WMG Volume 6 • Issue 5 March 6, 2019
Wilton Manors Gazette Facebook.com/groups/WMGazette Justin Flippen, mayor of Wilton Manors. Photo via the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.
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Wilton Manors Backs Statewide
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Opinion
Let Compassion Guide Us Into the Future in Wilton Manors
WMG March 6, 2019 • Volume 6 • Issue 5 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305
By Sal Torre As we finished celebrating Mardi Gras earlier this week, and with springtime festivities only weeks away, 2019 is picking up steam and moving right along. Luckily enough, I did not get myself arrested on Tuesday evening as I stumbled out onto the Drive with my Mardi Gras beads shouting at people passing by to flaunt themselves in exchange for cheap jewelry. One or two enthusiastically engaged in my debauchery until friends hauled me away to safety. All in all, it was a far cry from the hordes of revelers that pack New Orleans and other cities throughout Christendom on the eve marking the beginning of the Lenten season. Now we move on to 40 days of ascetic behavior and avoidance of temptation. The many who claim to be good Christians will hopefully gain greater compassion as they practice a more spiritual discipline through the Lenten season, even though the Methodists are clearly off to a poor start in that department.
Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
On the topic of compassion is a bright spot on the local level here in Broward County with the launch of the Community Court, which is held every Wednesday at the Fort Lauderdale City Hall. It is the first court of its kind here in Florida, aimed mainly at those accused of petty infractions like panhandling and loitering. This court will go a long way in assisting a very vulnerable population in our community. Only a few weeks into operation, many are witnessing a huge support network coming together to offer services to those so desperately in need. Outside City Hall, organizations offer clothing, care services, and assistance in obtaining legal identification cards, birth certificates, and so much more that is required for many to get the social services they need to break the cycle of homelessness. This small part of a solution to a regional issue of homelessness, mental illness and addiction can serve as a beacon of hope for us all. Looking to lend a helping hand to those in need is a far better approach than to do nothing, turning a blind eye to encampments outside our public facilities, and offering no hope as those who are suffering spiral further down a path of despair. Initial signs of compassion and hospitality were definitely fading fast at our last City Commission meeting once the initial presentation was made to a packed house of enthusiastic residents. Those packing the Commission Chambers heard a wonderful presentation on the Station Area Master Plan and possible development scenarios that are necessary to sustain our city’s future. The presenter did a great job informing the engaged audience on the possibilities of a future train station and how increased density achieved in the right places and with appropriate design does not have to be viewed as an evil monster rearing its head to bring havoc and destruction to us all. Unfortunately, the ensuing presentation on the Hotel Study Findings caused all good feelings to quickly dissipate, like a vacuum sucking all the air out of the room. Luckily for the presenter, he had to leave early for another engagement. Had he stayed around, he would have experienced very little compassion once the agitated Commissioners and audience let loose with questions and commentary that would have bordered on verbal abuse towards this poor misguided soul. To think of comparing our great city’s needs to those of an aged motel chain on Federal Highway was insulting enough for anyone in the audience to endure. In an attempt to make ice cream out of mud, our Economic Development
Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Chief Executive Officer • Pier Angelo Guidugli piero@sfgn.com Associate publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com Copyeditor • Kerri Covington
Editorial
Art Director • Brendon Lies artwork@sfgn.com News Editor • Sallie James
Correspondents
Sal Torre • James Oaksun
Staff Photographers
J.R. Davis • Carina Mask • Steven Shires
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 Advertising Sales Associate • Clark Rogers clark.rogers@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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advisor stated that at least now we know the hurdles placed before us by such misguided individuals and institutions who are preventing such a shared dream of becoming a reality. By the end of a long informative evening, compassion was clearly not on the minds of those few tired souls left sitting in the chamber. One caveat was to watch the Commissioners begin to get a bit curt with their colleagues on the dais as the facade of pleasantries faded along with the remaining minutes to the midnight hour. As 2019 moves steadily ahead we should spend the next few weeks looking at ways to bring compassion into our daily routine. Let compassion guide us and motivate us to assist those in our community in need of a helping hand. Let us be motivated by the good work being done every Wednesday at the Community Court. Rather than turn a blind eye, let us compassionately engage to bring about solutions that will make life just better here… WMG
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A curly-tailed lizard. Photo credit: Matt Saunders, via flickr.
