WMG Volume 4 • Issue 15 August 16, 2017
Wilton Manors Gazette
Community
City Set to Lose $330,000 if New Homestead Exemption Amendment Passes By Michael d’Oliveira This year’s proposed budget is $34.9 This year, Wilton Manors’ biggest budget worry seems to be something that million, a reduction over last year’s budget of $35.8 million. won’t impact this year’s finances. Resident Paul Kuta said property owners As commissioners, city officials, and members of the Budget Review Advisory should get a break on the taxes that come Committee work on the 2017/2018 budget, with higher property values. He also everyone has an eye on a proposed praised city officials for their proposed budget. “This is the tightest budgeting that homestead exemption expansion. If passed by voters in November 2018, I have seen in the 21 years that I have been reviewing Wilton Manors’ homeowners would be city budgets.” able to take an additional Mayor Gary Resnick $25,000 in taxable value off “THIS IS THE agreed with Kuta and said their homestead, resulting TIGHTEST city officials need to show in less revenue for local governments. Officials expect BUDGETING THAT they are lowering taxes. “We had a substantial increase in it to pass. That would mean I HAVE SEEN IN property values and I agree a loss of $330,000 in revenue THE 21 YEARS with some of the comments for the city. that I’ve been getting from “It’s something we have to THAT I HAVE that they’re start thinking about,” said Sal BEEN REVIEWING residents entitled to a little bit of a tax Torre, a member of the Budget WILTON MANORS’ break as a result of that.” Review Advisory Committee, One cost on the rise at the July 25 commission CITY BUDGETS.” for homeowners is the fire meeting. assessment fee – up from For the upcoming budget - Paul Kuta RESIDENT $210.88 per home last year year, commissioners are to $214.72. The fees, which looking to give property are assessed to residential, owners tax relief that won’t commercial, industrial, government, and result in a huge hole in the city’s finances. On July 26, commissioners voted on a nursing homes, are based on the number of preliminary operating millage rate of 5.99 calls each classification receives. If the call mils, and a debt millage rate of .5015. The volume decreases, the cost goes down. If commission needs to vote on the millage the volume increases, the cost goes up. Commissioner Tom Green said he wants rates twice before they are approved. The first vote will take place on Sept. 13. At to get rid of the assessment fee and pay for that meeting, commissioners will also the services using property tax revenue. “I have never felt this was an vote on a budget and fire assessments. Commissioners can reduce the operating appropriate tax or fee. It is a regressive type of fee because everyone is paying the same millage from 5.99 but they can’t raise it.
Wilton Manors City Commission. Courtesy of the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.
[even if one home is worth far more than another],” said Green. “Maybe you think that’s OK. I don’t. I think it’s very unfair.” When the commission voted on fire assessment fees, the vote failed to pass because Green, Commissioner Julie Carson, and Vice Mayor Justin Flippen voted no. Resnick and Commissioner Scott Newton both gave sarcastic comments about the failure of the vote. “Congratulations, guys,” said Resnick. Commissioners will most likely approve the assessment at a future meeting. If the fire assessment fee were to be abolished, commissioners would have to raise taxes to generate additional revenue to pay for it. Resnick said the same argument Green made about the fire assessment being
unfair also applies to property taxes because newer homeowners pay more in property taxes than individuals who have owned their homes for a longer period of time. “It’s the same argument Tom is making. It absolutely doesn’t make sense.” Newton said that even though property owners wouldn’t have to pay the fire assessment fee, they still would be against an increase in property taxes. “They’re going to go crazy.” He suggested the city look at possibly getting rid of the fee next year. I certainly will not support raising the tax rate above six mills. I won’t even support keeping it at the current rate,” Resnick said. “I’m not prepared to change the way we do business tonight, but my ears are open,” said Flippen. WMG
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Opinion
Summer Break
Robert Boo and I disagree; that doesn’t mean my column is ‘fake news’
WMG AUGUST 16, 2017 • VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 15 2520 N. DIXIE HIGHWAY • WILTON MANORS, FL 33305 PHONE: 954-530-4970 FAX: 954-530-7943
By Sal Torre
PUBLISHER • NORM KENT NORM.KENT@SFGN.COM Photo courtesy The Pride Center.
