WMG Volume 4 • Issue 23 December 27, 2017
Wilton Manors Gazette
Community
Sex in the Park: Colohatchee Still a Hot Spot Police claim incidents reduced though By Michael d’Oliveira
Community
GoFundMe Page Set Up to Improve City Christmas Tree By Michael d’Oliveira The Wilton Manors Police Department says that sexual activity at Colohatchee Park is down, but that the problem still isn’t over. The park has been used as a sex rendezvous for over a decade, and even appears on a gay cruising website, CruisingGays.com, as a place with “All kinds of guys from twinks to older gents to musclemen looking for a quick blow job.” In 2006, the Sun Sentinel reported on “Operation Get-A-Room” which was an effort by police to dissuade people from using the park for sex. That reputation has caused some residents to stop using the park. Domaris Cobian, a first-time park user who lives in Fort Lauderdale, said she was unaware of the park’s reputation but said she would continue to use it because it feels like a safe place. At a recent commission meeting, resident Boyd Corbin said he saw a man at Colohatchee masturbating. Corbin criticized the city for not doing enough. “They seem to think they can clean it up with an event every so often,” he said, referring to the Woof & Wine events held there. Previously, officials have said that the more the park is used by dog owners, the less likely it will be used for sex. “The WMPD has not made any arrests at Colohatchee Park for lewd behavior or sexual acts over the last six months . . . Our work is not done until this activity ceases
to exist,” wrote Assistant Police Chief Gary Blocker in an email. Blocker outlined a number of efforts that have been undertaken to address the problem: locking the bathroom door [the bathroom at the boat ramp remains unlocked], blocking off a “troublesome section of the boardwalk to mitigate unwanted lewd and sexual activity,” walking patrols of the park by police, a park ranger, and city staff, and a plan to add enhancements and programming to the park. According to the minutes of the Oct. 19 meeting of the Recreation Advisory Board, Leisure Services Department Director Patrick Cann said that boardwalk reinforcements would be undertaken and the city would “add a fitness trail and fitness zones and improve the dog play areas while removing the underutilized features” of the park. “It just needs a lot of work. It just needs a good overhaul,” said former mayor John Fiore about the park at a commission meeting several months ago. One resident, who now uses a dog park closer to his home and asked to have his name withheld from publication, said he’s not sure if the park will ever stop completely being a place where men come to have sex. In particular, he didn’t thinking locking the bathroom was the right solution to the problem. “It’s a band aid. I don’t think there is a solution . . . You can’t arrest your way out of this. But I’m excited the city is going to revamp the park.”WMG
The city’s Christmas tree is still up, but Wilton Manors resident Jaclyn St. James is already thinking about making next year’s tree better. St. James has started a GoFundMe page to raise $1,000 to overhaul the decorations and come up with a new theme. So far, about $600 has been raised. Visit gofundme.com/ wilton-manor-christmas-treedécor to donate. “I’ve heard so many people complain about the tree. They say ‘oh, it looks the same’ and ‘it’s boring.’ So, I just kind of took the initiative to make the change. I’m from New York and decorations up there are always grand.” St. James originally tried to raise the money for this year’s tree but decided there wasn’t enough time. “It just kind of went from there . . . I might as well start fundraising for it now
[so it will be nice for next year].” In response to the GoFundMe page and a meeting city staff had with St. James, Leisure Services Department Director Patrick Cann said the city is working with St. James on the tree. “They’ve had good communication. Our staff did add decorations after speaking with her . . . some of the old ones need to be replaced.” But St. James isn’t just looking for money. Volunteers are also wanted. Already I’ve got 20 people willing to donate their time. It doesn’t have to be money it can be their time and effort. We’re not just looking for money, we’re looking for people willing to help. It’s going to be a community effort. WMG To volunteer, email St. James at jaclynstjames12@gmail.com or mparks@wiltonmanors.com 954-390-2120.
