THE
GAZETTE VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 22 NOVEMBER 4, 2021
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WILTON MANORS
IN THIS TOGETHER Wilton Elementary School Community Supports Rosie’s
By John Hayden Rosie’s Bar & Grill has supported and “People started calling right away and engaged the students of Wilton Manors blowing up our phones, sending emails Elementary for years. Now they’re leaning on through the website, putting comments all each other as both absorb withering attacks over our social media posts.” fueled by right-wing media. Vile comments were made toward everyone Rosie’s routinely holds toy drives, art at the restaurant, including Zieba himself. exhibits, and more to “I said we did host some creatively enrich their lives. elementary school kids. He For a decade they’ve hosted called me a pedophile, that I was Callers, mostly kindergarteners for a day, grooming children, and said he teaching them about their hopes that I die.” from places other community, how a restaurant There have been no specified than South Florida, threats of violence directed works, and how to order and tip. Pictures from last Rosie’s, but they have been immediately began at week’s field trip were posted reporting disturbing calls to tying up the phone Wilton Manors police. However, on Facebook by one of the chaperones and were seized on threats have been made to the lines, making by reactionary conservatives, school, staff, and school board violent threats, who portrayed it as a trip for members, including Sarah elementary school students to Leonardi, who chaperoned one and hurling a gay bar. of the groups. SFGN has been Callers, mostly from told those are being investigated, ugly slurs at places other than South which agency or agencies are whoever answered but Florida, immediately began looking into them has not been tying up the phone lines, released. the phone. making violent threats, and hurling ugly slurs at whoever COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER answered the phone. On Oct. 29, members of the Wilton Manors Elementary community showed up to support ‘IT WAS A FIRESTORM’ and say thanks. Dozens of teachers, parents, Rosie’s co-owner John Zieba told SFGN that and students, past and present, came by for once Fox News published an innuendo-filled dinner and to lean on each other after a rough couple of days. They said they appreciate what story, things quickly got out of control.
Sarah Leonardi, pictured back right, during the field trip at Rosie’s Bar and Grill. Photo via @bcpsleonardi, Twitter.
Rosie’s does for the school throughout the year. “There’s a lot of families where the kids are much older now but are still coming in because of that experience. They feel good coming here,” Zieba said. Equality Florida also spoke out for the school and restaurant’s relationship. “Anyone who’s visited Wilton Manors knows your trip isn’t complete until you’ve tried one of Rosie’s famous burgers,” Senior Political Director Joe Saunders said. “This is a community institution thriving in the heart of one of the U.S.’s largest LGBTQ populations.”
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Zieba believes inclusiveness is a core value of Rosie’s, the school, and Wilton Manors. “We’ve made an effort from day one to be open to everybody. It’s worked out really well. People feel comfortable here.” While this faux controversy may break some spirits, that’s not the case here. The school community in attendance that night told SFGN they will always be here for the restaurant, and Zieba said the restaurant will always be there for them. “The kids are welcome anytime. The kids are amazing!”
