THE
GAZETTE VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 14 JULY 15, 2021
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OAKLAND PARK
Rickards Parents Still Waiting to Find Out Where Their Children Will Go to School After Ceiling Collapse By Christiana Lilly Parents of children attending Rickards Middle School were presented with options for the upcoming school year as the county works on repairing the damage the school sustained when the ceiling of the media center collapsed in March. Three options were discussed at the meeting at Northeast High School and the Broward County School Board will make a decision at its July 20 meeting. Oakland Park Mayor Jane Bolin, Commissioner Mitch Rosenwald, former Mayor Tim Lonergan, and School Board member Sarah Leonardi were present. “I will be here to see this all through,” said Washington Collado, school principal, who answered questions from parents in English, Spanish and French. The students will not be able to return to school right away, as the portables are not expected to be complete until after the children’s winter break; they will need to attend school elsewhere temporarily. The county is still in the permitting process and also needs to wait for the School Board to make its decision later this month before they can hire an architect to design the portables. “We didn’t even get full access to the building until a few weeks ago,” said Frank Girardi, the executive director of capital programs at BCPS. “The reality is these things take time.” During the meeting, Jeff Moquin, chief of staff to the superintendent, told parents that a forensic analysis of the site revealed that a bolt failed, which led to a domino effect and the ceiling’s collapse. Sitting in the auditorium at Northeast High School less than a week after the Surfside building collapse, what could
have been was not lost on parents. Dr. Valerie Wanza, the chief school performance and accountability officer at Broward County Public Schools, told parents that there were three options for the upcoming school year: • Have sixth and seventh graders AM and PM sessions at Buildings 2 and 5 on campus if they can be “brought up to standard” while eighth-graders attend school at Northeast High School. • Have each grade split up among three middle schools and high schools nearby (William Dandy Middle School, Lauderdale Lakes Middle School, and Crystal Lake Middle School or Northeast High School) • Bus the more than 900 students to Pine Middle School in Pembroke Pines, a 30- to 45-minute commute each way. Wanza emphasized that even though they will be on another campus, “Rickards kids will be taken care of by Rickards staff” and they will run independently of the other students. When the portables are complete, sixth and seventh graders would return to the Rickards Middle School campus and eighth graders can complete their year at Northeast High School, since they will be going there for ninth grade. The future of the school was also discussed at the meeting, with options to repair the damaged building, do a partial replacement, or a total replacement. The completion timeframe would be two years at the earliest. “Regardless of the decision that is made,
James S. Rickards Middle School. Photo via Sarah Leonardi, Facebook.
you are looking at a two-to-three-year time span,” Moquin said. “The wisest investment would be a total replacement and clearly this community deserves that.” Parents also have the option to take advantage of requesting that their child be reassigned to another school; some parents in the audience were not happy with sending their children to the proposed middle schools. Muriel Theophin-Atilus, who has a daughter going into seventh grade, is concerned about transportation and being able to reach her child at another school in case of an emergency. “I think the community meeting should have been done a long time ago and that the information should have been given to us a long time ago,” she said. “I feel as though
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things should have been handled better as far as inspections with the building beforehand and things like that. The building is quite old — I myself went to Rickards Middle School.” In March, the ceiling of the media center at the Oakland Park middle school collapsed. Fortunately, the room was not occupied and there were no major injuries reported; 12 children and faculty were taken to the hospital to be treated for headaches and anxiety. For the rest of the school year, the children either attended virtual school or went to in-person classes at Broward College in Coconut Creek. A final decision for Rickards will be made at the July 20 School Board meeting, and school staff said they will have an operational plan ready a week or two later. The first day of school is Aug. 18.
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OPINION
WILTON MANORS
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• 7.15.2021
July 15, 2021 • Volume 8 • Issue 14 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305
Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Associate Publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com Webmaster • Kimberly Swan webmaster@sfgn.com
Editorial
Art Director • Brendon Lies artwork@sfgn.com Oakland Park Editor • Christiana Lilly Wilton Manors Editor • John McDonald
Correspondents
Christiana Lilly• Sal Torre • James Oaksun
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J.R. Davis • Carina Mask • Steven Shires
A fictional space shuttle. Photo via Pixabay.
