WMG Volume 3 • Issue 18 September 21, 2016
Wilton Manors Gazette
Community
Wilton Manors Approves Tentative Millage Rate, Budget By Michael d’Oliveira Increased healthcare costs and employee salaries were among the issues discussed at the city’s budget meeting on Monday. As commissioners approved a millage rate of 6.5547 – which consists of a general millage of 5.99, the parks bond debt service rate of .1881, and the city hall debt service rate of .3766 – they were still looking for ways to cut money from the budget and possibly lower it further. The millage rate generates $16.8 million in revenue for the city. The total budget is $35 million. The tentative millage rate has resulted in a decrease of $13.70 for homeowners covered under Save Our Homes and an increase of $130.88 for those not covered. Commissioners could lower the rate at the final budget and millage meeting, Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m., but they can’t increase it. “It’s not much below six but it is there,” said Commissioner Tom Green. He added that the millage was lowered but the city was still able to maintain services to residents. “I’m very happy.” Paul Rolli, president of the Central Area Neighborhood Association and commission candidate, said the city should lower the millage rate even further because a lot of the increases in revenue have been “eaten up” by rising costs. A new fire assessment fee was also passed. Single family homeowners will have to pay $210.18 over last year’s $194.97. Commercial users will have to pay $42.65 over last year’s $29.29. City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said the rise in cost is because of a rise in calls and operational expenses. Resident Paul Kuta said he was concerned that fire costs were threatening to get out of hand and that the city should try and smooth out its capital improvements. He also said the city shouldn’t be planning on spending $492,000 on renovations to the fire station if it is also planning on spending $3.5 million on a new fire station in 2019 or later. City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said the new station was only added to the budget to make the city eligible for future grants. “We don’t want big fluctuations but we have to put it in,” said Henderson. Employee healthcare is one of the biggest expenses commissioners said they wanted to see reduced. “Insurance, I hate to tell you, is 10 percent of our budget,” said Mayor Gary Resnick. He called the rising costs unsustainable. This year, the cost of employee insurance is projected to rise from $1.1 million to $1.3 million. Resnick said he understands that the city will most likely have to accept an increase but
Final hearing set for Sept. 20
wants city staff to find a way of saving at least some money to “send a message.” Dio Sanchez, human resources director, said he was investigating ways of saving the city money on insurance. That could include changing the benefits offered and/or asking employees to contribute more money. The issue of raising employee pay was also discussed but commissioners decided that the previously discussed 1.5 percent cost of living and 0 to 3 percent merit pay increases were enough. Resnick said the city is already very competitive on employee pay and that increases in salaries have a compounding effect over time. Commissioner Justin Flippen said he’d like to decrease the gap between the pay police officers get and the pay non-police employees get. Vice Mayor Scott Newton said he doesn’t mind the gap because police officers risk their lives and should be paid more because of it. Flippen added that he has a lot of respect for law enforcement but just wants to be as fair as possible to everyone. Commissioners also want to find ways to reduce the $50,000 cost of producing and mailing the city’s official newsletter, the Town Crier, and lowering the city’s yearly $300,000 electric bill. But commissioners also increased at least one budget item. Instead of $5,000 for a train station from the general budget, they designated $50,000 from the reserves. A commuter rail line is planned for the FEC railway. City officials hope to be one of the cities selected but Wilton Manors may get left out in favor of Oakland Park and Fort Lauderdale getting stations. Commissioners said designating money from the reserve fund was only a placeholder. If the city received a station, they could take the money out of the regular budget. Newton said $5,000 wasn’t enough to show the city was serious. Flippen said it was important to show the city was committed to getting a station. He likened a station to Wilton Drive, saying that it was a way to bring more people into the city to patronize bars, restaurants and other businesses. Green said the city would be “adversely impacted if we don’t do it.” Resnick said if Wilton Manors doesn’t get a station it should work with Oakland Park to provide shuttle services to bring people to the city. He said a regional approach should be taken. Green agreed but said cooperation should take place after the stations have been selected. WMG
Photo: Facebook.
