THE
GAZETTE VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 6 MARCH 17, 2022
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WILTON MANORS
WILTON MANORS POLICE CHIEF VOWS TO ACHIEVE CONVICTION IN DOUBLE MURDER CASE AGAIN By John McDonald Wilton Manors Police Chief Gary Blocker impactful and it should be as we move forward announced his department is recommitting yet again.” Adams and Powell had been together for 29 efforts to achieve a conviction in the horrific years before they were shot and bludgeoned to murder of a gay couple. Earlier this year, citing a procedural error, the death days before Christmas in 2010. Avsenew, Florida Supreme Court granted Peter Avsenew now 37 and an inmate at Union Correctional a new trial. Avsenew is charged with the 2010 Institution in Raiford, allegedly met the couple killing of Wilton Manors couple Stephen through a sexually suggestive ad on Craig’s List Adams and Kevin Powell. The case has been and moved in with them weeks prior to the sent back to the 17th Judicial Circuit because killing. a key witness — Avsenew’s OTHER NOTES FROM THE mother — testified virtually in MARCH 8 MEETING: a way that prevented her from seeing the defendant. Blocker awarded officer Daniel “We believe the killer Leone and code compliance murdered Stephen and Kevin administrative assistant Denise because they were gay,” Smith with officer and civilian Blocker said. “We will stand employee awards for the up for Stephen, Kevin, their quarter. Officer Daniel Plunske families, our community received the 2021 Officer of and the greater LGBTQ+ the Year Award and Alberto community and our allies Carrillo, crime intelligence working toward a second analyst, was posthumously conviction. Anything less awarded the Civilian Employee would be unacceptable.” of the Year Award. “Al achieved Blocker said a trial date has great success because of one not been set but asked for simple yet powerful word: love,” thoughts and prayers for the - Gary Blocker Blocker said. families that will have to relive Wilton Manors Police Chief Community Affairs the tragic killings in court Advisory Board chairman again. Avsenew was convicted of first-degree murder in 2017 and given the Michael Sansevero announced a new public death penalty. He boasted that he “was not art installation. The sculpture, titled “Ice sorry” and in a hand written letter to a judge Pops,” is located at Rachel Richardson Park. wrote, “homosexuals are a disease to mankind “It’s a beautiful addition to the central neighborhood,” Sansevero said. Elsewhere, and must be put down.” “Back then this crime was big for our Sansevero is accepting donations to repair the community,” Blocker said. “It was big and “Slices of Heaven” sculpture at the SunServe
“We will stand up for Stephen, Kevin, their families, our community and the greater LGBTQ+ community and our allies working toward a second conviction.”
Wilton Manors Police Chief Gary Blocker. Credit: The City of Wilton Manors Police Department.
building. The citrus themed piece collapsed due to water leakage. On a 3-2 vote, commissioners approved a lease agreement with Echo Air Conditioning for 1,200 square feet of floor space at 2200 NE 12th Avenue. Commissioners Mike Bracchi and Gary Resnick objected to the deal on the grounds rent was well below market rate. The lease will provide $1,140 monthly revenue to the city’s water utility fund. Commissioners gave the go ahead to join national litigation in opioid-related settlements. “This resolution wisely states that this also applies to any future opioid settlements,” resident Paul Kuta said. “This is important
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because just last week Purdue Pharmaceuticals finally agreed to a revised, multi-billion-dollar settlement over its role in the opioid crisis with almost all states and thousands of local governments.” Commissioner Chris Caputo asked for more focus on traffic safety. Commissioner Gary Resnick echoed Caputo’s request and proposed getting Florida Senator Gary Farmer and other state representatives involved. Resnick said either a change in design or lower speed limits are desperately needed on Powerline Road. “It’s absolutely not safe,” he said. The next regular commission meeting is scheduled for March 22.
