The Gazette 6/24/21 V8iss13 by The Gazette

THE

GAZETTE VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 13 JUNE 24, 2021

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WILTON MANORS

Tragedy Strikes Pride Crash kills one; injures three, and stops parade

By Jason Parsley Whoosh. That’s what Nicholas Coppola vividly remembers as the truck barreled past him, after striking three pedestrians, and then careening across the road into a plant nursery. “I was rattled. I’m still reeling from it,” he said. “It was a very surreal moment.” Him and his close friend Kevin Muth were on the passenger side of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s car as the tragic accident unfolded. They were just a foot away as the out-of-control truck crossed the street. “There was a thud of the driver hitting somebody. Then I heard another thud, and a body flew up in the air. There was never an attempt to break,” Muth said. “It was just a constant revving up of the engine, and the next thing you know, it crossed the street.” For Coppola though he first heard the truck ram through the fence from the staging area in Fort Lauderdale High School’s parking lot. “I actually felt the wind of the truck pass me,” he said. The truck also narrowly missed Wasserman Schultz’s car as well.

Days later Muth and Coppola were still shaken up. “It was frightening. I’ve been having lots of difficulty concentrating on stuff. I just keep replaying it, hearing it, the screams, and fear in everybody’s eyes,” Muth said. “That thud was horrible. The worst part was seeing the bodies, hit and thrown, and fall into the ground.” The accident occurred about 6:57 p.m. Saturday, June 19 on Northeast 4th Avenue just across the Rainbow Bridge. Both Muth and Coppola initially suspected the worst: someone had intentionally terrorized the LGBT community. “At that moment, unfortunately, I really thought that was our worst nightmare come true,” Coppola said. Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis jumped to that conclusion. Speaking to Local 10 News within 15 minutes of the incident, he declared, “This was a terrorist attack against the LGBT community. This is exactly what it is. Hardly an accident. It was deliberate. It was premeditated.” The incident took place a week after the fifth anniversary of the Pulse nightclub

The accident occurred about 6:57 p.m. Saturday, June 19 on Northeast 4th Avenue just across the Rainbow Bridge.

Patrons on Wilton Drive after the accident. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

shooting. This also happened a week after the vandalism of a new LGBT crosswalk in Delray Beach where a 20-year-old man had used his truck to do a “burnout” over the artwork leaving two dark skid marks. Other public officials, like Wilton Manors City Commissioner Chris Caputo, though weren’t so sure.

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“From the beginning, everything I personally saw and heard led me to believe it was a horribly tragic accident and not a terrorist attack,” he said. “Out of an abundance of caution, and to allow for a proper investigation, the City of Wilton Manors exercised restraint in its communication.”

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WILTON MANORS

OPINION

Burning The Midnight Oil This is the job you signed up for

By Sal Torre Many Islanders have been keeping late hours over the past few days. Volunteers leading up to the Stonewall Pride event worked many late hours getting ready for the big day. Many after the tragic event at the beginning of the parade have been unable to sleep soundly still dealing with what was witnessed that unfortunate evening. Certainly this rings true to the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus family, who have suffered unimaginable loss and tragedy. What happened Saturday night at the Pride event reminds us all how precious our time here is on earth, and how at any moment our lives can change in ways we have no control over. Having volunteered to help set up the event earlier in the day, then ready to march later that day, my friend and I were enjoying the amazing energy of the day and the festivities. As we lined up ready to begin the march down a packed Wilton Drive, our walking group from the Oakland Park Wilton Manors Democratic Club were all too close to the tragedy that unfolded right before us. Totally caught up with the excitement of the moment with all the groups coming together as the parade started taking off, those right there were jolted out of our state of excitement by the sound of a reeving engine right next to us. In just a split second after that realization we saw the truck racing right past us, only inches away, out into the street totally out of control, hitting one pedestrian, then another before crashing into the chain link fence of the nursery business across the road. In that brief moment my mind was trying to grasp what had happened. Most of us right there believed it was a tragic accident and not some planned attack, hate crime, or terrorist attack as others began to speculate on social media. We mourn for the victim, pray for those injured and our hearts go out to the driver and the chorus family so devastated by the tragic event. We grieve together as one community, we will march once again as one community and we will be stronger together as one community. Thankfully over the next few days other matters here in our Island City deflected my

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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

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attention from this tragic event and kept me from dwelling on what happened right in front of us. Happy to have this diversion, I involved myself wholeheartedly. The agenda on Tuesday night’s City Commission meeting was going to be contentious, with questions of zoning, density, and height restrictions to be decided for the future growth of our city. Many in our community were once again motivated by misinformation and fear mongering. These community leaders stated that they are not against development, however, one just has to look at the deteriorating vacant church property on NE 26th Street to see otherwise. Many quality plans for that property have met fierce opposition by this band of eastsiders each and every time. If their idea of quality development means a park or even a cemetery as some have stated, then we have a big difference of opinion on what this city needs for its future. Everyone was expecting a long night due to the amount of people making Public Comments, the discussion by the Commission and getting through all the ordinances. Everyone except Commissioner Gary Resnick it seems. At some point in the evening, Commission Resnick did

