Volume 1 • Issue 2
August 20, 2014
Sex at Colohatchee Police chief: “All options on the table” to tackle issue By Steve Bower
As individuals continue to use Colohatchee Park as a place for sexual rendezvouses, Police Chief Paul O’Connell said his department is looking at ways to make the park safer and eliminate it as a place to hook-up. “It’s been a constant thorn in our side . . . all options are on the table,” O’Connell said. Even a drone could be utilized to monitor the park. “That might be one of the options. It’s a work in progress.” Resident Carlos Bethart, who lives next to Colohatchee, compared the sex acts performed there to “an occupation” and called for more attention from the police. “It’s been going on forever. People think it’s only low-income [individuals having sex there]. It’s not,” he said. “You can see license plates from [wealthy] Palm Beach [County]. It’s become a real tourist attraction.” As for solving the problem, one option that seems more likely is a License Plate Reader [LPR]. O’Connell wants to mount an LPR on one of his department’s police cars and station it at “hot spots” such as Colohatchee Park. It could also be used while a vehicle is on patrol. When a license plate is read by an LPR camera,
the data is matched against the state’s criminal and vehicle databases. It can be tailored to alert authorities to any crime connected to the vehicle – from an unpaid parking ticket to a warrant for murder. Once alerted to a crime, the officer in the LPR vehicle can immediately arrest the suspect. Previously, Commissioner Tom Green said he is in favor of the system but only if its scope is narrowed. Green said he only wants the system to alert police to license plates connected with kidnappings, warrants, stolen vehicles and other serious crimes. The system is already being used in several Broward cities, including Lighthouse Point. Officials there say their system, which is a series of cameras placed at the city’s entry points, has been very effective in catching criminals and helping to prevent crime. O’Connell calls that one the “Cadillac option.” Hollywood has started utilizing the mobile LPR “with mixed results,” said O’Connell. The request to buy the $26,630 device with taxpayer dollars also got mixed results from commissioners. It’s likely O’Connell won’t get the full amount he requested. Mayor Gary Resnick said he wants to see the system implemented but suggested the police department could use police forfeiture funds to buy Continued on page 3
Mary Ulm – Preserving Wilton Manors Past By Denise Royal
Mary Ulm knows a lot about Wilton Manors. She’s not only up to date on the newest restaurant on Wilton Drive – but she has extensive knowledge about the city’s history. Ulm and her husband Ron moved to Wilton Manors 12 years ago. The couple, which has been married for 32 years, relocated from Atlanta to be closer to Ron’s father. The Ulms don’t have children;
instead, they’ve had a red parrot for 30 years. They’d been visiting the Wilton Manors area since the late 1970s and made the move despite a less than stellar first impression. “When we first starting visiting, it was a little run down – especially Wilton Drive,” Ulm said. During that time, Wilton Manors was home to mostly middle-income families, and the city was 99
percent white. Unlike today, Wilton Drive wasn’t filled with thriving shops and restaurants. Back in Atlanta, Ulm worked for the state of Georgia, specifically workforce staffing. The selfdescribed workaholic put in between 60-70 hours a week. These days, she puts the same level of dedication into the Wilton Manors Historical Society where she serves as President, and Ron is an advisor Continued on page 2
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Continued from page 1 “Mary Ulm”
on Business, Research and Technology. The big living-situation difference: Ulm, now retired, doesn’t collect a paycheck for her hard work. “It’s all volunteers who love Wilton Manors and preserve the gems that are here and make them known to people. We get excited about the past and the possibilities of the future,” Ulm said. The organization’s future plans include making improvements to the Carriage House at the Richardson Historic Park. (It’s located directly across from Dairy Queen on Wilton Drive.) The Carriage House is the oldest existing structure in Wilton Manors. After spending a short time with Ulm, you’ll learn a lot about the history of Wilton Manors such as who founded the city: EJ Willingham founded in 1925. Willingham was a wealthy entrepreneur from Georgia. At one time, he owned the largest fruit and nut shipping company in the U.S. His vision for Wilton Manors was for it to become a very upscale neighborhood. He probably would be quite pleased with how the city turned out. Ulm is. She’s also very proud of the area’s long history of volunteerism. “We have a lot of people who are excited about the city and want to see
it sustain itself,” she tells WMG. Along with her duties at the Historical Society, Ulm is also on the board of Wilton Manor’s Taste of the Island. The annual event is an evening of food and libation featuring more than 50 area restaurants and drinking establishments. In addition, Ulm also serves on the Wilton Manors Budget Review Advisory Committee Board. But don’t expect to see her in the spotlight – that’s simply not where she’s the most comfortable. “What I enjoy doing is helping an event be successful. I’m more of a doer. I’d rather be volunteering in some fashion.”
