THE
GAZETTE VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 24 DECEMBER 2, 2021
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WILTON MANORS
Wilton Manors Commissioner Pedals for Dollars for SMART Ride By John McDonald If there is such a thing as a role model volunteers and participants than years past. Caputo, Weinzimer said, is a joy to work for resilience, one needs to look no further than Wilton Manors Commissioner Chris with. “I’ve known Chris for over 15 years Caputo. Caputo peddled down to Key West last and I’ve watched him grow and seen him weekend as a participant in the annual mature,” Weinzimer said. “He’s always been a caring and giving person SMART Ride. This year and a cheerleader for marked the 18th edition of everybody.” the cycling event that raises First diagnosed with money for HIV/AIDS service HIV in 2012, Caputo said organizations in Florida. he cried it out but then For Caputo, the ride is got to work. He put his personal. tech skills to good use to “Today marks the provide local agencies and completion of my 10th SMART businesses with software, Ride and 1,650 miles later, I am web design and marketing. still living with HIV,” Caputo His energy, Weinzimer told SFGN on Saturday. “We said, is infectious. haven’t been able to fully “People are drawn to prevent new infections, let him,” Weinzimer said. alone cure the disease. People “He’s like a little jackrabbit. in our most marginalized There are leaders and communities continue to - CHRIS CAPUTO there are followers and die due to a lack of access Wilton Manors Chris is most certainly a to care and education. It’s City Commissioner leader.” heartbreaking. There is more At 40 Caputo is the work to be done. We can’t stop before the finish line, so each year we ride youngest member of the Wilton Manors Commission. He is frequently seen running and every year I am glad I did.” Over $1.2 million was raised this year, or cycling around town and has pushed for organizers announced. Glen Weinzimer, more pedestrian-friendly development. “All the things he does I don’t know how SMART Ride Founder, said more than 10,000 people donated this year and the he finds the time,” Weinzimer said. “He’s event met its fundraising goal with fewer amazing at multitasking.”
“We can’t stop before the finish line, so each year we ride and every year I am glad I did.”
Chris Caputo (back row, fourth from the left) poses with other riders from Wilton Manors. Photo via Chris Caputo, Facebook.
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NEWS
WILTON MANORS
Financial Incentive Improves Vaccination Rate In Wilton Manors By John McDonald
THE
GAZETTE December 2, 2021 • Volume 8 • Issue 24 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
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The Wilton Manors City Commission chamber. Photo credit: Carina Mask.
Payments will go out in December to employees of the City of Wilton Manors who were vaccinated for COVID-19. Through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, the city is offering a $500 incentive for employees who are fully vaccinated. Employees have until the end of the year to claim the incentive. “I can report to you that the incentive has actually resulted in some of our employees taking the initiative to go out and get vaccinated,” said City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson. Based on voluntary information provided, 55% of the Wilton Manors Police Department is fully vaccinated, said Human Resources Director Dio Sanchez. The number is slightly lower but above 50% for general employees, Sanchez said. Other notes from the Nov. 23 regular city commission meeting: Police Chief Gary Blocker announced Code Compliance Officer Kim Holinko and Officer Daniel Plunske are the department’s top employees of the third quarter. Blocker also reported of an attempted robbery that was thwarted in the 900 block of NE 29th Drive in
the early morning hours of Nov. 23. Anyone with information about this incident, Blocker said, is encouraged to call Det. Fernando Arias at 954-533-2193. City Clerk Faith Lombardo presented Island City University graduation certificates. In its fifth year, Island City University, Lombardo said, gives residents access to the inner-workings of various city departments and includes hands-on activities such as “how to scope a drain pipe.” Seventeen people completed the program. Commissioners executed an agreement with the South Florida Audubon Society for the management and maintenance of M.E. DePalma Park. Mayor Scott Newton gave the Audubon Society kudos for what he called “tremendous work” at the public garden on the corner of NE 7th Avenue and NE 20th Drive. “It’s nice to go in there now,” Newton said. Commissioners passed a new ordinance that provides tax exemptions to residents over the age of 65. The first exemption — not to exceed $50,000 — is for seniors with an annual income of less than $31,100. There are
Through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, the city is offering a $500 incentive for employees who are fully vaccinated.
