Wilton Manors Gazette: January 2, 2019

WMG Volume 6 • Issue 1 January 2, 2019

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Wilton Manors

An Aging Friendly City

By Sallie James Getting older can be tough. Driving, assisted living facilities, said Julie Seaver, walking and being able to see clearly at executive director of Compass LGBT night can become daily challenges that Community Center in Lake Worth.

“It can be a very scary time and it can make life difficult to navigate.

And with a growing population of aging seems a lot of LGBT people are going back into the closet because residents Wilton Manors, it doesn’t feel safe to city officials here are them to come out to their aware that aging in place medical providers or their can be problematic if caregivers,” Seaver said. the right services are “Ensuring that any not available. That’s community is age-friendly why being designated is especially beneficial as an “Age-Friendly to the LGBT population Community” by the who faces particular American Association of challenges in this regard, Retired Persons (AARP) is and the city of Wilton such a source of pride.

Manors is proud to be one “The idea of being able of the highest populated to age in place is really - Van Gosselin LGBT communities in the useful. I like that. It fits Local resident and activist nation,” former Mayor in the aspirations the Gary Resnick wrote in a city,” said Wilton Manors February 2018 letter to the AARP. resident and activist Van Gosselin, 73.

Resnick said the city would: In a municipality that is known as the “second gayest city in America,” isolation among seniors can be especially • Promote the involvement of over residents in an effort to improve worrisome.

Living in a city that is aware of these the city’s age-friendly standing issues as its residents age is important.

One challenge is that LGBT seniors • Support its Community Advisory often don’t have children or other Board in its work developing relatives to care for them as they age, and an Action Plan to respond to the they don’t feel comfortable at mainstream needs of seniors

“The idea of being able to age in place is really useful. I like that.”

Wilton Manors was accepted into AARP/WHO network of Age Froendly Communities. Photo via The City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.

• Commit to measuring and reporting Action Plan progress The city joined 22 other Florida municipalities and counties in 2018 to become part of an elite group of localities recognized for their efforts.

Other Broward cities that have achieved the “age-friendly” AARP designation include Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines and Pompano Beach.

Earlier this year, Wilton Manors commissioners approved plans for a 48-unit

LGBT-friendly affordable housing project for seniors with disabilities. The project will be built at the Pride Center at Equality Park on Dixie Highway at the south entrance to the city. It will connect to an existing LGBT community center.

Seaver said they are watching the Wilton Manors project closely. Palm Beach County has no affordable LGBT-friendly housing for seniors.

“We are very interested in our brothers and Continued on page 4 

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Opinion

A New Year and a Look Back

WMG January 2, 2018 • Volume 6 • Issue 1 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

By Sal Torre This time of year, one would normally expect my regular list of New Year’s resolutions for our city of Wilton Manors.

Unfortunately, due to the recent passing of a family member and of a beloved pet, I find myself looking back over the past year, thinking about those we have lost and who are now missing from the plans we are busy making for the new year ahead.

Writing an “In Memoriam” article at the end of the year is not my usual style. I look to write about what wonderful possibilities might lie ahead and what resolutions we might choose that will make our community and our city an even better place to call home. The recent events have put me in a somber mood, thinking about those we have lost over the past year.

However, I realize that those we have lost herald a new beginning to the next stage of our lives. In our world of black and white, right or left, one way or no way, it is hard for us sometimes to think beyond the dualistic thoughts that separate death and life.

Just over a week ago, many celebrated the Winter Solstice. This milestone along the circle of life can teach us much about how we look at death and life. They are not separate, but rather joined together. On the darkest day of the year, we celebrate the return of light. This holiday marks the ending, but also the beginning.

So, as we look back at those lost over this past year, we must also look ahead to a better tomorrow blessed by their actions and teachings.

Just to mention a few close to many of us here in our Island City, my thoughts wander back to Skip Stadnik, Pompano Bill, times, but through it all, we loved them dearly for being their own Pat Little, Todd Andtighetti, and others. I also will include a dog very special selves. named Bella, since pets usually are some of our closest friends.

