Wilton Manors Gazette July 5, 2018 by The Gazette

WMG Volume 4 • Issue 12 July 5, 2017

Wilton Manors Gazette

Community

Former Wilton Mayor, Jack Seiler, Votes No on Church Development By Michael d’Oliveira The proposed development of 88 residential units on the former Center for Spiritual Living site in Wilton Manors has been approved by the Broward County Planning Council [BCPC]. That body approved the redevelopment, located at Northeast 15 Avenue and Northeast 26 Street, at its meeting on June 22. But ultimate approval rests with the Wilton Manors City Commission. Among the BCPC members who voted no were current Fort Lauderdale and former Wilton Manors mayor Jack Seiler. It’s unclear at this time when the city commission will vote again on the project. The city commission gave tentative approval to the project in December of last year, but told developers they needed to reduce the number of units further. Before that December meeting, developers had proposed 100 units. By the end, they dropped further to 88. At the time, Mayor Gary Resnick said 88 units was a step in the right direction but still not good enough. “I will not vote for a site plan that has the same footprint.” Currently, the 4.9-acre site is zoned for commercial use but developers have said they won’t build any space for retail. The units will also be for sale, not rent. A feature which developers and supporters say will bring in residents who have a greater stake in the community than renters would. Although he praised the aesthetics

Photo Credit: fortlauderdale.gov

and the architecture, Commissioner Tom Green also said the number of units needed to be reduced. “No matter how wonderful it is . . . it’s not good enough for me. The density will determine everything else.” Public opinion on the development were more mixed than the commission though. At the BCPC meeting, it was a combination of people for and against. Resident Matthew Dreger said that the city needs the tax revenue from the project in case its budget is cut through a possible increase in homestead exemptions. Most of the city’s revenue comes from property taxes. He also called the concerns over density “disingenuous” and that “this may be more of a NIMBY [not in my backyard] situation” because residents near the church property hadn’t complained about other large developments in the city. Resident Randy Comer suggested developers only build 40 units. In December, John Fiore, resident and former mayor, suggested 50 to 60 units. “I’m speaking for my neighbors who actually live in the neighborhood,” said Comer. Martin Nixon, president of the East Neighborhood Association [ENA], said the “vast majority” of ENA members oppose the project because it’s “too extreme.” Resident Karl Lentzer said the project would be “great for the neighborhood” and disagreed with the amount of opposition

from residents who live nearby. “Not all members of ENA are against it.” Nixon said the project would create excessive traffic and noise and “destroy the quality of life” of the neighborhood. He added that a five-story development has “no precedent” in this area. Resident and business owner Anthony LoGrande, who serves on the Wilton Manors Economic Development Task

Force, said it would bring in much-needed customers who would support local businesses. LoGrande countered Nixon by citing the five-story Wilton Station development which is located about 0.2 miles from the proposed development. “I don’t think [Wilton Station] did any detriment to the [adjacent] residential neighborhood,” LoGrande said. WMG

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Opinion

Happy Fourth of July By Sal Torre x

WMG JULY 5, 2017 • VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 12 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 ASSOCIATE EDITOR • JILLIAN MELERO JILLIANMELERO@GMAIL.COM COPYEDITOR • KERRI COVINGTON

Editorial

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Correspondents

JOHN MCDONALD • JAMES OAKSUN

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As we celebrate our nation’s birthday this July Fourth, many here in Wilton Manors are faced with a very uncertain future. As Senate Leader Mitch McConnell tries to get away with dumping millions of Americans off of their healthcare insurance, wheeling and dealing in the back rooms of the Senate, many here in our Island City are bracing for the worst. Plenty of residents in their 50’s and 60’s, who used to flaunt their, ‘still not ready for Tropics’ status,’ are now finding that being too young for Medicare will be a very costly and possibly lethal reality. Many in that age group will be faced with much higher healthcare cost that will be unaffordable. Residents living with HIV and chronic diseases will find themselves in limbo for the unforeseeable future. As more and more burdens are placed on the shoulders of our state and local governments by our national leaders looking to rid themselves of the Affordable Care Act, many benefits and treatments will no longer be available. But that is no concern to our Republican leadership in Washington, as one was heard speaking away from the microphones, “Stop your crying already, it’s the sign of the times.” Well I think it’s time for citizens to come together in massive numbers and demand the change we need. Change is hard. Change is scary for many. Change means uncertainty. However, without change, things become obsolete, outmoded and like millions of Americans, just cast aside. As the cost and financial burden of much of what is being neglected at the national level is dumped on the backs of state and local governments, what budgetary changes will have to be made to deal with the extra cost? Libraries, social services, education, infrastructure, the money has to come from somewhere. Unfortunately it will not be coming from the wealthy 1 percent, since our Republican leadership hands over enormous tax cuts to the rich under the new plan. Here in Wilton Manors and throughout local, county and state governments, its budget season. The proposed fiscal year 2017-2018 budget for our Island City has been distributed to elected officials and to the Budget Review Advisory Committee members. Meetings and workshops will held throughout the summer, which will lead to Public Hearings and final approval of the budget sometime in September. As federal and state governments keep shedding

