From sewage backups to development, Wilton Manors is facing many challenges.
To confront these issues, voters will elect two city commissioners and a mayor. On Monday, August 1, candidates will appear at a Meet the Candidates forum.
Incumbent Scott Newton and Boyd Corbin are running for mayor, while Don D’Arminio, Roy David Walker, and incumbent Paul Rolli are vying for two commission seats. Rolli also currently serves in the role of vice mayor. All candidates except Corbin have confirmed their participation.
The forum is presented by Wilton Manors Business Association (WMBA) and sponsored by Happening Out Television Network and in cooperation with Hotspots Magazine and SFGN.
“This is especially important in these troubling times when the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans are being threatened,” WMBA President Peter Jackson said. “On a per capita basis, Wilton Manors is believed to have more LGBTQ+-owned businesses than any other destination in the U.S., so now more than ever our votes — and who we elect to represent us — matters a great deal for our business community.”
Jackson will serve as Master of Ceremonies, and the forum will be moderated by Katina Caraganis of The New Pelican, Wilton Manors resident C. Randall Alan, John Hayden of SFGN, and Al Ferguson of Happening Out Television.
“This demonstrates how vitally important Wilton Manors is to all of us. It allows us to show the English-speaking world that Wilton Manors is among the most important LGBTQ+ communities in America. And that starts with the city's representation for mayor and city commission,” Ferguson said.
Happening Out Television will broadcast the forum on ROKU, Apple TV, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV. They will also do Queer News Tonight, a daily news show discussing LGBT issues, on location.
The forum is 6:30 p.m. at Hagen Park Community Center. Attendance is free but donations will be accepted for The SMART Ride 19. You can register for a ticket at WiltonManorsBusinessAssociation.com.
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