Dog’s Head Out the Car Window - A Dangerous Habit From TripsWithPets.com
For most pups, the best part of a car ride is feeling trauma such as this can cause lifelong problems for the breeze in their furry faces as they stick their head your pup. Allowing your dog to stick its head out the window out the window. Despite the feel good nature of this pleasurable experience, it’s actually a very dangerous can also lead to more severe outcomes, such as falling out of the car or getting his head stuck in the window habit. In the early days of automobiles, most cars opening. Taking a turn a bit too fast, traveling over did not have windshields and their top speed was bumpy terrain or an overly excited pup can cause your approximately 45 mph. Given those conditions, dog to lose balance and easily fall out of the window. drivers wore goggles to protect their eyes. Now that we These types of incidents occur more frequently than have windshields to protect us, you wouldn’t consider one might imagine and can cause severe injury or death to dogs. sticking your unprotected head out It should go without saying; the window at 45 mph. Then why let “The constant and but another very dangerous idea your dog? rapid flapping of the is to allow your dog to ride in Allowing your dog to let it stick pinnae against your the bed of a pickup truck. All of its head out the window is a very dangerous habit. Their eyes are dog’s head from high- the dangers of sticking its head out the window from inside the exposed to dirt, rocks, dust and speed winds causes car are increased, since the bed other debris. These materials can trauma to the ear and of a pickup offers little or no easily puncture and scratch your results in swelling...” protection from wind, debris, or dog’s eyes. A line of pet goggles have falls. In addition, a pickup’s metal come out which are to help prevent these types of injuries. However, even if you can train bed can reach dangerously high temperatures on hot your dog not to paw them off his head, there are still days, which can cause damage to the soft tissue on a many other dangers when your dog’s head is out the dog’s paws. The best place for your dog to ride is in the back window while driving. Damage to the ears is another big concern. When seat or cargo area of your vehicle, properly restrained the dog’s ears flap in the wind, his soft ear flaps (pinnae) of course. Utilizing a pet safety belt, car seat, vehicle can easily become irritated, swell and become very pet barrier, or a travel crate is the best ways to ensure tender. The constant and rapid flapping of the pinnae that your pup’s travels are happy and safe. Sure, crack against your dog’s head from high-speed winds causes the window, but no heads out! trauma to the ear and results in swelling. Repeated 22
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About TripsWithPets.com TripsWithPets.com is the #1 online resource for pet travel. Named best pet travel site by Consumer Reports, TripsWithPets.com’s mission is to offer resources that ensure pets are welcome, happy, and safe while traveling. About the Author Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of TripsWithPets.com. She founded the pet travel site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel.
Continued from page 1 “Sex at Colohatchee” it. Forfeiture funds stem from money and property directly connected to criminals arrested and convicted. “The key is, does it fit within the statute,” said O’Connell. “I definitely support [using an LPR]. Colohatchee absolutely needs to be made safe,” Resnick said. Commissioner Ted Galatis said he would vote to fully fund the chief ’s request using taxpayer money. “Hopefully, we can stop some of the crime at Mickel Field and Colohatchee Park,” Galatis said. Commissioner Scott Newton suggested possibly implementing an old-fashioned solution: having city staff monitor the park more closely, if the city is willing to pay for it. “You’re going to have to spend the money [on extra staff time or a new employee].”
August 20, 2014 • Volume 1 • Issue 2 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com
Chief Executive Officer • Pier Angelo Guidugli
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Editorial
Art Director • Brendon Lies Artwork@sfgn.com Online Producer • Dennis Jozefowicz dennis.jozefowicz@sfgn.com Senior Creative Designer • Bob Reilly SFGN@BobReilly.com News Intern • Nicole Wiesenthal
Correspondents
Andrea Richard • Donald Cavanaugh • Steve Bower Christiana Lilly • Denise Royal • Sean McShee
PEACE
The city may get some help from the firm that wants to build a residential development next to Colohatchee in the old Yawt Property trailer park. The development, which was approved by the city and now is going through the county approval process, will include a security camera. That, said O’Connell, may be used to help monitor the park. At some point, Colohatchee will have to be temporarily closed during construction of the development. When and how long is still a matter of debate though. At various meetings, officials have been engaged in rumor control, assuring residents that Colohatchee will not be permanently shut down. “If it has to be closed for a period of time, because of construction, I want more information,” said Green. On the Dawn of the ‘Gazette’
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Sales Manager • Justin Wyse justin.wyse@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Associate • Edwin Neimann edwin.neimann@sfgn.com Sales Assistant • Jason Gonzales jason.gonzales@sfgn.com Distribution Services • Brian Swinford 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.
