WMG Volume 7 • Issue 7 March 18, 2020
Wilton Manors Gazette FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WMGAZETTE
COMMUNITY
Wilton Manors Votes Down Special Election to Fill Mayor’s Vacancy By Sallie James Wilton Manors City commissioners on Tuesday voted not to hold a special election or appoint someone to fill the remainder of Justin Flippen’s mayoral term, noting that a special election could not be held until August according to the Supervisor of Elections. Flippen, 41, a beloved mayor, died suddenly on Feb. 25 of a brain aneurism while en route to a City Commission meeting. Flippen’s unexpected death sent shockwaves through the community and hundreds attended his memorial service last week. Flippen had recently filed to run for re-election. Flippen was first elected to the Commission in November 2008, and then picked to serve as Vice Mayor. He also served from 2008-2010 and 20142018 before being elected mayor in 2018. According to the City Charter, if a vacancy occurs and there are more than six months left in the city official’s term with no regular city election scheduled within that time period, the Commission can appoint someone to fill the vacancy. The Charter also says the city must schedule a special election 60 to 90 days after the seat becomes vacant. “The Supervisor of Election said the
earliest he could do it, was along with August primary and we only have four commission meetings between that time and the November election, It didn’t make sense,” Commissioner Paul Rolli said. City Attorney Kerry Ezrol told commissioners they could use discretion to interpret the charter because the language does not address the existing situation in Wilton Manors. “Because of the ambiguity in the charter, it’s your decision if you want to conduct a special election in August or wait until November. It’s also your decision if you want to appoint someone to fill the position,” Ezrol said. The charter contemplates an interim appointment and then a special election, he noted. Several residents expressed support.“I don’t think the special election is the way to go. I think it’s a waste of our taxpayers’ dollars,” said resident Bill Deseutels. Activist Paul Kuta spoke out against having a special election.“The Supervisor of Elections has already told you that you can’t hold an election. It’s not the cost, it’s more the confusion. This is a presidential election where we have primaries galore. I totally support what Commissioner Resnick has said. I would
THE CHARTER ALSO SAYS THE CITY MUST SCHEDULE A SPECIAL ELECTION 60 TO 90 DAYS AFTER THE SEAT BECOMES VACANT.
A view from above of City Hall in Wilton Manors. Photo via the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.
not hold a special election. I think it would be confusing.” “Were in good hands. I would like to see us hold off,” said Doug Blevins, a member
of the Wilton Manors Drive improvement District and a member of the Charter Review Committee. He urged the Commission to forgo the idea of a special election. WMG
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15
OPINION
WMG
Altered Reality
March 18, 2020 • Volume 7 • Issue 7
Fear is the new norm.
2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
By Sal Torre
Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com
A
Just a few days ago, the lives of so many of us here in our Island City continued with our normal daily routines. Now the world around us has entered some altered state of being, where the norms of society have changed to a strange unimaginable new existence. Fear is the new norm. Fear of the unknown, fear for our loved ones, fear of running out of supplies, fear of jobs, fear for our finances, fear of losing income, fear for our health, fear for our safety, and on and on. Words from national leadership can rally a nation, motivate citizens to look beyond their individual concerns, and call a nation to arms to prevent disaster. Unfortunately, unlike Franklin Roosevelt whose words of “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” rallied a nation, we have Donald Trump passing the blame on to his predecessors and claiming no responsibility. Talk about an altered state of reality. COVID-19 unfortunately offers current demagogues the missing part of the equation for advancing their claim on THIS TROUBLING leadership during these challenging times — fear. REALITY GOES WAY The Island City is blessed to Control the message BEYOND THE BORDERS have the excellent leadership through mass media, OUR ISLAND CITY, WAY of our City Manager Leigh divide the nation, use Ann Henderson and a team lies to cover-up hideous BEYOND NATIONAL of dedicated staff members. motives, and exploit our BORDERS, STRETCHING This reality is an enormous fears to consolidate their WORLDWIDE IN A comfort as we move ahead grip on power. Very scary without a strong Mayor, indeed! GLOBAL COMMUNITY with a missing official on our Unfortunately, we here EQUALLY DIVIDED Commission and through the in our Island City find AS EVER IN MODERN next eight months leading up ourselves in a leadership to municipal elections that vacuum with the recent TIMES. will elect a new Mayor and loss of our Mayor at such two City Commissioners in a a time of uncertainty. The uncharted territory of that loss and what time of such uncertainty. This new altered it means for our City Commission, our city reality is both troubling and unprecedented government and the tough choices that for our residents. This troubling reality goes way beyond will need to be made in the days and weeks ahead makes the current situation even the borders our Island City, way beyond national borders, stretching worldwide in more unpredictable. Thankfully we have strong city a global community equally divided as ever management in place, ready and able to in modern times. Comfort and confidence serve our city during the troubling times in proven world leadership are severely ahead. This solid leadership team, serving lacking on the world stage. The opportunity as helmsmen for safe navigation through for deceivers and false prophets to claim rough seas, is a ray of hope and optimism leadership has been gathering momentum shining through an uncertain and stormy over the past few years. Now with such global fears and uncertainty, the dangers to our horizon.