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WMG How Great Thou Art
Opinion
By Sal Torre Sitting down this week to write my article, many thoughts are swirling around inside my mind. There is definitely no shortage of topics to write about here in Wilton Manors, such as the upcoming local elections for our Mayor and two City Commissioner seats, the narrowing of Wilton Drive, the adoption of the new city budget for fiscal year 2016/2017 which begins on October 1, much local chatter about Police Department practices toward LGBT officers highlighted in the New Times article and also the department’s fine handling of the Jungwirth affair. On top of all that, now that September is almost over, it is time for my annual warning of the fast approaching holiday season. Time to get moving on all the items not yet checked off your ‘2016 To-Do list’ because 2017 is just around the corner my friends. With all those topics in mind, I still keep thinking about two very special people who have recently passed on, and I choose to write about them instead. Why do I keep thinking about them? These two people were very different, but yet shared the similar trait of being very comfortable with who they were, which gave them an unbelievable ability to make a difference in so many others’ lives. Nancy Sawallis, known as “Aunt Nellie” to many of us, was a pioneer here on the Westside, having settled in the area before Wilton Manors existed. The other reigned in Savannah, a true Southern Belle, known by all as the Lady Chablis. How do a 96-year old woman and a transgender showgirl come to dominate my thoughts during the past two weeks? As we ponder our lives, we can all learn much from these two wonderful ladies. Both wasted no time feeling sorry for themselves. They marched on, comfortable with who they were, looking to make a difference in the lives of their families, their friends, their neighbors, and their communities with an equal sense of excitement, commitment, and determination. Many years ago while working in north Florida, we spent our weekends enjoying the splendors of Savannah. For me, it was a time of youthful exuberance, of infinite possibilities, of grasping the unknown at every corner, and of having fun. The Lady Chablis demonstrated the “accept me for who I am or fuck off” attitude of many young LGBT people of 1990s. Given a national stage after the book ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ made her famous, the Lady Chablis went on entertaining, writing her own book and never stopped putting herself out there to make people accept who she was
Community
September 21, 2016 • Volume 3 • Issue 18
Lady Chablis in 1998. Photo: Facebook.
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
Editorial
on her own terms. Born a gay black man in the south, performing as a drag queen, then as a transgender woman, she always demanded respect, not hatred, as a fellow human being. Her fearless persona inspired many to overcome similar hurdles on their journey for selfacceptance. Shortly after WWII, a young soldier and his vibrant and beautiful bride headed to Florida in 1946 to settle and start a new life. They found a spot of sand pines, petticoat palms, and palmettoes, and built a small cottage named “Skunk Hollow” that still stands today on the Westside. Through the years Nancy Sawallis did not seek fame or attention for her community involvement and achievements. Instead, she looked to make the community she called home for 70 years a better place for all. Nancy helped pave the way for our local independent library here in Wilton Manors. She helped create and served as a board member of the Friends of the Wilton Manors Library, which is still going strong today with its mission to support and serve our local library. Her activism as a single mother, back in the 1970s, was an inspiration to many. She welcomed all to the neighborhood. I was a bit surprised that more city officials did not attend her memorial service last week, since she was such an active member of this community for so many years. I guess that is the way Nancy would have wanted it — doing much, but never seeking credit or fame. Year after year, she politely refused to be honored as a Pioneer by the Wilton Manors Historical Society. And there lies the lesson for us all. Believe in yourself, do good, help your neighbors, and move forward with positive energy and a commitment to leave this place better for all to enjoy!! Thank you both for making me ponder such wonderful thoughts over the past week, thank you for making a difference in my life, and thank you for making the communities you called home a better place. And that is what makes life just better here in Wilton Manors.