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More Reflections on Inflections
Real Estate
By James Oaksun We now return to our series on predicting major moves in real estate prices here in South Florida. Over the last 45 years, there have been four major trends in south Florida real estate prices – down/up/down/up – and three readily identifiable inflection points – late 1997 (down turned up), late 2006 (up turned down), and early 2012 (down turned up). This week we will look at that first inflection point and see if we can answer two critical questions: 1. Why were real (inflation adjusted) prices falling from 1977 through 1997? 2. What might explain the reversal of that downtrend? Adjusted for inflation, real estate prices fell by 21 percent from 1977 to late 1997 – about one percent per year. Sure, there were a few blips here and there, but the clear trendline was down. I’ve been looking for a formula that might explain why this and the other inflection points occurred. So far, no luck. Perhaps it is a fool’s errand, and I am no fool. I can look at the situation, however, and see a couple things that standard economic theory would suggest as contributors to that first inflection point of late 1997.
1. Supply and Demand. All other things being equal, prices will increase when demand exceeds supply, and decrease when supply exceeds demand. What do we know about the period 1975-2000 from a development and building standpoint? That was the time frame when the suburbs west of 441 and the Turnpike were developed. Cities like Tamarac, Margate, Sunrise, Plantation and Pembroke Pines saw enormous new construction. Broward County had tremendous population growth then, as well. County population increased from just under 900,000 in 1975 to 1.6 million in 2000. So, the population almost doubled. But believe it or not, the number of housing units in the county more than doubled – from around 300,000 to around 700,000. And at that point, the county was just about built out. Supply exceeded demand. 2. Substitution Effect. The desirability of investment in real estate depends in part on expected rates of return compared with other alternative investment options. Indeed there are personal, emotional and psychic benefits from owning one’s home. But there are times in the economic cycle where its attractiveness as an investment is more favorable. Considering the period 1977 to 1997, the S&P 500 index, with dividends reinvested, had a real (adjusted for inflation)
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return of nine percent per year. That compares with the -1 percent for Broward real estate. Clearly, having your money in the stock market in that time frame was more lucrative. Of course, with the stock market (as with real estate), good times eventually end. In December 1996, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan – whose every word and facial expression were analyzed by Wall Street – warned of “irrational exuberance” in the stock market. But investors don’t just stop investing. Although the stock market game was ending, there was an asset class whose practical supply was almost maxed out, demand was strong, and was 20 percent cheaper than it had been 20 years earlier. Open the floodgates Broward County, here comes the money. Inflection Point One has been reached. Next time: The Bubble. WMG James Oaksun, Florida’s Real Estate Geek(SM), is BrokerOwner 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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rebuttal
Creating A New Wilton Drive Comes With Growing Pains Blevins blasts Kent’s editorial as off-base
Generally, I agree with many of Norm Kent’s commentary and editorials. However, I must take issue with his headline and subsequent article entitled “PLANNERS STRIKE OUT AT THE PLAZA”. As one of the advocates for this project and vice chairman of the Wilton Drive Improvement District, I can attest to the numerous meetings, workshops and public hearings that have been held over the past ten years to make Wilton Drive safer, more beautiful, and cooler with the addition of many more trees and plants along the Drive. The real catalyst came about four years ago when well-known singer and Gay Men’s Chorus member Greg Futchi was killed crossing Wilton Drive. A huge rally was quickly organized that got the attention of our elected city officials and the Florida Department of Transportation-FDOT. Norm may not be aware that prior to Greg’s death, on several occasions the city commission
chamber was filled to capacity with support for narrowing Wilton Drive and many of the supporters were Wilton Drive business owners as well as residents. Greg’s death was snot the first and it was time to find a way to save lives and improve Wilton Drive at the same time. The exaggeration of “blood on your body” that Norm states in his articles hardly compares to the number of deaths and blood that has been shed on Wilton Drive with pedestrian fatalities. Thanks to the efforts of many of the commissioners including Vice Mayor Tom Green and Mayor Justin Flippen who worked closely with the Metropolitan Planning Organization-MPO, the MPO agreed to fund more than three million dollars in construction costs,. City staff, FDOT, engineers and Landscape consultants spent countless hours in meetings over the past two and a half years working and reworking plans to optimize the funding resources
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Wilton Drive. Photo credit: Justin Musial.