not get his way and announced that at such a late hour it was meaningless to go any further and everything should be tabled to another meeting. Thankfully no other commissioner or our mayor seconded Resnick’s motion. Now even more frustrated for not getting his way, Commissioner Resnick announced that he was leaving the meeting and signed off from Zoom leaving his colleagues, city staff and residents behind. Not what we should expect from our elected officials. We elect people to office who we believe will serve the interest of our community, do what is right and what is necessary for the betterment of the community they serve. If keeping a few late nights is required to get the job done, then we expect that commitment. Unfortunately, what we got from Commissioner Resnick was a temper tantrum for not getting his way as he stormed off, leaving us all behind. Thank you Mayor Scott Newton, Vice Mayor Paul Rolli, Commissioners Mike Bracchi and Chris Caputo for doing the job we elected you to office for. Burning the midnight oil, finishing the job, and making the tough decisions we elected you to do is what makes life just better here…. And the community that came together to celebrate Pride on Saturday, then mourned together after the tragic event and who understand the hard work it takes to build such a community is definitely what makes life just better here…

www.WMGAZETTE.com • 6 . 24.2021

GAZETTE Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Associate publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com

We grieve together as one community, we will march once again as one community and we will be stronger together as one community.

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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

OAKLAND PARK

Officials at the groundbreaking ceremony. Photo via the City of Oakland Park, Facebook.

First Phase of Oakland Park’s City Park Breaks Ground By Christiana Lilly On June 11, Oakland Park celebrated the groundbreaking of the first phase of City Park, which will bring more recreational facilities to residents and visitors. The park will have a new splash pad, playground, basketball courts, covered pavilion and ADA bathrooms, and the pickleball courts and concession stand will be renovated. “Recreation is not a secondary concern for democracy,” said Heidi Burnett, the city’s director of library and cultural services. “It is a primary concern because the way that people spend their spare time determines the kind of people they become and the community that they subsequently build one day.” Located at 3900 NE 3rd Ave., the public watched as city officials performed the ceremonial groundbreaking in the morning. Oakland Park Vice Mayor Michael Carn represented the commission and was joined by Broward County Commissioner Lamar Fisher, Florida Rep. Chip LaMarca, and former Mayors Tim Lonergan and Caryl Stevens for the event. City Park, as well as a plethora of other city projects, is funded by a $40 million bond program approved by 67% of voters in 2018. Known as the Building Our 2nd Century/City Facilities Bond, it will also cover the construction of the Public Works Facility, North Andrews Gardens Community Center, Fire Station 9 and Fire Station 20. There will also be renovations to Park Place at Jaco Pastorius Park, Fire Station

87 and the city’s Municipal Building. Carn, who is running for a seat in the Florida House, was a strong backer of the bond proposal and was adamant about making upgrades in the city, especially in the outdated firehouses. “With the bond consideration, why not also include those projects that are dear and near to the community?” he asked. “This is fantastic to me. I love children, I love to see families together, I love to see them have space. Our children don’t have space ... This new facility will give them their own space identified for them.” Lonergan was the city mayor when the bond was approved, and he attended the ceremonial groundbreaking to see it come to fruition. “This is about the needs of the city and the people of the city of Oakland Park and they understand it’s time, it’s time for these upgrades,” he said. “This is something that Oakland Park so desperately needs, these upgrades. The splash pad is going to be so wonderful for the kids; I’m so excited about it.” The city is also working on redeveloping its downtown and Oakland Park Design Development District (also known as OP3D), something residents in a survey agreed is a high priority for the growth of the city. City Park was designed by Zyscovich Architects and Kaufman Lynn will be leading construction. This first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in summer 2022.

City Park, as well as a plethora of other city projects, is funded by a $40 million bond program approved by 67% of voters in 2018.

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JUNE 24, 2021

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NEWS

WILTON MANORS

Stonewall Parade Crash Victims’ Identities Released, Driver Issues Apology By Christiana Lilly With families notified, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department released the names of those involved in Saturday evening’s crash at the Stonewall Pride Parade in Wilton Manors. James Fahy, 75, was killed when he was hit by a truck at the start of the parade. Jerry Vroegh, 67, was injured and has since been discharged from Broward Health Medical Center. A third man, Gary Keating, 69, sustained minor injuries and was treated on site. The driver of the white Dodge Ram is Fred Johnson, Jr. All four men are members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Fort Lauderdale and were participating in the parade. “This was a horrible accident and I offer my sincere regrets to all those who were impacted by this tragic event,” Johnson, 77, said in a statement through the chorus. “I love my Chorus family and the community and would never do anything to intentionally harm anyone. Please know that I hold my fellow

Chorus member, Jim Fahy, in my heart forever and offer my condolences to his friends and family.” Justin Knight, the president of the chorus, issued his own statement to announce Fahy’s death. “He was a longtime, valued member of our Chorus family and he will be deeply missed,” he said. “We wish a speedy recovery for Chorus member Jerry Vroegh who was injured in the accident. We thank everyone for their concern, compassion and support.” FLPD noted that the incident is still being investigated, but “all available information and evidence indicates this was a terrible accident.” Previously, representatives said that Johnson had “ailments” that prevented him from walking the duration of the parade and so he was instead selected to drive the lead vehicle for the group.

“As the vehicle began to move forward in anticipation for the start of the parade, the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly, striking two pedestrians,” a statement from the FLPD read. The truck continued, crashing through the chain-link fence of a plant nursery. Police immediately apprehended Johnson, who cooperated. FLPD took the lead on the investigation and the FBI was called in to assist, as it was not clear initially whether the incident was an accident or intentional. During a community prayer vigil Sunday night, Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton told a crowd of more than 100 that, “This was an accident. A pure accident.” “We have to pray for the one that died and that’s in the hospital, but we have to pray for the gentleman that [drove the truck] — I don’t know if I could live with something like that if it happened to me,” he said. “So please pray for all of them. It’s unbelievable.”