114 residences that may qualify at a cost of $15,563 to the city. The second exemption is for seniors who have lived in their homes for over 25 years. To be eligible for the long-term exemption, a homeowner’s property must be under $250,000 in just value as determined by the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office. There are 17 residences that may qualify for the exemption at a cost of $4,256.17 to the city. Finance Director Penny Zuercher said the law will be implemented into the 2022-23 fiscal budget. Community Affairs Advisory Board Chair Michael Sansevero asked the commission to review the resident parking program and bring the issue to a vote and to appoint a staff member to serve as a public art coordinator. Sansevero also asked the commission to revisit a term limits referendum for voters to decide. “I believe that’s what the residents would like to see,” he said. Former Commissioner Julie Carson thanked Mayor Newton and Vice Mayor Paul Rolli for attending the Transgender Day of Remembrance at the Pride Center and visiting with residents at Independence Hall assisted living facility. Carson also thanked Commissioner Gary Resnick for attending the commission meeting in person. The meeting was one of the shortest regular commission meetings in recent years, lasting 40 minutes.
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NEWS
OAKLAND PARK
COMMUNITY
WILTON MANORS
Q&A with Former Broward Mayor Ken Keechl By John McDonald
Michael Carn being sworn in. Photo by Carina Mask.
Michael Carn Takes Oath as Mayor of Oakland Park By Christiana Lilly Outside of Oakland Park City Hall, draped in red, white and blue, Michael E. Carn stood with his right hand up taking the oath of office as the city’s new mayor. The city’s government votes in commissioners with each rotating into the mayoral seat each year. Just before him, former Mayor Jane Bolin was sworn in as commissioner and Aisha Gordon became vice mayor. All were flanked by their loved ones as the sun began to set over the city. City officials, including former Mayor Carol Stevens, were in attendance. “Tonight is not about either one of us singularly,” Carn told the crowd. “But it is about this tribe, it is about the opportunity afforded to us by you the citizens of Oakland Park to serve you and serve in leadership in this time and in this time and in this place. We are grateful to you.” He emphasized to The Gazette that the commission works as a team and their recent strategic plan that includes redevelopment of the west side of Oakland Park, raising the
standards of the city, as well as its goals to better the environment. Carn recently stepped down from his campaign for the House 94 special election, which Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis scheduled for Jan. 11, 2022 with an executive order. Through a statement on Facebook, Carn explained that in order to continue with the campaign he would have to step down from his role as mayor the day after he was sworn in. He told The Gazette that he couldn’t do that to the people he serves and his “tribe” who helped him get to where he is today. “They’ve invested in me, they’ve brought me to where I am since I was 5 years old,” he explained. “They’re the ones that took me aside and I couldn’t do that to them. And my heart is here.” Carn will, however, participate in the regular election, which will begin with the August 2022 primaries. This will force him to leave his post as mayor a few months early and hand over the reins to Vice Mayor Gordon.
The city’s government votes in commissioners with each rotating into the mayoral seat each year.
Last week Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed two new Broward County commissioners. Jared Moskowitz, the state’s former director of the Division of Emergency Management, and Torey Alston, chief of staff for the Florida Department of Transportation, accepted the appointments to begin in January. Moskowitz, a Democrat from Parkland, replaces Barbara Sharief in District 8, while Alston, a Republican and Sharief’s former chief of staff, replaces Dale Holness in District 9. Sharief and Holness resigned their commission seats to run for the vacant congressional seat in District 20. Holness lost by a razor thin margin to businesswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick in the Democratic primary election. On the commission’s agenda is redistricting and approving new maps as required every 10 years to ensure fair representation. Longtime activist Michael Rajner raised concerns some of the proposals could dilute the LGBT community’s voice by breaking Wilton Manors into two districts or siphoning the city off from its familiar partners Oakland Park and Fort Lauderdale. For insight and analysis into the process, the Gazette reached out to former county commissioner Ken Keechl. Elected to the commission in 2006, Keechl was the county’s first openly gay mayor, leading Broward from 2009 to 2010. An attorney with over 30 years of experience, Keechl owns a law practice in Wilton Manors specializing in LGBT relationships. Q: OF THE FOUR COMMISSION MAPS, WHICH DO YOU FAVOR AND WHY? I favor Map A. It retains the basic characteristics of my District 4 from 2006 to 2010. Q: THERE HAVE BEEN PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT THE MAPS “DILUTE” THE LGBT COMMUNITY BY DIVIDING WILTON MANORS OR LUMPING THE CITY INTO A DISTRICT WITH A GOV. DESANTIS PICKED COMMISSIONER. DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT? No, I don’t. Map A retains a significant portion of Wilton Manors, Oakland Park and Fort Lauderdale. These areas have numerous LGBT voters and they elected me as an openly gay candidate. Also, I know both of Gov. DeSantis’ appointees personally. They are very LGBT-friendly. While I don’t agree often with the governor, I think he got it right on their selections.
