WMG 11/12/20 V7iss20

WMG Volume 7 • Issue 23 November 12, 2020

Wilton Manors Gazette FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WMGAZETTE

COMMUNITY

New Wilton Manors Commission

Sworn Into Office

By John McDonald

A changing of the guard took place elected to public office in Florida and Tuesday night in Wilton Manors with thanked the city for supporting her during a decade of ups and downs. a little added drama thrown in.

Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Only real risk, Carson said, tests the Newton and Commissioners Mike reality of a belief.

“The best way to find one’s self Bracchi and Chris Caputo were sworn is to lose one’s self in the service of in during the virtual proceedings. others,” she said.

Before the new The new commissioners were RAJNER SAID commission’s first seated, Michael Rajner, order of business was chairman of the city’s RESNICK MADE to elect Paul Rolli as charter review board, INAPPROPRIATE vice mayor. Rolli said blasted Commissioner Gary Resnick as a “small, COMMENTS TOWARDS he looks forward to moving Wilton vindictive, insecure, OUT-GOING Manors forward. little man.”

COMMISSIONER “The train needs to Rajner said Resnick get back on track,” he made inappropriate JULIE CARSON said. comments towards outAND BROUGHT UP Prior to the start of going Commissioner the meeting, Carson Julie Carson and RESNICK’S PAST she had brought up Resnick’s TROUBLES WITH THE revealed tested positive for past troubles with the COVID-19 and had owner of a local strip OWNER OF A LOCAL done the necessary club.

STRIP CLUB. contact tracing.

Newton defeated At the Carson for the mayor’s seat in a close race. Before making commission’s next meeting, the way, Acting Mayor Tom Green wished community affairs advisory board is scheduled to present its definition Newton good luck.

“Scott has a calm demeanor and of “diversity.” The commission is gets along with everyone,” Green said. currently made up of five white men Carson, in her farewell speech, with Newton being the lone non-gay noted she was the first out lesbian member. WMG

Above: Wilton Manors City Hall. Photo via the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook. Below, left to right: Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton and Commissioners Mike Bracchi and Chris Caputo. Photos via Facebook.

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WMG

The Beautiful Unknown…

OPINION

November 12, 2020 • Volume 7 • Issue 23 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

By Sal Torre  Photo via Adobe.

As we move past Election Day here in the Island City and around the nation, a sense of optimism is in the air. Our new President-elect Joe Biden is reaching out to all Americans to join together in tackling the troubles that lie ahead due to COVID-19 pandemic and our economy.

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris makes history as she breaks through the glass ceiling becoming the first female vice president. Hope and optimism is essential to achieving success over the challenges that lie ahead.

The beautiful unknown draws us forward fueled by knowledge, hope, unity, and strength, unlike the darkness of fear and lies. Let the sun shine through the storm clouds of the last four years as we bask in its splendor and hope.

Storm clouds over our Island City have moved away for now, but not before leaving much of our city and region covered in water. Unfortunately many residents suffered flooding within their homes.

Many others found themselves looking out their windows to what looked like lake front property. Lawns, driveways and streets filled with storm water turning large areas of our city into flood zones.

Understandably, such an unprecedented amount of rain just overwhelmed much of our city’s infrastructure, but the extent of the flooding and related issues leaves many in our city dazed, frustrated, and very concerned of what the next storm might bring.

As flood water was still receding throughout neighborhoods of our city, our newly elected mayor and two new city commissioners were swornin this week. In doing so we first had to say goodbye to out-going Commissioners, Tom Green and Julie Carson.

Sometimes as we move ahead to better days, we have the bittersweet goodbyes to those so instrumental in getting us to where we are today. Thank you again Tom and Julie for your tremendous contributions to our Island City, best wishes and much appreciation!

Scott Newton, Chris Caputo and Mike Bracchi were sworn in this past Tuesday

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

Sales & Marketing For ad placement in the Wilton Manors Gazette, contact 954-530-4970

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night within the Commission chambers.

Residents should feel confident that our new mayor and city commissioners, along with veteran Commissioners Paul Rolli and Gary Resnick will lead our great city into the beautiful unknown.

Much lies ahead on that road for our Island City.