James Fahy. Courtesy of GMCFL.

Jerry Vroegh. Courtesy of GMCFL.

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JUNE 24, 2021

GUEST COLUMN

OAKLAND PARK

RESERVE YOUR AD NOW!

Affordable Housing Welcomed In Oakland Park THE

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E D I U G

By Mitch Rosenwald

Commissioner of Oakland Park

THE HA

TO W NDBOOK

HAT'S H

OUTH OT IN S

FLORIDA

EARLY BIRD ENDS ON JUNE 30TH

Photo via PxHere.

At the June 16 Commission meeting, the the importance of transportation access for members made the correct decision, to those that require it. Gone are the days of new affordable approve a resolution supporting affordable housing that subscribes to housing opportunities in the the old-school tenement style city. I appreciate my fellow from the past. These can be in commissioners’ foresight into Oakland Park architecturally sophisticated ensuring that Oakland Park is joins some of buildings with access to a place where all who wish to transportation as well as reside here can do so. its sister cities shopping and city services. While our city continues in the county as With the commission’s to develop housing stock for support, we now have a higher-income constituents, well as Broward formal policy that directs it is important that we have County, itself, staff to create a plan for housing at all price points. implementation. Oakland Affordable housing provides to demonstrate Park joins some of its just that. sister cities in the county According to the U. S. this commitment as well as Broward County, Department of Housing and to affordable itself, to demonstrate this Urban Development, affordable commitment to affordable housing focuses on helping housing. housing. those who would find at least I am proud to represent 30% of their income would be spent on rent. This has been studied in Oakland Oakland Park residents and work with my Park — a Broward County-commissioned FIU colleagues to bolster Oakland Park as a “City study found such a need — and emphasized on the Move.”

Commissioner Mitch Rosenwald was elected to the Oakland Park City Commission in 2020. Mitch brings the perspective of a social worker, a researcher, and a community activist to this position. He believes that residents, business owners, and city administration can partner to balance smart development with neighborhood integrity. Mitch is committed to hearing the residents’ voice, building strong, diverse neighborhoods, cultivating smart growth, and creating a “greener” Oakland Park.

MEDICARE AND PRIVATE INSURANCE ACCEPTED

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6 . 24 . 20 21 •

Don’t miss Tragedy Strikes Pride a Crash kills one; injures three, and stops parade COMMUNITY

WILTON MANORS

tastE Feeling the hunger?

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Above: a press conference after the incident at Stonewall Pride. Credit: Carina Mask.

Meanwhile at the other end of the parade route in the heart of Wilton Manors few people knew what was happening except there was a delay of the parade. “As we walked back, it seemed so many people were unaware of it, which I think was a good thing,” Coppola said. “It didn’t cause any kind of panic, which I was glad about. Because you know, with that kind of crowd, God forbid, something like that happens, it could just make a very bad situation that much worse.” Muth and Coppola, who both live in Delray Beach, are veterans of Pride parades, marching in more than 15 of them through the years. “I always felt safe,” Coppola said. “I mean even in New York City with the crowds, I felt comfortable.” This year they were going to march with Congressman Ted Deutch’s contingent. They had just greeted Wasserman Schultz when the accident occurred. “Everybody was talking with Debbie,” Muth recalled. James Fahy, 75, was the victim who was

killed in the accident. Jerry Vroegh, 67, was injured and has since been discharged from Broward Health Medical Center. A third man, Gary Keating, 69, sustained minor injuries and was treated on site. The driver of the white Dodge Ram is Fred Johnson, Jr. All four men are members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Fort Lauderdale and were participating in the parade. “This was a horrible accident and I offer my sincere regrets to all those who were impacted by this tragic event,” Johnson, 77, said in a statement through the chorus. “I love my Chorus family and the community and would never do anything to intentionally harm anyone. Please know that I hold my fellow Chorus member, Jim Fahy, in my heart forever and offer my condolences to his friends and family.” Wilton Manors Police Chief Gary Blocker has also confirmed the incident was an accident even though the Fort Lauderdale Police Department continues to investigate.

This year they were going to march with Congressman Ted Deutch’s contingent. They had just greeted Wasserman Schultz when the accident occurred.

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JUNE 24, 2021

WILTON MANORS

OPINION

Hamburger Mary’s Opens; It’s A Work In Progress Opinion by John Hayden Hamburger Mary’s returned to Wilton Manors on Monday night, June 14. Given its perceived rivalry with the burger joint across the street that used to be a Hamburger Mary’s, this is the most buzzed-about opening along The Drive in a long time. While I’m sure the manager and staff were anxious to open up, they probably should have waited. On opening night everything felt and looked like a work in progress, as if they’re still figuring out work flow, the lighting, food, etc. At about 8 p.m. the restaurant, including the outdoor patio, tables were about full, and the bar was a little busier. The service staff was incredibly friendly and interacting with them was a pleasure. But it felt like a free for all. I saw one server taking a table outside at the far end of the patio and a table inside by the back bar, essentially traveling the length of the restaurant. I was told they only have four servers right now and they didn’t start training until the Thursday before opening. Post-it notes were on each table with what I presumed was the table number. They are also in desperate need of a hostess stand. Everyone was seating themselves, and for the relatively small crowd it worked. But if it had been much busier things could have gotten out of control quickly, especially given the small wait staff. I saw several people going to get their own silverware from a basket by the door. When we got our silverware there was only a fork wrapped in the napkin and we needed to cut something. My friend and I tried to sample various parts of the menu. We shared fried mac and cheese balls and they were delicious. We each got a burger and it wasn’t until they arrived we realized we weren’t asked how we wanted them cooked. They were what can charitably be called medium rare. We went ahead and ate them but another minute on the grill wouldn’t hurt. However we did have to send back the sides of fries. They were only slightly above room temperature. To be fair, they were quickly replaced and we had fresh hot fries within about two minutes. For a drink I ordered the Lime in the Coconut and it was quite limey, but it took about 15 minutes to arrive. Later my friend’s vodka and diet took about 20 minutes. Interim drinks came faster, but I felt it best to order well before my current drink was empty. And then there is the menu itself. It has about 20 items including appetizers and desserts, that is if you can read it. It was very