too effective throughout much of our history. Instead of welcoming programs that would lift 1.2 million children out of poverty, we allow the right-wing distortion machine to frame the argument as a return to the days of Welfare Queens and people taking advantage of the system. But yet these same people backed a president who proudly proclaimed that he took full advantage of the system to create his personal wealth and not pay taxes. So it’s ok for a white male to use the system for personal gain and not pay any taxes on his millions but when it’s a Black female trying to feed her children, then there’s a problem. Perhaps there is more to this systematic racism argument then some of us white folk want to accept. Here in our island City and elsewhere, July and August are busy as municipalities finalize budgets for the next fiscal year. Tough choices on infrastructure, labor cost, neighborhood projects, park facilities, and needed programs for seniors will have to be made. Everyone wants to pay city staff more money and have more park facilities but you need revenue to pay the cost of such big-ticket items, and balancing these factors is not an easy task. Having a more realistic national policy for health care coverage, education, child care, infrastructure, drug addiction, homelessness, mental health initiatives would free up millions in local budgets each year. Available funding could then be spent on local programs for youth, services to the elderly, public safety, and so much more. Just like with local budgets, some might argue where the money will come from nationally to pay for such programs, that the money has to come from somewhere. Indeed it does, and the billions that the wealthy 1% keep accumulating can be taxed correctly rather than at lower and lower rates, treated as income not investments, and no longer allowed to be
hidden away in tax loopholes and off-shore tax havens. Level the playing field on taxing income and wealth, then perhaps some of the money now going to the moon will be better spent right here on earth. Until we see more permanent relief on the national level, local municipalities will continue to struggle with balancing the books. Here in our small city, do we pay for a compensation study only to learn we cannot afford to pay staff higher salaries? Do we cut the training budget for city staff to pay for transportation services for seniors? Do we postpone needed IT upgrades to pay for body cameras for our police department? Tough questions with no easy answers. Comes the final date for budget approval set in September, all these questions and more will be answered by our elected officials. Through the process, we cannot look solely at the cost of each line item, or the return on investment only in dollar amounts. How do you put a dollar amount on keeping a young person out of trouble by providing them with after school programs? What is it worth to turn a young mind onto books and creativity at our local library, or to bring elderly residents out of isolation to spend a day at the community center, or to provide affordable child care to working families, or to have clean and safe recreational facilities that all residents can enjoy? All this cost a lot of money with little return in revenue — however the return on the quality of life that we cherish here in our Island City is unmeasurable. Let us keep this in mind as we bring this year’s budget to the finish line over the next two months. Keeping our eye not just on the bottom line but on providing for our residents in a thoughtful, caring and responsible manner that will keep life just better here…
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By Sal Torre Recent news and media hype concerning billionaires blasting themselves into outer space leaves this concerned resident of planet earth shaking his head in disgust. We live in a distorted world where a private citizen can spend millions to secure a seat on a spacecraft for billionaires while people clog every intersection begging for money. There are 4,500 homeless school children in the Broward School District, public education is in shambles, homeless beg at every intersection, infrastructure is crumbling and yet the wealthy 1% have seen their share of the nation’s wealth increase to higher and higher levels. Perhaps these billionaires are figuring a way to leave us all behind once they finish extracting all the prosperity from the middle class, to start some colony in space, safely away from the turmoil and ruin back left behind here on earth. America has always been quick to villainize those who talk seriously about such economic inequality. Labels and accusations are too easily used to tarnish those who speak of the injustices in our society. The dirty slurs of liberal, progressive, socialist, free-loader are all
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JULY 15, 2021
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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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A manatee enjoys the summer. Photo via PxHere.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
WILTON MANORS
Photo via Adobe.
