11.23.2023 • 17 SERVING WILTON MANORS AND OAKLAND PARK NOVEMBER 23, 2023 VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 10 FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WMGAZETTE CARVELLE BIKES CELEBRATES ONE YEAR WILTON MANORS Community and cycling are her passions. She supports the community and the community supports her. Carvelle Estriplet is celebrating one year since opening Carvelle Bikes on 6th Ave. just east of Oakland Park Blvd and Scandals. “It’s been a roller coaster. A lot of ups and downs. A lot of growth,” she said. She moved into the strip mall storefront last autumn. The floor was untitled, plumbing and electric were exposed, and there was what appeared to be a homemade sign. Today, a big sign announces her presence. Inside are racks of bikes. Some she is servicing, some she is selling. Estriplet moved to the spot after renting some space in the back of a shop on Wilton Drive. Some would be nervous about moving off the beaten path, but not her. “This is a busy part of Wilton Manors. We have a new development here. It’s been a blessing.” While the previous spot barely had enough room to service bikes, this shop has lots of display space as well as room to service bikes. “I’ve got great customers. There’s more room to service all the customers in our community.” Walk-in customers are especially grateful. While Estriplet was talking with us, Michael Hatchcock, a loyal customer, popped in with a flat tire. “If someone like me has a flat tire and needs to come by, you can’t beat service like that.” For the upcoming year, she has three Carvelle Estriplet. Photo via Carvelle Bikes, Facebook. By John Hayden words: “Rentals! Rentals! Rentals!” Estriplet wants to set up bike rentals around Wilton Manors, which is an increasingly bikefriendly city. “This year is about renting. Renting bikes to people coming into town and for SMART Ride and other events. People can also rent bikes to go visit the wonderful art in our town.” In addition to her activism in the trans community, she is also partnering with Fort Lauderdale Police to get bikes into the community. “I’m working with FLPD. Confiscated bikes are being brought over. I refurbish them and they’re given away to people or youth groups.” With one year down, she believes there are many, many more anniversaries to come. “I’m looking forward to more years of selling bikes, repairing bikes, and overall having fun with bikes.” WWW.WMGAZETTE.COM • NOVEMBER 2, 2023
18 • 11.23.2023 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 May 18, 2023 • Volume 10 • Issue 10 WWW.WMGAZETTE.COM HAVE YOU JOINED THE GAZETTE’S FACEBOOK GROUP? Come join the discussion. The Gazette welcomes feedback. Email [email protected] with comments, suggestions, etc. Facebook.com/groups/WMGazette WM FINANCE DIRECTOR SAYS ‘BONJOUR!’ TO RETIREMENT WILTON MANORS Pennie Zuercher was named Finance Director for Wilton Manors in the city commission chambers on September 8, 2019, and she received a standing ovation. Now her last day is set for Nov. 30. When she took the job, no one had any idea what was in store. COVID threw all the best laid plans out the window, leaving Wilton Manors’ staff to do the best they could, which often required taking a besteducated-guess. Zuercher’s insight helped take the guesswork out of the budgeting process. It was hard to predict revenue when you couldn’t even know when people could hang out together. During her tenure, she has helped streamline the budget process, making it easier to separate traditional, recurring costs and giving more scrutiny to individual items. To be sure, her job is not to set policy, but to make recommendations. In a farewell interview with OutSFL, she takes pride in seeing the city balance financial realities with quality of life. “We’re a service to the residents. Not everything gives us a financial return. We also make sure we’re noting the intangible return. What are the residents getting? I think it’s really improved the process.” Social distancing increased the use of the city’s parks, and she believes they are better than ever. “I’m pleased how beautiful the parks are beginning to look. It’s great.” In her position, she often finds herself in a shoot-the-messenger situation. It’s a hazard of the job she takes in stride. “People need to have someone they can ask questions. I know when they say ‘You did this!’ that they’re not talking about Pennie. They see me as the city, and that’s okay. We all need to be able to vent.” She knows everyone wants their street to By John Hayden Photo via Pennie Bailey Zuercher, Facebook. be top priority. “I try to focus on what they’re seeing and how they’re impacted. I think it’s also important we [look beyond] our [neighborhoods].” WELCOME TO WILTON “We didn’t come here by accident. We researched the city before applying,” Zuercher said. She came from working with a large school district and didn’t shift gears lightly. It’s a choice she and her husband, Geoff, don’t regret. “We love the people here. We have so many good friends. We go to Infinity and ten to twelve couples are hanging out. It’s such a community environment.” You often see her walking down Wilton Drive, popping up at restaurants or grabbing a quick cocktail. Living in, and working for, the city