Inside the new Wilton Manors Hamburger Mary’s. Photo via Facebook.

blurry and at the top shows a screenshot taken in late May, so it wasn’t like it was a lastminute choice. Our server helped us decipher it and then told us it was the wrong menu. At that point we were committed to our burger choices and didn’t ask for another menu. The atmosphere felt Mary-lite. The color scheme is there, the stage looks fun, there’s a wall of fabulous boots, and a statue of Mary greets you at the door. But you feel like it needs to be done... more. The over-the-top camp at other locations is missing here. There is a beautiful winged mural by local artist Avi Ram which is great to see but I wish they gave it better lighting. At one point, for no obvious reason, dance floor lights started flashing all over the center of the dining room. It’s great if you’re dancing, it’s distracting when you’re eating. Speaking of dancing, the music was on theme but not varied. There would be a long mix of Beyoncé, then a long block of Madonna, then Cher, and others. Diva attitude is a Hamburger Mary tradition but it felt like they just strung some playlists together and pressed play. I get the feeling that if Pride wasn’t last weekend they wouldn’t have opened yet. But one person told me they wanted to be able to run through service the week leading up to Pride so they would be ready. All these are little things that are easily fixed and I will definitely go back, probably after Independence weekend.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

WILTON MANORS

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

One Step Closer to Trees On The Drive If you want to cause a Facebook riot in a Wilton Manors group, all you must do is ask “When are the trees coming to Wilton Drive?” Few questions will cause more heartache and hate trolling than a landscaping status update request in our city. It’s a completely legitimate question with a very complex answer. The quest for trees has been a long and arduous one. Literally dozens of volunteers and city staff have worked tirelessly to bring trees to the drive including folks like Doug Blevins, Tony LoGrande, Tom Green and many more. Since Wilton Drive is a state road, city staff and engineers had the very arduous project of identifying tree species and potential locations that the Florida Department of Transportation would allow. FDOT, which owns Wilton Drive, follows very specific rules about traffic sight lines that make it incredibly hard to create the type of tree canopy we want. It’s been nearly a year since that hurdle was crossed. While we originally planned to pay for the project out of our city funds, we were presented with an opportunity to have Broward County’s surtax funds cover the expense. Surtax funds are from the 1 cent tax for transportation that was approved by Broward County residents. We applied for and were selected to receive that surtax funding. As a result, Broward Surtax funds are covering the estimated $245k in costs for the trees, landscaping, and irrigation for Wilton Drive as well as wayfinding signage citywide. As a city of only 12,000 residents, having the opportunity to save $245k in our budget is a big deal, especially having just dealt with a pandemic that slashed revenue and increased expenses. One downside, however, of Broward County funding the project is the requirement that we not proceed with the project without following Broward County’s process. As a condition of funding, we agreed to have Broward County

Photo via Pixabay.

review all grant contracts and bid documents before putting the project out to bid and beginning work. Cue the government bureaucracy and red tape. We have been waiting for Broward County to provide the grant contracts and approval of our bid documents so we can move these projects forward. After MANY months of waiting, we have finally received draft agreements from the county. These items will be presented to the commission at an upcoming meeting and, barring any changes, we can put these and other surtax-funded projects out to bid in the coming months. What’s all this mean? We’re one step closer beautifying Wilton Drive and “trees on Wilton Drive” no longer being a Firestarter on Facebook threads!

After MANY months of waiting, we have finally received draft agreements from the county.

Submitted by Chris Caputo

WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSIONER

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COMMUNITY

WILTON MANORS

Fact Vs. Fiction Pride Tragedy

By Jason Parsley Was this intentional? No. In the immediate aftermath of the crash those closest to the scene feared the worst – a bad actor had attacked the LGBT community. Within 15 minutes after the crash (at 7:12 p.m.) the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Dean Trantalis, was on Local 10 News where he proclaimed with certainty: “This was a terrorist attack against the LGBT community. This is exactly what it is. Hardly an accident. It was deliberate. It was premeditated.” But soon reports from other eyewitnesses countered that claim. Wilton Manors City Commissioner Chris Caputo posted on Twitter at 7:42 p.m. “It seems increasingly probable it was an accident.” Later in the evening the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus released a statement saying the two pedestrians that were struck as well as the driver were all members of the chorus. Since then the Police Chief of Wilton Manors, Gary Blocker, has said it was an accident but ultimately it’s up to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department to make that determination since they are the lead investigators. So far they’ve said all available information and evidence “indicates this was a terrible accident.”