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WILTON MANORS
OPINION
VACATIONLAND, USA By Sal Torre
People buy homes in residential neighborhoods to be part of a community, to live in a not so hustle and bustle environment, to raise a family, to walk their dogs and go bicycle riding away from traffic. Unfortunately, not so in Wilton Manors and throughout the great state of Florida. Local laws protecting our residential neighborhoods have been wiped away by state leaders, and our communities are turned into the Wild West with the proliferation of uncontrolled short-term rentals better known as vacation rentals. Party houses, transient neighborhoods, litter, urinating drunken college students, cars parked on your lawn, and load music are not good selling points when pitching the quality of life for potential residents seeking a great place to live, work and play. This problem is not getting any better as vacation rentals continue to grow in number like a cancer within our residential communities. The latest trend is the purchase of multi-unit properties, kicking out long-term renters, and turning the units into vacation rentals. This basically turns these residential properties into small hotels in areas not zoned for such activity. Over 10% of the properties here in Wilton Manors are now being operated as some form of short tern vacation rental — and with recent conversion of multi-unit properties and additional conversion of singlefamily residences, the number continues to grow. Our city has created mixed-use zoning corridors for development. We have created districts for Bed and Breakfast lodgings to operate. We have publicized the interest in bringing small boutique hotels to the city. We did this because we understand the need of tourism dollars, a strong and vibrant business community, and the unique vibe we all enjoy along the Arts and Entertainment District. We did not do this to have our residential neighborhoods turned into Vacationland USA. With the current trend of turning multifamily units into vacation rentals, why would anyone look to open a hotel, which requires much more regulation and oversight. We are allowing businesses to invade our residential neighborhoods, diminishing our quality of life, diminishing the prospect of beneficial
March 17, 2022 • Volume 9 • Issue 6 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
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businesses from investing in the city, and diminishing the availability of housing for long-term community minded residents. Defending our residential neighborhoods and speaking out about the detrimental effect of short-term vacation rentals is not anti-tourism, not anti-LGBT, and not anti-business — as some scream and holler every time I write about this problem. The recent headlines about the tragic overdose incident at a party house here on the Westside of our Island City highlights the growing problem of vacation rentals. Leave aside for now the horrific reality of illegal fentanyl use by drug dealers selling to unsuspecting recreational drug users. The incident tells of the daily problems now faced by many in our community. Residents that use to live next to other longterm residents now live next to a party house, where large numbers of guests descend to have a loud, rambunctious, drug and alcohol fueled good ole time at all hours of the day and night. This is not like buying next to an airport and then complaining about the noise — this is about buying a beautiful home in a residential community, only to wake up one morning to find a for-profit business being operated right next door that disrupts your
quality of life on a daily basis. This problem is also a huge drain on city resources — having staff to track these properties, code enforcement officers and police to respond to calls, and much more… costing the taxpayers of this city a lot of money. Time for residents to make a stand before our residential communities are lost forever. A good place to start is with our state leaders who decided to take away local control over where such businesses could operate. Let the governor and state legislators hear about the real threats to our communities — not the made-up threats by the religious right over “Don’t Say Gay” or of trans youth’s use of a particular bathroom. The continued break down of our residential communities pose a real threat to our quality of life, to our neighborhoods, to our families and we need to start shouting this at every opportunity. While you have the state’s attention — let them also know that they should have passed the legislation legalizing fentanyl test strips. This way when our children and younger relatives make wrong choices that are a part of growing up, it does not have to be a death sentence just by doing a line of cocaine at a party during spring break. Building strong communities, creating wonderful neighborhoods for people to live, work and play, having a thriving Arts and Entertainment District, along with vibrant mixed-use corridors, and secure and safe residential neighborhoods will continue to make life just better here.
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GAZETTE Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Associate Publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com
Time for residents to make a stand before our residential communities are lost forever.
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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. MEMBER
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NEWS
WILTON MANORS
NEWS
WILTON MANORS
MEMORIAL FOR DAVID GUZDEK SATURDAY AT MATTY’S IN WILTON MANORS By John Hayden
Broward County Commissioner Jared Moskowitz. Photo via Facebook.