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December 27, 2017
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Opinion
Thank You to Our Local Officials For Looking Ahead By Sal Torre
WMG December 27, 2017 • Volume 4 • Issue 23 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 Copyeditor • Kerri Covington
Editorial
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Resiliency is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties, being able to spring back into shape. Judging by the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, we still have a lot of work cut out for us. Months later, the streetlights along Powerline Road here in Wilton Manors are still not working. Many of us still have property damage, still waiting for contractors, and are seeking out ways to pay for the work that needs to be done. Many residents had to wait to have power restored and some over three weeks before having internet service restored, causing a huge burden for residents and businesses throughout our city. The good news is that regional leaders here in South Florida have the concept of resilience sharply in focus when it comes to how our region deals with the effects of climate change moving forward. This past week Broward County hosted the 9th Annual Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit. The four counties of Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach are working together to lead the way in a regional response to climate change, while our Governor and national leaders bury their heads in the sand. The summit was a sold-out event and a huge success. I had the privilege of attending both days of the Summit, and walked away amazed at the work and planning going on as local governments, non-profits, communities and the business sector work together to bring about a solid regional response to the effects that we are already and will continue to experience due to climate change here in South Florida and around the world. The good news is that the strict Florida Building Code put into place after Hurricane Andrew works and works very well. Unfortunately, it does not affect all the pre-existing buildings and homes throughout the area. As time and development move ahead, we will see a greater portion of low and moderate income families placed at greater and greater risk because of the effects of climate change. Residents with resources can make the needed adjustments and build resilience to the growing risks. However, at-risk populations struggling to get by daily, those living below the poverty level, and those working at low wage jobs will suffer most from the intensifying heatwaves, the rising cost to run outdated AC units, fear of opening their windows at night due to concerns of robbery and theft, and will be the ones most likely to suffer displacement after a storm. One step local cities can quickly move ahead on is the designation of Action Areas within our neighborhoods. Our park facilities and community centers can be equipped with generators,
back-up fuel, and supplies. After a storm event, these facilities can become the focal point within each neighborhood, serving as cooling stations for our at-risk population, charging stations where residents can charge their phones, Wi-Fi zones, and gathering points for distribution of needed supplies. This is a vital step in building resiliency into Wilton Manors’ action plan, providing the basic tools for residents to begin with the task of getting life back to normal. On a much grander and costlier scale, infrastructure projects will be the big-ticket items. Drainage projects, pumping stations, and solar power installations all come with a high price tag. Luckily for us here in Wilton Manors, our city has done a fantastic job of upgrading and investing in the city’s infrastructure wherever and whenever possible. Our city is not alone in its search for necessary funding for needed upgrades and projects. Residents also face a similar struggle. Seawalls will have to be raised, repaired, or replaced at the expense of property owners. Hurricane impact windows, new roofs, solar panels, and other home improvements that build resiliency into our properties are very expensive. Speakers at the summit touted the P.A.C.E. program as a funding source and a great tool for homeowners to utilize for these upgrades. For more information on this very important program, residents can visit Broward County’s website, Broward.org. As our city moves ahead with Land Use and Zoning changes along the Andrews Ave./Oakland Park Blvd. Corridor, we should not miss the opportunity to redevelop this vital corridor into a regional showpiece. Smart and Green Growth, with higher density sustainable housing, utilizing the latest advances in solar and ecofriendly development, along existing transit routes and within walking distance to our town center along Wilton Drive represents the future of our city. As we leave hurricane season behind us, move ahead with holiday festivities, and ring in the New Year in a few short weeks, let us also look to the future and embrace the changes we need to make. As a community working together, we can create the roadmap necessary to guide us through our journey. The ability to plan, allocate funding, build resilience into our budgeting process and take action on climate change will make us stronger and will continue to make life just better here for many years to come. Happy Holidays Wilton Manors, and Best Wishes for a wonderful new year ahead! WMG
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Business
Art
City, Police Department Sign Three-year PBA Contract By Michael d’Oliveira
$3,000 Reward Offered in Dollar General Robbery
By Michael d’Oliveira
According to the Wilton Manors Police Department, two individuals robbed the Dollar General at 2797 N. Andrews Ave. in Wilton Manors on Dec. 4 at 4:30 a.m. Police responded after a passerby noticed the glass of the front door had been smashed in. Video of the robbery shows a silver or white older model four-door vehicle parked in front of the business and two suspects exiting the vehicle. One of the suspects smashed the glass and numerous items were stolen. Suspect one is a dark-skinned male who wore a royal blue colored hooded sweatshirt with what appears to be camouflaged colored shorts and dark-colored sneakers. Suspect two is a light-skinned individual wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt with what appears to be the “Hollister” brand bird logo on the front and white or light colored shorts.