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NEWS
WILTON MANORS
Wilton Manors Commission Divided Over Term Limits Votes Against Latest Proposal
By John McDonald A proposed ballot referendum on term limits failed to receive a majority approval by Wilton Manors commissioners. On a 3-2 vote, commissioners rejected a proposal by the Charter Review Board that would have allowed elected officials to serve 12-year maximum terms with a twoyear absence. Vice Mayor Paul Rolli and Commissioner Mike Bracchi voted no on the ordinance and Commissioners Chris Caputo and Gary Resnick voted yes. Mayor Scott Newton broke the tie, casting the deciding no vote to defeat the proposal. “I just don’t think the city needs term limits,” said Newton. Rolli said the scenario presented by the Charter Review Board did not make sense. From Left to Right: Chris Caputo, Scott Newton, Paul Rolli and Mike Bracchi. Photo credit: Carina Mask. The board has since sunsetted and will not convene again until 2030. Board President Resnick, first elected to the commission Michael Rajner said the proposal was the best elections. In its current design, mayors serve two years and commissioners are elected to in 1998, is the longest serving mayor in city compromise the board could agree on. history. He served for 10 years from 2008 to “I support term limits but the option four-year terms. “Being here over 60 years in Wilton Manors 2018. Attending the proceedings remotely via provided by the Charter Review Board would have allowed someone to serve up to 24 years I’ve seen a lot happen,” Newton said. “I was out Zoom, Resnick noted there is not always a for two years and you sit down qualified pool of candidates ready to step up. with only a two-year break,” “We’ve had elections where not enough and get a better perspective Rolli said. “I would like to have for what’s going on. This city people filed to run for the openings,” Resnick considered more meaningful is so small that if somebody said. “There’s been elections during my term term limits, such as a total of were to do something it’s from on the city commission where we couldn’t get eight or 12 years with a longer the eastside to the westside by anybody to run. Normally, you are lucky if you break in service.” tomorrow. It’s different here. get anybody to run for mayor in this city and Bracchi agreed with Rolli’s If they don’t want you in here you’re lucky if you get more than two people analysis of how the proposal to run for commission. So think twice before they’re gonna vote you out.” was written, calling it a farce. Westside resident Hunter you limit who can run for these offices or you “I’m not supportive of the Stephens addressed the tell residents that we are not going to give way this is written because I commission, asking the you that option to make these decisions in an don’t think it solves any type city to revisit the issue. election.” of problem,” Bracchi said. “I’m Although he did not issue a full-throated Stephens proposed a limit not going to support this as is. I of eight years and two terms endorsement of term limits, Resnick did vote don’t think it’s necessary. If we for commissioners, while to let residents decide. Caputo too voted in are going to do term limits just Mayor of Wilton Manors increasing the mayor’s term favor of the ordinance, saying it was fulfilling max it at 12 and let someone beyond two years. Stephens a campaign promise, but also acknowledged a go and run for school board or said the Charter Review Board’s dearth of candidates. something else.” “The reality is there isn’t this mass rush of At the commission’s Oct. 26 regular proposal would not allow for mentoring of meeting, Bracchi shared data from the city new leaders and only reinforces problems of people to fill these positions,” Caputo said. Caputo also raised the issue of cost in clerk’s office showing the average term length stagnation and complacency. “I think we have ample evidence, frankly, bringing a term limits referendum to the for mayor was 4.29 years and 5.5 years for commissioners. Newton holds the distinction that staying too long leads to complacency ballot. City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson of one of the longest serving commissioners and less accountability,” Stephens said. “An said each extra page to the ballot costs $1,400 elected official might come to believe that as the referendum would have to be written in in city history, serving for a total of 14 years. Newton was off the commission for two they don’t need to live and interact among the three languages: English, Spanish and Creole. years prior to being elected mayor in the 2020 residents that they purport to represent.”
“It’s different here. If they don’t want you in here they’re gonna vote you out.”
THE
GAZETTE November 4, 2021 • Volume 8 • Issue 22 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
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NOVEMBER 4, 2021
Larry the Lizard stands mute on term limits. Photo via Pixabay.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
WILTON MANORS
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
WILTON MANORS
I Support Term limits in Wilton Manors Here Are The Facts
The same few antagonists in our city continue to publicly bash the current commission for a recent vote regarding term limits. These individuals continue to spread misinformation and blatant lies, and it must STOP! Our residents deserve better. So here are the FACTS:
Paul Rolli, vice mayor of Wilton Manors. Photo credit: Carina Mask.
