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GAZETTE VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 18 SEPTEMBER 16, 2021
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WILTON MANORS
The Greening Of Wilton Manors Leisure Services advocates for more parks
By John McDonald As Wilton Manors begins to roll out a new budget each city department comes under a magnifying glass. The city is proposing a $40 million budget for the fiscal year 2021-22. The budget had its first public hearing Sept. 13. One department getting a lot of attention of late is leisure services. With responsibilities ranging from parks and recreation to library services to childcare, the department has a lot on its plate. During a summer budget workshop, commissioners eliminated a $33,000 proposed parks master plan. Vice Mayor Paul Rolli asked Leisure Services Director Patrick Cann to collect usage data from the department’s programs, facilities and parks. “My question is: How are we going to deal with this going forward and the answer is not a parks’ master plan,” Rolli told Cann. “Right now we’re looking to put the budget on track to get us in a future direction. I’m not going to go down the same road we’ve been down for the last 10 years with any of the departments. We have to change our mindset here.” Leisure Services has 59 employees on staff, 21 full-time and 38 part-time. The department’s
proposed budget for the fiscal year 2021-22 is $3,863,405. The budget has increased 4% in 15 years. Cann is going to bat for his staff, telling the Gazette all positions are being utilized properly. “Yes, based on the rapid growth of doubling in the number of programs, services and amenities over a 10year period, the positions have been utilized efficiently,” Cann said. “Also, with the diverse and complex responsibilities including many public works functions with a lot of attention on the cleanliness of the city, especially on Wilton Drive, the Arts and Entertainment District, and at Bus Shelters. With more program support for special events and programming activities, the Leisure Services Department takes on and resolves many community challenges. Especially during emergency conditions such as storms, and more recently COVID-19 — setting up parks and revising the operating policies to ensure public safety while meeting community needs, the Leisure Services Team adapts extremely well to changes.” Cann has been out front at commission meetings of late pitching potential land acquisitions. The projects include expanding
The projects include expanding Colohatchee Park, buying the Kiwanis Club and taking Site 92, a waterfront bird sanctuary, off Broward County’s hands.
Colohatchee Park in Wilton Manors. Photo via the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.
Colohatchee Park, buying the Kiwanis Club and taking Site 92, a waterfront bird sanctuary, off Broward County’s hands. Commissioner Mike Bracchi wants the city to consider reducing the required acreage of park space in its comprehensive plan. Currently, Wilton Manors requires 4.25 acres of park space per person. The county standard is 3.0 acres per person. “I would like to take another look at that,” Bracchi said. “Twenty years ago everything was much different then, nothing was built out. There’s limited opportunity for park space. I think we need to optimize the parks that we
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have. The playground is still not fixed. We don’t have turf for the dog parks. I think there’s a lot of ways we can spend money to optimize our parks to the fullest rather than trying to add park space that we don’t have the money to do.” The debate over leisures services has several angles with Mayor Scott Newton pushing pickleball, Commissioner Chris Caputo advocating for more dog parks, Commissioner Gary Resnick asking for clay tennis courts and seemingly universal frustrations over the children’s playground at Hagen Park, which commissioners have dubbed the “tot lot,” that has fallen into disrepair.