BROWARD COUNTY COMMISSIONER SEEKS RETIRING CONGRESSMAN’S SEAT By John McDonald Broward County Commissioner Jared Moskowitz set the game of musical chairs in motion, announcing he will campaign for the seat held by retiring Congressman Ted Deutch. On Feb. 28, Deutch announced he would not seek re-election and instead become chief executive officer of the American Jewish Committee. Deutch, 55, a Democrat and staunch advocate for better gun control laws, has served in Congress since 2010. “I was shocked and surprised by Ted’s news, and then I thought how wonderful it was for him and our community,” said Rabbi Noah Kitty of Congregation Etz Chaim. “Ted has been an outstanding and successful advocate for his constituents for many years, and I look forward to seeing him continue his important work with the American Jewish Committee.” Deutch chairs the House Committee on Ethics and Foreign Affairs subcommittee and is the senior member of the House Judiciary Committee. He represents Congressional District 22, which includes Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park and Wilton Manors. Redistricting maps are still being passed back and forth between the Florida legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis, making future representation uncertain. Census calculations increased the state’s congressional delegation to 28 districts. Moskowitz, appointed to the county
commission by DeSantis, is the first to publicly declare for the Deutch’s district. He immediately drew the support of Florida Senator Shevrin Jones. “There was no secret where I was on this,” Jones tweeted. “@JaredEMoskowitz is more than just my best friend, but he’s also a damn good public servant. I am proud of my brother! Good luck, J!” Florida Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith also expressed support for Moskowitz, who served in the statehouse before DeSantis appointed him director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Smith said Moskowitz has dedicated his life to public service. “He always puts PEOPLE over politics and South Florida would be lucky to have him representing them in Congress,” Smith tweeted. “I’m 100% with Jared!” Olvera said some of the more prominent names mentioned for Deutch’s seat are Florida Senator Gary Farmer, Florida Representative Chip LaMarca and Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis. Meanwhile, Deutch said he would continue to raise awareness in Congress about the threat of fentanyl. Deutch’s nephew Eli died last year from accidental fentanyl ingestion. Deutch is scheduled to begin his new role as AJC CEO on Oct. 1.
A softball Hall of Famer, friendly server, and loving husband, David Guzdek is being remembered in South Florida. Friends and family, customers and teammates will gather at Matty’s in Wilton Park, this Saturday, March 19, at 5 p.m. He died last month from lung cancer at the age of 47. He moved from Buffalo, New York, to South Florida in the ‘90s. Shortly after arriving, Guzdek became a familiar face at LGBT hot spots. He worked at Cathode Ray in Fort Lauderdale and several other places over the years, most recently at Matty’s. He married Butch Fornaza in 2016. At the time of his death, Fornaza said, “All who knew him knew what a kind and generous soul he was.” Fornaza wrote Wednesday morning on Facebook: “He was one of a kind. My heart hurts and my life will never be the same without him. I know he is in a better place, but we are going to miss him terribly.” They married on Feb. 29, Leap Day, because Guzdek said he only wanted to remember an anniversary once every four years. The date, much like himself, is unforgettable.
David Guzdek. Photo via Facebook.
Guzdek was a fierce competitor. He was a familiar face at poker tables, bowling lanes, and the local softball league. And it was softball that was his true passion. He was inducted into the SFAAA Hall of Fame in 2015, and this past November, he was finally on a championship winning team. “He was more than just a member in our league,” SFAAA Commissioner Jarvis McCray said. “He was an integral part of SFAAA. He was family to many.” The Celebration of Life begins at 5 p.m. at Matty’s, at 2100 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors.
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NEWS
OAKLAND PARK
LET’S CLEAR THE AIR, MR. CAMPBELL
DRIVER SURVIVES BRIGHTLINE-VERSUSVEHICLE CRASH IN OAKLAND PARK By Christiana Lilly A driver is in the hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries after a crash with a train in Oakland Park. According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred at 5:25 p.m. March 6 at the intersection of North Dixie Highway and Northeast 34th Court. The driver was taken to an area hospital and their injuries were listed as non-threatening by BSO. Roadways were closed for about three hours while first responders from BSO and Oakland Park Fire Rescue worked the scene. A witness told the Sun Sentinel that when she saw the crash, the gates at the train tracks were down. “He was able to get out of the car on his own and had scratches and bruising on his left arm and his legs,” Amber Cartier told the newspaper. “He was disoriented and in shock. He passed out on the scene from the shock I believe.” She helped the man retrieve items from his vehicle, the back of which she said was “unrecognizable” before first responders arrived.
A car is taken away by first responders after a train-versus-vehicle crash in Oakland Park. Submitted by Scott Herman.
According to the Palm Beach Post, more than 50 people have died in train-versusvehicle crashes involving the Brightline since its inception.