The suspects wore masks over their faces, including a “Jason” hockey mask. Video of the incident can be viewed at youtu.be/mvcgqzdfosc. Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to contact Detective Patrick Newton at pnewton@ wmpd.org or 954-390-2150 or submit an anonymous tip through Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954- 493-8477 or online at www.browardcrimestoppers.org. A $3,000 reward is being offered by Crime Stoppers for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects. WMG
Photo courtesy of the WMPD.
If you want to get a contract signed with and the city of Wilton Manors for getting a the police quickly and cheaply, just get rid great contact done for our members.” PBA members will get a 1 percent cost of of the lawyers. Mayor Gary Resnick said that was the key living adjustment each year of the contract to Wilton Manors officials and the Broward and are eligible for a 0 to 3 percent merit County Police Benevolent Association pay increase. Other changes include increases in [PBA], which represents the city’s police officers, agreeing on a new contract – hourly pay for private shift work and field officially approved by the commission at training officer pay, an increase in the its Dec. 19 meeting. Commissioner Scott vehicle take home payroll deduction for Newton abstained from commenting officers who live more than 30 miles away, and additional vacation or voting because his time after 15 years of service. son, Patrick, is a police There is also an increase officer with the city. in the top of pay ranges by Commissioner Tom Green, 2 percent in year one, and who was absent, also did increase bottom and top of not vote. pay ranges by 2 percent in “Once we took the years two and three. lawyers out of it . . . it For 2017-2018, police worked in a very collegial salaries and benefits cost the atmosphere,” Resnick said. city $4.8 million. Because of The mayor, an attorney, the PBA contract, that will said the city saved tens - Leigh Ann Henderson increase by $124,600 in of thousands of dollars City Manager 2018, $145,700 in 2019, and by not dragging out the $155,000 in 2020. proceedings and paying Commissioner Julie Carson praised the additional attorney’s fees. “I know we’re proud of this and the PBA contract and Vice Mayor Justin Flippen said is as well,” said City Manager Leigh Ann he was glad to see it was “on parity with” the contract given to the general employees. In Henderson. On Dec. 1 on its Twitter account, @ the past, Flippen said the city’s non-police goBCPBA, the PBA wrote “The Wilton employees should get similar raises as PBA Manors membership unanimously voted employees because they are also important to approve a new three-year contract. to running the city. WMG Congratulations to our PBA representatives
“I know we’re proud of this and the PBA is as well.”
Community
Wilton Manors Resident Raises Money for Homeless Veteran By Michael d’Oliveira On any given night across this country, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that about 40,000 veterans are on the street because they’re homeless. This holiday season, Celeste Ellich is working to try and lower that statistic by at least one. Ellich, a Wilton Manors resident and U.S. Navy veteran, is raising money to help Navy veteran Delroy Hamilton buy a car. She said she was “excited and overwhelmed” about helping Hamilton. “It’s good to do something for somebody that needs help. Christmas shouldn’t just be about toys. He wasn’t asking for much, but I’m glad we can help him.” So far, she’s collected a couple hundred dollars from individuals in the Broward Log Cabin Republican Club and others to be used to help Hamilton buy the car. Log Cabin members have also pledged to help other veterans and their families during the holidays. Hamilton, a single father of three
children ages 4, 3, and 1, separated from his wife. The children have been living with family members but Hamilton said he’s living on the streets of Fort Lauderdale; his wife has been at U.S. Army boot camp for the last two months. He said he supports her goal because it’s a way to better herself and their children in the longx term. In the short-term though, support has come sporadically – gift cards for groceries and a 45-day hotel voucher from Operation Sacred Trust, an organization based in Hollywood that helps homeless veterans. Long-term help has arrived in the form of being recently-hired as an electrician. “I’m just waiting on the hiring start date. Once we get the ball rolling [and I catch up on some past debt] . . . I’ll be able to support myself and my kids.” But despite all the setbacks he’s had to face, Hamilton said he’s grateful and thankful for what he’s received and says others in similar situations shouldn’t lose hope. “I had no choice but to humble myself . . . Just continue to do what you’re doing you’ll continue to receive your blessing,” he said. To make a donation to help Hamilton, email Ellich at celestefsr@aol.com or call 954-3262468. WMG
