WMG Volume 5 • Issue 3 February 21, 2018
Community
Wilton Manors Gazette
Gay Firing Adds to Calls to Increase Fire Assessment By Michael d’Oliveira
A gay teacher fired in Miami is now being or organization there are policies and used as a reason to increase the fire assessment procedures and teachings and traditions that are adhered to. If something along the way does fee paid by non-profits in Wilton Manors. Recently Saints Peter and Paul Catholic not continue to stay within that contract, then School fired first grade teacher Jocelyn Morffi we have no other choice,” stated Archdiocese after she married her same-sex partner, which is spokeswoman Mary Ross Agosta in the Herald prohibited by the school. The school is operated article. The Herald also reported that some parents by the Archdiocese, which also operates St. defended Morffi and demanded Clement’s Catholic Church in she be reinstated. Wilton Manors. Samantha Mills, whose child Meanwhile the city of Wilton “This teacher was in Morffi’s class last year, Manors gives non-profits a told the Herald that many steep discount on their fire in particular parents continue to be outraged. assessment fees. Up until 2015 has made such ‘This teacher in particular has they paid nothing. made such a contribution to the Sal Torre, president of the a contribution school. She never imposes her Westside Association of Wilton personal beliefs on others. She Manors, brought up Morffi’s to the school... just does everything in love. She firing to the commission during She just does has a way of teaching that is so its Feb. 13 meeting. Torre said it amazing.’” was unfair for gay and lesbian everything in The fire assessment fee is taxpayers to “foot the bill” for the love.” levied against property owners Archdiocese’s fire assessment to pay for the city’s fire services. while that organization was able - Samantha Mills For years, non-profits were to fire teachers for being gay. parent exempt from the fee. But that “This weekend I married the changed in 2015 when the love of my life and unfortunately I was terminated from my job as a result. In their commission approved charging non-profits eyes I’m not the right kind of Catholic for my 20 percent of their assessed fire fee. That choice in partner,” wrote Morffi on social media. percentage may go up in the 2018/2019 city According to the Herald, the Archdiocese budget. “We have said the fire assessment is stated that Morffi broke her contract under church rules of conduct. “As a teacher in a something that will change. We gave them a Catholic school their responsibility is partly for break on the fire assessment. So, let’s make that the spiritual growth of the children. One has to break smaller,” said Commissioner Tom Green. understand that in any corporation, institution WMG
St. Clement’s Catholic Church, via Facebook.
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Opinion
Where, Oh Where, Has The Parking Gone? It’s time to build a parking garage By Sal Torre
WMG February 21, 2018 • Volume 5 • Issue 3 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 Associate publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com Copyeditor • Kerri Covington
Editorial
Art Director • Brendon Lies artwork@sfgn.com Digital Content Director • Brittany Ferrendi Webmaster@sfgn.com News Editor • Michael d’Oliveira
Correspondents John McDonald • James Oaksun
Staff Photographers
J.R. Davis • Pompano Bill • Steven Shires
Over the past few months, we have been waiting to see the final proposal for The Shoppes of Wilton Manors property that anchors our Arts & Entertainment District on Wilton Drive. The prospective buyers have unveiled their plans for the property; and let me just say, there is a lot to be desired. The project architect described the plan as, “Architectural redesign through a new paint palette.” In my opinion, the appropriate response would be, “Well, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.” This rhetorical expression is far more appropriate since the oversized impractical building space, sitting almost vacant for years, used to be a Piggly Wiggly Supermarket. Many residents were looking forward to a new and exciting replacement of the outdated building that takes up much of the north end of the Shoppes plaza. Some were hoping for a muchneeded parking structure, along with plans for a boutique hotel along the frontage of Wilton Drive. Unfortunately, this new proposal is another attempt to make the outdated building more appealing to retail businesses by doing some cosmetic improvements, while being told to wait another five or so years to see any further improvements to this vital piece of property in the heart of our city. There is one item that created a bit of excitement, and that is the proposed pedestrian entrance coming in off of Wilton Drive, where now you must walk in traffic lanes. Part of the plan includes a new structure on the corner of Wilton Drive and NE 7th Avenue for a restaurant or additional retail space. The big negative here is that a good number of parking spaces would have to disappear to build the new structure. Why would we want less parking in a city crying out for more? Not only do we allow businesses to expand without adding additional parking, we allow them to expand while decreasing current parking. Rumors Bar & Grill expanded by decreasing parking spaces out front. This developer wants to expand while decreasing parking. The narrowing of Wilton Drive will not increase parking as once thought. The city changed regulations to allow retail businesses to open with decreased parking requirements. All this, while resident taxpayers have paid handsomely for the two new small parking lots around the north end of Wilton Drive. City officials believe that Uber, along with the future of selfdriving cars, will solve our parking dilemma. Just ask residents living in larger cities witnessing the increased gridlock on city