I Voted Against The Sham Term Limits Proposal in Wilton Manors The Charter Review Board was created by by residents. I did not agree to bring the the city commission and their task was to look Charter Review Board’s proposal to the at the City Charter and make independent voters because it failed to address the issue recommendations to the commission. One of “career politicians.” While that kind of of their recommendations was to create term change would not affect me, I must think about what is beneficial for the voters and limits for elected officials. The ballot proposal for term limits was future of the city. A well-crafted provision that provides meaningful term discussed and voted down (3-2) limits is more acceptable to at the Oct. 26 city commission me. Furthermore, severely meeting. To be clear, I support I suggested two curtailing terms could have a term limits just not what alternatives: a negative impact if someone was proposed by the Charter total of eight or is termed out and there are Review Board. not any viable upcoming If that proposal was 12-year terms with candidates. We must be careful aimed at eliminating “career a longer break what we ask for. politicians,” it did not do To place a referendum on that. It limited terms to 12 in service and the ballot, the paperwork must years and, after a two-year supported separate be completed and sent to the break, the same official could Broward County Supervisor run for 12 more years. That term limits for of Elections by the spring of would be 24 years with only the position of the year of the referendum. a two-year break or 36 years commissioner Thus, the term limit issue with only a four-year break. was proposed to be on the It did not fail because of the and mayor. November 2022 ballot, not approximate $1,000 cost to get November 2021. There is time a referendum on the ballot as to revisit the term limit issue if that is the will some speculate. I suggested two alternatives: a total of of the city commission. Also, any change to the City Charter is eight or 12-year terms with a longer break in service and supported separate term limits for not retroactive and would only impact those the position of commissioner and mayor. My candidates elected after the Charter change suggestions were not accepted by the other was passed by the voters. officials. Changing the City Charter requires a — Paul Rolli referendum on the ballot to be voted on VICE MAYOR OF WILTON MANORS
FACT: The city commission recently voted NO (3-2 vote) on a proposal that would allow members of the commission to serve 12 years, take a two-year “break,” and allow them to run again for another 12 years. The candidate could potentially repeat the cycle endlessly. FACT: I made my position clear from the beginning and voted NO, because… FACT: The particular proposal presented to the commission in no way implements adequate term limits. You can try to sell this proposal as placing “term limits” on the local commissioners and mayor, but the language of this proposal has no teeth. It is a useless proposal, and if implemented would be used as a slick ploy, so that some individuals could tell constituents that “we have implemented term limits,” when the reality is that under the current proposal, someone can serve 24 out of 26 years, or even 36 out of 40 years. If someone starts early enough and lives long enough, they can even serve 72 out of 82 years on the commission! What good does the current proposal do, if it allows someone to be in office for decades? FACT: I was the only member of the commission to propose amending the ordinance to allow a candidate to serve a total of 12 years…PERIOD. If you want term limits, there should be no opportunity to run again for city commission after you have served for 12 years, whether the years are consecutive or not. My proposed amendment would have created a REAL TERM LIMIT! If the candidate wants to continue to be a public servant, then they can run for school board or statehouse. FACT: My amendment, designed to implement a real term limit of 12 years, did not have the necessary three votes from the current commission to be approved. FACT: The initial proposal which allows a candidate to serve 36 of 40 years, solves
Mike Bracchi , Wilton Manors City Commissioner. Photo credit: Carina Mask.
no problems that exist within our current political system. I can only speculate that this issue is being raised at this moment in time, not in order to effectuate meaningful reform, but instead so that some individuals can use the topic to bolster their own campaigns for commission next cycle. FACT: These antagonists, who seem to intentionally ignore the facts, continue to spread false and misleading information about this issue online. FACT: I am here to serve and represent you! The residents of this city voted me in with overwhelming support. As a servant leader, I will always vote with YOUR best interests in mind, and I will not vote in support of proposals do not adequately address the problem we are trying to solve. Those are the FACTS!
— Mike Bracchi
WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSIONER
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PHOTOS
WILTON MANORS
Wicked Weekend ON SUNDAY, OCT. 31 — THAT'S RIGHT, HALLOWEEN! — WILTON DRIVE WAS TRANSFORMED INTO THE POPULAR ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF EVERYTHING SPOOKY. TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE CREATIVE COSTUMES BELOW.
In Wilton Manors By J.R. Davis
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NOVEMBER 4, 2021
NEWS
WILTON MANORS
Celebrating our 12th Year on Wilton Drive!
Smile...and the whole world smiles back.