Dealing with recent weather events, infrastructure improvements will be a looming issue that will have to be dealt with, along with the continued maintenance of existing infrastructure, buildings, parks and facilities. The reality of governance will be waiting for our new City Commission with less glamorous issues such as the cost of infrastructure and residents demand for better services.

There is much confidence that this Commission is ready for the task at hand and with the support of a dedicated and professional city staff, residents should be optimistic of better days ahead for our Island city.

Many remain hopeful that those who also participated in this past election will

SOMETIMES AS WE MOVE AHEAD TO BETTER DAYS, WE HAVE THE BITTERSWEET GOODBYES TO THOSE SO INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

continue their involvement with our city and not just disappear off the scene as many in years past.

During the campaign we heard from a pool of very talented and inspirational candidates, hopefully some will continue their involvement. Unfortunately Doug Blevins was the only one who made comments at the City Commission meeting this week during the swearing-in ceremony.

Other candidates had an opportunity to offer words of congratulations to the newly elected officials and state their willingness to continue serving the needs of our city, however this was a missed opportunity.

Doug, thank you for your continued commitment to our city.

So as we now launch off to the beautiful unknown, both here in our Island City and in our nation, let us continue with hope, optimism, and camaraderie. As we tackle the problems that need fixing, as we securely plan for future needs, as we safely deal with COVID-19 and future crisis, let us never stop being crazy or foolish at times to dream.

Dreaming of what could be, if we are only willing to take that leap of faith, is what truly moves us ahead. Let us take that leap of faith with our neighbors, our community, our elected officials, our city staff and let’s dream of making life just better here… WMG

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.

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November 12, 2020

NEWS

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Violinist Stephen Neil (left), at a past performance in Wilton Drive (photo via stephenneilmusic, Instagram), pictured next to the rally on Wilton Drive (screenshot from the video courtesy of Stephen Neil).

When a group of Trump supporters waved Trump supporters were “harassing” patrons. flags and yelled slurs at bar patrons election Officers responded to the scene, monitoring night in Wilton Manors, a violinist responded the “peaceful rallies between Republicans and Democrats,” according to the dispatch report. with music.

The group of about a dozen supporters The protesters never crossed the street, but was across the street from the Gym sports bar, continued yelling.

Neil decided to retaliate chanting support for President with his electric violin — he Donald Trump, “we live here NEIL DECIDED TO often plays at The Pub, so he too,” and obscenities through a megaphone.

RETALIATE WITH HIS got his instrument, turned the as high as it would go, and The scene was captured on ELECTRIC VIOLIN — amp started playing. He started with Facebook Live by Stephen Neil, HE OFTEN PLAYS AT “This Is Me” from “The Greatest who splits his time between Wilton Manors and Greenville, THE PUB, SO HE GOT Showman.”

“I wanted to make a SC, from his apartment. He then HIS INSTRUMENT, statement,” Neil said. “I’m proud went down to the street to film.

“I said, you know, these TURNED THE AMP AS of who I am, I’m comfortable in my own skin. You can hackle people want attention so I’m HIGH AS IT WOULD me, you can heckle these people, not going to give it to them,” he GO, AND STARTED but this is us. We stand strong told SFGN. “But then when they together.” were on their megaphone and PLAYING. He then finished his short set saying all these hateful things, with “Dancing Queen” at 11 p.m.

I said ‘You know what, I want all of my conservative friends to see why us to abide by the city’s noise ordinance rules. By liberals are so ready for change.’ It’s not that that time, the group of protesters had left.

“They couldn’t handle the dancing queen,” the Republican Party is bad at its core, but it’s Neil laughed. who’s leading it right now is just terrible.”

His video has more than 8,000 views Neil said that the group of 10 to 12 protesters called passersby and patrons at the and his show of love was covered by CBS Gym and The Pub faggots, pussy lickers, and Miami and Yahoo — something he was not expecting. child molesters.

“The best thing to do is kill with kindness,” According to Wilton Manors Police, two 911 calls were made to the department that he said. “Love trumps Trump.” WMG

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DRIVE-THRU TESTING SITE AT

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Closed Sunday and Monday

COVID-19 RAPID TESTING Available to individuals of all ages, regardless of symptoms.

Rapid tests are typically available within an hour.

PCR tests remain available upon request.

Appointments not available, Drive-thru only

November 12, 2020

A public service message from SFGN 11.12 . 20 20 •

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