their responsibilities, the buck usually stops at county and local government’s doorstep to pick up the price tag. Drug addiction, education, homelessness, law enforcement, social services are all necessary and costly items for our society. Each time the federal government cuts benefits along with cutting taxes for the wealthy 1 percent, local budgets are faced with carrying a much heavier burden. Unfortunately we on the local level see the horrors of such carelessness. We see our loved ones denied healthcare, we see our friends unable to receive treatment for substance abuse, we see our children attending failing schools, we see local services struggling due to lack of funding. As our President tweets to just repeal now and replace later, a much different reality is faced by many residents here in Wilton Manors. Repeal now will mean residents living with HIV, pre-existing conditions, those in need of affordable health care will immediately be faced with a very uncertain and bleak tomorrow. This is not the America I grew up believing in. This is not the America I want to see moving forward. This is not the sign of the times. As our democracy comes closer and closer to becoming the new American Oligarchy, where the despotic wealthy 1 percent control our government and society, we must drastically change course or cease to be the great nation we come together and celebrate this Fourth of July. We need new leadership that will answer the demands for better healthcare not less healthcare, for better education not better prisons, for more affordable housing not more vacation homes for the wealthy, and for working Americans families struggling on low wages not the CEO’s who make millions a year by keeping workers’ wages low. The choice is very clear to me on how to leave the world a better place than how I found it. We are at the proverbial fork in the road. Hopefully, you will find a similar path, and together we will make the necessary changes as we move ahead together. Our Founding Fathers made some radical choices over 240 years ago that changed the course of history, but in the end, delivered to us the greatest nation in the world. Are you ready to make some radical choices, to bring about change and to make life just a little bit better here? WMG

the ChoiCe is Very Clear to Me on hoW to leaVe the World a better plaCe than hoW i Found it.

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Real Estate Geek

Community at Midyear By James Oaksun It has been a while since I have written about “community,” my overarching theme for this year. In this column, I will refresh memories of where we have been, and show where we will be headed over the remainder of 2017. The New Year brought a new regime into power nationally. Because of that, I argued that whatever side of the political spectrum you were on (if any), the notion of community would have great salience for you this year and in the future. If anything, events of the last six months have indicated the correctness of this assessment, even more than I was expecting. “At-risk” groups – including the LGBT community – have become more unsettled with each executive order, Congressional vote, and court decision. On the other hand, those who support the new direction – including a significant cohort in the LGBT community – are, given the polling data, relatively satisfied.

I continue to argue that an enhanced, systematic and intelligent community-building process here in South Florida is one way to turn the current situation to its greatest advantage, for everyone. At present, though, the number of “community cores” found here in South Florida is vanishingly small. This state was founded on cheap energy and the automobile. Yet as I have shown in the previous columns, we can work with what we have. And where the underlying structure does not exist, we in the LGBT community are uniquely qualified to begin the process of envisioning and creating it. As we move into the second half of the year, it will be time for me to update my Broward’s Real Estate Yearbook for 2017 (the past two issues can be found at issuu.com/JamesOaksun/ docs). The analytical process will, in part, focus on the core communities (or potential communities) that I identified earlier. In the second phase, and building on the work in my “Fabulous? Or Basic?” column from the real estate issue, I will extend the process into both Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. To build and expand community, we must be willing to think outside the box a little bit, and consider opportunities elsewhere in South Florida. And as we create and expand these communities, we have an opportunity to use them to mitigate other societal challenges like traffic, water usage, and carbon emission, as

well as experiment with new forms of governance. But as the National Association of Realtors preamble states in its first sentence: “Under all is the land.” So that is where it must begin. Just a couple weeks ago, I joined with many of you in celebrating Stonewall Pride on Wilton Drive. As always it was a wonderful display of what can happen when people with common interests come together, work together. Such things can happen in microcosm, and more subtly, as we strive to build community throughout South Florida and beyond the rivers that surround the Island City. Yet, as the late investment giant Sir John Templeton was fond of saying, “opportunities often come dressed in work clothes.” It won’t be easy, but it can happen. Over the rest of the year, I will share more detailed ideas about “where” and, perhaps more importantly, “how,” from both a real estate and a financial perspective. 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).