In memoriam to our local heroes, we must not only look to With some, we had many years to celebrate together, while others celebrate their lives, but also seek to be more like them and to left us way too soon. Thinking of those who left us too soon, learn from their actions. We are a much stronger community we must stop and think about the tragic loss of so many young due to their legacy, and now that legacy must be put into action, lives this past year from the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High bringing new energy and a stronger commitment to making our School. Young lives ready to change the world, Island City better and better. lost to us all, in just a brief tragic moment.

Our city faces many challenges ahead. The Out of the But there lies the wonderment of the circle of construction along Wilton Drive will hopefully life and the beauty of the holiday season. Out of darkness, there blossom into a new and thriving city center. the darkness, there is light, the infinite nature of Our Finance Director, Bob Mays, who retires in is light, the energy that as something ends, something new a few weeks, will be hard to replace. Will new infinite nature begins. zoning along Andrews Avenue and Oakland Park Skip Stadnik taught so many here in our Boulevard bring a vital new look to this longof energy that community the joy and strength of community neglected corridor that is so vital to our city’s as something service. He leaves us with a better place we call future? the Island City, and his spirit and energy will serve Many unknowns lie ahead as we begin the new ends, something this community for many years ahead. year. new begins.

Pompano Bill is a legend, and his undying Luckily, we have a committed new Mayor, belief in the greatness of our LGBT community Justin Flippen, along with a new face on our here in South Florida is well documented by his pictures and his City Commission, Paul Rolli, and the strength of wisdom and remembered presence snapping pictures with his smile. experience that long-serving public servants Gary Resnick, Tom Pat Little demonstrated the strength and caring of neighbors Green and Julie Carson bring to the dais. Our elected officials are that make us a better community. Todd reminded us all to have backed by the most amazing and committed city staff who work some fun and enjoy life to the fullest. Their memories bring daily to make sure our city is the best it can be. happiness and a smile to my face. Bella was just obnoxious to City volunteers and the many residents who serve on city many, annoying to most, but was dearly loved and adored by a boards, committees, neighborhood associations, and area few. Perhaps she represented how we felt about a few of those support organizations are the topping on the cake that help make who left us this past year. They might have annoyed us at times life here in Wilton Manors just better here. with their quirky ways. They might have seemed obnoxious at Happy New Year Islanders!! WMG

Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Chief Executive Officer • Pier Angelo Guidugli piero@sfgn.com Associate publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com Copyeditor • Kerri Covington

Editorial

Art Director • Brendon Lies artwork@sfgn.com News Editor • Sallie James

Correspondents

Sal Torre • James Oaksun

Staff Photographers

J.R. Davis • Carina Mask • Steven Shires

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Sales Manager • Justin Wyse justin.wyse@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Associate • Edwin Neimann edwin.neimann@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Associate • Clark Rogers clark.rogers@sfgn.com Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping 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.

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Get lost at Colohatchee Park.

Photo via the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.

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January 2, 2019

Letter to the editor

Questions Remain on The Pride Center In his Dec. 19 editorial, SFGN Publisher Norm Kent rightfully reminded us of the need to support low cost housing and reminded us against the NIMBY (not in my back yard) sentiments.

On the other hand, he cited favorably the Pride Center’s initiative toward low cost housing at Equality Park. Sadly, the two have nothing to do with each other. Nearly two years ago I attended a Pride Center Board meeting and asked to speak about the need for our community to create an assisted living residence for truly aged and needy LGBT residents of Wilton Manors within the Pride Center’s large property at Equality Park.

Even after it was clearly exposed that the Pride Center’s project is NOT for LGBT seniors, but rather any low income 55-plus persons, the myth still continues that this is LGBT housing.

If you, like me, are well past 55 and vigorous, you know this plan is not what Mr. Kent means when he says “This is an LGBT issue we must own.”

I attended the very first public meeting about this plan at City Hall, and immediately expressed my horror that the massive structure will sit right at the curb in front of the Pride Center building – in other words, smack on Dixie Highway at the most dangerous curve in our city. Since many of the proposed residences are reserved for the handicapped, the dangers of location only increase, and the Pride Center’s negligence endangers them as well.