COMING SOON THE
It is unbelievable that my opponent refuses to apologize for the harm his campaign has caused myself and our community. Many of you in this district received dozens of nasty text messages, emails, and flyers that made issue with my sexuality during the campaign. These communications were without disclaimers, which was illegal. As a result of these nasty attacks, the Sun Sentinel released a story, asking folks to be wary of these kinds of last-minute sketchy attacks. They endorsed me. These vicious attacks called me a transgender who was trying to “turn little black boys into girls.” It mocked my focus on LGBTQ+ issues, and made very painful caricatures of me and my campaign staff. Many of you have posted screencaps of what you received before the election. I actually found out about the attacks from an elected official in the district. The person or entity behind these attacks used the name of my former opponent, Mr. Josephus Eggelletion III, as the disclaimer. In fact, Mr. Eggelletion never paid for these electioneering communications, nor did he send any of these attacks. Myself and Mr. Eggelletion both are mentored by the same person, Mr. Don Mizell. We have a level of respect for each other that transcends politics. During the campaign, I’m proud of the fact that I did not send any nasty attacks or dirty mail. Zero pieces. The same can’t be said for Daryl Campbell. I kept my focus on the issues that matter most to you. I was praised by journalists and organizations for my issues-based campaign. Even the other two candidates who lost the race, thanked me for running an exceptionally clean campaign despite everything that was said about me. I’ve been nothing but respectful to Mr. Campbell. I essentially ignored him and his campaign, keeping it cordial because he was virtually a nonfactor to me. In my mind, the true threat in the race to me was Mr. Josephus Eggelletion, the only other person with name recognition in the race besides me, and we still kept it cool. In fact, my 2020 campaign against Bobby DuBose was much more contentious and messier than this special election. The issue here is that everyone is wrong and Mr. Campbell is right. Phew, I roll my eyes at
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Elijah Manley. Photo via Facebook.
this assumption that is obviously wrong. He has refused to even have dialogue with folks about this subject. What a messy charge from a guy who can barely read the bills and formulate arguments during house committee meetings. Don’t let yourself be gaslit by someone who does not have your best interests at heart, and has said so. I’m 23, and I have run for office three times, doing something productive and history making as one of the youngest persons to seek office in our state’s history. I will continue to fight for what I believe in, despite the nastiness of politics. Might I remind Mr. Campbell, 60% of this district did not vote for him. If he wants to be a representative for everyone, it’s time to act like one. Now, back to the issues.
During the campaign, I’m proud of the fact that I did not send any nasty attacks or dirty mail.
2022 • SOUTH FLORIDA GAY NEWS
GUIDE 24
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
WILTON MANORS
— ELIJAH MANLEY
CANDIDATE FOR THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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COMMUNITY
WILTON MANORS
COMMUNITY
WILTON MANORS
FLORIDA REPRESENTATIVE QUESTIONABLE PROCESS CLOUDS DENIES ALLEGATIONS OF WILTON MANORS’ WOMEN’S HOMOPHOBIC CAMPAIGN TACTICS HISTORY MONTH AWARDS By John McDonald
By John McDonald Wilton Manors is scheduled to honor a police officer and a former commissioner for Women’s History Month, but the city’s selection process was clouded by a fictitious nominator. At a meeting, commissioners voted to honor former commissioner Julie Carson and police officer Nikki Cox for Women’s History Month, but not before sharply criticizing the process conducted by the Community Affairs Advisory Board. “I feel like this is supposed to be a good, happy moment to recognize someone in our community and I feel like some of that is just drained,” Commissioner Mike Bracchi said. “I’m not sure it’s the right process.” CAAB put forth four nominees — Carson, Cox, small business owner Carvelle Estriplet and real estate agent Adrienne Foland — ultimately recommending Carson and Julie Carson (top) and Nikki Cox. Estriplet. Vice Mayor Paul Rolli said he was Photos via Facebook. unable to verify the person who nominated Estriplet. The name listed on the application was Julian Bashir, Ph.D. No address or phone respect and courtesy towards all,” Ballantyne wrote. number was listed for Bashir. Mayor Scott Newton went to bat for Carson, “If we have a fictitious person nominating someone what do we do?” Rolli asked. “It’s not highlighting her decades’ worth of service on really transparent. There’s a lack of integrity the dais as “well-deserving.” Newton defeated Carson in the last mayoral there.” election by a razor-thin margin. Rolli said the nominating Commissioner Gary Resnick process was extremely insular, said he was disappointed the noting only one member process had morphed from a of the public submitted fun event into a “gotcha” game. a nomination. He said he Resnick thanked Amy Waxman, conducted an exhaustive a nurse, for volunteering search for Bashir and could to administer COVID-19 only turn up a reference to a vaccinations at Richardson Star Trek character. Park. “She was there for “If you have a fictitious weeks and made everyone person making a nomination, feel comfortable and safe and how do we know what they’re secure,” he said. saying is correct?” Rolli asked Sansevero admitted the CAAB Chairman Michael board had been “pranked” Sansevero. “You’re asking us and cautioned other city to judge an application that boards to thoroughly vet their was put in by someone who - Paul Rolli nominators. Commissioner we don’t even know who it is.” Wilton Manors Vice Mayor Chris Caputo said he would Resident Aimee Ballantyne personally nominate Estriplet nominated Cox, vouching for next year. her problem-solving skills and resiliency. “Carvelle is a completely worthy person for “I have personally witnessed her face down — and shrug off — sexism — and this award,” Caputo said. The women will receive their awards at unpleasantness — even from her own male colleagues! — as she works in a predominantly the next commission meeting on March 22. male industry. She holds her own. She extends
“If we have a fictitious person nominating someone what do we do?”