gives her a unique perspective. “I love our neighborhood associations. But at some point we need to come together so the west side can hear what’s going on in the east, and CANA can tell the east and west what’s happening.” Optimally, she’d like to see a meeting of the minds to find common cause. “We don’t always see that the exact same thing is going on elsewhere in the city. It would be great if the neighborhood associations got together one time a year and let everybody hear what’s going on.” BON VOYAGE So, what happens on Dec. 1? “I get off a plane in Nice, France.” Zuercher is saying “au revoir” to South Florida and “bonjour” to the South of France. “Lifestyle is very different. They work to live, we live to work. It’s slower paced and about spending time with friends.” She lives with an autoimmune disease that is exacerbated by stress, so she’s stepping away for a low-key life. She expects her new home will draw friends. “I’m gonna walk a lot more than I even did here. I like the mom & pop type of shopping. Our village has a daily market every morning. Good, whole, fresh food.” Zuercher will jump back across the pond from time to time, and expects the city’s development to flourish without being overbearing. And when a hotel opens in the city, she expects to stay there. “I’ll probably get a room at the new hotel. My mother taught me that family and friends are like fish, after three days they go bad.” But as she flies off, she has nothing but gratitude for Wilton. “I appreciate everyone in this community that has embraced me, especially the residents.” Zuercher is saying “au revoir” to South Florida and “bonjour” to the South of France. 2 • NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • WWW.WMGAZETTE.COM THE NEWSLETTER YOU NEED. outsfl.com/newsletter THE ISLANDER A WILTON MANORS NEWSLETTER Assistant to the Editor Kimberly Swan Graphic Designers Julie Palmer Kyle Willis Craig Tuggle Graphic Design Consultant Brendon Lies Oakland Park Editor Christiana Lilly Wilton Manors Editor John Hayden Correspondents John McDonald • Rick Karlin • Aaron Kinchen Staff Photographers J.R. Davis • Carina Mask Sales & Marketing For ad placement in The Gazette, contact 954-530-4970 Publisher/Editor Jason Parsley CEO Justin Wyse Spot an error? Let us know at [email protected]
WWW.WMGAZETTE.COM • NOVEMBER 23, 2023 11.23.2023 • • 19 3 It’s been seen it in movies and TV shows like ER and Grey’s Anatomy: dramatic scenes where patients are shocked back to life. While those may be over-the-top recreations, the situations are very much a part of real life. Now, businesses in Wilton Manors are installing AEDs, or Automated External Defibrillators. The Broward County Fire Code requires them, but doesn’t pay for them, forcing each business to spend big. To help offset the cost, Wilton Manors Business Association (WMBA) is partnering with Code RED and buying the kits in bulk. WMBA President Gary Van Horn says the AEDs can be bought for about $1,100. AEDs are pads that are placed on a heart attack victim’s chest. The pads are wired to a control box that takes a user through the process step-by-step and starts analyzing the patient. Once it determines if a shock is needed, it tells the rescuer how to proceed. A look at local and national headlines shows the need. In January, Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin took a hit on the field that threw his heart out of rhythm. Emergency crews used CPR and an AED to help bring him back to life in front of a packed stadium. In July, Bronny James, the son of former Miami Heat star LeBron James, went into cardiac arrest during a basketball practice. Locally, a restaurant recently had a person go into cardiac arrest. Having AEDs on site is critical to survival until paramedics can arrive. Also important: training staff to use them. Van Horn recently held an American Heart Association training at Rosie’s. Staff from there, Johnson’s, and a local realtor were on hand. In addition to learning CPR and AEDs, they were also taught how to administer EPI pens to people having allergic reactions and narcan to people suffering overdoses. WILTON MANORS Photo by John Hayden. WILTON BIZ PREPARED FOR CARDIAC CRISES By John Hayden Last year, West Point cadets died on a visit to Wilton Manors, and narcan may have saved a life. Given that thousands of people hit Wilton Manors every day, chances are the newly installed devices will be used at some point. It’s the type of equipment used routinely by first responders. “This life-saving equipment is essential to our public safety operations in the event officers or professional staff encounter an individual having a relatable medical emergency,” WMPD Chief Gary Blocker said. The city’s first responders and staff are trained in first aid, how to stop bleeding, and AEDs. While using one in a real emergency may sound daunting, Blocker says it’s nothing to be scared of. “Technology has vastly improved since AEDs were first introduced, and the practical use has been simplified to better serve the person using the device, and the patient in need of medical attention.” In addition to learning CPR and AEDs, they were also taught how to administer EPI pens to people having allergic reactions and narcan to people suffering overdoses.