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General & Cosmetic Dentistry
A Scary Good Time at Wicked Manors
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By John Hayden Wicked Manors’ theme this year was Turn Back Time. And there were multiple sightings of Cher with sailor minions in tow. But after the last couple years of COVID, most people seemed to be celebrating the present and the future. More than 25,000 people swarmed Wilton Drive Sunday night for a Halloween street party that’s listed as one of the Top 10 in the nation. Costumes ranged from the basic leather harness and hat to the intricate, including LED-lit wings of an angel that appeared to be floating down the street. One was a skeleton with a sign boasting how they did their research and declined a vaccine. No matter if the costume was a social message, campy, or sexy, people lined up to grab selfies with eye-catching characters. “We had four costume contests. The kids’ costume contest was adorable,” Pride Center Director of Development Roger Roa said. “It was a great event, including the rain. We are very thankful to everybody.” The Pride Center organizes and hosts the event every year, and CEO Robert Boo said this year’s party hit just the right note. “Wicked Manors 2021: Turn Back Time was a resounding success. We witnessed over-the-top costumes, happy families trickor-treating, members of our community overjoyed for the opportunity to connect
in-person and multitudes of people bringing patronage to Wilton Manors’ businesses.” Three stages were set along the Drive, with Manor hosting the dance stage; another stage was set up by Matty’s while the main stage was across from Alibi and hosted the big events like the costume contests. Police were on hand to keep things flowing and safe, and were incredibly patient while working with people who were partying maybe a bit too hard. Community events like Wicked Manors don’t happen without the support of the community, and Boo appreciates everyone who worked this year. “As one volunteer with one of the non-profits working the entrances wrote to us, ‘I was so happy to help. Hope it was successful for The Pride Center and the local orgs helping. People were very happy to be celebrating together and even when the lines got a bit long at our gate everyone was so nice about it. Everyone was just happy to be back together I think. Y’all should be very proud for bringing such joy to the community.’” Sunday’s street party was the culmination of a weekend-long series of events. First there was Friday Night’s Double Feature Movie at Hagen Park with family-friendly Hocus Pocus and the grown-up fan of Rocky Horror Picture Show later in the evening. Then on Saturday was the #WickedWeekend Saturday Splash pool party at Tru by Hilton.
Dr. David K. Warner, DDS, FAGD Dr. Stephen T. Scoglio, DMD 1946 Wilton Drive • Wilton Manors • FL 33305 www.IslandCitySmiles.com
More than 25,000 people swarmed Wilton Drive Sunday night for a Halloween street party that’s listed as one of the Top 10 in the nation.
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NOVEMBER 4, 2021
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WILTON MANORS & OAKLAND PARK
NEWS
and Elijah Manley (right), a candidate for the District 94 seat, stands with Dean Trantalis, the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale. Photo via Facebook.
DeSantis Sets Election Date For Wilton Manors Legislative Seats By John McDonald At long last, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has Election Law Clinic and all those who stood scheduled special elections for three South with me and took a chance. Now, the race begins.” Florida legislative districts. As of the most recent campaign finance On Oct. 27, DeSantis issued an executive reporting period ending Sept. order scheduling special 30, the Manley campaign had elections for House Districts raised $15,984.09. Contributors 88 and 94 and Senate District include Fort Lauderdale Mayor 33. Primary elections are Dean Trantalis, Oakland Park set for Jan. 11, 2022, with a Commissioner Matt Sparks and general election to follow, if Wilton Manors Commissioner necessary, March 8, 2022. Chris Caputo. Elijah Manley, a candidate Daryl Nevroy Campbell, for the District 94 seat, and an aide to out-going District the Harvard Law School 94 Representative Bobby Election Law Clinic sued DuBose, leads all candidates DeSantis to execute the duties in fundraising with $46,279.18 of his office and schedule special elections for the followed by Josephus three districts. Twelve days Eggelletion III of Miramar with after the lawsuit was filed, $18,650 and Oakland Park DeSantis caved and scheduled Vice Mayor Michael Carn with the elections. Democracy $16,040. prevailed, Manley said. There are no Republicans Candidate, District 94 “After shamelessly delaying currently filed in District 94 a free and fair election, the meaning the Jan. 11 election governor has called the special election,” will decide the seat. Vote by mail will likely Manley said. “This wouldn’t have been commence in late November or early possible without the help of the Harvard December, said Manley.