Ken Keechl. Photo courtesy of Ken Keechl.
Q: WHAT IS THE TERM LENGTH FOR A COUNTY COMMISSIONER? ARE THERE TERM LIMITS FOR THE OFFICE? DOES THE ENTIRE COUNTY VOTE IN THE ELECTION OR IS IT LIMITED TO THE DISTRICT? The length of the term is four years. Commissioners are limited to three terms or 12 years. A voter in the county only votes for the candidate running in his or her district. Q: OF THE COMMISSION’S CURRENT MAKEUP, WHICH COMMISSIONER DO YOU THINK IS THE LGBT COMMUNITY’S CLOSEST ALLY? That’s a hard question because they are all allies of the LGBT community and they are all personal friends of mine. If I had to pick one, it would probably be County Commissioner Nan Rich. When she was in the Florida Legislature years ago, she advocated for marriage equality even before the majority of LGBT individuals thought it was ever possible. As a Democrat, her bills didn’t go far, but that wasn’t the point. She was normalizing the idea of marriage equality. And her colleagues in the State Senate and House heard her loud and clear. Q: AS THE STATE’S FIRST OPENLY GAY COUNTY COMMISSIONER WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A GAY CANDIDATE NOW? Be yourself. Be proud. And be passionate. It’s an awesome responsibility asking people to let you lead them. Especially when they do and you become the mayor of a major county like Broward. It was a responsibility I never took lightly. Today, we have so many great LGBT elected officials and candidates — just look at Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park and Wilton Manors. You know the old saying — if you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re probably on the menu. It was true in 2006 when I was first elected, and it’s true today.
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BUSINESS
WILTON MANORS
Christmas Comes Early at To The Moon By John Hayden Christmas surprises aren’t reserved for late December. Antonio Dumas, owner of To The Moon in Wilton Manors, took over the role of Santa and brought holiday cheer to hundreds of first responders in South Florida. He created 700 gift bags at his store, and gave them away at area hospitals, police and fire stations. “I knew that first responders were going through a tougher time than anybody, going through major risks,” he told SFGN. “I wanted to make them happy if they were having a bad day.” Dumas brought 100 bags each to seven spots from Hollywood to Boca Raton. He says it was his empathy with first responders that inspired the
holiday giveaway. “I was working through the whole pandemic and I knew others that were working. I knew that first responders were going through a tougher time than anybody, going through major risks. I wanted to make them happy if they were having a bad day.” To The Moon is stocked with lots of hard-to-find candies and collectibles. The unique candies were very popular with bag recipients. “Candy, snacks, chips. Anything where you open the bag and it makes you smile.” And he says the sweeter, the better. “No fruit or anything, you can get that anywhere. We are about sugar!”
Dumas created 700 gift bags at his store, and gave them away at area hospitals, police and fire stations.
To The Moon. Photo via Facebook.
Stocking Stuffers & Surprises Retro and classic merchandise fills To The Moon’s display windows and shelves. For holiday trends this year, he sees four familiar faces: Rose, Blanche, Dorothy, and Sophia. “Golden Girls is always huge. Even the younger generation knows the Golden Girls now. Fleece blankets and shot glasses, puzzles have been big because of the pandemic.”
The pandemic is also driving culinary curiosity. “Anything for the kitchen. A lot of people are home cooking more. They’re using more than they did before.” Dumas says what’s old is always new again. “Classics are coming back, like the Garbage Pail Kids. Oven mitts and dish towels, for the last couple years, have been huge. We sell hundreds of them. Fun for any age group.”
