LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

Dan Daley,

Currently, in Florida, the limited number of vaccines obtained by the state are being distributed to front-line health care workers, and those who are 65 years or older. So far in Broward County, 29,974 individuals have received the first vaccine, and 2,743 have received both dosages. As we have seen, the need for these vaccines far exceeds the number of vaccinations available, and appointments have been filling quickly. I will continue to work with state and local officials to keep you informed as more vaccines become available.

Beam Furr,

On Tuesday, the Broward County Commission will be approving a major study of commuter rail running from Aventura to Deerfield Beach. This is a major step towards building affordable commuter rail on the FEC tracks running along Dixie Highway. The ultimate goal is to have a great commuter rail system running from Palm Beach County all the way through Miami-Dade, with many stops in Broward. This investment would be a significant advancement for our region and put our transit system where it needs to be to compete with other major urban areas. This is great news for Broward’s future.

Anna Fusco,

When the positivity rate was 5% in October, schools reopened for employees and a handful of students. Employees with conditions placing them at risk were granted accommodations to work remotely through a memorandum of understanding that expires in June. Now, with a 13.5% rate, those employees have been told to choose between their livelihoods and their lives by reporting to school buildings on Jan. 11 for the second semester. Despite only 39% of students showing up live, 100% of employees are expected to be there or take leave. This is dangerous and likely a deadly risk.

Frank Ortis, Bills are now being filed for the upcoming legislative session covering a variety of topics, but one that stands out for me involves making sure pets are protected from uncaring people. A proposed bill would set increasing penalties for people who repeatedly leave dogs or cats tethered outside in extreme heat or cold, thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, tropical storms or hurricanes. Following a first-time offense written warning, there would be $250 fines for a second offense and $500 for subsequent violations. Leaving pets out in severe weather is horrible and there must be strict consequences for this kind of behavior.

Eleanor Sobel, former member, Florida

Who are the real criminals? The Florida Legislature should address the sexual torture reported by the U.S. Department of Justice and the 2015 Miami Herald series “Beyond Punishment” by Julie K. Brown and Emily Michot about the infamous women’s prison Lowell Correction Institution in Ocala. Lowell’s officers abused, raped, sodomized, choked and beat inmates. Officers violated the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment, and they should be punished. Guards also intimidated and traded for sexual favors inmates’ prescription drugs, solitary confinement, toilet paper and loss of visitation with children and family. An independent oversight body must be legislated this session.

Andy Thomson,

In 2019, I resolved to jog more. When I started, I noticed lots of trash on the streets, so I began cleaning it as I ran. Since then, my kids and I have cleaned hundreds of pounds of trash from Boca Raton streets. This year, we’re going bigger: I’m going to run the city of Boca Raton — every mile of every city street, 475 miles in all — over the course of 2021, and clean it all. This perspective should illuminate the ways that our city is doing a good job, and all the ways that we can improve.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz,

America cannot afford another day with Trump in power. Inciting a mob to violently overturn the free and fair election of President-elect Joe Biden is treasonous behavior that attacks the foundation of our democracy: the peaceful transition of power. Despite its challenges, Congress must move to impeach Trump. He is a danger to our democracy and American lives. Trump’s comments led to the ransacking of our Capitol, the global cradle of democracy, and several deaths, including a police officer who died defending it. Anyone behind this deadly insurgency must be held accountable, especially the man who launched it: Donald Trump.

Matt Willhite,

The state’s Department of Health and inspector general started looking into Morselife care center in West Palm Beach, accusing them of doling out COVID-19 vaccine to Palm Beach Country Club members and wealthy donors. The governor spoke briefly on the matter at a press conference, and soon after, the Speaker of the House announced that the House will streamline a bill creating penalties for vaccine-related fraud. The Pandemics and Public Emergencies Committee will hear the bill next week. It’s unknown if the state’s two actions are related, but it’s a signal that the state will not tolerate fraudulent behavior pertaining to COVID-19 vaccine distribution.