There are 3 Kinds of Lies:
Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics Commissioner Caputo, are these miles-pertrip numbers quoted in your article based on drives during the pandemic? People don’t drive the same amounts during a lockdown — they don’t behave the same way, at all. We have no evidence that the patterns you quote will continue. It would be ill-advised to form public policies based on the pandemic. When you say around half of car owners in the U.S. are over 60, what is your point? That we don’t matter? We don’t count? We should hurry up and die? We should check into a rest home and get it over with? That we should walk, even though we can’t? Your friends from South Beach aside, are you aware that we have a graying population here in America? That people are not having children because they cannot afford them? That young people are not buying homes for the same reason? I sincerely wonder if you realize, when you write these things, how you are impacting your constituency — those who elected you. We’re not all young, buff, rich, gay men, you know! I used to love to run 10 miles at a time! I could leg-press 800 lbs.! We all are young once. It felt like I could run forever. I also loved walking, biking, hiking, and even field hockey. I was a gifted athlete. It felt like I would live forever. Now, I can hardly walk, due to pain. That isn’t because I choose it! Sometimes, I dream I am running (or walking, without pain) again. I wake up, however, encased in this prison of pain. This body, and this life, are the only ones God gave me. As the poet writes:
“Come blooming youth, as you pass by, And on these lines do cast an eye: As you are now, so once was I — As I am now, so you must be: Prepare for death and follow me.” I realize that my writing to you in the past has fallen on deaf ears. I recognize, too, you have a different point of view and have been elected to office. I’m only a person — perhaps I have no right to respond, or to write you, or to say anything. It must be a joy to be so young and fit — I vividly remember the days when I was a gifted athlete. There is no feeling better in the world! Will you do me a favor, Commissioner Caputo, and stop being so discriminatory and insensitive? Not everyone is like you, you know. It is no secret that given the right statistics, you can prove anything you like. You can choose your statistics. You can even choose your scientists, where you get your numbers! Please don’t rub our noses in it. We already know these things you are pointing out. What you are planning, will not in the least help us cope. You are only making life harder for us. On the other hand, when we listen to older people, we get the wisdom of the ages. Please stop acting as if older, straight, established business owners and home owners have nothing to offer. Nothing could be further from the truth! Kind regards,
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COMMUNITY
WILTON MANORS
Former Mayor’s Firm Hired To Woo Commuter Rail By John McDonald
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Wilton Manors Commissioners approved a consulting services agreement with the law firm of former Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler. The deal, approved unanimously at Tuesday night’s meeting, is for one year with a $9,000 compensation. Seiler, who served as mayor of Wilton Manors from 1998 to 2000, is a principal attorney of Seiler, Sautter, Zaden, Rimes & Wahlbrink. He retired as mayor of Fort Lauderdale in 2018 after serving three terms and currently serves as president and chair of the Capital One Orange Bowl Committee. City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said the firm’s assignment will be lobbying on behalf of Wilton Manors to Broward County and beyond. “We anticipate their efforts will help bring us a commuter rail station,” Henderson told the Gazette. Before the meeting adjourned, Commissioner Gary Resnick demanded the agreement produce a comprehensive report on commuter rail service. “Where’s it going to go? What’s the cost? What are our obligations and benefits?” Resnick asked. “To go forward on this we all need to be on the same page.” Added Mayor Scott Newton, “Getting it is one thing, supporting it is another.” Elsewhere, the only commission meeting of July lasted one hour and 22 minutes, a far cry from the five hour and 37 minute session in the aftermath of the Stonewall Pride tragedy. SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS:
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Commissioners tabled the feather flag sign and temporary banner discussion for a future meeting. Community Development Services Director Roberta Moore provided information on the county’s Building Safety Inspection program. Structural and electrical inspections on buildings 40 years old or older are required every 10 years. Moore said the city is preparing 16 inspection notification letters with the bulk going to Manor Grove associations. A proclamation recognizing July as Parks and Recreation Month was issued. Mayor Newton mentioned repairs are needed to the children’s playground at Hagen Park. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board member Lisa Theisen asked for funding for the expansion of Colohatchee Park, the Kiwanis Club proposal and Site 92. Resident Michael Rajner asked the city to change its elections format to ranked voting, referencing the recent New York City elections as an example. Rajner said no Wilton Manors candidate received more than 38% of the vote during the last election cycle. “When you run for office you should get a majority of the vote to win and ranked voting helps accomplish that,” Rajner said.
City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said the firm’s assignment will be lobbying on behalf of Wilton Manors to Broward County and beyond.
Resnick, attending remotely, tried to revive the debate over density, stating he was against 60 units per square acre, but was voted down by Commissioners Mike Bracchi, Chris Caputo and Vice Mayor Paul Rolli. Finance Director Pennie Zuercher gave a presentation on the American Rescue Plan. Zuercher said the city is expected to receive $5,360,355 over two years from President Joe Biden’s direct relief plan. Anthony Logrande, chair of the Wilton Drive Improvement District, reported on the board’s efforts to improve safety, beautification and marketing in the district. Logrande asked the commission to eliminate temporary signage in the city.