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OPINION
WILTON MANORS
Twenty Years Ago To The Island City Manors resolution supports women’s rights
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women to decide what is best for themselves. Thankfully our local elected officials here in Wilton Manors think otherwise and took a firm stand on defending a woman’s right to choose. At Tuesday’s City Commission meeting a resolution was passed by unanimous vote calling upon the Florida Legislature to take action safeguarding the fundamental constitutional right to abortion and opposing the latest efforts of several states to limit and outright ban abortion. Bravo to Commissioner Chris Caputo for bringing this resolution forward and bravo to our elected officials for strongly supporting passage. Unfortunately many more calls to action will be needed in the days and months ahead to prevent the continued backward march on individual rights and freedoms in our society. Also this week, city budget season entered the final stages as our city commission held a Public Hearing on the proposed budget for upcoming fiscal year this past Monday night. Commissioner Mike Bracchi gets high marks for being well-prepared for the meeting, holding firm on very important key points, and demonstrating a solid understanding of the financial realties facing our city. Good fiscal leadership needs to look down the road, on what effects decisions made today will have on the future sustainability of our city. Commissioner Bracchi demonstrated
such leadership throughout the budget process and definitely during Monday night’s meeting. The experience gained by serving on the Budget Review Advisory Committee before being elected as commissioner is an asset that will reap benefits as Commissioner Bracchi becomes a strong guardian of fiscal responsibility for our city’s taxpayers. Much input by many over the last few months will reach the final stage this coming Monday, Sept. 20, when the city commission will conduct the Final Public Hearing and vote on final approval. Also making headlines, continued news of the devastating opioid epidemic. Families destroyed, loved ones lost, billions of dollars spent and still overdose fatalities continue to rise. Sadly, opium production surged in Afghanistan after the U.S. sent military forces into the country in 2001, which now accounts for more than 80% of the world’s supply. During the same 20 years opioid involved overdose deaths in the U.S. rose five times to almost 50,000 per year. The blatant reality of complicity is hard to turn a blind eye too. Harsh realities are sometimes made easier when you have a scapegoat. Casting blame to cover up failed policies and mistakes may make us feel better but does little to correct the ills from haunting us again and again. Having an honest debate on what has taken place in the 20 years since the horror that scarred our nation that beautiful September morning is the only way we can successfully move beyond the tragedy, to truly heal, and come away stronger as a nation. Having such an honest conversation will only make life just better here...
www.WMGAZETTE.com • 9.16.2021
September 16, 2021 • Volume 8 • Issue 18
Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Associate Publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com
Recent events in Afghanistan made this remembrance all the more poignant as we come to grips with some harsh realities 20 years later.
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By Sal Torre This past week our nation paused to remember the tragedy and horror of Sept. 11, 20 years ago. Looking at photos from that day still bring back such deep emotional response for many of us even after so many years. For me, I still remember how beautiful the day began with the most wonderful blue sky on a gorgeous September morning in New York. How quickly it darkened that day for so many in Lower Manhattan, at the Pentagon, on Fight 93 and for families and loved ones of those lost. President Biden was correct when he stated that, “These memorials are really important, but they’re also incredibly difficult for the people affected by them, because it brings back the moment they got the phone call, it brings back the instant they got the news, no matter how years go by.” The pain is still very real for many. Recent events in Afghanistan made this remembrance all the more poignant as we come to grips with some harsh realities 20 years later. Without giving in to the many conspiracy theories that consume social media, some points are worthy of inquiry if we are to move ahead, better able to deal with the dangers that our nation is faced with today. It still seems ironic that 15 of the 19 hijackers that day were Saudi nationals, but we invaded Iraq and Afghanistan. Going further, our government classified documents, prevented lawsuits, and continues a cozy relationship with the House of Saud all these years later. Headlines over the past few weeks carry horror stories of how the Taliban in Afghanistan treat women, but yet no headlines on how women are treated in Saudi Arabia, where women are officially treated as permanent legal minors. Saudi Arabia’s is the by far the most draconian in the extent of its laws and regulations based on the male guardianship system over women. Here in this country, states such as Texas seem to be moving in a similar direction with recent laws denying women the right to choose. Many in Florida are already salivating at similar restrictive legislation passing through the state legislature. Manatee County did not even want to wait for state action and rushed this week to create a “Safe Haven” from abortion and to deny rights for
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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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COMMUNITY
OAKLAND PARK
COMMUNITY
WILTON MANORS
Island City Stage Hosts Police Forum, New Play
TIME SENSITIVE: THIS EVENT IS THURSDAY, SEPT. 16
By John Hayden
Oakland Park Elks Lodge. Photo via Facebook.
