There was a clear end-of-term vibe at the Wilton Manors City Commission. Gratitude and melancholy hung over the Oct. 27 meeting, the last time the group will meet in this configuration.
It was Scott Newton’s last meeting as mayor, and he delivered something of a valedictory from the dais. “This is my last meeting as mayor. I may be on the commission, we’ll see. It has been an honor to serve the residents of Wilton Manors. I cherish every moment I was up here and I hope I did a good job for all of you. Thank you all.”
The city also issued a trio of proclamations to people who have impacted the city through decades of service.
Richard Gray worked with Visit Lauderdale for more than thirty years, preaching the gospel of Greater Fort Lauderdale to LGBTQ travelers around the world. What started as a small project with a shoestring budget yeilds decades of growth and brings in more than a billion dollars annually.
“To have been a part of the growth of LGBTQ+ tourism in Broward County but especially in Wilton Manors, there were more than 3.5 million visitors coming here [every year] spending close to $1.5bn.” Gray retired in January 2025.
Also honored was Sharon Kerwik, who moved here 43 years ago and has impacted the city’s beauty in myriad ways. In her first year, she led a major landscaping project at Blanche Ely High School in 1983 that resulted in the planting of more than 100 trees, while also supporting the establishment of arts, gifted, and computer magnet programs. She has worked with the Historical Society, worked on the development of Richardson Historic Park and Nature Preserve, the Wilton Manors Police Department's bicycle safety program, and WiltonArt's “Up In The Air” project.
“I have watched this city grow in amazing ways with wonderful neighbors. I am very grateful to be living here.”
Finally, the Warten Foundation was recognized for its financial impact on the city’s arts and entertainment, including its support for Plays of Wilton, aka POW!
The new mayor and city commission will meet Nov. 24. The regularly scheduled Nov. 10 meeting is canceled because election results won’t be certified by then.
Scott Newton. Photo via Facebook.