Was Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz Targeted? No. In the immediate aftermath of the accident another rumor suggested the attack was targeted at Democratic Representative Debbie Wasserman Shultz since the truck narrowly missed her vehicle. But as said above – this was just a tragic and unfortunate accident.

How many victims were there? Three. Initial reports said there were two victims, one of whom died. But in the latest statement from the FLPD three victims were listed as being struck. James Fahy, 75, was killed, while Jerry Vroegh and Gary Keating were injured. Vroegh has been released from Broward Health Medical Center while Keating was just treated for minor injuries. Fred Johnson, Jr. of Oakland Park was the driver.

Photo credit: Carina Mask.

Did the driver flee the scene? No. The driver was taken into custody immediately and the FLPD later said he “has been cooperative with investigators for the duration of the investigation.”

Was the driver under the influence? No. According to the FLPD “A DUI investigation of the driver was conducted on scene and showed no signs of impairment.”

So how did this happen? It isn’t clear. The FLPD statements up to this point have said the driver “had ailments preventing him from walking the duration of the parade and was selected to drive as the lead vehicle.” So we’ll have to wait for the investigation to wrap up for more details. The driver has since apologized saying, “This was a horrible accident and I offer my sincere regrets to all those who were impacted by this tragic event. I love my Chorus family and the community and would never do anything to intentionally harm anyone. Please know that I hold my fellow Chorus member, Jim Fahy, in my heart forever and offer my condolences to his friends and family.”

For those who would like to speak to someone to process the events of the weekend, Sunshine Cathedral and SunServe are available for help. If any witnesses of the incident would like to speak to investigators, please contact Traffic Homicide Investigator Paul Williams at 954-828-5755.

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

WILTON MANORS

Wilton Manors Leaders Acted With Grace and Sound Leadership

During The Stonewall Pride Parade Tragedy Leadership during a tragedy involves making the right decisions after gathering your facts, remaining calm, and then leading the community to a safe place and toward healing. This is exactly what our community leaders in the City of Wilton Manors did during the recent tragedy at the Stonewall Pride Parade. Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton, Vice Mayor Paul Rolli, Commissioner Chris Caputo, Commissioner Mike Bracchi, and Police Chief Gary Blocker showed great strength and professionalism during the recent tragedy at the Stonewall Pride Parade. Their calm comments and caring demeanor helped us get to the truth about what happened. We are grateful that they did not join other “leaders” who jumped to erroneous conclusions about the motivation behind this tragic event. Those irresponsible comments only fueled further trauma for our community and led to erroneous news reports by some in the media who took them at face value without investigating further. Thankfully, The South Florida Gay News practiced responsible journalism and helped keep our community informed and calm. We were very disappointed in Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis. We can only imagine how scary this must have been for him to witness but his comments were premature and irresponsible. His “apology” was equally insufficient and

the type of political double speak that gives politicians a bad name. His comments were themselves traumatizing to our community given the rash of hate that has been unleashed against LGBT people in our country recently. We know that Wilton Manors is an oasis of inclusion and a safe place for our all families, LGBT and our allies! Thank you to our Wilton Manors leaders for reminding everyone of our community’s values and why life is truly better here. We are so proud of how our city officials managed this situation. They were there at the scene and remained calm and professional. They made the decision to cancel the parade, which in our opinion, was the right call. Although we were all disappointed that the parade did not happen, we support and understand the importance of respecting those who were injured and also assuring that the community remained safe as the events unfolded. Our city leaders represented us at the Sunshine Cathedral Vigil on Sunday evening where they spoke with care and concern. We would also like to thank Police Chief Gary Blocker and the Wilton Manors Police Department for the constant communication and for keeping our city safe. We subscribe to the SaferWatch app, and all the messages sent by the WMPD during and after the crisis were very reassuring and timely. The chief handled this crisis with utmost professionalism in

The Stonewall Pride parade tragedy. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

what was perhaps his first major crisis as our new Chief of Police. Well done, chief! We are so lucky to have our own progressive police department in the City of Wilton Manors. Now we all will need to heal. We hope the members of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus can begin to heal and we keep them, including the man who died, the injured, and the driver involved in the accident, in our prayers. Their gift of music has built many bridges for our community over the years and they are truly a community treasure. We will all need to be there to support them as they

grieve and rise from this tragedy. To our Wilton Manors leaders, you made us very proud and provided the type of positive and factual leadership that we needed during this crisis. Thank you for keeping us safe and for showing true leadership. You provided just the right leadership to help our One Human Family during this terrible accident and reminded us why we love living in the Island City!

— Rudy Molinet & Jeff Shearer WILTON MANORS

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WILTON MANORS

Community and Religious Leaders Host Vigil After Stonewall Parade Accident By Christiana Lilly

More than 100 people attended the community prayer vigil at Sunshine Cathedral Sunday evening, hearing from community leaders and moving musical performances from singers and musicians. The vigil was organized after a man was killed and a second injured when a driver drove into the crowd at the Stonewall Parade Saturday evening in what police have determined was an accident. “This is a time when all of our sister organizations should come together to hold, to hug, to embrace, to grieve, to show empathy, and eventually to laugh,” said Robert Boo, the CEO of the Pride Center. “At the end of the day, this could have happened to any one of us. So please pray to whoever you pray, hold your positive thoughts, and let’s embrace each other and make sure that we represent the community to the outside world as best as we can.” Many community leaders spoke, broken up by musical performances from the South Florida Symphony Orchestra, Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida and Sunshine Cathedral, offering moving moments of reflection. A common theme throughout the evening was addressing the fear that many felt in the moment after the accident, with some thinking that it was a deliberate act. The Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins, the senior minister of Sunshine Cathedral, was at the parade with his husband, the Rev. Dr. Robert Griffin, and shared he had the same thoughts. “I assumed because of the nature of where we were and the nature of who we are that maybe this was some sort of act of aggression,” he told the crowd at the start of the vigil. “It wouldn’t have been the first time, but it seems as if it were not another time, so we are glad of that.” The driver is a 77-year-old man who police say had “ailments’’ that caused him to lose control of his truck and accidentally crash into

