prospective Wilton Manors residents. As a result, living in the Island City is no longer an affordable option for many who work here or wish to relocate. Chart 1 shows median (half of sales above, and half below) prices for purchase of a single-family home, townhome, and condo, in Wilton Manors in the fourth quarter of each of the last four years. Also included are median rents for one- and two-bedroom apartments (all data from MLS). Rents were relatively stable from 2018 through 2020, but have recently jumped significantly — 24% in one year for a onebedroom apartment, and 59% for a twobedroom. The increase in the prices of homes, townhomes and condos may not be as surprising, as it has been noted amply here and elsewhere. Compared with just two years
ago, the price of the median single-family home has increased by 31%. The median townhome is up 42%, and the median condo has had a 39% increase in price. A household is considered “housing stressed” if their cost of housing exceeds 30% of gross income, and “extremely housing stressed” at a housing cost more than 50% of income. Since the median one-bedroom apartment in Wilton Manors rents for $1,550/ month, a renter of that unit would be housing stressed with a household income less than $62,000 per year, and extremely stressed at an annual income less than $37,200. The situation is magnified when looking at two-bedroom rentals in the Island City. With
Photo via Adobe.
Chart courtesy of James Oaksun.
the median rent being $2,550/month, that household would be stressed at an annual income less than $102,000, and extremely stressed at an income less than $61,200 per year. Hard information on recent buyer demographics is difficult to come by. But to purchase the median condo, townhome, or single-family home in Wilton Manors, assuming a 20% down payment and allowances for property taxes and insurances, would generally require the buyer(s) to have annual income of at least $60,000, $120,000, and $170,000, respectively. While it is likely that many purchases are being made for cash or with higher-thanstandard down payments, the US Census reports that the median household in Broward County has an annual income of about $60,000. “Rapidly rising home costs are certainly impacting affordability for residents throughout South Florida,” according to Wilton Manors Vice Mayor Paul Rolli, who noted that the state and county have programs to assist with affordable housing. He added, “Wilton Manors is one of the few cities that has its own affordable housing impact fee.
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Funds from that have recently supported the construction of low-cost rental units and several grants for first-time, low-income home buyers.” The fact remains, however, that with the run-up in prices in the last several years (and this past year in particular), many people can no longer afford to live in Wilton Manors. Although no one has a divinely ordained right to live in the Island City, the reality is that many people work in Wilton, and increasingly city businesses have workers who are housing stressed (or unable to live near their work) providing goods and services to wellheeled vacationers and a local moneyed elite. This is also the case with destinations like Palm Springs, Rehoboth, and Provincetown. Wilton Manors is now part of that mainstream.
The fact remains, however, that with the runup in prices in the last several years (and this past year in particular), many people can no longer afford to live in Wilton Manors.
James Oaksun, Florida’s Real Estate Geek(SM), is Broker-Owner of New Realty Concepts in Fort Lauderdale. In addition to having degrees from Dartmouth and Cornell, he is a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (GRI).
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Paul Rolli. Photo credit: Carina Mask.
PAUL ROLLI RUNS FOR RE-ELECTION TO WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSION By John Hayden
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Continuity and cooperation were the from police and citizens. Rolli also laid out a vision for Wilton Manors themes of the day when Paul Rolli, Wilton Manors city commissioner and vice mayor, that will extend well beyond his tenure and those of anyone serving in the city today. announced his re-election campaign. A 20-30-year master plan On Feb. 6, supporters of Rolli deals with city infrastructure gathered at Richardson Park to updates including the water hear him lay out his plans for a Part of the and sewage system. He says new term. strategy is a five$4M has already been spent. “I love and believe in Wilton Much of his agenda Manors. My only agenda is to year plan that mirrors that of Mayor Scott work for the people of Wilton Newton, who is also running includes finding Manors,” Rolli said. for another term. Newton He laid out a developer and was in attendance and gave accomplishments, including a full endorsement of Rolli’s the updating of regulations tenant for a campaign. He was joined by and zoning rules that were boutique hotel, Wilton City Commissioners up to 60 years old and touted Mike Bracchi and Chris Caputo. that, despite the financial addressing sea Also joining Rolli was Fort body blow from the pandemic, Lauderdale Mayor Dean the city hasn’t dipped into its level and climate Trantalis, as well as elected reserves. change challenges, officials from surrounding Part of the strategy is a fivecities including Oakland year plan that includes finding and traffic issues. Park. The message was a developer and tenant for a clear: continuity at home boutique hotel, addressing sea level and climate change challenges, and and cooperation with neighbors is key for traffic issues. He has also met with the city’s everyone’s success. The election is scheduled for November 8, chief of police to address speeding issues in parts of the city, and says officers will soon be 2022, with early voting running from Oct. 24 wearing body cameras for better transparency through Nov. 6.
SFGN will be sitting down with Paul Rolli soon for a more detailed look into his plans for a new term.
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www.WMGAZETTE.com FEBRUARY 17, 2022
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
WILTON MANORS
ROAD SAFETY SHOULDN’T BE SO COMPLEX As an eager freshman commissioner back in December 2020, I volunteered to be the city’s representative for the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Their mission of planning, prioritizing, and funding diverse transportation options appealed to my desire to see more bike and pedestrian friendly roads in our city and more viable public transportation options in the future. I was confident my participation in the MPO would eventually make our streets in Wilton Manors safer and more accessible to everyone. Sometime during the January new board member training on the 90+ acronyms that were essential in MPO speak, I realized progress might not come as quickly as I had hoped. I relied heavily on city staff to help me navigate the issues being faced by the MPO board as well as our city, especially around road design, safety, and maintenance. Most importantly, I began to understand the challenges associated with designing and maintaining roads that are managed by different entities: the city, the county, or the state via FDOT. Some of the challenges we face in designing and maintaining our roads: • Lack of autonomy in decision making about crucial safety aspects like speed limits • Inconsistent design approaches to bicycle lanes and pedestrian walkways • Complex funding rules or uncertainty depending on who manages the road • Multiple design manuals and differing best practices We’re seeing how these challenges affect us personally with two of our own roads: Powerline Road and NE 26th St. Powerline Road FDOT recently completed its Powerline Road Safety Audit (https://bit. ly/3JmswpP). While they did reduce the speed limit on the road, as a city we are interested in seeing additional changes implemented that so far have not been agreed to. We are requesting an acceleration of all safety improvements recommended in the report, a further reduction of speed limit, improvements to ensure bicycle lane safety, and a pedestrian crosswalk.
NE 26TH STREET The city has some funding for improvements to Northeast 26th Street on the east side of Wilton Manors. City staff recently provided an
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overview of the proposed changes to the Three Bridges Neighborhood Association. Noticeably missing from the plan were bike lanes and landscaping/lighting improvements. Todd de Jesus, our city lead on the project, expressed his commitment to pursuing all possibilities, but shared with residents that the road is county owned and that traffic engineers from the county were unwilling to approve some of our requests. These two examples — one a state road and one a county road — show the need for us to be innovative and comprehensive in our approach to the problem. At the last Westside Association of Wilton Manors meeting, Hunter Stephens suggested a city-wide resident-driven task that could work with the commission and city staff to engage both County and FDOT officials. Since we’re experiencing challenges across the city, a unified task force like this may be the right next step. If you would be interested in supporting a task force in its outreach efforts or have another idea on how we might address the issue, do not hesitate to contact me via email at ccaputo@wiltonmanors.com or text message at 954.557.2801.
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