Local Elks Lodge Donate to Homeless Vets Hosting Drag Fundraiser Sept. 16 By Christiana Lilly The Oakland Park Elks Lodge 2407 has put together and donated 50 backpacks to help homeless veterans throughout Broward County. The backpacks will be distributed by the United Way of Broward County as needed. “We are so grateful to Elks Lodge #2407 for coming together and donating critical supplies for our veterans in need,” Kathleen Cannon, president and CEO of United Way of Broward County, said in an email. “The donations that we receive from the Elks Lodge and other organizations help us to provide the critical support that is needed by so many in our community.” Douglas Satran, the first openly gay exalted ruler, or president, of the Elks Lodge Oakland Park 2407, told the Gazette that the backpacks were filled with water, food, toiletries and other essential needs. The program was paid for by the national fraternal organization’s Freedom Grant. “One of the Elks’ mottos is that so long as there are veterans, they will never be forgotten,” Satran explained. “Partnering with a group like the United Way is a fantastic way for us to really tap into what our motto is … We’re looking at all the ways we can to continually get involved and get out there and
get our hands into it.” The lodge has also participated in food drives and creating welcome home packages for veterans moving into homes after being homeless. The packages include curtains, towels, bedsheets, pillows, pots and pans and other important items to start a new life; the lodge is planning on participating again in early 2022. Veterans or friends and family of veterans who need support can go to missionunitedbroward.org. The other part of the Elks’ charity work is helping local children, which they do by supporting the Harry Anna Investment Fund and the Elks National Foundation. On Sept. 16, the lodge is partnering with the ladies of Lips to host Drag It Out, a fundraiser for the Harry Anna Investment Fund, with proceeds (including all tips) going to children’s therapy services and overnight youth camps. Satran mentioned that he and other members of the lodge are planning on dressing in drag as well. Many esquires and knights of the lodge are also gay. “We’re trying to become more visible to let people know we’re here and this is what we do,” he explained. “The Elks are open to all …come in, have a drink, learn about who we are.”
Drag It Out is Sept. 16 at the Oakland Park Elks Lodge, 240 Prospect Road in Oakland Park, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 or $25 at the door, benefiting the Harry Anna Foundation. Don’t forget your dollar bills! Call the lodge at 954-563-2407 to reserve a ticket or for more information.
We’ve come a long way, and we still have a way to go. That was the message that came out of a community forum with local law enforcement officers at Island City Stage in Wilton Manors. The event was an opportunity to examine the often-dark history of interactions between the LGBT community and law enforcement. Wilton Manors Police Department was represented by Assistant Chief of Police Darren Brodsky, Captain Michael Dodson spoke for Fort Lauderdale PD, and the Broward Sheriff Office (BSO) was represented by Lt. Paul Auerbach. Each discussed their respective department’s work building better relations with the LGBT community in Broward County. “There are two different aspects,” Capt. Dodson said. “There’s within the department, what it’s like to be a [LGBT] police person. That has improved. There are policies in place to be sure you can’t be discriminated against. Then there’s the way we deal with the community. We want to reflect this community and we think we do.” Local trans activist Kat Rios sat on the panel, and shared a story of being physically attacked at work by her supervisor and feeling her trans status contributed to the man not being arrested. She was later told that, because there was no “imminent danger,” the attacker wasn’t taken into custody but did have to go to court. Capt. Dodson said he looked into the case and said it was handled appropriately. Much was made of the “Broward Bubble” we live in, a community with a large and visible LGBT population, and how that can make progress easier. However, at the end of the day most officers are heterosexual and LGBT people are “the different ones.” Each of the officers answered how their departments work to avoid bias during incidents involving the community. Fort Lauderdale PD does bias-based police training for all officers. While relations are improving, the panel acknowledged it’s impossible to root out all bias in officers. “We try to recruit
WMPD. Photo via Facebook.
and train officers and provide them with an opportunity to learn,” Brodsky said. “But there are outliers and officers that are out there, unfortunately, they may nod their head but they’re not gonna buy into it.” Lt. Auerbach said being in a “bubble” gives local law enforcement an advantage to make change beyond the Broward County border. “Our progressive policies, in our bubble, we have officers in the midwest [who reach out] and say they want to make changes in their department. So we are that stepping stone for them.” The event coincides with Island City Theater’s 10th anniversary and their presentation of The Twentieth Century Way. The play is set in 1914, and looks at a sting operation to target and out gays in Long Beach, California. Florida Atlantic University Professor Emeritus Fred Fejes, Ph.D., gave a brief history of South Florida law enforcement and the LGBT relations from the 1950s through the ‘80s. That period included “monitoring” people, collecting their addresses, and outing them to families. The Twentieth Century Way was the first play ever presented by Island City Stage, and the revival runs throughout October.