Again and again I have written to the city commissioners about my concerns. I have learned that the Pride Center intends, once this first huge building is erected, to build additional housing on its property. So apparently there is space and there are other locations, but somehow there is a dogged persistence in making the location as detrimental as possible to the residents and to the community. The City keeps insisting it is not a done deal and there will be more hearings, but whenever we residents express our concerns about parking, about sewage, about maintenance, about oversight, the commissioners seem content with the vague assurances given them. It seems to have been a “done deal” since day one. I wonder why.

I was overjoyed when the Pride Center first opened on Dixie Highway and I applaud its many, many projects and programs. But sadly, the Pride Center has proved to be a bad neighbor: I can tell you that whenever we local residents have a problem emanating from Equality Park, it ends up with calls and letters to City Hall or to the Police Department before the administration of the Pride Center will comply with simple regulations.

I don’t even have to remind you of the serious personnel issues resulting from poor management there. All this is taking place even before the Pride Center attempts to transform Equality Park into a residential complex for which it is has no experience and which will bring a myriad of new problems, which mysteriously do not seem to bother our City leaders at all.

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January 2, 2019

Let your voice be heard!

Submit your own letter to Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com

I wholeheartedly support the mission of the Pride Center, but I cannot see how this project has anything to do with the LGBT community or how, in any way, it benefits our beloved community of Wilton Manors.

I respectfully request of Mr. Kent that, as a journalist, to undertake some investigation.

For example, when I asked why the vision-blocking building has to sit right on the treacherous bend on Dixie Highway, I was told that the City had insisted upon that particular location, but no one connected with the City claims that decision.

I would like to know if it is true that some Board members of The Pride Center resigned this year, and if so, why?

In the past, SFGN has written about developers and politicians who have misled the commissioners and the community, so let us all hope for the sake of our town that this ill-conceived plan, once exposed of its negative ramifications, will be replaced with a genuine one, one that we can all support.

Jim Sentman

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community

Wilton Manors: An Aging Friendly City  Continued from page 1

Wilton Manors City Hall. Photo via The City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.

sisters to the south,” Seaver said. “This is website. The survey asked residents if they not a new concept. Los Angeles, San Diego, were 50 years or older, how long they had Chicago and Philadelphia all have very lived in the city and how they would rate their successful projects in major metropolitan community as a place to live for residents as they grow older. areas.”

One question asks how retirees get around Membership in the AARP age-friendly communities group signifies that local to do things like shopping, visiting the doctor officials are making an effort to prepare for and running errands. Another inquires about the importance of safe parks, future demands. According to statistics from the 2010 U.S. accessible transportation, census, 15 percent of Wilton affordable housing, “Anything that Manors residents were 65 employment opportunities suggests that we years or older nearly 10 years and the proximity of quality are conscious ago. The number is expected health care. to be higher today.

The survey also inquires of engaging At Mickel Park, the city about marital status, gender the lives of has installed a walk/jog path identity, disability or chronic and exercise equipment that disease, education and residents in the are age-friendly based on employment status. city is a matter their simplicity to use. The According to the AARP’s of pride for us.” equipment was selected with website, their network of the city’s aging population age-friendly communities - Tom Green in mind, said Wilton Manors encourages states, cities, Vice Mayor Vice Mayor Tom Green. towns and rural areas “to “Anything that suggests prepare for the rapid aging that we are conscious of engaging the lives of the U.S. population by paying increased of residents in the city is a matter of pride for attention to the environmental, economic us,” Green said about the AARP age-friendly and social factors that influence the health designation. and well-being of older adults.”

To receive the recognition, the city sent out Launched in April 2012, the network an “age-friendly-survey” in early 2018 in the operates under the auspices of the World “Town Crier” newsletter seeking residents’ Health Organization’s Age-Friendly Cities and input. The survey is also available the city’s Communities Program. WMG

Have you joined the Gazette’s Facebook group?

Visit Facebook.com/groups/WMGazette to join the discussion. The Gazette welcomes feedback for its community initiative. Email Jason.

Parsley@sfgn.comwith comments, suggestions, etc.

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