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WMG

Wilton Manors Gazette

Volume 7 • Issue 4 January 22, 2020

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The Gazette’s Top 5 Read Stories of 2019

By WMG Staff

Murder or Accident? Henry Vidal’s Death Remains Unsolved

Wilton Manors PD Shows Off Pride with New Rainbow Rider

Henry Vidal, a popular Wilton Manors bar tender, died in 2015. It was initially thought to be a homicide but the case languished for years. The Gazette reached out to Vidal’s mother last year for an update and she told the Gazette at the time she now believed her son’s death was an accident.

The police, however, would not confirm this.

Photo via Facebook.

Boomerang’s Thrift Store to Leave Wilton Drive High rents, short-term leases, parking problems and construction are all reasons why Matt LaMariana is moving his popular thrift store to nearby Oakland Park in March.

Photo via Rumors, Facebook.

Police in the second gayest city in America have gussied up a squad car with the colors of the rainbow in support of the community they protect.

Photo credit: Carina Mask.

LGBT Friendly Housing Complex Breaks Ground

Photo via Facebook.

The Residences at Equality Park is the first of its kind in Florida — an affordable housing project with supportive services for LGBT seniors.

The 48-unit development is slated for completion in 2020. The project has broken ground and construction is underway.

Photo via The Pride Center, Facebook.

Rumors Bar and Grill to Close Aug. 18 “Over the last 6.5 years we have had the pleasure of serving our community.

We would like to thank all of our loyal customers for making us their destination,” a Facebook post from Rumors read before they closed. “The surrounding businesses for welcoming us. And most of all our incredible staff!

Without your outstanding service, none of this could had been possible.

The lasting memories we have made will be with us always.”

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Opinion

Hatred and Bigotry is Not Welcome in Wilton Manors

January 22, 2020 • Volume 7 • Issue 4 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

By Sal Torre  Andrew Brett, president of Broward Log Cabin Republicans, gives a thumbs up at the rally. Photo credit: Justin Musial.

“Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.”

Many years ago, during the McCarthy hearings, our nation was driven by false claims, innuendos, crazy accusations and lies.

Back then, it was the so-called Communists who were infiltrating all levels of our government and society. Attacks on public liberties were driven by leaders who looked to label fellow citizens as traitors, Communists and subversives seeking to destroy our way of life.

Not far in our distant past, we saw signs throughout America stating, “No Irish, No Jews, No Coloreds Need Apply.” Is this any different from the current bashing of Muslims, immigrants and transgender individuals?

I am not so sure that current demagogues and their supporters are driven by in hell that Sharia Law might actually be forgetfulness. This current madness is something to be concerned about.

The hatred, racism and sexism that comes driven by an educated and cultivated understanding of how such actions can be from our current President and his followers utilized to drive public opinion that is left poses a much more immediate threat to my vulnerable by so much uncertainty in our way of life here in Wilton Manors.

Thankfully, we have started to see some world.

This week, right here in Wilton Manors, hope from religious thinkers as in the recent we were exposed to the hatred and editorial in Christianity Today calling for the removal of President Trump. delusionary opinions of My upbringing in a liberal those seeking to spread Catholic family taught me their vision of what The hatred, to love my neighbor, to help America should be. those in need, and to be racism and Andrew Brett, President of active in my community. the local chapter of the Log sexism that comes The demonstration this Cabin Republicans, looked from our current week on the steps of our City to proclaim his beliefs President and his Hall, was all about hatred, while draping himself in divisiveness, and a total the Rainbow Flag in front followers poses disregard of inclusiveness in of City Hall on Wilton a much more our community.

Drive. immediate threat The utter insanity that His speech was filled these Log Cabin Republicans with accusations of how to my way of life would drape themselves in socialists, Muslim hordes here in Wilton the Rainbow Flag, a flag which and Sharia law will destroy Manors. represents inclusiveness and American society. uniting a greater community, Those of us old enough is beyond insulting. to be aware of the Red Scare Free speech is one thing, but we do not that destroyed so many honorable citizens’ lives and reputations realize the all-too- allow people to scream “Fire” in a crowded familiar falsehoods and scare tactics that hall. Nor should we allow such demagoguery these demagogues are using to bamboozle and lies to go unopposed and unchecked.

Thankfully, a band of citizens, led by fellow Americans today.

Residents of Wilton Manors should be my choice for Activist of the Year, Michael more afraid of the conservative Religious Rajner, were out in front of City Hall to Right gaining a stronger hold over our make sure that Andrew’s lies and incoherent national government than of any chance ramblings did not go unchecked.

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

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

This event made it clear that we must decide which side of the fence we are on.