While relations are improving, the panel acknowledged it’s impossible to root out all bias in officers.
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NEWS
OAKLAND PARK
COMMUNITY
WILTON MANORS
Wilton Manors Commissioners Debate Varied Agenda Vacation rentals, Andrews expansion highlight discussion By John McDonald
Tri-Rail. Photo via Facebook.
Oakland Park Wins Battle For New Rail Station FDOT deems Wilton Manors “not as robust” By Christiana Lilly After evaluating multiple locations throughout Broward County, the Florida Department of Transportation has recommended Oakland Park over neighboring Wilton Manors as a commuter rail station. FDOT hosted three meetings to hear from the public. The first was Aug. 30 and an in-person meeting was scheduled for Aug. 31 evening at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. A virtual meeting was on Sept. 1. The 27-mile Broward Commuter Rail is planned to start in Aventura in Miami-Dade County and make its way north to Deerfield Beach. FDOT recommended nine potential station areas for the in a report submitted Aug. 30, including Oakland Park. The city was evaluated alongside Wilton Manors and the department decided that Oakland Park was a better fit “because of pedestrian connectivity and facilities, station visibility, street layout, on-street and public parking, and planned development.” The report also states that the city of Wilton Manors requested that FDOT review “additional information provided by both cities” to better compare the two, but Oakland Park was still found to be a better location because it “demonstrated more active projects that have been advanced by the city
and a Mobility Plan which is currently being implemented.” The report adds that Wilton Manors’ “long-term projected growth and buildout are not as robust as in Oakland Park,” and it cited that the Island City’s zoning code “omits important [transit-oriented development] requirements.” Should the city be chosen to serve as a train station, the FDOT’s recommendation is for it to be located on 12th Avenue between 36th and 38th Streets, just south of Funky Buddha Brewery. Oakland Park is currently in the middle of finalizing plans for OP3D, or the Oakland Park Design Development District. Multiple community meetings have been hosted so that the city and Zyscovich Architects could hear from the public on green space, sidewalks, retail and restaurant space, and public transit. The city passed a resolution of support for a train station in 2010 and again in 2019, and in a citywide survey, 77% of respondents were in favor of a station in their city. Construction has also started on multiple plans, such as the renovation of City Parkand an RFQ that was released earlier in August to redevelop six acres of land on Dixie Highway. Oakland Park is asking the public to sign a letter of support for the rail project at oaklandparkfl.gov.
In a rare speedy meeting, Wilton Manors Commissioners sent a clear message to Tallahassee: stay in your lane. In unanimous votes, commissioners supported abortion rights and opposed the state’s new anti-protest law. Members of the Floridians For Reproductive Freedom coalition called into Tuesday night’s meeting to urge commissioners to pass a resolution — brought forward by Commissioner Chris Caputo — safeguarding accessibility, affordability and safety of reproductive healthcare. Following an extreme law passed in Texas that comes close to banning all abortions in the state, pro-choice activists are bracing for similar efforts in Florida. “We’ve never seen such an aggressive early signal from Tallahassee,” said Joe Saunders, Equality Florida senior political director. After hearing from representatives from the Southern Poverty Law Center and Public Rights Project, commissioners voted to oppose HB1, Governor Ron DeSantis’ controversial “antiriot” law. Other notes from the meeting: The meeting lasted one hour and 48 minutes. Commissioner Gary Resnick was absent. Resident Paul Kuta implored the commission to set aside more open spaces during the planning and zoning process. Kuta quoted Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis saying governments are failed states when they fail to include open spaces. Former Mayor John Fiore suggested relocating the children’s playground at Hagen Park to Site 92, a waterfront park the city is considering taking ownership from the county. Police Chief Gary Blocker presented Kerlyne Pierre, records manager, with the department’s employee of the quarter award. Six people were appointed to the Library Advisory Board: Daisy Allica, Barbara Gail Cuthbertson and John Fiore were appointed to full terms, Marcie Grady was appointed to an unexpired term and Ruby Tucker and David Pirola were appointed to alternate positions. Fiore said Wilton Manors is one of only five cities in Broward County with its own library. Kimberley Allonce, the city’s economic development manager, gave a goals presentation. Allonce said a $35,000 grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity would be used to study the Andrews Avenue corridor, reviewing vendor proposals, doing a branding and marketing
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Wilton Manors City Hall. Photo via Facebook.