Community

Volunteer Group Builds Greenhouse at Kids In Distress By Michael d’Oliveira In her Bubbles & Pearls restaurant in Wilton Manors, Josie Smith Malave handles champagne and clams. On June 24 and 25, she handled sod and cinder blocks as she helped build a greenhouse for Kids In Distress in Wilton Manors. “It’s probably one of my proudest moments,” she said. The greenhouse is a “Legacy Project” organized by ML19 Fort Lauderdale, a gratitude training program. Volunteers also resodded a field, added a butterfly garden, and installed benches. The cost of the project was about $80,000, with the money raised by ML19. Minus the free labor, food for volunteers, and some other expenses, the value of the project is estimated at $100,000. It was money that Malave considers well-spent. “[The greenhouse] will teach kids about the environment, where their food comes from.” She hopes it will also inspire them. “Who knows what these little kids will grow up to be.” Garrett Green, project manager at Moss & Associates and project leader for the greenhouse, said Kids In Distress was chosen to receive the greenhouse because it was a combination of the desire of the members of ML19 to do a

project that benefits children and promotes sustainability. “There was a strong connection to kids from the group,” he said. The greenhouse will be solar-powered and water, collected from rainfall on its roof, will be used for the aquaponics inside. “We wanted a school environment to teach the kids. That’s the next part to our project,” said Green. Once the classes start, children will be taught how to grow plants and about water conservation, pesticides, and other related subjects. While the greenhouse will give children a place inside to learn about plants, it will also keep out some unwelcome

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visitors who ate plants previously grown at Kids In Distress. “Once upon a time our Kids In Distress team had this dream – to integrate sustainable gardening into our educational curriculum...unfortunately our local nonindigenous fauna (iguanas) thought otherwise and ate everything we have grown for the last several years,” wrote Mark Dhooge, president and CEO of Kids In Distress, on Facebook. Dhooge also posted pictures of the Greenhouse. “This is the result of the upgrade! We are so blown away by this volunteer groups’ commitment to dedication toward our mission and care for our children!” WMG 7.5.2017 •

Community

News

One Zip Code For All

Check out what’s happening

Around Town

By Michael d’Oliveira

Nature in Art gallery The opening reception for the Nature in Art photo contest will be held on Friday, July 28 at 7 p.m. at Art Gallery 21, 600 NE 21 Ct., Wilton Manors. It will feature photos of animals and nature scenes. The gallery is presented by the Environmental & Sustainability Volunteer Group of Wilton Manors and is free and open to the public. Visit artgallery21.org for more information.

Broward County Academy Applications are now accepted for Class VI of the Broward County Academy. The purpose of the Academy “is to increase resident involvement in local government, improve communication with the community, inform the community on the role, structure and complexity of county government, encourage community participation in volunteer opportunities, and build potential community leaders.” The first session will be held Tuesday, Sept. 12 and will be followed by nine consecutive Thursday sessions from 6 to 9 p.m. A graduation ceremony will be held Nov. 16. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 14. Applications can be obtained by emailing browardacademy@broward.org, or by calling the Broward County Office of Public Communications at 954-357-6990.

City bans employee vaping at city facilities

Wilton Manors has banned its employees from vaping at city facilities. It’s a move praised by Vice Mayor Justin Flippen at the June 27 commission meeting. “I’m glad that was incorporated into our city’s manual,” he said. City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said the city is looking into banning vaping inside its facilities for non-employees as well. Asked if it was because of health concerns, she said the question was “part of the research we’ll have to do.” The vaping ban comes as the city gets closer to making decisions about its 2017-2018 budget. A large portion of that budget includes the cost of employee health insurance. The preliminary cost, $1.45 million, has already got Mayor Gary Resnick commenting. “It’s ridiculous.”

Starlight Musicals Fort Lauderdale’s Starlight Musicals summer concert series has returned. Every week, from now until Aug. 4, a free concert is held at Holiday Park, located at Sunrise Boulevard and Federal Highway. Upcoming shows, held Fridays from 7 to 10 p.m., include performances by the RD Project [July 7], Across the Universe [July 14], Classic Rock Therapy [July 21], The Fabulous Fleetwoods [July 28], and Brass Evolution [August 4]. Attendees can bring coolers, chairs, and blankets. Call 954828-5363 for more information.

