LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

Traci Callari,

President, Broward League of Cities; Hollywood commissioner. This Monday, we will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His commitment and work toward advancing civil rights and social justice through nonviolent protests should inspire us all to continue to work toward a more perfect union. Known as “a day on, not a day off,” MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service. This year, many MLK Day events have gone virtual. Check with the Broward County Library and your city to see what events are taking place.

Pastor D.H. Dawkins Sr., Praise Tabernacle International. People will remember how congress moved vehemently to impeach the president for inciting insurrection and violence on one of America’s revered landmarks. However, he had been inciting violence all throughout his candidacy and presidency against certain people. And yet, attacking a building and governmental ethics/principles got more response than attacking citizens. Reform is so necessary.

Bobby DuBose, minority co-leader, Florida House of Representatives. I pray that not one more life is lost in this stupid fight and that those exploiting anger and fear will reconsider their actions. On Wednesday, we will have a new president. The high-water mark for this angry era of extremism can be in our past, if we choose. We can begin to redefine our state and nation. This political division and the pandemic have cost us so much already in time, dollars and lives. Florida’s success is tied to the prosperity of all her people and the people need us to act now. We must move forward, together.

Howard Dvorkin,

CPA, chairman, Debt. com. In 2019, the Florida Legislature watered down a law requiring high schoolers to be taught personal finance. Instead of being a mandatory part of an economics class, it became an elective — earning a measly half-credit. If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s this: The pandemic is as much about money as it is about health. The legislature is already holding committee meetings on weighty topics, but it really needs to reconsider what it did two years ago, because the next generation should be better prepared for the next pandemic.

Chip LaMarca, member, Florida House of Representatives. Beginning Jan. 26, air travel passengers entering the United States will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test to board their flight. Passengers will need to get tested within three days of their flight and will have to provide the results to the airline. Without a negative test, the airline will not allow a passenger to board the flight. The CDC is also recommending passengers get tested three to five days after arriving at their destination. As this is ongoing, I suggest going to the CDC’s website for changes to flights and international travel protocols. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-air-travel.html

Harold Pryor, state attorney, 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County. As we prepare to celebrate the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, I am reminded of what he wrote from the Birmingham jail in 1963: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” We are all standing on the shoulders of the giants like Dr. King who came before us, and we should remind ourselves every day, not just on MLK Day, that we are always our brother’s and sister’s keeper.

Barbara Sharief, member, Broward County Commission. As we leave 2020 behind and enter 2021 with optimism, there are a record number of Americans who cannot because they’re anxious, worried, sleep-deprived, distracted and depressed due to the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with continuous disruptions in their daily lives, ongoing financial loss and uncertainty about the future. We were already experiencing a pandemic of mental illness before COVID and now we are seeing an unprecedented increase in mental health cases and suicide. We are living in a scary world right now and much help and research is needed immediately, or we’ll definitely collapse an already overburdened mental healthcare system.

Gregory Tony, Broward Sheriff. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s powerful words are a reminder that we can overcome any obstacle and grow stronger if we unite together. From social injustice to political unrest during a global health pandemic, we have experienced unprecedented times in our nation. Let us move forward honoring this remarkable trailblazer by upholding the values he fought to achieve. May his legacy of peace, justice and equality continue to serve as a beacon of hope and restored greatness for our nation.