Florida Representative Daryl Campbell denied allegations that he took part in a homophobic whisper campaign that propelled him to victory during a special election earlier this year. Campbell, elected in January to fill the open house seat in District 94, said the charges made against him by queer activist Elijah Manley are simply untrue. Manley has suggested Campbell was involved in a calculated effort to use sexual orientation as a wedge issue in parts of the district where Black and Caribbean voters are susceptible to such messaging. “I am not homophobic nor have I ever been,” Campbell told SFGN in a Zoom interview from Tallahassee last Thursday. “My voting records have shown from day one, since stepping into office, that I have been helping and been an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Even when I was campaigning I was in the community, showing my face, talking with individuals in the community. I don’t know where this is stemming from, it’s just an unfortunate effect.” Campbell, who served as a top aide to former Representative Bobby DuBose, won the election with 40% of the vote, while Manley finished third with 26%. All four candidates were Democrats. Shortly after the results were certified, Manley penned an op-ed to SFGN accusing Campbell, among other things, of saying Manley’s focus on LGBTQ+ issues was “a slap in the face to Black issues and race relations.” “These allegations, at first they did bother me,” Campbell said. “Being called something that you are not and really trying to defame your character is something that I expected Republicans to do, not my own Democratic party member. It’s just unfortunate.” Redistricting has changed the map slightly and Campbell said he will seek re-election in the newly drawn District 99. Manley too has announced plans to run for office again as the district has expanded to take in all of Wilton Manors, home to precincts where Manley performed well. “Mr. Manley, I wish him the best,” Campbell
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Florida Representative Daryl Campbell. Photo courtesy of John McDonald.
said. “I know he’s probably working to run against me again and he has another shot at it and so I welcome the challenge. But right now I am not focused on him, I am focused on ensuring that my district, members in my community and the state of Florida is being spoken for and I’m representing well.” Campbell voted against HB 1557, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which passed the lower chamber by a 69 to 47 vote. It wasn’t enough to appease Manley, who in a press release announcing his decision to run again, said, “we need a new type of representative who is not afraid to take on the wellconnected and powerful.” “I can’t get caught up in his smear campaign,” Campbell said. “He’s run four times and he’s said the same thing about every single body tarnishing him in some kind of way if you look at his receipts. So there’s history of him gaslighting previous representatives and he’s just continuing to try to make a name for himself. I’m not concerned about it. I wish him well, I am upset he would try to defame my character because all I did was nothing but nice to him.”
Campbell, who served as a top aide to former Representative Bobby DuBose, won the election with 40% of the vote, while Manley finished third with 26%.
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NEWS
WILTON MANORS
COMMUNITY PUTS WILTON MANORS ‘ON THE MAP’
6 COLLEGE STUDENTS OVERDOSE AT RENTAL PROPERTY IN WILTON MANORS By Angie DiMichele | Sun Sentinel At least six college students apparently overdosed on Thursday evening, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials said. Multiple people were in respiratory arrest, said Battalion Chief Stephen Gollan. All were being taken to area hospitals, he said. Six ambulances were in the 800 block of Northwest 29th Court in Wilton Manors shortly before 5:30 p.m., Gollan said. The address is a rental property, where the college students were staying. There are other students, in addition to the six hospitalized, who were staying at the property, Gollan said. The drug in question is still being tested but is believed to be fentanyllaced cocaine, he said. Fentanyl is a synthetic prescription opioid that is commonly made illegally. It is about 100 times more powerful than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl is considered a lethal dose, according to a public safety alert from the DEA. Gollan said it was not immediately clear the ages of the patients. Spring Break in South Florida draws
“Come Out! Come Out!”