204 • • NOVEMBER 23, 2023 11.23.2023 • WWW.WMGAZETTE.COM The city of Wilton Manors has been working with Broward County for years to make the area’s main thoroughfares safer. The county has often said many of the requests were impossible. Now, another official is saying: possibly. At their meeting on Nov. 14, a representative from the Metropolitan Planning Association (MPA) updated commissioners on the Transportation Master Plan (MPO). Among areas in Wilton Manors, they are looking at Andrews Ave., 26th St., Powerline Rd., and Dixie Hwy. Many of the proposed studies and solutions have been under consideration for years. However, some popped up this time that caught commissioners by surprise. Some of the city’s requests have been denied and called “unfeasible” by the county, but many are now back on the table. The study is not just for Wilton but for all Broward, and like all major projects, things change. This time, it appears the changes swing towards the city’s wants. Here are a few of the myriad, highly detailed ideas. DIXIE, SOUTH OF FIVE POINTS This area is tricky because the road is one way in each direction, and traffic can quickly back up when a long and/or slow train is passing by. Plans include signage to encourage alternate routes to destinations, raised intersections, and improve sidewalks as properties redevelop. DIXIE, NORTH OF FIVE POINTS This section is five lanes (including a turn lane). The current plan would construct a median, creating a “right in, right out” traffic pattern, and create a sidewalk on the east side of the road. NE 26TH ST. WEST OF FIVE POINTS This is where the street narrows from five lanes down to two. A wider, less obstructed sidewalk and better signage to alternate routes are suggested. A speed hump is also encouraged to calm traffic. WILTON MANORS NOT SO FAST WM CITY COMMISSION MULLS TRANSIT SAFETY By John Hayden NE 26TH ST. EAST OF FIVE POINTS This stretch would use better lighting to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists at night. A raised intersection is included as well as more crossings. A crossing at the lot with Holy Mackerel was once a non-starter. The county is now looking at it as a real possibility. ANDREWS AVENUE Plans for Andrews are to connect east and west Wilton Manors and redesign the road to accommodate anticipated mixeduse development. They would also better define the odd little ‘inlet’ leading into The Woods condominiums. Medians could also be added to calm traffic. POWERLINE ROAD This stretch on the west side has developed like the wild west: long term planning was delayed in favor of an ad hoc approach over the decades. The plan specifically calls for a redesign of the road to acknowledge the realities of residential development. It would also lower the speed limit to 30mph. Photo via Unsplash. General & Cosmetic Dentistry 954-565-7666 Always Plenty of Free Parking • Conveniently Located on Wilton Drive Dr. David K. Warner, DDS, FAGD State of the Art Facilities • Most Insurance Plans Accepted 1946 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors • FL 33305 www.IslandCitySmiles.com Dr. Stephen T. Scoglio, DMD Your smile should leave a great impression. Comprehensive Exam, Digital X-Rays & Cleaning* $69 New Patients ($312 Value) *In the absense of gum disease. Not applicable to insurance benefits. Welcoming