WMG
CAAB Looks to Improve Senior Outreach
By Michael d’Oliveira
At 15 percent, individuals 65 and older don’t represent a huge portion of the city’s population. But they do represent some of the most vulnerable and needy. To help home-bound seniors become more active in the community and provide more information about services they can use, the city’s Community Affairs Advisory Board [CAAB] has begun working on an outreach program. Lisa Peters, director of senior services at SunServe, said a lot of seniors just aren’t able to get out of their homes because of physical disabilities. They also have trouble asking for help. Pride and upbringing can get in the way. Many grew up during the Depression and
lived and fought through World War II. “It’s hard to admit you need assistance. It’s hard to admit you can’t do things you used to do. They will not ask for assistance. That’s not how they were raised.” To help them become more active and more knowledgeable, CAAB will work on creating a resource guide with information for all of the services and resources available to seniors in the city. Bryan Wilson, SunServe’s director of community relations and a CAAB member, said getting seniors to volunteer is one way of getting them out of the house and making them feel part of the community again. The volunteer opportunities will come through the
city’s “Wilton Manors Team of Volunteers.” A representative of the Wilton Manors Police Department said her department is also working on creating a seniors and police cooperation program based on TRIAD. According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office website, TRIAD is a program where BSO “recruits and trains volunteers to assist police departments and provides a forum for law enforcement and the community to share needs and concerns while developing solutions.” WMG
Art Director • Brendon Lies artwork@sfgn.com Designer • Charles Pratt Webmaster • Brittany Ferrendi Webmaster@sfgn.com Editorial Assistant • Jillian Melero JillianMelero@gmail.com News Editor • Michael d’Oliveira
Correspondents
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Staff Photographers
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Director of Sales & Marketing • Mike Trottier mike.trottier@sfgn.com Sales Manager • Justin Wyse justin.wyse@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Associate • Edwin Neimann edwin.neimann@sfgn.com Sales Assistant • Tim Higgins Tim.Higgins@sfgn.com Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping National Advertising Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com 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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For more information about the city’s volunteer program, which is open to all residents regardless of age, call 954-390-2120 or email volunteer@ wiltonmanors.com.
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Exclusive First Look
Real Estate Geek
Broward’s Real Estate Yearbook By James Oaksun
As an exclusive for my SFGN readers, I wanted to share the initial output from my 2016 Broward’s Real Estate Yearbook. You may recall, last year I decided to roll out the first of what I planned to be annual reviews of pricing, sales and inventory trends in 35 East Broward neighborhoods. Nothing like it had ever been done before. Nothing has been done like it since. Of most interest to readers of the Gazette are the results from the three WilMa neighborhoods – West (meaning west of Andrews), Center (Andrews to Dixie), and East (east of Dixie). As was the case last year, I only look at single family home sales in the yearbook – no condos or townhomes. Also these are arm’s length transactions only – no foreclosures or short sales included. Where we left off last year, in general, was that there had
been a substantial increase in prices throughout east Broward from 2011 through 2014, but then a decided cooling off in most neighborhoods (including throughout the Island City). There have been a lot of news stories about general price increases in Broward, but as I have said many times, all real estate is hyper-local and very neighborhood specific. The three charts here show what has happened in Wilton Manors over the last five years. I have shown the median prices (half the sales above/half below), as well as the prices at the 25th and 75th percentiles. You can see some specific results from the last 12 months very clearly in East Wilton. There, we see a near 20-percent increase in prices in the last year, driven by homes at the upper end of the price/quality range (over $500k). Price increases in West Wilton seem to also be driven by premium priced homes. Prices at the lower end of the price range have been more stable. Interestingly, Center Wilton prices have been relatively stable over the last year. Next we will consider sales volume and inventory trends. Reports are that sales volume is down throughout South Florida, despite increased prices. This is somewhat contrary to what would be expected typically. WMG James Oaksun, Broward’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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Art
Art Gallery 21 Chosen For Traveling Smithsonian Exhibit Photo: Facebook.
By Michael d’Oliveira Like a skeptical math teacher, Constance Ruppender wants you to show your work. More specifically, Ruppender will be accepting photos of people working in Wilton Manors as part of “The Way We Worked,” a traveling Smithsonian photo exhibit. The exhibit will be hosted by Art Gallery 21 in Wilton Manors March 18 to April 29. Ruppender, founder of Art Gallery 21, said she hopes the exhibit will push Art Gallery 21 into “another league” and noticed by artists, patrons and possible volunteers who might not normally come visit. “I’m really excited about it. It’s opening some doors for us at the art gallery. Just when you say the words ‘Smithsonian’ people look at you differently. There are endless possibilities. It is a way to build capacity and hopefully turn the corner and no longer be a start up.” “The Way We Worked” uses “historical photographs, archival accounts and interactive components” to illustrate the history of the American workforce over the past 150 years. As part of the exhibit, Ruppender is organizing two events – a photo contest, “Wilton Manors Works” and “The LGBT Work Experience” story slam hosted by South Florida playwright Michael McKeever. Photos of individuals at work in the city can be entered into the photo contest. The story slam and the results of the photo contest will be unveiled on March 10 at Art Gallery 21. “It’s an interactive event to increase awareness of the LGBT work experience,” said Ruppender.