“After shamelessly delaying a free and fair election, the governor has called the special election.” - Elijah Manley
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NOVEMBER 4, 2021
FRIENDS KEEP WILTON MANORS LIBRARY OPEN AND INDEPENDENT By John McDonald Taking her children to the library is something Arlene Lancaster fondly recalls as a mother. “I took my kids when they were little to the library all the time for storytime,” said Lancaster, a retired school teacher who first moved to Wilton Manors in 1973. Decades later Lancaster remains involved as president of the Friends of the Wilton Manors Library. The private charitable corporation is composed of volunteers dedicated to keeping the library operational and independent. “We want to make sure we keep our little library in the city,” Lancaster said. “It’s one of the places a city should have.” Wilton Manors is one of five cities in Broward County with its own library — independent of the county’s system. The library, named in honor of Richard C. Sullivan, a generous benefactor, is known for its cozy personal feel where visitors are warmly recognized as opposed to treated like a number on a library card.
THE
ISLANDER A WILTON MANORS NEWSLETTER
By Kim Swan
WHY DID YOU START IT? It is important to be part of a community, especially one like Wilton Manors where people can feel safe to be who they are. It has always been in our DNA to give back, and it was natural for us to want to find a way to not just take from our patrons but to support the issues that are important to all of us.
HOW DID BONA SURVIVE COVID? IS BUSINESS BACK TO NORMAL? Thanks to a very supportive community and some federal funding we made it through the pandemic so far.
WHAT ARE SOME NON-PROFITS YOU’VE SUPPORTED? We have supported these and other organizations in the past 4 ½ years: Broward House, Equality Florida, Gay Men’s Chorus, and more. WHAT ARE SOME MENU ITEMS SOMEONE ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE WHEN THEY EAT AT BONA?
PARTYBUS Party on a bus from Boca Raton to SWAY Nightclub from 10 p.m.2:30 a.m. Ladies drink free until midnight.
FRIDAY ART PARTY Wilton Manors First Friday Art Party at Herbaceous & Art brings together a number of artssupporting neighbors and friends each month celebrating creativity in its many forms from 6-9 p.m.
SATURDAY CAR SHOW Show off your cars at the Classic Car Cruise Show at Holy Mackerel from 4-8 p.m. All clubs, makes, models and years are welcome.
MANORS MARKET A weekly artisan/prepared food market located in the City Hall parking lot from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Great local fresh food, art and unique finds.
Check out our interview with Glen Weinzimer of Bona Italian Restaurant
That’s a tough one, there are so many favorites our guests love, on top of the list is our Chicken Cyriac, which is blackened chicken over pasta with garlic cream and fresh toasted almonds on top.
THURSDAY
SUNDAY
AN INTERVIEW WITH BONA ITALIAN RESTAURANT WHAT IS GIVE BACK MONDAYS? Give Back Mondays is a charity night at Bona Italian Restaurant and Aperitivo Lounge. We give back 10% of all dine-in and take-out dinners to different not for profits.
CALENDAR
ON THE HORIZON NOV. 10: VIBES ON THE DRIVE Chill at a café, bar or restaurant or stroll and shop Wilton Drive as performers entertain for your pleasure from 5-8 p.m.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD? Both Glen & Mark produce the SMART Ride a 2-day, 165-mile bicycle ride from Miami to Key West that raises funds to assist AIDS Service Organizations to meet their needs of helping those infected, affected or at risk for HIV/AIDS. This event is unique because of its 100% guarantee that all funds raised by the participants of the SMART Ride go to the ASO’s.
Tell us about upcoming events we should know about!
Glen Weinzimer. Photo via Facebook.
THE NEWSLETTER YOU NEED NEED. WILTON MANORS NEWS... RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX. From events to local announcements, fun facts and so much more, the Islander is everything you need to wake up ready for a beautiful day in the Island City.
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