the crowd at the start of the parade. The truck stopped when it crashed into a plant nursery. It later came out that the driver, as well as the two people he hit, are members of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus and that the incident was not intentional. One man was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital and the second is still being treated at Broward Health Medical Center. The chorus was not present at the vigil, but provided Boo with a statement on their behalf. “As our chorus family mourns together, we thank the community for their love and understanding,” he read from a piece of paper. “We’ll grieve in our way and when the time is right, we will celebrate the life of our passed chorus member and offer gratitude to everyone who showed compassion and forgiveness.” Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis was greeted with standing applause, then addressed his earlier comments of calling the incident a “terrorist attack against the LGBT community” and “hardly an accident.” He said that he was walking to the front of the parade line to where Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and Congressman Ted Deutch were when the truck broke through the barrier. “My visceral reaction was that we were being attacked. Why not? Why not feel that way? I guess I should watch to make sure there are no reporters standing by when I have those feelings,” he said. “But that was my first reaction and I regret the fact that I said it was a terrorist attack because we found out that it was not. But I don’t regret my feelings. I don’t regret that I felt terrorized by someone who plowed through the crowd, inches away

A common theme throughout the evening was addressing the fear that many felt in the moment after the accident, with some thinking that it was a deliberate act.

Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton, flanked by Commissioner Chris Caputo and Vice Mayor Paul Rolli, speaks to the crowd at a community prayer vigil at Sunshine Cathedral. Photo by Carina Mask.

from the congresswoman and congressman, myself, and others.” Trantalis mentioned an act of vandalism that occurred earlier this week, when a man also driving a white truck defaced the new Pride intersection in Delray Beach. Members of the Wilton Manors Commission also spoke and reiterated that the incident was an accident. “This was an accident. A pure accident,” Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton told the crowd, flanked by Wilton Manors Vice Mayor Paul Rolli and Commissioner Chris Caputo. “We have to pray for the one that died and that’s in the hospital, but we have to pray for the gentleman that [drove the truck] — I don’t

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know if I could live with something like that if it happened to me. So please pray for all of them. It’s unbelievable.” Newton shared that he spoke with a man at the parade who had asked the driver to please move his truck up a few inches, leading to the accident. The hour-long vigil was closed by Rabbi Noah Kitty of Congregation Etz Chaim. “In one of a tragically ironic turn of events, it was simply an accident and our community was just like regular folks,” she said before leading everyone in prayer. “It didn’t happen because we were LGBTQIA, or anything else. We don’t know why it happened. We know that it happened.”

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FEATURE

GAZETTE

Photo via PxHere.

NEWS

OAKLAND PARK

Oakland Park City Manager, City Attorney Receive Raises By Christiana Lilly

Vacation Rental Process

During the Oakland Park City Commission meeting on June 16, the commission voted to grant raises to the city manager and city attorney. David Hebert and D.J. Doody, respectively, had not received raises for years.

What Does It Take in Wilton and Oakland Park? By John McDonald

So you want to get into the vacation rental business? Well, to do it legally, it will cost you. Vacation rentals have been a hot topic lately with reports of wild parties and neighborhoods being transformed by the short-term market.

HERE’S THE PROCESS FOR WILTON MANORS:

HERE’S THE PROCESS FOR OAKLAND PARK:

STEP 1: Obtain a State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) license of transient public lodging establishment. Single rental unit annual fee $145, half year $77.50. Two to 25 units: $155 per year/ $82.50 half year.

STEP 2: Once license is in hand, apply for a Broward County Local Tax Receipt for a single resort dwelling ($22.50). Bring those documents along with Broward County Property Appraiser’s information sheet and/ or proof of ownership to city hall. STEP 3: Pay the registration fee ($500) for new vacation rental property or annual renewal fee for existing vacation rental property ($300). STEP 4: Pay the city’s Business Tax Receipt: $87.50 (Oct. 1 to March 31) or $43.75 (April 1 to Sept. 30). Annual renewal fee is $87.50. STEP 5: The city will review documents and provide recommendations for fire and code compliance inspections. Inspections are scheduled and if passed, the city issues a certificate of compliance and local business tax receipt. REMINDER: A Broward County Tourist Development Tax (6%) and Florida Department of Revenue sales surtax (6%) also applies to all transactions. ESTIMATED COST TO OPERATE A NEW VACATION RENTAL: $643-$765

STEP 2: Once license is in hand, apply for a Broward County Local Tax Receipt for a single resort dwelling ($22.50). Bring those documents along with Broward County Property Appraiser’s information sheet and/ or proof of ownership to city hall. STEP 3: City will review and charge a $250 registration fee for a new vacation rental property or $100 annual renewal fee for existing vacation rental property. STEP 4: Annual city inspection fee: $150 OPTIONAL STEPS: Fee to change rental agent: $50 Fee to modify registration: $50 REMINDER: A Broward County Tourist Development Tax (6%) and Florida Department of Revenue sales surtax (6%) also applies to all transactions. ESTIMATED COST TO OPERATE A NEW VACATION RENTAL: $500-$577.50

