Have you heard the sounds of munching, laughing, barking and celebrating the discovery of the best deal? Something new is happening in the gayborhood — after dark.  

If you pass by Hamburger Mary’s on Wilton Drive in the evening, you may catch a glimpse of their drag performers entertaining the crowd. That’s because the chain is standing up to Gov. Ron DeSantis and opening its doors for the world to see.

The word “rush” in the term “rush hour” becomes more ironic with each passing year. Anyone who’s lived in South Florida for a decade or longer can tell you that roads are more congested and traffic is moving slower each year.

Broward County is preparing a 15-year plan to upgrade mass transit through major corridors. Wilton Manors city commissioners were briefed on plans during their meeting on June 27.

The plan is estimated to cost $4.4 billion, which will be funded by the transportation surtax passed in 2018, as well as federal and state money. It calls for 100 miles of high frequency bus service, 76 miles of bus rapid transit (BRT), 23.3 miles of light rapid transit (LRT), and 11.5 of commuter rail south.

The crown jewel of the plan is creating a 3.5-mile LRT corridor connecting the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Port Everglades, and the Broward County Convention Center. The projected cost is $1.25 billion with a completion date of 2028.

Plans for Wilton Manors and Oakland Park include 15 miles of BRT with 16 stops along Oakland Park Boulevard by 2028, nicknamed “sea grass to sawgrass.” Another BRT is along Powerline Road from Broward Blvd. to Sample Rd. with ten stops.

High frequency service is also planned along U.S. 1/Federal Highway and Dixie Highway.

Wilton Tower Lien

Commissioners were asked to reduce fines against Wilton Tower. The property racked up $64,094 in fines, administrative and court costs. They were cited for deteriorated fence and walls, landscape maintenance, a ground surface hazard, not complying with dumpster enclosure requirements, hard junk, and parking area maintenance.

Fines were assessed at $250 per day for 253 days, the time it took to be deemed in compliance.

A special magistrate’s hearing reduced that number by about 50%, and the owners came asking for further relief. Owners say they addressed each issue as they could and that’s why it took so long.

They asked for the remaining fines to be wiped out. A skeptical commission questioned the timeline. There was little appetite to give further relief, and they even considered partially reversing the special magistrate and raising the amount owed.

Ultimately, they decided to affirm the total settled on by the special magistrate. 

Money Matters

The commission also appointed a new member to the Financial Advisory Board to fill the remaining term of William Hayden.

The commission voted 4-0 (Mayor Scott Newton was not in attendance and did not vote), to appoint Daniel Rahm over Stephen Hunsicker and John Meridith. In his application, he cited more than 25 years of experience in global finance and planning.

After two brutal legislative sessions in Tallahassee, South Florida’s LGBT community is still trying to understand what happened and figure out what’s next. State Rep. Daryl Campbell serves District 99, covering Wilton Manors and surrounding areas. He came to Hagen Park to give constituents a post-session briefing.