The official motto of the United Sates 33306, and 33334 – is between $1,633 and is “e pluribus unum” – “out of many, $1,683. West of Andrews Avenue – 33311 one.” It’s also now the official goal of the – the cost is $1,833. city commission when it comes to the The desire by some residents and city’s multiple zip codes. officials to have one zip code is something At their meeting June 27, that Resnick and Commissioner Scott commissioners unanimously approved Newton said stretched all the way back a resolution to petition the federal to at least the 1990s when the late E. Clay government to combine the city’s four Shaw represented the city in Congress. zip codes [33305, 33306, 33311, and 33334] Resnick and Newton praised Shaw, into one – 33305. saying he was able to get a lot of things The commission acted after members done for the city, including putting of the Westside Association of Wilton the city’s name on the I-95 exit sign at Manors [WAWM] failed in their own Oakland Park Boulevard. But the zip petition of the government and came to code change eluded him. the commission to enlist the city’s help. But now, commissioners are a little “They said ‘work with your city’ so that’s more confident. Newton compared what we did,” said Sal Torre, president of the issue to the Florida Department of WAWM. Transportation being previously against Torre, other residents, reducing the number of and commissioners lanes on Wilton Drive but said having multiple zip now being for it. “They codes is confusing and wouldn’t event talk to that having just one is a us about Wilton Drive, matter of city identity. but they’ve softened up.” “It’s about time,” Now, he thinks the United said Commissioner States Postal Service Tom Green. Mayor might be more inclined. Gary Resnick said “If the resolution is that residents in his - sal torre approved, the City will neighborhood were president of WaWM initiate the process with proud of the history of the Postal Service. If the leaders who came from USPS finds the request feasible, a their zip code, 33331, but that they were willing to give it up to be under one zip boundary review process would be initiated, which would include a formal code with the rest of the city. Resnick also said that it’s not fair survey of all customers impacted by the that some residents pay more for proposed change,” wrote Pamela Landi, car insurance just because they live assistant city manager. “It’s at least a in a different zip code. According to two-year process,” said Vice Mayor CarInsurance.com, the average six- Justin Flippen. “There will be enough month cost for car insurance in the zip time to adjust.” WMG codes east of Andrews Avenue – 33305,

“they said ‘WorK With your City’ so that’s What We did”

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City

County Wants Help With Cypress Stand 92 By Michael d’Oliveira Broward County is seeking volunteers to help remove debris and install native plants at Cypress Stand 92. Located on the South Fork of the Middle River on Wilton Drive, the undeveloped park land is owned by the county. Wilton Manors officials have expressed a desire to possibly take control of the 1.43acre park but neither the county nor the city have taken action yet. Nearby residents have said they’d like the park to remain as passive as possible and don’t want the city or county to add parking spaces. City officials have also said they probably won’t do much to alter the park if they take it over. In a previous interview, Patrick Cann, leisure services director, estimated that, if the city did take over, it would cost about $15,000 a year for general maintenance, such as

emptying garbage cans and landscaping. If the city added amenities, that would increase the cost. At a recent Central Area Neighborhood Association meeting where city officials discussed the park, Todd DeJesus, the city’s capital projects and grants manager, called it “one of the nicest cypress stands” in the county. At that same meeting, one resident asked the city to do more to monitor and police the park. She said trash is often left there and it is used by the homeless and by high school students. “I can tell you they’re not having a picnic,” she said sarcastically about the high school students. Volunteers for the cleanup and planting are needed Friday, July 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday, July 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 954-357-8149 for more information on what is needed to volunteer. WMG

Community

WMBA Moves Towards Greater Voice in City Matters By Michael d’Oliveira Tim Moffitt, the new president of the Wilton Manors Business Association [WMBA], wants to see his organization add its voice to issues impacting the city. Moffitt said that will involve more WMBA board members attending commission meetings when city officials are voting on whether or not to approve certain projects or regulations that will impact the city. “We want to make our presence known. You’re going to see more of us but we’re not going to be political. As Wilton Manors changes, we need to change.” He also said that WMBA would do more to inform and encourage their members to “take a stand” more with their city officials and let them know how they want then to vote. WMBA board members will attend a retreat on July 17 to discuss the issue further. “The WMBA goal is to become active in the interactive with the city. We will write to every member every month and speak on whatever issue,” said Joe

Pallant, WMBA board member. It’s a direction that Pallant is glad to see the organization go in. He advocated for it in a recent email to WMBA members. “The WMBA members must be more active. We need to let our commissioners know that we need important issues discussed and implemented like additional parking and we need the train platform.” Celeste Ellich, a WMBA board member and former WMBA president, said she’s in favor of encouraging members to be more vocal, but that anyone who speaks on behalf of the organization would have to have the approval of the WMBA board. WMBA also wants to do more to help businesses survive and thrive in the city. Moffitt said WMBA would do more to provide advice and guidance to businesses. “We just to give them options when they need help to survive on The Drive. We want to give them everything possible. Maybe they need help on their accounting. Want some advice. WMBA members could give them their advice. We want to be more of an information resource,” said Moffitt. WMG

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