LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK

Irela Bagué, president, Bagué Group. MiamiDade County made history by electing its first female mayor. Daniella Levine Cavawon the seat previously held by His panic men for decades. Although it is considered a nonpartisan position, this mayoral campaign got swept into the general election rhetoric and ideologies. However, Mayor-elect Levine Cava focused on running her campaign based on compassion, unity and solutions; it is clear this resonated with the voters.

Traci Callari, president, Broward League of Cities; Hollywood commissioner. Nov. 11, 2020 – Veterans Day – we honor and recognize the 17.4 million veterans who have risked their lives in defense of our great country and the rights and freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Our Armed Forces have protected our country on foreign and domestic fronts, andwe must never forget their sacrifices. We are fortunate to live in a country where our freedoms have been defended and protected for hundreds of years. Please remember to thank our veterans for their service and bravery and may we continue to honor and respect them.

Anna Fusco, president, Bro ward Teachers Union. Are students and educators safe from coronavirus in Broward schools? When the governor and education commissioner mandated brick-and-mortar schools open with optional attendance for students and required for educators, Broward’s positivity rate had been below5% for several days. That was then. Now, it’s climbed back over 10%, reflecting the record number of cases being seen across the country. In Broward schools, the case count is now more than 600! That number becomes even more concerning when you consider that approximately 80% of students are still learning remotely. We need to stop endangering our kids and educators!

Michael Gottlieb, member, Florida House of Representatives. I am preparing to switch from being a busy criminal defense lawyer and campaign advocate tomy role in the state House. We will have an organizational session in November and then convene for committee weeks in mid-January thru mid-February. The time is now for thosewho are interested to contact your state legislator and let us know your priorities for this coming session. I seemy job as someone who must be responsive to all in the district and state, and I amhappy to engage with anyone who has ideas that benefit Florida. Contact me, let’s talk. Michael.gottlieb@myfloridahouse.gov, 954-424-6812.

Ina Lee, owner, Travel host Elite of Greater Fort Lauderdale. The United States formally left the Paris Climate Agreement, amove that was threatened by President Trump. The global pact was created five years ago to avoid the catastrophic impact of climate change by reducing the increase in average temperature well below3.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Aswe face rising sea levels and more storms and fires globally, the urgency of global reduction of greenhouse gases has never been more needed. Time is running out andwe must take effective action as a nation now.

Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, president and CEO, Community Foundation of Bro ward. The arts are one of the many economic casualties of this pandemic. Cancelled performances and closed venues leave artists and arts organizations struggling to stay a float in Bro ward and across the country. Already, nearly 1,000 people working int heart sin Bro ward have been furloughed, with close to 400 local jobs eliminated. New Art of Community grants from the Community Foundation will help, but arts everywhere require more public and private investment to ensure that the power oft hearts continues to inspire, unite and inject life into communities everywhere.

Barbara Sharief, member, Broward County Commission. Climate change is real, the consequences of climate change are already here and millions of lives are at stake. In the U.S., chronic flooding threatens coastal communities, and devastating hurricanes are commonplace. Wildfires, heatwaves, droughts and inland flooding continue to break records. Wemay not be able to reverse all the damage, butwe canmake small changes that will make a big difference. If everyone takes the initiative to reduce, reuse and recycle, the shifting trend will help our planet. We have the technologies and science however we need strong leadership to change our current trajectory.

Robert Weinroth, member, Palm Beach County Commission. This year continues to test our residents’ endurance. With a pandemic continuing to rage within our community, and a promised flu season just weeks off, we are now facing the potential arrival of Eta. This tropical storm is forecast to cross over Cuba and impact South Florida. Although there is still significant uncertainty in the models, weekend events will likely be washed out just as residents have begun to resume outdoor activities. With but threeweeks left in this year’s hurricane season, one is left wondering if we’re going to have enough Greek letters to track the remaining tropical disturbances.