TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

Marty Kiar, property appraiser, Broward County. Citizens’ Board of Governors voted to recommend an excessive residential statewide increase in insurance rates. Approximately 285,000 Citizens policy holders reside in South Florida. The Sun Sentinel reported that the annual premium for residential coverage in Broward would increase $231 or 6.6%, in Palm Beach by $248 or 8.2% and in MiamiDade by $181. Unconscionably, Citizens’ board disregarded staff ’s recommendation of a smaller, 3.7% increase. These increases begin Aug. 1 but cannot take effect unless approved by the Office of Insurance Regulation. If you’re concerned about these rate hikes, then contact the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation at 850-413-3140 or InsuranceCommissioner@floir.com.

Tracey Labgold, chairperson, Anti-Defamation League Florida. This past week, the Jewish community marked International Holocaust Memorial Day, and Tu B’Shvat — a Jewish ‘Earth Day.’ As we face a resurgence of antisemitism and extremism, we must affirm that “Never Again” is not a slogan, but a resounding call to action. And, with the overlapping of these two important dates, we can approach the fight against antisemitism and bigotry from a place of hope. When we plant seeds, we commit to watering and cultivating them to bear fruit. We plant the seeds today against hate, so our children can reap a world free of its horrific impact.

Chris Lagerbloom, city manager, Fort Lauderdale. We now have two vaccination sites operating smoothly within our city. This past week, we relocated the Holiday Park vaccine site to Snyder Park to better serve the community and to allow us to handle more vaccinations as availability increases. Meanwhile, at our second vaccination site at Lockhart Park, in partnership with Broward Health, Inter Miami CF and Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, capacity has increased as patients return for their second vaccine. We are grateful to our frontline employees administering the vaccinations and to our mentioned community partners. All sites require appointments. Please visit www. fortlauderdale.gov/covid19 for more information.

Chip LaMarca, member, Florida House of Representatives. If you received your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine through the Broward Department of Health (DOH) website using the old appointment system (website), you do not need to call for your second dose. Please refer to the CDC card that was given to you and show up at the same location where you received your first shot. If you use the new appointment system (phone number), please wait for a Department of Health official to call you 14 days after your first dose for your second vaccine’s time and location. Please follow the DOH on twitter at @FLHealthBroward for updates.

Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, president and CEO, Community Foundation of Broward. It’s disappointing to hear that the historic Mai-Kai Restaurant is up for sale. A Broward mainstay for more than 60 years, the Mai-Kai provided an exotic oasis of fun, feasts and rum-infused drinks until it was shuttered due to flooding. Through the decades, the Mai-Kai’s trademark Polynesian show delivered fire-breathing, drum-pounding, hip-shaking dance performances that delighted us and engrained the restaurant as a Broward treasure. I hope the new owners find a way to keep some form of this fun part of Broward history going.

Philip Purcell, CEO/President, Marine Industries Association of South Florida .In these extraordinarily difficult times, many are doing what they can to help others. Marcus Lemonis, host of The Profit, went a step beyond. In a teach-a-man-to-fish moment, after learning about the struggles of Jerk Machine, a local Caribbean restaurant with a reputation for being community minded, he was inspired, buying $35,000 worth of meals with instructions to feed the hungry. Everybody wins, Jerk Machine has business to pay bills, employees have jobs, and the vulnerable have food. Community, charity and good business in one simple act.

Pam Tahan,

CEO, Wellington Regional

Medical Center. I welcome Gov. DeSantis’ decision to have Publix serve as the primary provider of COVID-19 vaccinations, and here at Wellington Regional, we quickly exhausted our supply. Our team vaccinated as many seniors and healthcare workers as possible. However, our allocation was far short of the amount required to blanket our community. With fingers crossed, I am cautiously optimistic that the number of available vaccinations will significantly increase in the coming weeks. As volume expands, so must locations to reach all communities. Expanding the number of sites will ensure shorter wait times, greater coverage and continued hope.

Michael Udine, vice mayor, Broward County. Planes, trains, automobiles … tunnels? Elon Musk and The Boring Company are looking to bring Broward County into the 21st century through tunnels and technology. These are big, bold ideas that will address everyday challenges at potentially a fraction of the cost of traditional public works projects. As vice mayor, I am always looking to innovate, create jobs and find the best, cost-efficient results for Broward County. Improving transportation will lead to an enhanced quality of life for residents, employees, visitors and companies alike as Broward builds a strong foundation for the future!