WMG Volume 7 • Issue 22 November 5, 2020
Wilton Manors Gazette FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WMGAZETTE
COMMUNITY
WILTON MANORS COMMISSIONERS COMPLAIN ABOUT LACK OF DIVERSITY ON CITY BOARDS By John McDonald The lack of diversity on Wilton methods of outreach to constituency Manors’ civic boards and community groups. Henderson said the board is advisory committees is an issue the city planning to present the commission with its definition of diversity at the second is struggling to solve. Commissioners belabored the lack meeting in November. “Let’s go ahead and set up a protocol,” of minority involvement at last week’s commission meeting as they appointed Commissioner Julie Carson said. “I am completely in a new member to the favor of increasing planning and zoning board. diversity, making sure Michael Siemer, a gay man it is experiential, color, and retired telephone race, religion, sexuality, company engineer from gender orientation, St. Louis, was voted to gender identity — all of the board, replacing the things that comprise restaurateur Nick Berry, our great city.” who had chaired the board. Other notes from the “It’s troubling me a Oct. 27 meeting include: little bit about the lack Michael Rajner, of diversity that we chairman of the charter have,” Commissioner review board, said the Paul Rolli said. “We talk city’s election process about attracting diverse is archaic and proposed candidates and what we’re - Michael Rajner ranked voting. going to do to get diversity CHAIRMAN OF THE “Wilton Manors really on these boards and I’m CHARTER REVIEW BOARD needs to catch up with not so sure we’ve done the times,” Rajner said. everything we can do to get some extra reach out and I think we “The current process lends to bullet voting which I think is unethical and really need to do that.” City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson shady.” A new three-year contract was said the Community Affairs Advisory Board is working on making unanimously approved with the Broward recommendations into different County Police Benevolent Association.
“WILTON MANORS REALLY NEEDS TO CATCH UP WITH THE TIMES.”
Wilton Manors City Hall. Photo credit: Carina Mask.
Commissioner Gary Resnick called attention to the contract, bringing up the Defund The Police movement, which he said some in the community had vocalized out of popularity and not out of a sense of what is best for Wilton Manors. Resnick said the city does not need a citizen grievance board. “No one in Wilton Manors complains
about our police department,” said Resnick. “They think the service is first-rate and very professional and very responsive.” The city also renewed its health care benefits contract with United Healthcare and is currently $160k in the hole. Carson asked for exploration into government reimbursements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WMG
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OPINION
Post Election Shock A Salute to Julie Carson
November 5, 2020 • Volume 7 • Issue 22 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
By Sal Torre Julie Carson. Photo credit: Julie Carson, via Facebook.
Somewhat at a loss of words to describe the morning after Election Day. In a more rational world, we would be waking up to a landslide victory for Joe Biden. After four years of insanity, insults, petty vindictiveness, racial division, epic failure to respond to a killer pandemic, lies, and so much more, one would think that any other choice would have been anticipated. Unfortunately this is not the world in which we live. The insult here in Florida is harsher with Miami-Dade voters turning out for Trump and pushing this pivotal state into the red column. Some things don’t go unnoticed. The abrupt turnaround of Tropical Storm Eta might be just be the result of the heavenly gods disappointment with the interference of these South Florida Trump supporters to the natural order of correction due to the last four years. Upon getting a wiff of this insurrection, Typhoeus, the hurricane giant, unleashed the powers of the Anemoi Thuellai to swiftly turn around the weakened storm wreaking havoc over Honduras and Nicaragua and aim it right across Cuba straight to South Florida. Let us hope that over the next few days the heavenly gods will calm down and spare South Florida from this approaching storm. Divine intervention might be just what is needed to help save our American democracy. The numbers just don’t add up. Many of the states that are colored red this morning should have been a win for Joe Biden. Suburban women voters, Hispanic voters, rational Republican voters, Black voters, voters tired of the insanity, pandemic voters, front line service personnel voters should have all pushed many of these states into the blue column. Unfortunately if you are looking for a rational response to the reality of the electoral map this morning, not sure anyone can offer one. We may still see an Electoral College victory, but a clear and decisive victory was what was needed this morning.
WMG Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Associate publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com Copyeditor • Kimberly Swan
Editorial
Art Director • Brendon Lies artwork@sfgn.com News Editor • John McDonald
Correspondents
Christiana Lilly• Sal Torre • James Oaksun
Staff Photographers
J.R. Davis • Carina Mask • Steven Shires
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Unfortunately we are now heading towards months of uncertainty and continued insanity. Turning our sights away from the storm clouds on the national stage to our beautiful Island City this wonderful sunny and breezy morning we have much to be excited about. Our city will see the biggest change to our City Commission in many years. Two new city commissioners to the dais will bring a much needed shack-up to our governing body. Along with these two new Commissioners we also have a new mayor, Scott Newton. Scott’s experience and knowledge will hopefully offer the needed guidance and steady leadership to what looks like some challenging few years ahead. Newly elected Mike Bracchi and Chris Caputo bring much to the dais. Mike has served on the Budget Review Advisory Committee and understands the financial workings of our city. Chris Caputo’s involvement with the non-profit sector along with the business community brings much to the table. Our city had an amazing pool of candidates this election and unfortunately not all could win one of the two commission seats.
DIVINE INTERVENTION MIGHT BE JUST WHAT IS NEEDED TO HELP SAVE OUR AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. THE NUMBERS JUST DON’T ADD UP.