roadways due to thousands of rideshare vehicles, while mass transit is left to deteriorate and go unfunded by local governments, to realize that the future is not looking so rosy. Just drive around on a weekend night, when our business community depends on strong customer engagement, and you will see full parking lots at Hagen and throughout our city. How many customers and revenue are lost because people are unable to find parking, are unsure where to park on city streets, and who have circled around numerous times only to go elsewhere, somewhere they can park to enjoy dinner and a drink without all the hassle. Yes, Uber and other companies have made amazing changes in how we decide to travel locally and how to view parking needs. Unfortunately, Wilton Manors still has a major parking problem, even with Uber, ridesharing, and other choices. Luckily, the city is also sitting on the solution. The large vacant drainage ditch on the corner of Wilton Drive and NE 21st Court is the perfect location for a municipal parking structure. The design could include ground floor space for restaurants and other businesses with affordable rents set by the city. Introducing affordable commercial rents along the Drive would put positive pressure on current property owners who drive their tenants out of business with ever increasing rents. This structure could also include a covered open space for special functions, such as the monthly City Yard Sales or catered events, producing even more revenue for our Leisure Services Department. Many will question the cost. However, without a proactive plan to offer the growing business community in and around the Arts & Entertainment District much-needed parking, we will see more and more businesses heading to our neighboring cities that provide such infrastructure. In another year, city finances will benefit from having paid off a Parks Bond. It’s time we seriously look at seizing this opportunity and develop the city-owned property right on the Drive into a wonderful addition to our central business district, providing needed affordable rental space and much-needed parking. Waiting around for the future to happen usually means being left behind. Dealing in the present, we must make decisions that offer solutions to current and future problems, needs, and infrastructure if we want to keep our city a vibrant destination for residents, visitors and businesses. Parking and affordable commercial space on Wilton Drive will make life just better here. WMG
Sales & Marketing For ad placement in the Wilton Manors Gazette, contact 954-530-4970
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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MEMBER Copyright © 2018 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.
Correction On Feb. 1, The Gazette incorrectly reported that Wilton Manors commissioners approved the opening of marijuana treatment centers in certain parts of the city. Commissioners approved medical marijuana distribution facilities opening in select zoning areas after they are approved by the Planning and Zoning Board. The Gazette apologizes for the error.
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Third Annual Real Estate Yearbook Now Available
Real Estate
By James Oaksun Quick – name an asset class that will increase in value by a double-digit percentage, every year, with no decline, forever. I’ll wait a minute while you consider some options. Give up? Well, I admit it was something of a trick question. Because no such asset class exists – not even single family homes in South Florida. Why do I say this in the Forward to my Third Annual Real Estate Yearbook (available at www. NewRealtyConcepts.com/Yearbook)? The Universe has not blessed me with the special crystal ball that is a guaranteed predictor of the future. Yet the real estate market in South Florida looks very different today than it did in 2011 (the market trough), 2013 (when I moved here), or 2015 (the first year of my Yearbook). Among Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties, I have analyzed pricing, sales and inventory trends in 60 distinct neighborhoods, defined by the local municipalities and by U.S. Census tract. This is a finer gradation than zip code and more meaningful to current and potential owners, and my Yearbook is the only publication of its kind to do this on a large scale. Among the 60 neighborhoods, the median (half above, half below) rate of price change since the
2011 market trough, on a compounded basis, has been 10 percent per year. Consequently, the general pricing level in the median neighborhood is now approaching the levels achieved at the 2006-07 peak. Between 1999 and the peak in 2006-07, prices generally tripled here in south Florida – that’s an increase of more than 14 percent per year, every year, compounded. Then came the crash, with massive destruction of short term value. But since then, we have seen a brisk improvement by historical standards (“only”10 percent per year). Still, in looking back at the very long term (40 years), real estate prices in South Florida have generally increased on an annual basis at about half a percent above the underlying rate of price inflation. Now consumer price inflation over the last six years has averaged about 1.7 percent per year. So in other words, annual price increases of about 2.2 percent (as opposed to 10) would have been more in line with the historical standard. There are times in the economic cycle when a more careful and cautious approach is prudent. Good strategies would include finding special situations, upand-coming neighborhoods, and properties where some investment in updating could produce an enhanced
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return. Owning for the long term (more than 10 years) has both a forced savings component and (historically) has provided a good inflation hedge. Right now, there is generally a glut of single family home inventory at the $750k plus price point. Even though some sales are occurring, this suggests that the market clearing price in that segment is well below the prices of recent sales. Conversely, at the opposite end of the price scale, inventories of single family homes are low, and activity brisk. We are no longer at a point in the cycle where you can throw a dart, buy anything, and come out a winner. Now more than ever, the skill of an active Realtor with strong local market knowledge is essential to your satisfaction and success in current market conditions. WMG James Oaksun, Florida’s Real Estate Geek(SM), is Broker-Owner of New Realty Concepts in Oakland Park. In addition to having degrees from Dartmouth and Cornell, he is a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (GRI).