The Smithsonian exhibit was developed from original exhibition by the National Archives. Farmers, coal miners, construction workers, welders, scientists, fishermen, cab drivers, dock workers and many more professions are featured as part of the exhibit. “One of the reasons we did this exhibit was to honor the men and women workers who have really created the country that we have today. In many ways, we do see the worker as being an American hero,” said Bruce Bustard, Curator of the National Archives, in a video on the Smithsonian’s website. According to the Smithsonian, the exhibit is divided into five sections and examines where people worked, how automation and technology impacted work, uniforms and what people wore to work, segregation, child labor, wages and the working conditions and conflicts at work between workers and owners, and the dangerous and unhealthy conditions many workers had to deal with and fight to improve. Ruppender got the city on the list of approved stops with the help of Todd DeJesus, the city’s special projects and grants manager. Ruppender applied for Art Gallery 21 to be a host through a grant with the Florida Humanities Council. Along with the city, the exhibit and the events are a collaboration between Art Gallery 21, The Pride Center, Stonewall Museum & Archives and the Community Affairs Advisory Board. WMG
Visit artgallery21.org or call 954-661-4740 to enter.
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September 21, 2016
Community
City Officials Seek Input on Wilton Drive Lane Reduction
By Michael d’Oliveira
Wilton Manors and Fort Lauderdale officials joined together Tuesday at Fort Lauderdale High School to discuss the lane narrowing of Northeast 4 Avenue and Wilton Drive with their respective residents and business owners. Those who attended talked to officials, asked questions and were given cards to make comments on. Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Dean Trantalis, whose law firm is on Wilton Drive, said he welcomed the change. “Nothing has been decided in terms of details. We want your input. And if you’re totally against it, say that, too,” said Wilton Manors Commissioner Tom Green. Earlier this year, Wilton Manors commissioners were given two choices for designs and chose the one that widened the sidewalk on both sides of the street. The main argument in favor of the reduction is economic development and safety. Those against are primarily worried about the impact on traffic. The project will involve reducing the number of lanes along both streets from four lanes to two, from Sunrise north to Five Points. It’s part of a Complete Streets effort to make roads safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. Construction is expected to begin in May of 2018. Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization [MPO] officials said traffic would be impacted but not significantly. Greg Stuart, executive director of the MPO, said a recent lane reduction, from six to four lanes, on Galt Ocean Mile in Fort Lauderdale did not cause huge traffic problems. It’s something, said Mayor Gary Resnick, the city has been talking about for a decade. For years, city officials expressed interest in reducing the number of lanes but said they didn’t have enough money. But now, the MPO says it will fund the $2.8 million project. City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said the city wants to transform Wilton Drive from a thoroughfare into a main street to make it safer for pedestrians and more attractive to businesses. According to MPO officials, there have been 575
automobile-related crashes, including several fatalities, along the two streets in the last three years. But mayoral candidate Boyd Corbin, the project’s most outspoken opponent, thinks a safer Wilton Drive can be achieved without major changes. He suggested adding more crosswalks, having police increase their foot patrols and ticketing of excessive speeders. He also thinks the planned seven-foot bike lanes, which include a buffer, will endanger bicyclists. “[It] will create a big hazard for bicyclists since cars will be able to use it to pass cars stopped in the single lane.” Corbin also rejected the city’s claims that project would not cost city taxpayers any money. He said a plan nine years ago estimated a cost of $3.5 million. Corbin said the money would be better spent on a parking garage next to city hall. As for creating additional parking along the street, engineers only expect about a dozen new spaces could be added. Officials will have a better idea of how the design will look by the beginning of next year. Henderson said that the estimated cost now is less than $3.5 million because it’s a different design. The city doesn’t know yet how many trees and how much landscaping will be paid for by the MPO but Henderson said her staff will apply for grants to pay for the rest. At the commission meeting Tuesday, Resnick said the city was not planning on spending “a dime” on the project. “Let’s hold a referendum and let voters decide on this major change to our city. At the very least, let’s first study the effects of narrowing Powerline and 13th Street before we throw away much needed money,” said Corbin. Although Henderson said a majority of comments were in favor of the project, Corbin was not alone in his opposition. Jan March, a teacher at Fort Lauderdale High School and resident of Wilton Manors, said school bus and vehicular traffic when the school opens and closes will cause serious problems. “I just feel that it will really affect the traffic.”
