As Vice Mayor of Wilton Manors, I want to thank Thomas Paul Severino and the Gazette for highlighting an important conversation about how our city preserves its heritage while making thoughtful fiscal decisions that enhance access to resources for all residents.  In light of ongoing budget challenges, I suggested we consider allowing Broward County to take financial responsibility for our cherished Wilton Manors library.

First, let’s address some numbers: The city’s investment in the Stonewall Pride Parade equaled less than $100,000 last year (including waived fees), while our financial responsibility for the Richard C. Sullivan Public Library accounts for nearly  $1,000,000 annually (about $160 per household). This disparity is significant when considering how we prioritize resources that benefit the widest group of people while celebrating our cultural heritage.

The discussion to transition financial responsibility for the library to the Broward County system would ensure we maintain a robust, LGBTQ+-inclusive library here in Wilton Manors. In fact, partnering with Broward County would open doors to over 22,905 LGBTQ+ resources—a staggering increase from the approximately 115 resources currently housed in our local library^[1].

This is not about “surrendering” our heritage or closing our library, as some have suggested.  Instead, it’s about expanding access to LGBTQ+ narratives and ensuring that our residents benefit from the wealth of programs and resources available through a larger system while keeping our existing library.  If preserving access to LGBTQ+ narratives and the written word is the goal, then joining forces with the county ensures more access, not less.

The discussion about our library is not about losing something but gaining more. It’s about fiscal responsibility, greater access, and preserving the spirit of Wilton Manors while expanding opportunities for education, literacy, and inclusion. I encourage all residents to take part in this conversation with an open mind and a shared commitment to progress. Together, we can ensure that Wilton Manors remains a beacon of pride, a model for inclusivity, and fiscally responsible to the taxpayers it serves.

Chris Caputo
Vice Mayor, Wilton Manors