analysis and meeting with stakeholders. Allonce also unveiled a new website, Investwiltonmanors.com. Mayor Scott Newton read a proclamation recognizing Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Monica Elliott, president of the League of Women’s Voters of Broward County, thanked Newton for the proclamation and announced the League was hosting a forum on suicide prevention Sept. 28. Vacation rentals were back on the agenda with Commissioner Mike Bracchi objecting to a draft proposal from the city attorney’s office as too extreme, but acknowledging the problem is, “figuring out how to stop the nuisance houses.” Vice Mayor Paul Rolli said code enforcement needs better tools to mitigate nuisance houses. Commissioners discussed additional exemptions for senior homesteaders. Finance Director Pennie Zuercher was directed to contact the Property Appraiser’s office to find out if wealth measurements are used in determining eligibility for the exemptions. An event permit was approved to the Pride Center at Equality Park to operate Wicked Manors 2021. Officials from the organization, operating as the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Greater Fort Lauderdale, said the Halloween style event is expected to generate $50,000 — pre labor — in revenue. Costs to the city include $12,000 in road closures and another $3,000 in administrative staff assistance and waiving of building permit fees.
NEWS
OAKLAND PARK
Oakland Park Increases Fire Assessment, Solid Waste Fees; Stormwater Remains By Christiana Lilly During a special commission meeting Monday night, the Oakland Park City Commission increased the costs of its fire assessment and solid waste fees for the upcoming year. However, it will be the first time the fire assessment will have increased since 2017, and the solid waste fees will still be well below average for Broward County, according to Andrew Thompson, the city’s director of financial services. The city’s fire assessment fee will be increased from $199 to $251 per unit; the county’s average fee is $297. There will be exceptions for low-income seniors and people with disabilities. The fee will generate $6.7 million for Oakland Park. “Understanding that this is a significant
increase for a rate that has remained unchanged for many, many years, we also introduced a new exception to the commission approved in July,” Thompson said during the city’s Sept. 8 meeting. “This remains very low for Broward County.” The city’s solid waste fee is also increasing, from $235 to $255, based on the results of a study done in 2017. Unlike many other cities, Oakland Park operates its own solid waste department and the fees will generate $2.7 million. Thompson noted that even with the increase, it is the fifth lowest rate in the county. A resident addressed the rising cost of recycling during public comments, which Thompson acknowledged is happening, but that it was not the primary reason for the increase.
Thompson noted that even with the increase, it is the fifth lowest rate in the county.
“During the past four or five months we’ve seen a favorable decline in those processing costs. They’re still much higher than they’ve historically been, but they’re starting to level up more with our mainstream solid waste amounts,” he said. In the third prong of fees passed during the special commission meeting, the stormwater assessment will stay at $84 per unit — unchanged since 2016 — and generate $3.34. This is even after the city is losing funds from the school board, which cites sovereign immunity and has been implemented statewide. The next step in the budget process for Oakland Park is to host its final budget hearing on Sept. 22, which will finalize the millage rate, budget, capital improvement projects and more. It will be the city’s largest budget, an amount of almost $128 million, of which $63 million is for the general fund.
Photo via Pixabay.
During its Sept. 8 meeting, the commission passed a tentative budget and millage rate decrease from 5.8910 to 5.8890. If passed, it will be the seventh reduction in eight years and the lowest operating millage rate for the city in a decade.