Former Wilton Manors commissioner Ted Galatis, whose law firm is on Northeast 4 Avenue, is against the project for the same reason – traffic. “Just because you have money doesn’t mean you need to spend it,” he said. Wilton Manors resident Jeb Shafer remembers when homeless individuals were sleeping in some of the doorways of Wilton Drive businesses. Now, he said, Wilton Drive needs to change to accommodate its current status as a dining and nightlife destination. “It really doesn’t accommodate life in this city. It’s just become a race track. We really need to have a main street.” As for the traffic worries, Shafer said it could be a bit of a problem at first but he’s confident people will learn and eventually take alternate routes around Wilton Drive. Others in favor have said similar statements and want Wilton Drive to be the next Las Olas. But resident Joe Kilpatrick, citing the need for residents to use Wilton Drive to get to city hall, said, “It’s not Las Olas. There’s too many things. It can’t be Las Olas.” WMG
The main argument in favor of the reduction is economic development and safety. Those against are primarily worried about the impact on traffic.
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Health
Politics
Marijuana Restrictions Passed Carson calls them too onerous
By Michael d’Oliveira Voters may or may not approve Amendment 2 in November, allowing the prescription of medical marijuana and the operation of dispensaries, but Wilton Manors commissioners want to be ready. On Sept. 13, commissioners approved zoning regulations for dispensaries and regulations pertaining to any dispensaries that do locate in the city. In Wilton Manors, dispensaries would be allowed in the Wilton Drive Arts and Entertainment District and B-2, which includes parts of Andrews Avenue, Northeast 26 Street, Oakland Park Boulevard and Dixie Highway. Each dispensary could be no less than 1,000 feet from schools, houses of worship, daycare centers and other dispensaries. Those restrictions would mean a maximum of four dispensaries. Commissioners had previously inquired about keeping dispensaries at least 1,000 feet away from residential areas but City Attorney Kerry Ezrol said they couldn’t be that restrictive. The city has passed similar restrictions in the past. Pawn shops are limited to certain areas of the city. Officials don’t consider pawn shops as a desirable type of business and passed the restrictions to ensure only a limited number can open. Cities can restrict the locations where certain types of businesses can open but they
can’t outright ban them completely. Any dispensaries that do open could be shut down for various reasons, including if marijuana is sold for non-medical purposes, the owner or manager is convicted of a felony, the owner, manager or any employee is convicted of a drugrelated crime or is a gang member or placed on the terrorist watch list, code violations aren’t corrected within 20 days, and the state license to dispense marijuana is revoked. The zoning regulations passed unanimously. Commissioners said they needed to place restrictions on where dispensaries can be located or else they risk being opened anywhere in the city. “[If not], they’re going to be on every street corner,” said Vice Mayor Scott Newton. But the business regulations passed 4-1 with Commissioner Julie Carson dissenting. She called the regulations too onerous and “overreaching.” She also said the regulations would make it harder for people who need medical marijuana to exercise their legal right to do so. Commissioner Tom Green said he didn’t think the regulations were strict enough. He said marijuana should only be dispensed in a stand-alone dispensary or as part of a medical establishment, such as a clinic or pharmacy.
WMG
Briefs
Around Town Check out what’s happening
Garage Sale The Kiwanis Club of Oakland Park will hold a garage sale on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 7 to 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Northeast 38 Street and Northeast 6 Avenue in Oakland Park. Funds raised benefit the programs organized by the Kiwanis Club of Oakland Park. WMG
By Michael d’Oliveira Usually, the commission is the last body to approve projects in the city. But in the future, if city staff members want to request a variance concerning a cityowned property, they may have to go before the commission first. At their Sept. 13 meeting, commissioners asked the city attorney to prepare a change to ordinance governing variances that would require the commission approve any requests for variances on behalf of the city. If approved, only then could city staff make the request to the Planning and Zoning Board. “I would like us to grant permission for the request,” said Mayor Gary Resnick. Commissioner Justin Flippen said it could add another level of bureaucracy to the process. The issue was raised last month when Commissioner Tom Green said he didn’t want the city getting preferential treatment when it comes to variances approved by the Planning and Zoning Board. City staff and other city commissioners said the city is treated the same by Planning and Zoning as any other private home owner or developer seeking a variance. Constance Ruppender, a Planning and Zoning Board