Doug Blevins.
from the MPO for a better and safer Wilton Drive. Several workshop meetings were held where the public and business owners could offer comments. Ironically, I don’t recall seeing Norm or anyone from SFGN at those meetings. What the public and many businesses don’t realize is the contractors that FDOT hired were ahead of schedule on other projects and were able to move ahead faster on the more challenging portions of the construction on Wilton Drive. While we didn’t expect that we would have this much construction during our peak winter season, the good news is that as of today, barring no unforeseen circumstances, the completion may be sooner than previously expected. The Wilton Drive Improvement District also made it a priority to keep all businesses notified of scheduling and the segmenting of the construction process. Lightship Media was contracted to create a Website dedicated to the narrowing project and has done so with informative videos and weekly notifications to help businesses stay informed and help them navigate the inevitable growing pains of construction. I encourage everyone to check out Wiltondrive.org. There is a narrated video that will help explain more about the changes and challenges we face in improving Wilton Drive. We are also contracting a visual artist to render three prominent locations on Wilton Drive to depict realistic changes that will dramatically affect businesses and pedestrians in a very positive way. The City and the Wilton Drive Improvement district also funded a discount program for Lyft and Uber to help bring patrons to the drive during the construction. In the meantime, YES, we have to deal with barriers, dirt, dust, a bit of inconvenience
and in some cases, businesses may realize a slight decrease in business. I have been reaching out to several business in the past week and some have seen no effect in their numbers, while others have mentioned 1020% reduction. I spoke with Mark Seymour, owners of Hunter’s Night Club located in the Shoppes of Wilton Manors and he is very excited about the improvements and despite the construction, his business is surviving fine. In one case, interestingly enough, Ethos, Greek Bistro has seen an increase of 35% in its revenues over the past few months and construction is directly in front of its location. In closing, it is not the planning that is to be blamed, but perhaps the timing. There are so many aspects of these changes, like drainage, fiber optics, utility lines, etc. that inevitably there are challenges for the contractors as well. It is our sincerest hope that business will show support for a NEW, IMPROVED and SAFER Wilton Drive. We strive to promote all businesses and it is our fervent hope that the positive changes to Wilton Drive will enhance the economic vitality of the Wilton Drive businesses and our entire city. We ask that you encourage everyone to have patience and assure them that the result will be amazing. Be assured, despite Norm Kent’s insistence that the re-design plan was not thought out carefully, I assure you it was. Growing pains hurt, we all recognize that and there is no good time to close an entrance or block a sidewalk, but in the long run, I am certain Wilton Drive and all business will soon be on the road to recovery and better than ever. WMG
- Doug Blevins
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Food
Dining on the Drive… and Beyond By Rick Karlin
Join the Conversation
Community
Join the Wilton Manors Gazette Facebook group to let your voice be heard!
Commissioner Julie Carson Diagnosed With Rare Form of Cancer Raymond Carrier
Positive thoughts full of love and support to her from the WilMa community—Stay strong Julie
David Mann
Sending positive thoughts for a quick recovery Photos via Facebook.
John Watson
OMG Prays coming your way! Miracles DO happen! Never give up!
Courtyard Café is kicking off March with some terrific dinner specials. This week they include chicken Francaise, peppered pork medallions, pan-seared salmon and a Southwester New York strip steak. Starting on March 14 the specials will include Asian grilled chicken, baked stuffed pork chops, corned beef and cabbage and a rib-eye steak with mushroom sauce.
Susan Dato
Wishes for a full and speedy recovery!!
Do you get thirsty on Thursdays? At Bona Italian Restaurant select bottles of wine are up to 40 percent off. BTW, if you’re dining at Bona before catching a show at Island City Stage, be sure to let them know and they’ll donate 10 percent of your check to the theater company. Bona shows its commitment to the community by giving back every Monday night as well. Every Monday night a percentage of the sales is donated to a local community organization. During the government shut-down, the folks at New York Grilled Cheese took a trip down to Miami to meet and serve lunch to the National Air Traffic Controllers. From the smiles on their faces you know that grilled cheese made their day!