CITY MANAGER Hebert was given a $57,272 raise, bringing his base salary to $264,320. He was hired in 2014 with a salary of $170,000 — $10,000 lower than the bottom range advertised by the city during recruiting. He was also not entered into a benefit retirement plan, cell phone allowance, vehicle allowance or health insurance. Before the meeting, his base salary was $207,048; with “benefits and perks,” $263,553. “I’ve felt your commitment, I’ve felt your passion, your compassion for the job, and your love for the city,” Commissioner Aisha Gordon said of Hebert. “I see you as a visionary leader. I know sometimes things get pretty tough, especially with all of the moving parts in the job.” Hebert scored 4.35 out of 5 by the commission. The evaluations were done in private, but the rankings by each commissioner are public record. Katie Busch of Human Resources Compensation Consultants (HRCC) compared Hebert’s salary to “comparable” cities, showing his pay was below average. “When I think about the leadership of a CEO, city manager, I think he’s done an excellent job,” Mayor Jane Bolin said. “We just came out of a pandemic; we could have been in a much worse position, no doubt about it. To know that we don’t have [his salary] at a real competitive rate concerns me.” Commissioner Mitch Rosenwald took issue with HRCC’s “comparable cities,” in which it considered cities in close proximity to Oakland Park “where it’s highly likely that people will live and then be able to drive to Oakland Park to work,” Busch said. Rosenwald made a motion to have HRCC come back with comparisons of all 31 city and town managers in the county, which failed. “I don’t think these are the best numbers to look at,” Rosenwald said. “If I was to look at compensation, I would look at a combination of the variable of length of tenure … and the variable of city population.” Commissioner Matthew Sparks noted that while he was in favor of adjusting Hebert’s

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Photo via Facebook.

pay, “all I’m saying is that if you agree to something, don’t agree to something you’re not willing to take,” he said in regards to the initial agreement he signed. The commission voted unanimously for the raise. CITY ATTORNEY Doody was given a raise to his hourly rate from $215 to $250 per hour. His rate was last adjusted in 2014. He has served as city attorney since 2001 and was also in that role from 1985 to 1997. In 2016, he was named Municipal Attorney of the Year. He is a shareholder at Fort Lauderdale firm Goren, Cherof, Doody & Ezrol, PA. Doody is paid for attending city commission and board meetings, working with consultants, and CRA-related issues. “I find it amazing that we have the services we have of Mr. Doody at $215 currently,” said Bolin, who is an attorney. “Mr. Doody is a partner at a very well-established firm; most partners at firms charge $400 to $500 [per hour] and that’s pretty standard. I was dumbfounded when I actually saw this.” Doody explained that $250 would be “current with what we are being compensated by other governmental entities,” and that as the interim city attorney for the town of Westlake, he makes $250 per hour. The commission voted unanimously for the raise.

COMMUNITY

WILTON MANORS

Wilton Manors Tables Train Talk New River Crossing Remains a Problem By John McDonald

An ordinance that would change land use regulations to make way for a potential train station was tabled at this week’s marathon Wilton Manors commission meeting. Ordinance No. 2021-011 from the Community Development Services Department amends land use regulations for a planned train station development. It was tabled after first reading shortly after the clock struck midnight on the June 22 meeting. For quite some time there has been talk of commuter rail service coming to Wilton Manors. At the May 25 commission meeting, City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson gave an update on the prospects of a commuter rail station. “The county and FDOT [Florida Department of Transportation] think they are moving with intensity and enthusiasm and are prepared to kick off public discussions at the end of summer,” Henderson said. Studies and technical analysis have been going on for years. The original plan was to route passengers from Jupiter to Miami and back on the Florida East Coast Railway tracks. The proposal called for 25 stations along the 85-mile route. Then Brightline entered the picture. The privately funded company offered express train service and built sleek stations in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Ben Porritt, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs at Brightline, said it appears all of the stakeholders are at the table and a deal is within reach. “We’re providing the tracks to lift up commuter rail,” Porritt said. Preliminary station screening began more than 10 years ago looking at Aventura to Deerfield Beach with a Tri-Rail cross-over in Pompano Beach. Nine areas in Broward County were studied for six stations. Three areas are called paired stations. Wilton Manors and Oakland Park are paired together and ultimately one station

will be recommended by FDOT to Broward County. Henderson said FDOT is running technical analysis through 2022 and drafting a financial plan to present at the end of the year. Wilton Manors Commissioner Mike Bracchi said the city needs to step up its public relations efforts. “Oakland Park always seems to be one step ahead,” Bracchi said. “We need to have a good PR campaign that’s putting Wilton Manors out there as the destination.” Bracchi said talk of a Wilton Manors train station is exciting. “It would be really good for our city,” he added. Several residents voiced support for train travel at the June 22 meeting, but were not convinced it would become a reality in the Island City. “I support commuter rail on the FEC tracks but am doubtful we will have a train station in our city,” said Paul Kuta. Henderson said changes in density to the land use code and being three miles from the downtown Fort Lauderdale station fits perfectly in the FDOT plan. Mayor Scott Newton said Wilton Manors has people interested in train travel and the city’s transit-oriented corridors (TOCs) provide an added boost. “I think we have more people that would ride it now,” Newton said. “The TOCs we have now make a big difference.” At the June 22 meeting, former mayor John Fiore said Wilton Manors was the first city to fund the county’s initial light rail study decades ago. Fiore said the proposed station site south of Northeast 26th Street is the “wrong location.” Meanwhile, Broward Mayor Steve Geller said the decision on where to place the station

There are two schools of thought on the New River crossing. One camp is advocating for a bridge, while another wants a tunnel.