On one side is a world gone mad, where lies, dishonesty, bigotry, hatred, corporate money, and so much evil guides a call to action. On the other side is reason, rationality, honesty and the belief in the rule of law and of the common good. I did not mention Republican or Democrat on either side of the fence, because this argument goes beyond such labels. It goes to the core of how we view ourselves, our community, our institutions and our nation.

As we celebrate the life of a great American leader, the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., let us remember his words and his work towards uniting us all in a better world. Dr. King did not preach greatness at the expense of others in our society.

His work on transforming those structures in society that allow some to flourish while denying opportunities to others rings true today as we see the wealthy 1% enrich themselves at the expense of so many in our society.

I grew up believing that America was the shining light in the world, that democracy, religious freedom, and our pluralistic society were the envy of the world.

Returning to these beliefs will make America great again. Unfortunately, we have a long way to go before we can reclaim these truths; but thanks to the efforts of many in our community, we have a fighting chance to reclaim the glory that is ours, and in so doing will make life just better here in Wilton Manors and from sea to shining sea. WMG

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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On Saturday, Feb. 8 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. the City of Wilton Manors is hosting its annual Tree Giveaway at Mickel Park. Residents will be able to choose up to two trees and one shrub for free. Supplies are limited.

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January 22, 2020

Community

Wilton Manors Hosts Winter Book Fair Feb. 8

By Denise Royal Looking for a good deal on used books?

How about videos and music CDs? (Yes, some people still listen to CDs.) The Friends of the Wilton Manors Library will host its Winter Book Fair on Saturday, Feb. 8. The sale runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The books, videos and music for both adults and children are for sale at low prices. Proceeds benefit the local public library.

The book fair takes place at the Hagan Park Community Center behind City Hall at 2020 Wilton Drive. Enter via NE 21st Court. Free admission and parking.

The event is coordinated by the allvolunteer, non-profit Friends of the Wilton Manors Library. Learn more about becoming a ‘Friends’ member by visiting FriendsOfTheWiltonManorslibrary.org/ membership.php. WMG

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this, justin

Future Planning for Our City’s Best and Nothing Less!

By Justin Flippen

As we begin the new year, I want to first wish you and your family blessings, good health, and happiness in 2020.

An important mission of your city government, and one I am committed to as mayor, is protecting and improving our shared quality of life which includes city services, public safety, neighborhood preservation, economic development, mobility (how we get around town), and all that makes our community a place we are proud to call home.

To stay on mission and ensure Wilton Manors thrives, we must put in place the best planning tools and elements for our sake and that of our future residents. We have ridden the wave of constant and increased property values as a key revenue source, but the tax burden on property owners, despite our decision to not increase the tax mileage rate, cannot sustain us indefinitely and frankly should not be all we look to in order to keep Wilton Manors vibrant.

Your city commission, with the input of residents, has been having some pretty big and important public discussions on this subject, because if we aren’t proactive, we realistically cannot continue to maintain what we all love about Wilton Manors.

So then what must we do to keep the city strong and sustainable (both economically and environmentally)?

How can we make Wilton Manors a more livable city, more affordable to all regardless of age from those in our workforce to those enjoying retirement, who look call the Island City their home?

Our key opportunities are: • pursuing strategic growth, • fostering redevelopment, and • executing our economic development strategic plan.

if we aren’t proactive, we realistically cannot continue to maintain what we all love about Wilton Manors.

Our key challenge is an unfavorable local economy for redevelopment because: • past success has left us with land that is expensive, and • outdated ordinances don’t allow for practical strategic growth.

To counteract and face those challenges and optimize our opportunities, experts have shared relevant data to suggest that updating our land development regulations can help attract growth and allow us to accomplish our economic development goals which include working to secure a hotel to serve our healthy tourism market and to attract passenger rail.

A recent grant allowed the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council to develop a train station/platform area master plan for Wilton Manors that included not only the physical master plan of the platform station but also transportation improvements, market feasibility with economic analysis, implementation strategies, as well as streetscape and beautification of the area around the proposed platform station. That plan was debuted in the second half of 2019 and is available on the city’s website.

Key recommendations of the master plan were that the city should: 1) increase density on transit-oriented corridors with incentives to promote redevelopment, 2) continue to add sidewalks, lighting, and bicycle lanes, 3) consider incentives to attract a hotel development, and 4) optimize the value of key public sites including the Public Works Complex on Dixie Highway and the land surrounding City Hall.

I remain strongly committed to working with your city commissioners and management in the coming year to ensure the economic and social vitality of our community by reviewing the plan’s recommendations closely to understand and implement them. Strategically planning for our city’s best and nothing less with experts, stakeholders, and fellow residents in the thoughtful, methodical, transparent, and public way we operate is another reason why “Life’s Just Better Here” in Wilton Manors.

Pictured: Justin Flippen. Photo via the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.

In your service,

Justin S. Flippen, J.D. Wilton Manors Mayor WMG

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January 22, 2020