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
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democratic values, our open and free society, are under the greatest threat of our lifetime. I find myself profoundly challenged to end this article with some optimism and words of hope. No one knows what tomorrow will bring for our daily lives, the lives of our loved ones, the lives of our neighbors and friends, the lives of our children and our community. I fear tomorrow as never before. Friends being laid off, businesses shutting down, schools closing, public gatherings banned, public health concerns and the safety of our family are now our new altered reality. Tomorrow morning has such uncertainty that many dread the approaching sunrise with fear rather than with hope and joy of a new day. Tomorrow brings new updates from city, county and state officials that will greatly impact our lives and challenge us all to be better people. As our city, our nation and our global community cry out for leadership through these troubling times, we must be vigilant in our beliefs, our hopes, and our desires for a better tomorrow. Each and every one of us is challenged as never before to ensure that life in our Island City and far beyond our borders shall always remain just better here. WMG
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The Wilton Manors Library. Photo via the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.
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• 3.18.2020
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March 18, 2020
Wilton Manors Imposes Restrictions on Businesses Amid Coronavirus Panic
NEWS
By Sallie James As the novel coronavirus continues to spread, city commissioners in an emergency meeting Monday restricted how late businesses can remain open and limited capacity for gathering places. Wilton Manors commissioners also empowered City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson with authority to take any necessary future actions regarding city closures on her own unless two commissioners disagree. “These are not easy decisions,” said Commissioner Paul Rolli, who attended the meeting via phone. “We have a very large at-risk population because of the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. We really have to think about what we are going to do.” The new restrictions, effective March 17, are as follow: Restaurants, bars and gyms must close at 10 p.m., but
RULES AND RESTRICTIONS ARE CHANGING HOURLY, PLEASE VISIT THE CITY’S WEBSITE MORE INFORMATION AND SFGN.COM FOR ONGOING COVERAGE.
restaurants can do takeout and deliveries of food after 10 p.m. All businesses must have wipes and hand sanitizers available for customers and employees. Capped capacity of any facility that can host gatherings at 50 percent occupancy with a maximum of 50 people, effective through April 18. This restriction includes bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, churches, synagogues and other such facilities. Police Chief Paul O’Connell urged business owners to “trust but verify.” He said businesses will be operating on the honor system because first responders cannot be placed at risk enforcing such orders. Added Commissioner Gary Resnick about the restrictions: “Instead of thinking about how much business you might be losing tomorrow, think about how many lives you might be saving.” Commissioners also voted to cancel any meetings in any public facilities through April 18. Last Friday, the city announced it was cancelling all city events, classes, and programs including the March yard sale, a concert at Mickel Park, Brunch with the Bunny, Woof & Wine, and the Mayor’s Chess Challenge. The city is not be accepting any future facility bookings until further notice.
Wilton Manors also cancelled its spring camp, school days out program, and after school program. Those who had signed their children up may call the city’s Leisure Services Department for a refund or credit. City Parks are still open regular hours but all park programming has been cancelled. The Equality Park Garden Club has cancelled its plant fair scheduled for March 28-29 at Richardson Park. WMG
PHOTOS
Panic Shopping at Publix
Many crucial sections have been consistently sold out in grocery stores across the nation, and the Publix at Five Points Plaza has been no exception. This Publix has posted notices on each register informing shoppers in Wilton Manors that they will be closing at 8 p.m. nightly until further notice, “to allow our store teams to conduct additional preventive sanitation and to restock product.” Photo credit: Carina Mask.
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Scott Newton (left) and Julie Carson. Photos via Facebook.
The race to fill the Mayor’s seat is beginning do some of the things that have to be done.” Newton believes a recession is coming and to heat up. Former longtime City Commissioner and said the city is going to need someone who Mayor Scott Newton, 62, has filed paperwork can make tough decisions, much like he had to to run for the open mayoral slot in the Nov. 3 make in 2007-2008 during the last recession. The longtime city resident was the only election. But Newton isn’t alone. Commissioner Julie Carson, 58, recently straight member of the commission when he changed her paperwork to indicate that she was defeated in November 2018. “I think the next few years will be tough. It’s too will run for mayor. Carson had initially filed paperwork to run again for her current not going to be meek and happy,” Newton said. Carson said she decided to run for mayor commission seat. in the wake of Flippen’s death to The mayor’s seat is currently carry on his legacy. vacant because former “After much thought, I Mayor Justin Flippen, 41, died “AFTER MUCH decided the best way I could unexpectedly Feb. 25 of a brain THOUGHT, I DECIDED serve constituents was to run for aneurism while en route to a City mayor and to carry on Justin’s Commission meeting. THE BEST WAY legacy and to carry on many of Commissioners on March I COULD SERVE the ideas we charted in our work 10 voted not to hold a special CONSTITUENTS WAS together,” Carson said. “One of election or appoint a temporary replacement for Flippen before TO RUN FOR MAYOR the concepts is moving forward without disruption. It’s very, very the upcoming November election AND TO CARRY ON hard. (Justin) was a consensusso his seat will remain empty until JUSTIN’S LEGACY.” builder. We must continue to then. move forward, bridge the gaps and At the time of his death, - Julie Carson operate in way that is consistent Flippen was the only person who with a cohesive, collegial, had filed to run for mayor in the legislative body that we are.” upcoming election. Carson was appointed to the commission Two 4-year Commission seats, occupied by Tom Green and Julie Carson are also up in November 2008 to complete the term of for election. Green, who is vice mayor, is not a commissioner who resigned, serving until 2009. She was elected in 2010 for a two-year running for re-election. “When times get tough it’s a whole new term, and re-elected in 2012 for four years and ballgame. I want to do what is best for the city,” again in 2016 for four more years. Political newcomers Michael Bracchi, 43, said Newton, who served as mayor from 20042008 and Commissioner from 2000-2004 and and Chris Caputo, 38, have also announced 2010 to November 2018. “I feel I can help the their intentions to run for the commission. city get through some of the tough times and WMG
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