WILTON MANORS
With Changes to City Code, A Hotel May Be on the Horizon in Wilton Manors By John McDonald There are a lot of storylines in Wilton Manors and one that seems destined for another round of discussion is the development of a hotel. When the city changed its land use code at the Aug. 24 commission meeting, regulations were loosened to allow for the construction of hotels with 50 or more rooms. Now, said former Wilton Manors Commissioner Julie Carson, there is a path for a developer to approach city officials and interested stakeholders. “The right boutique hotel in the Island City could spark tourism, boost business opportunities, foster arts and entertainment and power the city into a new chapter of sustainable economic growth,” said Carson. Growth that Joe Pallant would like to see. Pallant, founder of Pallant Insurance Agency, has attended commission meetings and spoke favorably for development projects. “A hotel and a rail platform will transform Wilton Manors terrifically and bring more
people here,” Pallant told the Gazette. Much of the past hotel speculation has centered on the Shoppes of Wilton Manors. The shopping center, home to popular gay nightclubs Georgie’s Alibi and Hunter’s, sits on five and a half acres of prime real estate in the city’s arts and entertainment district. However, the recent changes to city code have Mark Seymour, one of the owners of Hunter’s, concerned his business may have to relocate. “If the property owners decided to put a hotel on the one side of the property where the current Sherwin Williams store is they would only be allowed as many units as two acres would permit, giving the developer an incentive to take down the whole site so the plan would have the full amount of units,” Seymour said. “Who would want to build a hotel on the property with 125 rooms as opposed to 300 rooms?”
Grass River Property, a Coconut Grove-based real estate investment and services company, is the owner of the Shoppes of Wilton Manors. At a July 27 public hearing, before Wilton Manors commissioners voted to increase heights and density in the city’s transit-oriented corridors, Jorge Espinal addressed the commission on behalf of Grass River Property. “At Grass River we’re all about creating cool developments, what we like to call urban nodes,” Espinal said. “We want to keep Alibi and the Hunter’s and we want to keep this sort of hot spot in town, but with all these limitations that are being proposed we’ll never be able to develop something there that’s going to give back.” Like Espinal, Traci Golownia, an architect with RSP Architects, has been present at commission meetings and spoken during the public hearings. Golownia told the Gazette she felt the city was headed in the right direction.
Photo via PxHere.
“The city is thriving and increasing density is a positive that will allow for thoughtful and appropriate development,” Golownia said. “Everyone realizes the uniqueness of the community and any project should approach with respecting that uniqueness in mind.” Golownia said a hotel is an important part of the development process, but it wasn’t at the top of her projects’ list. “Yes, but it’s not the first area of development,” she said.
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
WILTON MANORS
Wilton Manors Exhibits Leadership On Reproductive Health Care & HB1 Full Charge Bookkeeping Services
On Sept. 14, the Wilton Manors City Commission approved resolution 2021-074 urging the Florida Legislature to act in order safeguard the accessibility, affordability, and safety of reproductive healthcare and the fundamental constitutional right to abortion. While passing a resolution is a strong statement, it is my belief that this was the appropriate response to the latest efforts of several U.S. states to severely limit or even outright ban abortion. In particular, the recent court ruling in Texas sets a dangerous precedent we must avoid here in Florida. The vote passed 4-0, with Gary Resnick not present to vote. The City of Wilton Manors believes all have the constitutional fundamental right to make their own reproductive choices and the right to access reproductive healthcare services such as contraception, STD/HIV testing and treatment, OBGYN services, and comprehensive sex education for young people. The resolution also specifically addressed the concerns of transgender men and gender non-conforming people who have reproductive health concerns and deserve access to fundamental health care. I wish to express my gratitude to Floridians for Reproductive Freedom, who authored the resolution, as well as Mary Eakins, Coral Springs Commissioner Metayer, and Equality Florida for their advocacy on the issue. Floridians for Reproductive Freedom reports that leadership in both chambers of the Florida Legislature have stated to the press that they are gearing up to pass more abortion restrictions, with the Senate President lauding specifically the new Texas ban. In addition to addressing reproductive health care rights, the commission also took a leadership stand on HB1 that has been called the “antiprotest” bill. Besides overstepping citizens fundamental rights, it also limits the ability of municipal governments to reduce law enforcement funding. As a result of a 4-0 vote
Photo via PxHere.
In addition to addressing reproductive health care rights, the commission also took a leadership stand on HB1 that has been called the “anti-protest” bill.
by the commission, our city will sign on as a plaintiff to an existing lawsuit with several other Florida cities to challenge many provisions of HB1 which we believe violate home rule or are unconstitutional. Florida’s home rule law is what gives local governments the authority to dictate how to run their cities. I hope residents in our community will consider getting involved and taking a stand on these important issues. I also welcome your feedback via email at ccaputo@wiltonmanors.com.
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— Chris Caputo
WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSIONER