TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

Kathleen Cannon, president, United Way of Broward County.

Congratulations to Kim Ng on becoming the Miami Marlin’s new general manager – the first woman GM and first Asian American GM in Major League Baseball! Ng, who began her MLB career as an intern with the Red Sox in 1990, now makes history as the first woman to lead a professional men’s sports team in any North American major league. We are so proud of Ng’s amazing achievement and look forward to many wonderful Marlins seasons under her leadership. May she be just the first of many glass-ceiling-breaking women in all professional sports!

Angelo Castillo, commissioner, Pembroke Pines.

When Eta poured over 19 inches of rain on already water-logged West Pembroke Pines, the water districts entrusted with preventing flood only lowered lake levels by one foot. This failure resulted in serious flooding conditions, with nearly impassable roads and many homes that could not flush toilets for days. We demand and deserve better and are ill-served by those wishing to toss a wet blanket over the failure. It can’t be ignored. We must do better. Some say this was a 100-year storm, but I don’t feel so lucky. We need better answers right away. No more floods. Get it done.

Belinda Keiser, vice chancellor, Keiser University.

SpaceX launched four astronauts on Sunday, making history as the first purely commercial-transaction crewed flight to the International Space Station. As a Space Florida board member, I know Space Florida and Gov. DeSantis are making the long-term, strategic investments necessary to drive Florida’s economy to greater prosperity in the future. In 2019, Space Florida worked with 15 space and aerospace companies, generating 4,139 jobs, averaging a $91,641 annual salary. These investments have a positive economic impact, developing critical infrastructure and revolutionary technology. Aerospace has proven resilient in sustaining jobs even through the pandemic. It must be a focus of Florida’s next economic recovery.

Larry Rein, CEO and President, ChildNet.

South Florida’s child welfare community celebrated Thanksgiving early this week. Recognizing National Adoption Month, in virtual ceremonies Nov. 20 and 21, we celebrated and thanked the incredible people that open their hearts to foster children needing a new permanent home. Locally, and nationally, our ideal goal is safely keeping abused, abandoned and neglected children with their parents or reunification following temporary foster-care placement. However, sometimes challenges are so substantial that we need an alternative. Last year loving, compassionate South Floridians met this challenge providing permanent adoptive homes for 500 foster children. Their generosity is immense and our gratitude unending.

Laurie Sallarulo, CEO, Junior Achievement of South Florida.

Risk taker, innovator, problem solver – traits often used to describe entrepreneurs. This week, Global Entrepreneurship Week, we celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurs and the contributions they make to our community and economy. It’s a time to recognize the growth they bring by introducing innovative technologies and products, the jobs they create and the competition they drive. Promoting entrepreneurship is important for our community so let’s help entrepreneurs with training, funding and balanced regulation, support the creation of more startups and invest in programs that spark young entrepreneurs. This helps create an entrepreneurial ecosystem that drives growth and innovation.

Alissa Jean Schafer, member, Broward Soil and Water Conservation District.

This week brought the latest cycle of newly elected officials being sworn in, some locally, some in Tallahassee, but as COVID-19 rages on, these celebrations hold a somber tone for many. Gov. DeSantis chooses to act like everything is fine, but the reality is anything but. COVID cases and deaths continue to rise, and nearly 4.5 million unique unemployment claims have been filed in Florida alone. We must prioritize the safety and recovery of Floridians and our economy. I hope our lawmakers can drop the rhetoric and get to work; for many Floridians time has already run out.

Barbara Sharief, member, Broward County Commission.

South Florida experienced heavy rain recently, which brought tons of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are a public health issue and Broward County continues to be under a mosquito-borne illnesses alert. Mosquitoes that carry the viruses that cause Zika, West Nile, and Dengue Fever breed indoors, outdoors and bite any time of day. You can prevent mosquito-borne diseases from spreading by eliminating all standing water on and around your property. A mosquito’s lifecycle is approximately seven days and they can breed in tiny amounts of water in bottles, cans, buckets, drains and plants. Broward residents can request free mosquito spraying service by calling 311 or http://webapps.broward.org/ mosquito/request.aspx.

Andy Thomson, member, Boca Raton City Council.

As we settle into the week of Thanksgiving, which for most means time off from work and kids home from school, many worry about their housing situation. The economic impacts of COVID-19 have led, for many, to late mortgage or rent payments. Thankfully, relief remains available. Although the deadline to apply to Palm Beach County for mortgage or rent assistance passed on Nov. 16, Boca Raton residents now have until Dec. 4 to seek up to $15,000 in mortgage or rent relief from the city. Details and requirements can be found at www.myboca.us.