Our city is once again looking to purchase land, and once again is demonstrating the need to improve on the art of negotiation. Just by the definition of negotiation, the city is failing miserably in the recent move to purchase a vacant lot to be used for additional parking on the north end of the Wilton Drive Arts and Entertainment District.

Sad news this morning as I look at the newspaper headlines. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will be ending their 146-year run in May 2017. American families, especially those with young wide-eyed children, will be losing a part of their childhood.

Last week I took a short vacation to visit a friend in the mountains of Puerto Rico. While it was a much-need break from my routine here in Wilton Manors, have had to work double shifts since my return to make up the time, and I’m still trying to catch up on everything I missed.

Election Day is only three weeks away, mail-in ballots have been sent out, early voting will start next week, and we have entered the final stretch of this horrific election cycle.

In all my years living in Wilton Manors, I cannot remember a time when so many incidents have taken place targeting residents on our streets at night.

The Pink Triangle began under the Nazi reign of terror as a badge to identify homosexuals. As homosexuals were rounded up in Germany and later throughout Europe, this pink triangle was stitched on the prison uniform as homosexuals were sent to concentration camps. We all know the fate of millions of Jews, homosexuals, gypsies, and others whom the Third Reich decreed inferior as Nazi forces marched forward with devastating state-sponsored ethnic and moral cleansing.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Last week I sat down and wrote my article for the Wilton Manors Gazette. However, I was a week early due to my miscalculation as to when the next edition would be published. The main topic had to do with our Art-less & Entertainment District along Wilton Drive. What a difference a week makes!

As I sit down to write my article on the eve of our city’s Stonewall Pride Festival, we here in Wilton Manors have plenty to be proud of. This past week has reinforced my pride in our city, our community, and within myself. 

Wow, a very busy few weeks here in and around Wilton Manors. Weekend before last we had the Annual Fort Lauderdale Orchid Show, Music at Mickel Park, the Tree Giveaway, Document Shredding event, Pride Center 5k Run, and the Art Walk along Wilton Drive.

The biggest acts come to the American Airlines Arena in Miami. Janet Jackson brings her Unbreakable World tour to the Triple A on Sept. 20, followed by Marc Anthony, Oct. 2 – 3, Ricky Martin, Oct. 24, and Taylor Swift, Oct. 29. Madonna will be stopping by, also, but you’ll have to wait until January. Get your tickets now. Tickets and more information at AAArena.com.

In September of last year, Commissioner Tom Green expressed an interest in possibly making commercial recycling mandatory in the city.

More than 10 years after the city established its Affordable Housing Program, commissioners have decided to implement it. The program was established in November of 2005 and is funded through impact fees - .25 to .50 cents per square foot on renovations and new construction. 

Despite objections to its design, a plan to honor former Mayor Justin Flippen was approved by Wilton Manors Commissioners at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Wilton Manors will allow the operation of medical marijuana retail center dispensaries.

Resolutions approved by the city commission are usually done so without much debate.

Property values are up in Wilton Manors and commissioners may take advantage with a slight increase in property taxes.

The last item on the Wilton Manors commission meeting agenda generated the most robust discussion of the evening.

Wilton Manors’ bar and restaurant owners may soon have fewer chances to extend last call.

Although city commissioners unanimously support efforts to acquire more land for parking on and near Wilton Drive, an available property, located at Northeast 23 Drive and Northeast 11 Avenue, has them divided.

For the fifth time, commissioners extended an ordinance which allows business owners to put out a temporary feather flag or banner to advertise their business. The extension was approved at the Nov. 28 meeting.

Tired of talk, Wilton Manors commissioners directed city staff to create a shuttle service to help alleviate some of the parking problems along Wilton Drive.

As Fort Lauderdale’s restriction on feeding the homeless in public parks grabs national headlines, the Wilton Manors Commission may propose a resolution to help fund programs aimed at helping the homeless.

Sign pollution was a big part of the conversation surrounding the proposed changes to the city’s signage regulations. Commissioners approved the changes at their Feb. 28 meeting but will have to vote on the issue again to make the changes official.

Per the city commission’s request, the city manager and city attorney will research what regulations other cities have instituted regarding generators and multi-unit residential units with multiple stories.

Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution on June 28 calling on federal and state legislators to pass more effective gun control laws.

At their meeting on Feb. 14, commissioners passed two moratoriums – new medical clinics in the Wilton Drive Arts & Entertainment District and new group homes in the entire city. The moratoriums do not apply to existing clinics or group homes.

Wilton Manors is proceeding with a bold policy to offer employees up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

Wilton Manors is proceeding with a bold policy to offer employees up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

Lanier “bordering on aggression” says Green