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
ART DIRECTOR • BRENDON LIES ARTWORK@SFGN.COM DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR • BRITTANY FERRENDI WEBMASTER@SFGN.COM NEWS EDITOR • MICHAEL D’OLIVEIRA
Correspondents
JOHN MCDONALD • JAMES OAKSUN
Staff Photographers
J.R. DAVIS • POMPANO BILL • STEVEN SHIRES
Sales & Marketing
This past week in Wilton Manors was the usual summer break for our City Commission, with the first commission meeting of August cancelled by vote of our Mayor and City Commissioners. While this was undoubtedly good news to city staff who also enjoyed a break from the usual build-up to a regularly scheduled commission meeting, it might be bad news for Robert Boo, CEO of the Pride Center. Without any fresh city news, I am compelled to respond to Robert’s two-page accusations of “fake news” concerning my last Gazette article. It is rather sad that Robert Boo has to stoop to the level of Donald Trump, accusing those who honestly question issues of importance as misleading “fake news.” There is nothing fake about Florida Statutes and Federal laws. Anyone who wants to know the truth can simply look them up. Keep an eye out for late-night Tweets concerning my “unfair and misleading accusations” as confirmation that Robert is unfortunately following Donald’s path of attacking those who have differencing opinions or dare to question. This formula that Robert seems to have embraced is one that Donald Trump has perfected, but was laid out years earlier by Trump’s mentor, Roy Cohn. The formula goes like this: make up ‘fake news’, deliver it with a belligerent style, then repeat it, repeat it, and repeat it until your audience starts to believe it to be true. Robert Boo can say it over and over again until he is blue in the face, but the LGBT Senior Affordable Housing project proposed for the Pride Center at Equality Park will not be as Robert stated, “that every single unit is for seniors, no one under 55 can live in the Residences.” This is simply not true, ‘55 and over’ communities do not restrict residency to only those 55 and over. That’s not ‘fake news’, that’s reality. Now if the Pride Center would embrace a ‘62 year and older’ designation, then their case for 100 percent senior housing would be laudably believable, since this is the only
designation to fully restrict residency to actual seniors, those who are 62 years or older. Nobody is questioning the Pride Center’s mission here in South Florida. We in the LGBT community take enormous pride in our community center, a 5.5 acre campus that many have struggled for and have supported over the years. Nobody is questioning the need for affordable housing for our seniors. What many in our community are questioning is whether or not we are really getting what the Pride Center is looking to sell us. The Pride Center’s partner in this project is Carrfour Supportive Housing. We have no idea what the contractual obligations are between the Pride Center and Carrfour. What we do know is that the Pride Center will not be operating the Residences at Equality Park, Carrfour will. The press releases coming out of Carrfour seem to be more realistic and truthful. According to Carrfour’s own CEO, “The apartments will be geared toward members of the LGBT community, but there is no requirement that a person must identify as an LGBT member to live there. According to the real estate trade publication Lesbian Real Estate News, “developers are also planning to address the homelessness epidemic of those with disabilities and illness, 34 apartments will be set aside to house individuals with these needs.” The last thing I want to do is get into an ongoing public quarrel with Robert Boo. I have great respect for him, for the Pride Center, and for its mission here in our community. I also support affordable housing for seniors, along with a regional response to homelessness, those struggling with substance abuse, and others in need. I am simply asking some important questions that are being discussed by many in our community. As the process moves forward, hopefully we can stop with the sugar coating, the rhetoric, and the unfair accusations. Speaking the truth, asking for clarification, and not attacking those who disagree will only make life better here. WMG
THERE IS NOTHING FAKE ABOUT FLORIDA STATUTES AND FEDERAL LAWS.
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
MEMBER
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M E M B E Gay R Copyright © 2017 South Florida News.com, Inc.