Photo via Brightline, Facebook.

is on hold until the coastal link can get across the New River. “The bigger issue is there is a river in the way,” Geller said. A standoff over how to get over the New River and not shut down the region’s vital marine industry has rendered the competition for stations a sideshow. “You can’t decide where to put something until you figure out how to do it,” he said. There are two schools of thought on the New River crossing. One camp is advocating for a bridge, while another wants a tunnel. Geller said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis is “vehemently opposed” to a bridge. Fort Lauderdale officials have been courting The Boring Company, founded by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, for a tunnel construction. “We don’t know how it would work,” Geller

said. “We’re really the guinea pig here. Our engineers are telling us this has been designed before for cars but not trains.” Boring’s current tunnel designs in California and Nevada have involved working with rock as opposed to Florida’s coral. “You don’t have to dig very deep here before you hit the water table,” Geller said. The New River Crossing Feasibility Study offered three different bridge heights: 80, 56.5, and 21 feet and a tunnel 63 feet underground. “We all recognize the need for an alternative crossing,” said Porritt. Porritt declined to give his preference on the four options for crossing the New River as did Tri-Rail Executive Director Steven Abrams. “That’s a classic local decision,” said Abrams.

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COMMUNITY

WILTON MANORS

COMMUNITY

Pride Accident Casts Shadow Over Tuesday’s Commission Meeting By John McDonald

Wilton Manors Commissioner Chris Caputo. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

Commissioners Push Through Development Changes In Marathon Meeting Density will increase to 60 units per acre By John McDonald Talk about burning the midnight oil. redshirted residents to speak in opposition Tuesday’s commission meeting lasted five to the increased density. The group expressed hours and 37 minutes and did not end until concerns about traffic, stressed infrastructure and crime as reasons to not raise density after midnight. regulations. It was noted the During the marathon city’s two most recent highmeeting Wilton Manors rise housing developments Commissioners pushed — Wilton Station and the forward changes to the city’s Metropolitan — were built on land use regulations. a 25 units per gross acre model. Ordinance 2020-013 was Eventually, Commissioner passed by the commission Gary Resnick, attending on second reading. The virtually via Zoom, grew tired ordinance changes density of the circular discussions and in city land use from 25 logged off before midnight, to 60 units per gross acre. saying he wasn’t comfortable Commissioner Chris Caputo making any more changes was happy with the outcome. without public feedback. “After hearing from “Wilton Manors is a residents both for and against community rich with the increase in density to 60 compassion and love,” said units per acre in our transitWilton Manors Commissioner Vice Mayor Paul Rolli. “We are oriented corridors, the a family and like all families, we commission unanimously don’t always get along, but we passed the proposal,” Caputo said. “This is the right step forward for smart, all come together in support and love during difficult times. This is Wilton Manors and why responsible growth in our city.” Former Mayor John Fiore led a group of we all live here.”

“This is the right step forward for smart, responsible growth in our city.” - Chris Caputo

Tuesday’s commission was filled with drama and storylines. Mayor Scott Newton started the proceedings by recognizing the fallout from Saturday’s Stonewall Pride event where a man was killed and three others injured when a truck crashed into the parade. “It was a tragic accident,” Newton said. “These families need our love and support.” Newton said that includes the truck driver, 77-year-old Fred Johnson, Jr., a member of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus. “Fred Johnson is a wonderful person,” Newton said. Michael Rajner, a longtime South Florida LGBT rights activist, criticized Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis’ response to the incident which generated headlines across the country. “Dean needs to grow up,” Rajner said. “And stop attacking this man [Johnson].” Trantalis initially felt it was an act of domestic terrorism, telling WPLG Local 10 News at the scene: “This is a terrorist attack against the LGBT community. This is exactly what it is. Hardly an accident. It was deliberate. It was premeditated and it was targeted against a specific person.” Photo credit: Carina Mask. Trantalis has since walked back that statement, but is not OTHER TIDBITS FROM apologizing for how THE MEETING INCLUDE: he felt at the moment. Michael Rajner, Rajner, who had been • Commissioner Gary Resnick, who preparing to view the a longtime South via Zoom, grew tired of the parade from a balcony Florida LGBT rights attended circular discussions and logged off overlooking Wilton before midnight, saying he wasn’t Drive, said Trantalis activist, criticized comfortable making any more changes didn’t want to wait 10 Fort Lauderdale without public feedback. minutes to speak with the police command Mayor Dean • The commission changed density in and his remarks to the Trantalis’ response city land use from 25 to 60 units per press could have caused gross acre. a stampede of people to the incident clogging escape routes which generated • Wilton Manors Police Chief Gary and creating more Blocker announced a partnership with potential harm. headlines across Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward “Dean continues to the country. County to pair officers with students deflect and attack a poor at Fort Lauderdale High School and old man,” Rajner said. Wilton Manors Elementary School. Rajner was one of many people to speak during the public comments portion of the meeting, but a • City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson majority were focused on planning and announced Fort Lauderdale has agreed to complete the rainbow painting of the “Love zoning changes that later passed. The meeting lasted five hours and 37 Wins” bridge it shares with Wilton Manors. minutes.

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