Coming in third was Doug Blevins. Doug has been involved with our city for many years and let us hope that his very important and committed participation continues. One cannot overlook a very sad and unfortunate reality to our municipal election this morning. We as a city will lose a very special and committed public servant, Julie Carson. Julie narrowly lost in her bid for mayor against Scott Newton. In her 10 years on the city commission Julie leaves behind much to be proud of. Julie, you have been through a lot this past year, more than most could have dealt with so well in the public eye. I personally thank you for your many wonderful years of service, to all that you have done for this city and our community. We can only hope that you will continue your involvement and public service in some new direction and wish you and your family many good wishes! Both departing Commissioners Tom Green and Julie Carson have amazingly served our community in extraordinary ways. Thank you both for your many years of service. Let us hope that our new city commissioners will step up to the job at hand as well and effectively that you both have done over the years. Bringing in new people, new ideas, and new approaches to solve our city’s challenges ahead, along with our experienced and dedicated elected officials and city staff will continue to make life here in our Island City just better here. WMG
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As election results swept across the nation this week, Wilton Manors waited eagerly for both national and local results. But the wait is over!
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COMMUNITY
PAY TO PARK RETURNING TO WILTON MANORS By John McDonald The Wilton Manors City Commission reinstated paid parking meter enforcement at its meeting on Oct. 27. Passing on a 3-1 vote, the Commission voted to reinstate paid parking meter enforcement beginning Feb. 1, 2021. Meters will be up and running on Dec. 1, but citations won’t happen until February. City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said enforcement would be soft with “friendly warnings” through February. City Finance Director Pennie Zuercher said delaying a vote would “keep local people from going back to work on the contract.” Commissioner Gary Resnick said parking could not be eliminated because the revenue is pledged to the city’s debt obligations. The parking program generates $78,500 in monthly revenue. “No matter when we decide to reinstate paid parking it is going to be difficult,” Henderson acknowledged. The parking program has been closed since March 17. Acting Mayor Tom Green, in his last
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meeting, cast the lone dissent. Green said he had spoken to property owners who told him reinstating paid parking would “put the nails in the coffin.” The parking rate of $1.25 per hour will not change, Henderson said. WMG
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POLITICS
SCOTT NEWTON WINS WILTON MANORS MAYORAL RACE By John McDonald Scott Newton is returning to lead his hometown once again. Newton was elected to serve as Wilton Manors Mayor, a position he held from 2004-2008. With all six of the Island City’s precincts reporting, Newton received 3,161 votes to edge out Commissioner Julie Carson, who collected 3,045. Reality TV Chef Josie Smith-Malave came a distant third with 873 votes. Carson’s loss means the commission will be composed entirely by White men. She thanked her supporters in a Facebook post for “standing with me in support of the Island City and my dreams for its future. I am blessed to have served this community and look forward to its prosperity.” Newton, 63, owns an upholstery business and is a longtime community volunteer. He will be the lone non-gay member of the commission. WMG
Scott Newton. Photo via Scott Newton, Facebook.
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NEWS
POLITICS
Gays Take Two Seats In Oakland Park By John McDonald Voters in Oakland Park elected two gay men to the city commission. Mayor Matt Sparks was reelected and Mitch Rosenwald, a social worker and university professor, broke through in his third attempt at winning a spot on the commission. Aisha Gordon led all candidates with 6,335 votes, followed by Rosenwald (5,917), Sparks (5,883), Grecia RivasSmith (4,928), Steve Arnst (4,381), Robert B. Thompson (3,383) and Scott Herman (2,576). “So humbled and grateful for your support!” Rosenwald posted on Facebook. “I look forward to serving as one of your Commissioners in the Great City of Oakland Park! THANK YOU!” WMG
Mayor Matt Sparks. Photo via Matt Sparks, Facebook.
Mike Bracchi. Photo via Mike Bracchi, Facebook.
Political Newcomers Win Two Commission Seats in Wilton Manors By John McDonald Mitch Rosenwald. Photo via Mitch Rosenwald, Facebook.
Voters in Wilton Manors elected two fresh faces to the city commission. Mike Bracchi and Chris Caputo, running their first campaigns for public office, received the most votes in a field of six candidates. Bracchi, 44, is a pharmacist, attorney and hospital executive who grew up in Long Island, N.Y. He led the way with 3,615 votes. “The people have spoken,” Bracchi said Wednesday morning. “Residents want a strong, solid and cohesive commission to move the community forward and deliver essential services.” Caputo, 39, a philanthropist, got 3,071
votes to take the second open commission seat. “The work is not done,” Caputo posted on Facebook. “I am excited to say the real work has just begun. The right kind of change is coming. Thanks for being a part of it.” Realtor Doug Blevins finished third with 2,229 votes, followed by Jason Basilico (1,174), Juan Melecio (644) and Jon Sansome (423). Bracchi and Caputo are both gay men as are sitting commissioners Paul Rolli and Gary Resnick. The all-White male commission will be led by newly elected Mayor Scott Newton, a straight man. WMG
BRACCHI AND CAPUTO ARE BOTH GAY MEN AS ARE SITTING COMMISSIONERS PAUL ROLLI AND GARY RESNICK.
and
Chris Caputo. Photo via Chris Caputo, Facebook.
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