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A Rocket To Nowhere?
Real Estate Geek
By James Oaksun As you likely read this, the 101st annual Florida Realtors convention is in progress up to Orlando. Three days of workshops, presentations, and a trade show, followed by two days of committee and governance meetings. Realtors getting a little party on, with some professional components. I am now four years in the real estate industry, and it never ceases to amaze me. A couple weeks ago I had a closing for a very nice single family home. Oh it is not that this closing was any different from any others. But it is abundantly clear that this industry, practically from first customer contact through to closing, operates at one technological step above a quill pen! Piles of dead trees that make this U.S. Green Building Council member’s heart sink. And the wasted time. I mean, it is 2017, people. 2017! I don’t want you to think this column is all about throwing stones. I have made a daily commitment to “living in the solution,” as it is said. I very quickly recognized that the potential for platform disruption in the real estate industry is immense. Others have seen that, too. Consider the provision of financing for the purchase of property. While we do have many cash buyers here in South Florida (fewer than during the early part of this decade, but still quite a few), most people will borrow money to purchase real estate. And as
most know, the government provides substantial incentives for this through the generally full deductibility of mortgage interest expense. Entering into this process as a major disruptor (or, perhaps more correctly, at least for now, disrupter in utero) is Quicken Loans and their nationally advertised (at great expense) Rocket Mortgage. Just scan and email, and they will do the rest, they claim, speedily and efficiently. But my experience has been that the promise does not live up to the performance. I don’t appreciate it when my clients are misled. But when I, personally, am materially misled, in writing, I doubly do not appreciate it. And given the stories I hear from mortgage broker friends, it’s not that Quicken singled me out. I’m told that last minute Quicken Loans nightmares are more common than they should be. I can definitely see where using Quicken for a refinancing might work well. But for a primary residence, especially for a first time buyer, they in my opinion don’t quite have the rocketship fueled properly. Not just yet. Now, I do not think my mortgage broker friends should breathe a sigh of relief. In my opinion Quicken Loans is actually very close to a game-changing breakthrough. They are not there yet, but they are close. You can argue about whether pursuing primary residential business as
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aggressively as they do, without having all the bugs out, is the right business strategy when dealing with something as emotional and stressful as the purchase of a home. Software companies do this all the time, shipping product that has not been fully beta tested and then issuing a v2.0. And anything that can be digitized, computerized, is, in effect, software. Quicken might become a killer app, in my opinion, in the way that Zillow, Trulia and realtor.com have been game changers for real estate brokers and agents. Shipping product that is not fully stress tested is a proven and workable strategy. But hope is not a strategy. I predict that within five years there will be many fewer real estate brokers and agents, and many fewer mortgage brokers. Happy 101st. 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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Community
Letter To Editor Dear Sal: I read with interest your article entitled “Pride Center Needs to Come Out of the Closet.” I myself was quite disappointed with the Pride Center’s decision to build senior housing on the Pride Campus. And indeed, I terminated my participation in the Founders Circle because of it. I recently was contacted by the Chairman of the Board of the Pride Center, Mark Budwig – it was basically a form letter – asking me to renew my membership at the Center. I wrote him a letter in response explaining why I ended my participation. I’m very glad you wrote your article. It’s a tendency for people to think everything the administration of the Pride Center does is in our best interest. Especially if it’s explained using a humanitarian spin. Please keep up your good work.