Wilton Manors PD Shows Off Pride with New Rainbow Rider Amy Alex
Love the idea but the graphics could have been a lot better. But still, well done Wilton Manors! Proud to be part of this city!
Boomerang’s Thrift Store to Leave Wilton Drive Luke Kahlich
This is part of how Wilton Drive is becoming the pawn of rich landlords who seek to make it another Las Olas. Many of us moved here not be live in a place like that. These greedy landlords are ruining the small town people oriented area. So far the city goes along with them it seems.
Marcello V Galante
The arrogance of LoGrand and d’Arminio speaks for what they are about....both newbie transplants trying to squeeze their big city ideas into small town Mayberry a recipe for failure (the failed ‘manhattan’ type business on Dixie lasted less than 3mo)...I guess their next target will be AHF’S Out of The Closet.
Frank Termini Marcelo
Sunday night’s cabaret at The Grille on the Drive is fast becoming the most popular ticket in town. Folks come to enjoy dinner and the show put on by Victor Vazquez and Rick Leonard, Wilton Manor’s answer to Steve and Eydie!
I couldn’t disagree with you more. Maybe this neighborhood could live without another consignment shop as we can do without another Sushi restaurant. Getting items for free and trying to sell for a profit will attract a certain demographic. Like it or not Wilton Manors is moving towards urbanization and gentrification. Maybe it’s time to move on. If you consider Dixie Highway – Manhattan style profile, you are way out of your league . Old time Floridians deserve the respect of the community, but it’s time to move over and let more progressive ideas take over. This is happening all around the U.S. Get out of your cars and walk.
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politics
Wilton Manors Backs Statewide
Non-Discrimination Bills By Sallie James
City officials this week approved a resolution that urges the Florida Legislature to support two separate, bipartisan bills that ban anti-LGBT discrimination in the workplace. But this all-gay commission’s vote for approval wasn’t unanimous: Commissioner Julie Carson voted “no” because one of the bills doesn’t address discrimination in hotels, restaurants, and other public accommodations. Commissioner Gary Resnick voiced support for the resolution but couldn’t vote due to a conflict of interest. Mayor Justin Flippen, Vice Mayor Tom Green and Commissioner Paul Rolli voted “yes.” “I think in today’s environment we need to be united to work together more than ever in terms of LGBTQ rights. These rights in the current environment are eroding on a daily basis and we can’t wait for perfect because perfect never comes,” Rolli said. “I don’t know any group in history that gained all their rights in one day. Civil and equal rights have all been gained incrementally so let’s please work together.” The single resolution included support for both the Florida Inclusive Workforce Act (FIWA) and the Florida Competitive Workforce Act (FCWA). Both bills prohibit employers from discriminating based on sexual orientation and gender identity and would protect the LGBT community by adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Florida’s Civil Rights Act. However, the Competitive Workforce
“I think in today’s environment we need to be united to work together more than ever in terms of LGBTQ rights.” - Paul Rolli
Wilton Manors City Commissioner
The Wilton Manors City Commission during Fort Lauderdale Pride. Photo via the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.
Act additionally bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in public accommodations and housing. Supporters of the Competitive Workforce Act believe that accepting anything less is a compromise, but the state Legislature has repeatedly refused to consider the measure for more than a decade. Green said the issue was an emotional one for him. “It’s ridiculous that [you have] two different groups of people wanting the Legislature to pass inclusive legislation, but the two groups aren’t happy with what the other group is after, so they are fighting each other and telling legislators don’t vote for that bill,” Green said. “I voted to support both. The one that has the most traction is [FIWA]. The head of the Republican Party is supporting it. I felt that is the way to go.” Mayor Justin Flippen has said the Commission recognized the merits of both resolutions. Resnick said he was concerned that bickering between two LGBT organizations that support different bills could detract
from the overall cause of stamping out discrimination. “There are a lot of opponents to this bill who would love to just see it die. For the gay community to be fighting against antidiscrimination legislation in Tallahassee just makes it easier for these Conservative Republicans to get through their own legislation,” Resnick said.