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Business
Community
Commission Approves Medical Marijuana Retail Centers
Businesses That Owe Money to City Can’t Fly Temporary Signs
By Michael d’Oliveira Wilton Manors will allow the operation of medical marijuana retail center dispensaries. Commissioners approved the dispensaries at their Dec. 19 meeting. Commissioner Tom Green was the only one not to vote in favor because he was absent. Under state law, cities can prohibit dispensaries. But, if they allow them, they must regulate them the same as pharmacies. Before the vote, commissioners rescinded a previous ordinance that was more restrictive on dispensaries. “I’m happy to see it repealed,” said Commissioner Julie Carson. In the past, Carson said she wants dispensaries in the city so they can serve the needs of residents who genuinely benefit from the use of medical marijuana. Under the new regulations, dispensaries can only be located on Wilton Drive, Oakland Park Boulevard, Andrews Avenue, parts of Powerline Road, and parts of Northeast 26 Street. Mayor Gary Resnick asked staff to assure him new dispensaries would actually be able to open under the new regulations
By Michael d’Oliveira
and they responded that they would. At a previous commission meeting, Resnick said he had spoken to a dispensary that was interested in opening in the city, but he did not provide the name of the company. Existing pharmacies, which choose to dispense medial marijuana, would be grandfathered in, but new dispensaries would be prohibited from being within 500 feet of schools, and child daycare facilities. WMG
A last-minute change to a temporary sign ordinance means that business owners who owe money to the city, including fines and liens, won’t be allowed to fly a feather flag or banner to advertise their business. Under the ordinance, business owners along Wilton Drive, Dixie Highway, portions of Northeast 26 Street, portions of Northeast 6
Avenue, Oakland Park Blvd, Andrews Avenue, and portions of Powerline Road are eligible to put up flags or banners if they don’t owe money to the city. Mayor Gary Resnick proposed the change at the Dec. 19 commission meeting and it was approved by every commissioner except Tom Green, who was absent.WMG
Briefs
Check out what’s happening By Michael d’Oliveira
Around Town
New Parking Meters Will Take Credit Cards
Tree Giveaway Wilton Manors’ Third Annual Tree Giveaway will be held on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 9 a.m. at Mickel Park, 2675 NW 7 Ave. Residents who come will be able to choose from multiple tree and shrubs species. Prior to receiving plant material, residents will be required to visit educational stations, such as the National Wildlife Federation, proper planting and pruning, tree selection, and “right plant - right place.” Proof of residency is required. WMG
Artists Wanted for Art Expo
Trees, Police, and Artists
Sponsors Needed for Wilton Manors WMPD Makes Multiple Arrests Elementary’s Science Night Science this Nightmonth, at Wilton Earlier the Manors Wilton Elemennors Elementary is located at Manors Police Department 2401 NE 3 Ave.the To sponsor the announced arrest one of ofnine stations, call 754-322-8950. juveniles$50 andeach, one adult made during WMG operations in the city’s Central and Westside neighborhoods designed to combat holiday-related crime. The charges against the suspects include burglary, prowling, and possession of stolen property. The WMPD thanked the residents who called in suspicious activity and
asked that residents continue to do so in the future. To report suspicious activity, call 954-764-4357. WMG
Artists of all mediums are invited to register to be part of the Saturday, Jan. 20 Art Expo on Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. The Expo is a monthly event that occurs every third Saturday of the month until May. Business owners and other occupants on Wilton Drive host individual artists displaying and selling their paintings, photographs, pottery, jewelry or any other types of art. To sign-up, go to wmae.org/artists, call 754-200-2979 Ext: 602, or email vpo@wmeg.org. WMG
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