Sincerely, Jack Almeleh Fort Lauderdale
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! Submit your own letter to Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com City
City to Review Carbon Footprint By Michael d’Oliveira As part of the city’s Biannual Strategic Plan, officials will assess the city’s greenhouse gas output. Assistant City Manager Pamela Landi told commissioners at their July 25 meeting that the city also plans to do a greenhouse gas assessment of the entire city. It’s part of an ongoing initiative by the city to become more environmentally friendly. Wilton Manors has already adopted and implemented a plan to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles, installed car charging stations at Mickel Park and City Hall, give away trees to residents to increase the tree canopy, and encourage commercial recycling. The city also plans to minimize or eliminate the use of paper and is looking at the possibility of providing rebates to residents who purchase energy efficient appliances. The city’s economic development plan is also part of the Strategic Plan. City officials want to work with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance to
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bring new businesses here. Mayor Gary Resnick said the city should focus on economic development in the Arts & Entertainment District because Fortune 500 companies probably won’t move here. To help support any businesses that do move to the Arts & Entertainment District, the city is developing a parking master plan. The estimate is that the plan will be completed, approved, and initiated in 2018. For over a decade, the biggest complaint by business owners in the Arts & Entertainment District has been a lack of parking along Wilton Drive. Commissioners have taken various steps to address the problem, including providing new parking lots, but the problem persists. The latest strategy is free shuttles that operate on Wilton Drive during the weekends. It’s funded by the city but officials are exploring grant possibilities as a way to help pay for the service. WMG
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Business
ALL-INCLUSIVE... AS NEWS
SHOULD BE
Marijuana Clinics in Oakland Park
AS DIVERSE AS EVER
By Michael d’Oliveira
Whether you are in the bisexual or transgender communities, are asexual, gender-fluid, pansexual, or maybe you still aren’t sure, SFGN is proudly here to connect you with the rest of our colorful community.
www.SFGN.com
At least three doctor’s offices in Oakland Park offer prescriptions to individuals seeking medical marijuana. That’s in addition to the one office, Green Health, 1749 NE 26 St, Suite E, in Wilton Manors. In Oakland Park, there’s All Natural Medical Solutions, GE Health Medical, and Peace Medical. Cathy Paget, founder of GE Health Medical, 87 NE 44 St., Suite 2, said she was inspired to open her doors by her father’s losing fight with cancer. Padget said her father was on chemotherapy but could no longer take the side effects, such as nausea, fatigue, and skin discoloration, caused by treatment. “My father died of lung cancer 22 years ago. He said, ‘I can’t take this chemo anymore.’ Two weeks later, he was in the hospital. If we had medical marijuana, maybe he could have held on a little longer. He would tell me about the nausea, the pain, the humiliation. It changes your life. At the end, he was small, shriveled and gray.” She also views medical marijuana as a way to help solve the current opioid crisis facing the country. “There are so many people suffering . . . of all ages. If I can just change one life, than that’s wort a million dollars to me. It’s not about the money, it’s about the people,” said Padget, who estimated that about 180 patients have come through since she opened in April. “I found a great physician and we’re working together to help people.” In addition to helping with cancer and opioid abuse, medical marijuana can be
helpful with HIV/AIDS-related issues, diabetes, PTSD, arthritis, back muscle spasms, seizures, epilepsy, glaucoma, Parkinson’s, and more. “We’re accepting patients now. A lot of our patients come to us for a variety of reasons. We’re more than happy to see them,” said Brian Holzermer, medical assistant at Peace Medical, 5333 N Dixie Hwy. Suite 204. He estimated that at least 50 patients have been given medical marijuana prescriptions by Dr. James Milne, an osteopathic doctor. Milne was open before he started prescribing marijuana but added the service earlier this year. But although these offices can only offer prescriptions and can’t dispense medical marijuana, and the nearest dispensary is in Miami, Holzermer said patients can get their medication delivered without even traveling. “Everything is done electronically,” Holzermer said. All that’s required is for the patient to be present during delivery with an official form of state ID to prove they are the one who was prescribed the medication. He compared it to the arrival time windows used by cable companies. Medical marijuana can be prescribed in pill form, through an eyedropper administered under the tongue, and through vapor. There are also non-THC products available on the market. All Natural Medical Solutions is located at 1131 East Commercial Blvd. The Gazette was unable to reach the office for comment. WMG
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Community
Business
Check out what’s happening
Around Town By Michael d’Oliveira
Pride Center Gets Ready For Wicked Manors Annual Halloween event to go on as planned By Michael d’Oliveira
City Seeks Planning Consultant Wilton Manors officials are looking for a general planning consultant. The scope of the work the firm or person hired will undertake includes data collection and analysis, comprehensive planning, land development code amendments, code of ordinances code amendments, master planning, landscape architecture, surveying and mapping, urban design, transportation planning, public meeting facilitation, review of development applications, and other urban planning issues related to each specific project. The deadline for bid submissions is today. City staff estimate their choice for bidder will be presented to the city commission for its approval on Sept. 12 or later. WMG
Wicked Manors 2016. Photo credit: J.R. Davis.