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BRIEFS
BUSINESS
Check out what’s happening
Oakland Park Walmart Plat Vote Scheduled for March 20
Around Town By Michael d’Oliveira
By Michael d’Oliveira
WMBA Business Expo The Wilton Manors Business Association will host its annual Business Expo on Monday, March 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Hagen Park Community Center, 2020 Wilton Drive. The event, which features local businesses, is free to the public. WMG
Photo credit: Mike Mozart, Flickr.
Water Chlorination Chlorination of the Wilton Manors water system began Feb. 13 and will continue through March 20. WMG
Grateful Paws Dog & Cat Rescue fundraiser The 8th Annual Wolfcuff Event, a fundraiser for Grateful Paws Dog & Cat Rescue, will be held on Wednesday, March 7 at 6 p.m. at The Alibi, 2266 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors. The event includes a cocktail reception, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, live entertainment, and VIP reception. Michael Walters, performing as Dame Edna, will be the night’s emcee. VIP and advance tickets are $20. Visit gratefulpaws.org. WMG
Community Spirit Awards Nominations are now being accepted for the Wilton Manors Community Affairs Advisory Board’s third annual Community Spirit Awards. The awards “recognize one outstanding individual and one business in Wilton Manors for exemplary volunteer service in 2017.” The honorees will be celebrated at the city’s annual volunteer appreciation event on May 12. The deadline to submit a nomination is March 31. Visit wiltonmanors.com/DocumentCenter/View/3787 to download a nomination form. WMG Photo: Eucalyptus Gardens.
New city clerk Wilton Manors officials officially announced the hiring of the Faith Lombardo as the city’s new city clerk. Lombardo, who has a bachelors in public administration from Florida Atlantic University, is currently studying law at Nova Southeastern University. At the Feb. 13 meeting, she said she was thankful for the “chance to live in this beautiful city.” WMG
On March 20, the Broward County Wilton Manors were for the new Walmart Commission will vote on the plat for the and some were against. Before Oakland proposed Walmart at 670 E. Oakland Park Park approved the project, City Attorney D.J. Doody advised commissioners that Blvd., the former Kmart site. Under Florida law, platting is the process it would be hard for the city to prevail of the subdivision of property and is if Walmart had sued. “The city would used by Broward to evaluate the impact have a challenge in defending an action developments will have on the region. The brought in approving the plat. It would be a challenge to defend relative to meeting will be held at 10 a.m. a ministerial act,” said Doody. in room 422 of the Broward Under the The main concern County Governmental Center, expressed by the public and 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort city’s code, city commissioners in Wilton Lauderdale. Walmart could Manors was the impact Steven Wherry, the have occupied traffic might have on the Fort Lauderdale attorney the old Kmart surrounding area. Wherry representing Walmart, said said truck divers would not that the opening has been building make right hand turns onto delayed and he’s not sure now without Northeast 6 Avenue. “We when it will open. approval from can make a commitment like The proposed 121,345 the commission. that and stick to it. We can square foot store, which is be flexible,” said Wherry in 4,000 square feet bigger August of 2015. than the former Kmart, was When it does open, if given final approved by Oakland Park commissioners at the end of 2016 and will employ an approval by the county, the store hours will estimated 300 to 350 people. The site will be from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily and it will only have 510 parking spaces and solar panels be open 24 hours during three days chosen will be installed to provide some of the by Walmart. Per an agreement with the city, building’s energy needs. Walmart will also the only way the store can be open 24 hours hire an off-duty BSO deputy to provide on more than those three days is if the city allows one of Walmart’s competitors extra security. Under the city’s code, Walmart could to open 24 hours. Wherry said the days have occupied the old Kmart building chosen by Walmart will most likely revolve around high-traffic shopping days, such as without approval from the commission. Some residents in Oakland Park and Black Friday. WMG
