Here is our Q&A with Scott Newton, who is running for Mayor of Wilton Manors.
Why are you the best candidate for Mayor?
I bring a combination of proven leadership and a deep understanding of our community’s needs. I am very collaborative and have worked closely with residents, HOA’s, businesses and community leaders to bring our city to where it is today. I have consistently brought the community together with hard work and determination to solve complex challenges including balancing budgets, staffing, and building consensus among diverse groups.
What are your qualifications?
I have been part of the Wilton Manors community for over 65 years. I was the Chair for the Planning and Zoning Committee for five years, on the City Commission for 22 years, and a small business owner for 40 years. I have many influential allies including US Congressmen, US Senators, FL Senators, FL House of Representatives and County and City Commissioners. I have a strong leadership ability to lead city government, work with city councils, and manage diverse teams of public officials and staff.
Is affordable housing an area of concern? Is there anything a city as small as Wilton Manors can actually do about the problem?
Affordable housing is an issue throughout South Florida. The City of Wilton Manors established an affordable housing trust fund that contributed toward the residences at the Equality Park project and toward first-time home buyers grants. The city is now planning to develop an affordable housing plan to identify tools the city can use to increase its supply of affordable housing. The commission also recently established development incentives for new projects to include affordable housing.
List your top issues of concern.
Safety for my community, smart growth, and infrastructure. All of these should always be top priorities.
The police pay crisis is solved (for now). However, a similar crisis is looming with city staff, which are paid less than their counterparts in many Broward County municipalities. How can the city retain staff without breaking the bank?
Labor costs have been on the rise in nearly every sector, and we must stay competitive. There is an even greater expense related to employee turnover and vacancies, and using financial resources to recruit and retain qualified staff is money better spent. This is one reason the city needs to continue to focus on redevelopment efforts. Generating new revenue sources is essential to the sustainability of our city.
Do you feel Wilton Manors should continue to grow or retain its roots as a bedroom community? What is your vision?
Wilton Manors can both grow and retain its roots as a small-town community. The key is to establish defined areas for growth, and those are the transit-oriented corridors. New development in those areas will not threaten the quality of single-family neighborhoods; it will only enhance the quality by bringing new, walkable destinations for our residents to enjoy. The City Commission recently approved several such projects that are finalizing their Broward County approval processes and will begin construction soon.
How can the city showcase diversity despite the edicts and mood from Tallahassee?
One of the city’s greatest treasures is its diversity. We continue to celebrate and highlight that through cultural events like Stonewall, by supporting local businesses and using our policy tools to protect our community even in the face of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation coming from Tallahassee.
Our sewage system is at the mercy of Fort Lauderdale. What can the city do, besides searching for and fixing leaks, to keep the streets clean and the residents from paying higher utility bills?
We are currently and have been investing substantially in the city’s water and sewer systems. I have used my long-term relationships with City of Fort Lauderdale elected officials, including Mayor Dean Trantalis, to advocate for regional improvements to the wastewater system. Together we secured joint funding from Congress to support those efforts. With aging infrastructure and the effects of sea level rise, the focus on these types of projects must continue, it’s not a one and done plan.