The Broward League of Cities Executive Committee, of which he is chairman, passed a resolution supporting FIWA last month, Resnick noted. Additionally other cities have passed similar resolutions supporting FIWA including West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, North Bay Village and Miami Beach. Carson is the first commissioner in South Florida to vote against such a resolution. WMG
Wilton Manors’ pride police car. Photo credit: Carina Mask.
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Business SPOtlight
NEWS
Ballz Booted from Court Judge Dismisses Castrataro’s Lawsuit
The Garden at the Grille Expands Menu
By WMG Staff
Photo credit: Marcus Q., via Yelp.
Sean David’s explosive lawsuit against to articulate a single legal claim that could withstand judicial scrutiny. the city of Wilton Manors has imploded. Castrataro’s response was due by Jan. David, former owner of Ballz, a gay sports bar in Wilton Manors, recently sued the 31, 2019, but nothing was filed. When the court management system saw that no city claiming he had been run out of town. Last week though, United States District responsive pleadings had been filed in Court Judge William Dimitrouleas gave Ballz David’s behalf by Feb. 19, Judge Dimtrouleas the boot, throwing the case out of federal extended the time for a reply, but entered a court. The South Florida jurist, appointed “show cause” order, requiring the plaintiff to file it by Tuesday, Feb. to the federal bench by 26, or risk having the case President Bill Clinton in dismissed. 1992, entered a final order David, former However, on Feb. 27, no of default against the reply having been filed, the plaintiff, American Dreams owner of Ballz, court, within its powers, Entertainment, Sean a gay sports entered an order of default David’s corporation. against the plaintiff. David had touted the bar in Wilton A final judgment and complaint around town, Manors, recently order of the court dismissing saying that when he David’s complaint was then opened the club Ballz on sued the city recorded. Wilton Drive in January of claiming he had The city of Wilton Manors 2016, the city “had it in for legal counsel’s office would him,” and harassed him at been run out of not comment on the case every turn. town. while it is pending. It is His attorney, George now determining whether Castrataro, had filed a to seek legal fees against the lawsuit in January, alleging that the city interfered with his opening plaintiff. For David to proceed again under the and operation of the business, impeding its same complaint, he would first have to file success. After the suit was filed however, the City for permission and leave of the court to do of Wilton Manors engaged special counsel so. Castrataro told SFGN that he is exploring Christopher Stearns of Fort Lauderdale, to respond. He answered the claims with a his options, as he still maintains that his fiery motion to dismiss, arguing that David’s client was wrongly persecuted by city suit was specious and without merit, failing officials. WMG
Inside The Grille on the Drive, the Garden’s chef Julio grills fresh pork for the Garden’s tasty Cuban sandwich. Photo credit: WMG staff.
W
ilton Manors has another master cheeseburger in town. The Garden Restaurant, a great luncheon option, attached to the Grille on the Drive, at 2000 Wilton Drive has launched a new lunch menu. From the Applewood Smoked Bacon on their novel BLT on Rye, to Mama’s Meatballs, your food fortunes have just increased. Juicy, mouthwatering burgers are also added to the mid day fare, along with Gourmet Grilled cheese sandwiches, featuring four cheesy options, including provolone, Swiss, cheddar, and even smoked Gouda. Now for you fit and healthy freaks, they still have their amazing Strawberry Fields salad, infused with key lime vinaigrette, candied pecans, and goat cheese. If you are into fresh fish, the sesame seared tuna is healthy and hearty. But the new Garden has many more flowers on its menu,
including cheesy garlic bread and a tasty spinach dip. Their tuna melt is already a classic, but now the Garden has added a magical monster meatloaf in a bourbon sauce if you want, served on fresh piece of challah. They also feature a Cuban sandwich, my own favorite. The bottom line is that all the sandwiches and servings are moderately priced, homemade, and freshly prepared by their house chef, from the smoked salmon crepes to their eggplant parm submarines. And if you are tempted to go next door to the Dairy Queen for dessert, don’t! The Garden’s Root Beer Floats or Mango Madness smoothies are cream filled and dream worthy.
Dine in their air conditioned venue while looking out on the Drive. Open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
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