WILTON MANORS
Arianna’s Center Celebrates 6th Anniversary By John Hayden Progress is being made, but much work remains. In a year when violence against the trans community has nearly doubled, that statement is about as optimistic as trans activists can get. Hope and frustration were side by side as Arianna’s Center celebrated its sixth anniversary at Sunshine Cathedral on Nov. 17. Arianna’s Center works to engage, empower, and uplift the trans community of South Florida. About 100 people sipped on drinks and munched on hot hors d’oeuvres and talked about what’s next for the center and the trans rights movement. A town hall-style panel took the stage to discuss treatments, political possibilities, struggles, and successes. Hosted by Al Ferguson, it included the center’s founder, Arianna Lint, former CEO at Arianna’s Center Tony Lima, trans activist Rajee Narinesingh, and Wilton
Manors City Commissioner Chris Caputo. Lint talked about living life as a trans woman living with HIV, growing up in Peru and coming to America, and her goal of improving the lives of the trans community. Narinesingh has a big heart and gives warm hugs, and that’s a testament to her love of life and belief in others. Despite surviving botched surgeries and more, she keeps her positive attitude. After the panel, she talked with SFGN, and believes the situation is improving. “I remember the time when I used to leave my home and it felt like I was in a war zone. At least here in America and in South Florida specifically I’ve noticed in recent years the people aren’t as combative and abrasive towards trans people. When I leave my home now I feel like I don’t have to wear as much armor.”
Dumas created 700 gift bags at his store, and gave them away at area hospitals, police and fire stations.
Small victories, like feeling safe when you leave your home, lay the foundation for bigger victories. “Don’t get me wrong, I know we still have a long way to go and I still proceed with caution when I’m out and about but I just don’t feel as threatened as I did!” The most poignant moment of the night was when Lint’s mother took the stage. The love and admiration she has toward her daughter was felt with every word she spoke. Sunshine Cathedral has had a connection with nearly every South Florida LGBT group for nearly 50 years. Rev. Dr. Robert Griffin the church has always been, and always will be, a welcoming, safe space. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to be together as a community, and to say we’ve come a long way and we have a long way to go.” He says the first step is for the L, G, B, and the Q to better support the T. “Education in the gay community. We are really trying to pull that rainbow flag together and we’ve got work to do.”
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Arianna Lint. Photo via Facebook.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
WILTON MANORS
Community Funds LGBTQ Theater Initiative The City of Wilton Manors recognizes the importance of Art, in its many forms, and the impact the art has on our quality of life. Arts and culture are such an integral part of our identity as a community that our city commission has identified the development of a public arts and culture policy as a key objective within our 2021-2026 strategic plan. While progress is being made on that goal, one important reality to acknowledge that we lack the needed resources within our city’s budget to fully fund all the possibilities I’d personally love to see come to life. I continue to seek ways to work with the non-profits and philanthropic individuals within our community to fund arts-related initiatives in our city. As city commissioner, I often brag about the fact that we are the only city in the world to have two full time, year-round gay theaters that operate side by side (The Foundry and Island City Stage). This past year, I joined the board of Plays of Wilton (POW), a LGBTQ theater incubator that funds the development and production of LGBTQ theater in Wilton Manors and beyond. It has been so rewarding to connect with our community through POW’s work. When POW’s Founder, Ronnie Larsen, suggested that hosting a National Playwriting Award would deepen our city’s connection to the LGBT theater community and attract national attention, I committed to finding a way to fund it. Playwriters from around the world will be invited to submit their script, teams of script readers will score them, and the winner will receive a cash award along with the possibility of having their work brought to the stage right here in Wilton Manors. To celebrate my 40th birthday this past week, I asked our community to help create and fund the POW National Playwriting Award through a Facebook fundraiser. As usual, our community stepped up! I wish to express my gratitude to the 70+ donors that stepped up to fund the award, raising more than $6,000 so far. We raised more than we originally planned, allowing us to expand our vision with
THE
ISLANDER
“Brides of the Moon,” which was performed at The Foundry in August. Photo via Plays of Wilton, Facebook.
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additional prize categories and increase our community outreach effort for submissions. It is our intention to ensure that our entire community, including trans, Black, brown, lesbian, and bisexual are represented in LGBT theater. Two ways we will ensure that happens is by having submissions reviewed without their authors identified and creating a specific category focusing on the diverse experiences of our community. Plays of Wilton will be sharing specific details in the coming months at PlaysOfWilton.com. Once again, I’d like to thank everyone who invested in LGBT theater in our community and the POW National Playwriting Award. I invite the community to continue to think about unique ways we can fund arts initiatives. If you have an idea you’d like to share, please email me at ccaputo@wiltonmanors.com or text me at 954.557.2801
I wish to express my gratitude to the 70+ donors that stepped up to fund the award, raising more than $6,000 so far.
— Chris Caputo
WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSIONER
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