Six college students overdosed on an unknown substance in a Wilton Manors home on March 10. Credit: WSVN-7.
hundreds of college-aged students to its many beaches each year, which typically runs from March 4 to about April 3 depending on the schools. Further details were not immediately available.
NEWS
OAKLAND PARK
MAN DIES IN OAKLAND PARK VEHICLE FIRE AFTER SPEEDING By Christiana Lilly A driver was killed in a fiery accident March 2 after losing control of his car. The Broward Sheriff’s Office has withheld the name of the driver, who died around 1:15 a.m. near the intersection of Oakland Park Boulevard and Dixie Highway. According to BSO, a man driving a 2016 Hyundai Genesis sedan was driving west on Oakland Park Boulevard at an “excessively high rate of speed.” When he drove over the train tracks, he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a wooden utility pole, then ricocheted onto a concrete pole. Because of the high speed, the car wrapped around the pole and burst into flames. BSO says that “bystanders were unable to remove the driver before the vehicle caught fire.” The agency’s homicide team is investigating the incident but believe that speed was the cause of the deadly accident.
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
WILTON MANORS
As one of your Wilton Manors city Credit: Ronnie Larsen. commissioners, I am committed to ensuring Life Is Just Better Here for residents, businesses, and visitors. I’ve learned that our community is the heart and soul of our city, and they are truly the source of everything amazing that happens here. Like many residents, I also believe that the arts improve the quality of our lives and make our city more livable… and notable. Our community has been the source of so many of our city’s greatest art experiences, whether they be paintings, sculptures, musical or theatrical. I’m excited to share some newsworthy arts and theater updates with you today. Many residents have already had a chance to check out the “In Plain Sight Arts & Culture Map.” The map is a printed (or digital!) guide to over two dozen murals, sculptures, distinctive architecture, and design experiences throughout Wilton Manors. This beautiful guide, available at inplainsightwm. com, was conceptualized by Hunter Stephens Pallant, Scott Bennett, Jim Morgan and Joe and creatively designed by Andrew Spina. Rodonis, Scott Clearwater and Chris Ambs, Hunter and Andrew were assisted by Meghan Kim Nickson, Scott Rappaport and Dr. Joe Gao, Pearson along the way. Their beautiful guide Rick Wetzler, Barry Eikle, Irwin Rosen, Dennis can serve as the perfect itinerary for residents Marshall, Steve Lutz, Jimmy Cunningham, and and visitors alike who want others. I am looking forward to to walk the city and see art by flying to New York City to be local and national artists, the there opening night! Our community sculptures curated by Sculpture Community-led arts has been the Walk Wilton Manors, Wilton initiatives like these really Arts upintheair.2020 project do put Wilton Manors on the source of so featuring Spencer Little’s work, map. It’s one of the reasons our many of our and more. city’s strategic plan includes Those who enjoy theater city’s greatest the creation of a Public Art undoubtedly heard (or more policy by the end of this year. art experiences, likely, saw!) Come Out! Come With the support of my fellow whether they Out!, the musical created by commissioners, I’ve agreed to Ronnie Larsen thanks to the take a lead role in drafting a be paintings, support of Plays of Wilton. I for them to review and sculptures, musical policy am beyond please to be able provide their valuable input to share that the show was a on. I’d love to have your input or theatrical. wild success — so much so as a member of our community that it will be making its way on what policy decisions we to New York for its off-Broadway debut later should enact that will help support the arts this year. This locally written show relied on in our community. If you have ideas to share, community funding to come to life on stage, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at and the community stepped up to ensure it ccaputo@wiltonmanors.com or via text at would make it New York and represent our city 954.557.2801. well. Come Out! Come Out! will be produced by Marty and Susan Elleman and Bill Boyd with special thanks along the way to a well-known WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSIONER cast of supporters including Tom Moran, Joe
— CHRIS CAPUTO
Photo via Adobe.
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