Back To School Supplies Needed Kids In Distress, an organization in Wilton Manors which helps abused and neglected children, is holding its Back-To-School Drive. The organization is requesting donations to purchase school supplies and clothing for the upcoming school year. A backpack filled with supplies is $45, a gift card for a hair salon or barber shop is $20, new sneakers are $50, and a new outfit or school uniform is $40. WMG
Food Truck at Metropolitan The Tacosaurus food truck will be at The Metropolitan, 1220 NE 24 St., Wilton Manors, on Thursday, Aug. 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The public is invited to attend. For more information about The Metropolitan’s public events, visit Facebook.com/ WiltonMetro. WMG
K9 Bowling Fundraiser A bowling fundraiser for S.H.A.R.E., Shepherd Help and Rescue Effort, will be held on Saturday, September 23 from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at Manor Lanes, 1517 NE 26 St., in Wilton Manors. The cost is $22 per player. Food, drink, and raffle tickets will be available for purchase. S.H.A.R.E. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which rescues, rehabilitates and finds homes for German Shepherds in Broward, MiamiDade and Palm Beach counties. To buy tickets, visit shepherdhelp.org. WMG
New Senior Citizen Resource Guide The city’s Senior Citizen Resource Guide is now available. Created by the Community Affairs Advisory Board, the free brochure includes information about resources that are available to seniors at the state, county, and local level. Included are exercise classes, transportation services, meal delivery, and non-profit assistance services. Hard copies of the guide are available at city hall or at wiltonmanors.com/ documentcenter/view/3109. WMG
For the fifth year in a row, The Pride Center has been chosen by Wilton Manors to produce Wicked Manors. Wicked Manors, one of the city’s biggest events, is held every Halloween along a closed-down Wilton Drive and attracts thousands of people in and out of costume. This year, the event will be from 7 to 11 p.m. “We’re expecting over 20,000 people,” said Robert Boo, Pride Center CEO. “We have a history of successfully putting this event on and it’s a great way for us to raise awareness about The Pride Center and our programs.” Boo said the event, which also raises money for The Pride Center, attracts gay and straight attendees and that the costumes are what brings people out. The event has a history of elaborate and flamboyant get-ups. “That’s really the big draw for everyone – parading up and down Wilton Drive. There’s lots of eye candy and characters to watch,” said Boo. This year’s theme is “Heroicons,” which was unveiled during Stonewall in June. “You can go as [comic book] heroes and icons,” said Boo. Along with the costumes and costume contests, Boo said the basics of the event will be the same, but his organization is working on
some new features, such as new stage entertainment. As part of its contribution to help facilitate the event, the city will pay $9,000 to FDOT to close Wilton Drive, waive event and temporary building permit fees, which would have cost $3,000, and give The Pride Center 50 percent of net parking revenues – $2,800. Promoting the city as a tourist destination is one of the objectives of city officials. But even with the city’s help, The Pride Center still has to shell out a big chunk of change for security. Because 49 individuals were murdered in Orlando at Pulse in June of 2016, the organizers of Wicked Manors, Stonewall, Pride Fort Lauderdale On the Beach, and other LGBT events, have had to spend a lot more money for security. “Security’s still going to be one of our utmost priorities. We’re working with the WMPD,” Boo said. He estimates the cost will be about $30,000, the same as last year. “Unfortunately, that’s the world we now live in. It’s just unavoidable, even though nothing has ever come up with Wicked Manors. There’s no credible threat. But better safe than sorry.” WMG
For more information on Wicked Manors, visit WickedManors.org.
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