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Wilton Manors Could Get Two New Multi-unit Complexes
By Steve Bower
The dilapidated trailer park that was once used for a scene in the film “Striptease” was leveled months ago. In its place, developers plan to build a brand new 179-unit apartment complex. The complex, located on Northeast 24 Street next to Colohatchee Park, was approved unanimously by the city commission in 2013 and is now being reviewed by the county. Executives from Ascend Properties, the firm building the project, and city officials say it will revitalize what was formerly the city’s most blighted properties. “It’s going to spur redevelopment [of the rest of the surrounding area]. It’s a class act,” said Commissioner Ted Galatis when he voted in favor of the development. “I’m looking forward to breaking ground.” The 7.2-acre Yawt Property, as it was known, racked-up hundreds of thousands in code violations. Violations stemmed from excessive garbage to abandoned vehicles and mobile homes to overgrown vegetation. The property previously drew interest from a hotel firm, which wanted to build a gaythemed resort. Commissioners approved that project but it never materialized. Along with three four-story apartment buildings, there will be 300 parking spaces, a pool, gatehouse, urban art plaza, dog park, car wash, electric car charging station and a 5,000 sq. ft. clubhouse. Developers said they plan to invest $30-million
and estimate it will take about 15 months to build. According to the Broward Property Appraiser’s Office, the land is worth $1.7 million. Previously, Michael Wohl, principal with Ascend, said this is a property his company intends to have a long-term stake in. “We’re going to do everything we can to keep it looking good.” Another development, located just a few blocks from the old trailer park, could also soon be sprouting new residential units. Owners of the Center for Spiritual Living and developers at Urban Development Communities, recently settled a lawsuit over the sale of the church property, located at Northeast 26 Street and Northeast 15 Avenue. Church officials say they can no longer afford to maintain their aging building – built in the 1970s. Previously, Urban Development Communities had planned to develop the property into a residential complex but the Center for Spiritual Living pulledout about a month before a final commission vote was to take place. Richard Coker, the attorney hired by the developers, accused the church of being unfair. Church officials said the developers took too long to get the project before commissioners. Commissioners gave initial approval to the project but said they would vote no the second time unless developers made the proposed 72-units complex less dense.
Some residents opposed the development because they also said it was too dense. They also said the project looked cheap and similar to low-income housing. Urban Development Communities said those opposed wouldn’t be satisfied with any number of units. Originally, the proposed number was about 150. Now that the property has been sold [$3.2 million] and the lawsuit settled, developers say they will consult with residents about a new residential project. Developers will also have to start the review and approval process all over again. The church will be allowed to occupy the property for at least one more year.
Calendar Of Events (Compiled from the Wilton Manors City website) City Commission Meeting August 26, 7 p.m. at City Hall Commission Chambers 2020 Wilton Drive
Brains and Balance Past 60 August 20, 27; Sept. 3 - 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Hagen Park Brains and Balance Past 60 is designed for the unique needs of active older adults who know the importance of staying mentally sharp and physically stable. Researchers no longer believe that falling or losing your mental capacity are inevitable parts of the aging process and this fascinating class series operates based on the premise that specific exercises will decrease the risk of falling while increasing mental acuity. Zumba Fitness August 20, 25, 26, 27; Sept. 1, 2, 3 - 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Island City Park Preserve 24
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All Breeds Welcome Beginners Obedience Class. Registration at 6:30 p.m., class begins at 7:30 p.m. Rally Obedience Class - Skill Building, Drill Class - Class starts at 8 p.m. $5 per class
Are you ready to party yourself into shape? Forget the workout, just lose yourself in the music and find yourself in shape at the original dance-fitness party. Zumba classes feature exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats. Before you know it, you’ll be getting fit and your energy levels will be soaring! It’s easy to do, effective and totally exhilarating. Join the Party!
Square Dancing August 21 and 28 - 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at Island City Park Preserve The South Florida Mustangs is the first GLBT International Square Dance Club organized in 1980. Positively no previous experience required. We’ll teach you the ropes beginning with an allemande left and a do-si-do. All you need is a desire to have fun. Questions? Feel free to call Ken 305-343-1710; Randy 305-458-1649; Tom or Chris 954-525-8365. Dance fee only $5. Visit Caller4u.com.
Island City Book Club August 20, 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. at Richard C. Sullivan Public Library The Island City Book Club gathers at the library on the third Wednesday of each month. Reading selections include current and classic novels as well as popular nonfiction. All are welcome to join and help select our next book!
Wilton Manors Green Market August 23, 24 and 30, 31 - 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Wilton Manors City Hall / Hagen Park
Dog Obedience Class August 21 and 28 - 6:30 p.m. at Hagen Park (Basketball Court) soflagaynews //
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Wilton Manors Green Market every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.– 2 p.m. in the Wilton Manors City Hall / Hagen Park parking lot. The Market features Organic Produce, Regular Produce, International Baked Goods, specialty items, spices & herbs, soups, cheeses, coffees & tea, bagels, Nuts & dried fruits, baked goods, and various other international and local vendors. The Market gives residents and visitors to Wilton Manors an exciting shopping alternative and a chance to view, sample and purchase products. For more information on The Market or to become a vendor, visit GreenWilton. com or contact Frank and Ron at 954531-5363.
Preschool Storytime August 25 - 10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Richard C. Sullivan Public Library 500 NE 26th St. For ages 2 - 5. Caregivers must remain with their children.