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Jack Seiler. Photo via Facebook.
www.WMGAZETTE.com JULY 15, 2021
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
WILTON MANORS
City Needed to Communicate Better to Parade Goers During Incident As a Wilton Manors LBGT resident homeowner, questions linger after my experience at the Stonewall Pride Parade and Festival on June 19. We now know this was not an attack on our community but a tragic accident at the festivities. My words fall short of expressing my sorrow for the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus members impacted, especially for the loss of life, the injured and the driver. Considering the incident occurred just minutes before 7 p.m., many of us were left with no information of the incident while waiting along the parade route. Likewise, NBC6 staff parade participants reported (two minutes and 30 seconds into the video) they waited in their cars at the front of the parade from 6:30 p.m. An hour or more passed before they better understood the reason for the delay, the gravity of the incident and a few minutes later that the parade was canceled. As mentioned during the broadcast, many attendees in the crowd were out celebrating as though nothing had happened and many rumors were circulating. Now the questions: What if this was an actual attack on our community? On June 19, the 11 p.m. NBC6 News reported the Fort Lauderdale Police Department was not able to announce if this incident was an intentional attack or an accident and they were was considering all possibilities during, at that time, an active investigation. As mentioned on the broadcast, many questions were left unanswered after 11 p.m. Attendees waiting along the barrier for the parade to start, as well as those attending the festival, could have been comprised by possible accomplices. Why weren’t the attendees immediately notified of the incident and its possible gravity since an investigation was ongoing to
determine if the incident was intentional or accidental? Attendees could have evaluated incident risk and make decisions based on early information. Attendees solely there for the parade may have left. The incident occurred just before 7 p.m. NBC6 News Staff mentioned on the broadcast they were advised of the parade’s cancellation apparently after 7:30 p.m. Using social media to notify attendees at 8:14 and 8:15 p.m. on Facebook and Twitter seems misplaced and late. Why were attendees left in place and not informed much sooner the parade was canceled? Many attendees lined the barriers along the parade route before 7 p.m. waiting for the parade to start; some with friends/partners, some with children, some with pets, some older like my partner, a friend, and myself, standing in the extremely humid heat. For us, we learned a truck hit two people, killing one, just at 8 p.m. from another attendee. Still unaware of what happened and that the parade was canceled, we eventually left around 8:15 p.m. What if you needed a police officer to report a concern to? In fact, our friend was concerned about a suspicious box along the parade route and wanted to report it. He couldn’t find an official around the 7 p.m. timeframe possibly because of their response to the incident. What if timely announcements were made, regardless if the decision to cancel the parade was still under consideration? Attendees patiently waited with no word of the parade’s pause or possible cancellation and no word on how this might jeopardize the festival. Many waiting along the parade route were nowhere near a stage where I understand announcements were made. I don’t know the time of the announcements but they certainly
A press conference the night of the incident. Photo credit: Carina Mask.
weren’t timely for most of the attendees. It is my view from a possible emergency management point of view, this incident was handled poorly, especially when a public official offers a media statement early in the incident that it was a terrorist attack on the LBGT community. Announcements should have been bullhorned down the parade route to the attendees with timely information of the incident, its nature and that a decision to cancel the Parade and/or Festival was under consideration and followed by a final announcement that the Parade and/or Festival was/were canceled. The list below includes government organizations present; it does not include media. If there were Press Releases, I could not locate them. Based on my research, the government organization notification times to the public on the evening of June 19 were:
WILTON MANORS CITY SITE – no apparent mention of incident or parade cancellation
FORT LAUDERDALE CITY SITE – no apparent mention of incident or parade cancellation
WILTON MANORS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP FACEBOOK SITE – no apparent mention but mentioned incident and parade cancellation at 7:23 p.m. in a reply to a posted comment
FORT LAUDERDALE CITY FACEBOOK SITE – no apparent mention of incident or parade cancellation FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT SITE – no apparent mention of incident or parade cancellation
WILTON MANORS CITY FACEBOOK SITE – notified incident and parade cancellation at 8:54 p.m. WILTON MANORS POLICE DEPARTMENT SITE (PART OF WILTON MANORS) – no apparent mention of incident or parade cancellation WILTON MANORS POLICE DEPARTMENT FACEBOOK SITE – notified incident and parade cancellation at 8:14 p.m. WILTON MANORS 411 TWITTER FEED – notified incident and parade cancellation at 8:15 p.m. WILTON MANORS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP STONEWALL PRIDE PARADE SITE & STREET FESTIVAL SITE – no apparent mention of incident or parade cancellation
BROWARD SHERIFF’S OFFICE PIO SITE – no apparent mention of incident or parade cancellation.
— Rob Nadeau
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