member, said it’s actually tougher for the city to get variances granted because it has to worry more about possible lawsuits stemming from issues that might arise because of the variances. At the meeting on Sept. 13, Green said he wanted to eliminate the city commission not knowing that city staff was requesting a variance. Recently, city staff requested several variances dealing with reducing the requirements on landscaping and construction at the city’s future parking lot on Northeast 23 Drive and Northeast 11 Avenue behind Bona Pizza. WMG
Kiwanis Club’s annual Pumpkin Patch By Michael d’Oliveira
5th Annual Island City Juried Art Exhibition The new season at Art Gallery 21 in Wilton Manors will kick-off on Friday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. with the 5th Annual Island City Juried Art Exhibition. Artists can enter their work on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 12 to 3 p.m. by bringing it to Art Gallery 21. All fine art
Commission Wants Approval Before Variances Requested
media, including oil, watercolor, pastel and acrylic painting, mixed media, pen and ink, photography and collage will be accepted. The cost to enter is $20 for two items. Visit ArtGallery21.org for more information on the rules for participating. WMG
The Kiwanis Club of Wilton Manors will open its annual Pumpkin Patch on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Five Points intersection in Wilton Manors. Pumpkins of all kinds, including the traditional orange variety, will be available for sale. Gourds and bales of hay will also be available for sale. All proceeds benefit the Kiwanis Clubs of Wilton Manors and Oakland Park. Hours of operation are weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekdays from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Pumpkin Patch will run until Oct. 31 or all the pumpkins are sold. WMG
Smart Ride Fundraiser
A community yard sale to benefit “Team Give A Shift,” which is raising money for The Smart Ride, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Broward House Client Services Center in Wilton Manors. The Smart Ride is an annual event where bike riders travel from Miami to Key West in an effort to raise money to donate to organizations that assist those fighting HIV/AIDS. Visit TheSmartRide.org for more information. WMG
Wilton Manors Candidate Forum A candidate forum for the Wilton Manors mayoral and commission races is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at Hagen Park. The mayoral candidates are Mayor Gary Resnick and challenger Boyd Corbin. Competing for the two commission seats are Commissioner Julie Carson, Commissioner Tom Green, former Wilton Manors Businesses Association President Celeste Ellich and Central Area Neighborhood Association President Paul Rolli. WMG
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September 21, 2016
Business
Backlash Over Paid Parking Directed At Business Owners Michael d’Oliveira
Submitted photo.
Nick Berry didn’t decide to install parking meters behind his restaurant, Courtyard Cafe on Wilton Drive, but he’s paying the price – literally. Berry estimates he’s lost $10,000 since his landlord started charging for parking last month, a decision he and the other business owners say they had no control over. But despite having nothing to do with the decision, and working with the other business owners to get the owner to allow one hour of free parking for customers, Berry is being blamed by at least some people. In an anonymous letter mailed to Berry, a group of “once loyal Courtyard customers” wrote that they would no longer spend money at the restaurant because of the parking. The author of the anonymous letter said they were a regular customer at Courtyard for years and eats two or three meals a week. “. . . this is the last straw” they wrote. “Our group – and I’m talking about 15 or more people – are avoiding your café as well as the other businesses held captive by your landlord. We can go to many other cafes and diners with free parking. How can one enjoy a glass of wine, appetizers, one of your outstanding special meals followed by dessert and coffee in SIXTY minutes? Your food will be missed, but you are not the only choice for delicious meals. Your [expletive] up landlord has put the ‘nail in the coffin’ as far as we are concerned.” Berry denied it took most people more than an hour to
eat at his restaurant but said “it’s disheartening” to suffer consequences for something out of his control. “Why some people would not support us during this time for something the landlord did is beyond me.” He also said he does much more for the community than many other restaurants. “[Do they] support our community in any way? Do they do the 30 plus fundraisers a year and give back to our community?” But not everyone blames Berry. Some commenters on Courtyard’s Facebook thanked him and the other owners for negotiating the free hour of parking. “Shawn and Nick, thank you for arranging this for your customers. Many of us were concerned about what our options would be for parking. We are very happy with this solution,” wrote Frank Bailey. To get free parking back without restrictions, Berry said that he and the owners of New York Grilled Cheese and Castelli Real Estate Services are suing the owner of the shopping center. The decision by the owner to charge for parking, including those with handicap permits, also resulted in an angry response. Iraq War veteran and Oakland Park Commission candidate Scott Herman said it’s disrespectful to charge disabled veterans and others with handicapped parking permits for parking. A representative of the owner said he is unable to comment on the matter. WMG
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