He’s been sitting at the center of the Wilton Manors city commission dais for years. Now he wants to slide over a seat or two. Mayor Scott Newton is running for a seat on the city commission, saying he has a lot left to offer the city, specifically his institutional knowledge at a granular level.

The roof is caving in. Water damage is omnipresent. A rotted ceiling fell on a resident. One resident says the pool hasn’t worked in years. Wilton Pointe Apartments has been falling apart for months and the situation remains dire.

Wilton Manors’ city commission chamber was packed with people wanting to be heard on the most ambitious development for the city in more than ten years. The standing-room only crowd heard updates on the latest plan to redevelop The Shoppes of Wilton, aka Alibi Plaza.

Costumes, camp, and cash. That’s what it takes to make Wicked Manors one of South Florida’s most popular Halloween parties a success. While this year’s theme hasn’t been announced, organizers are getting a financial boost.

Full disclosure: I am a homesteaded property owner who would welcome lower taxes. I also serve as Vice Mayor of Wilton Manors, one of the best cities in America. I am writing here in my personal capacity, after carefully weighing the proposed property tax reform measure headed to voters this November.

Julie Carson has lived in all parts of the city, has served on the city commission, and has an extensive professional resume outside government. Now, six years after departing the dais, she wants back up, this time in the center seat.