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September February 21, 6, 2018 2017
News
City Close to Getting Site 92 Green Space By Michael d’Oliveira
Politics
Brightline Suicide Attempt Renews Calls for Safety on Tracks By Michael d’Oliveira The apparent Feb. 8 suicide attempt by a man laying down in front of an oncoming Brightline train has caused city officials to reiterate calls for safety. The incident occurred in Wilton Manors at Northeast 24 Street, south of Five Points. “The individual continued for a short distance walking parallel to the train tracks. The railway warning lights activated, the safety arms lowered and this warning system appeared to be working as intended. Upon approach of the Brightline train the man placed himself in the path of the train at which time he was struck. This individual was transported by fire rescue to Broward Health Medical Center to receive medical treatment and mental health assistance. Brightline officials continue to assist us with our investigation,” stated the Wilton Manors Police Department about the 48-year-old man. The police urged motorists and pedestrians to use caution when crossing the tracks, such as not trying to race across the tracks in an effort to beat the train, and
Wilton Manors commissioners said as they were enthusiastic, and asked they are very close to taking control city staff to do a review of all the costs of Site 92 from Broward County. associated with the city maintaining The 1.43-acre property, which is the site once the county transfers located on the south end of Wilton ownership. The possible concerns range from Drive next to Fort Lauderdale, has been the subject of conversation for police services to environmental over a year. Commissioners have problems to upkeep of a bridge on the property that spoken, off and on, about connects to a residential acquiring the land, which neighborhood. is undeveloped and “It’s a beautiful site, contains a lot of Cypress but I also want to know trees. what the implications Now, it seems as are,” said Commissioner though the city is on the Julie Carson. “The verge of getting it. expense may be very “They are going to trying for this city,” said give us the property,” Commissioner Scott said Commissioner Tom Newton. Green, who called Site - Justin Flippen In November 2016, 92 “a valuable addition vice mayor Patrick Cann, Leisure to our inventory of green Services Director, space.” If the city does get estimated it would cost the land, Green said he hopes it becomes a passive park and about $15,000 a year for general is not developed much. “I can’t wait maintenance, such as emptying for this to happen,” said Vice Mayor garbage cans and landscaping. If the Justin Flippen. Both Green and Mayor city added amenities, that would Gary Resnick said they met with Dist. 7 increase the cost. At the Feb. 13 County Commissioner Tim Ryan, who commission meeting, commissioners represents Wilton Manors, who was in said they would also ask for funding from the county to help maintain the favor of the transfer. But commissioners were as cautious property. WMG
“I can’t wait for this to happen.”
not stopping or standing on the tracks at any time. “We encourage everyone to use proper safety measures near railroad tracks and when a train is approaching.” Since it began operations in January, Brightline has also made public statements on safety. When video surfaced of a driver going around the guard arm and almost getting hit by a Brightline train, Brightline posted the video and stated “Behavior like this is dangerous and illegal. When the gates are down, stop! Never try to beat the train.” WMG
Politics
City Unveils New Metal Detector at City Hall Resident Paul Kuta walks through the city’s new metal detector on Feb. 13. Purchased for $4,048 to improve security, the metal detector was used for the first time at the Feb. 13 commission meeting. Before the meeting, the city sent out a statement. “We encourage those who will be attending our meetings to arrive earlier than normal and to limit the number of items brought with them. This will allow for an efficient screening process and expedite everyone’s entry into the meeting. We want to thank everyone for their assistance and understanding as we further improve public safety in the Island City.” WMG
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