LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

Howard Dvorkin, CPA, chairman, Debt.com. If you can go to a restaurant, you can come to work. That’s been my mantra as the pandemic thankfully fades and booster shots start arriving. Remote work has its place and has shortcomings. How do businesses capture creativity over zoom? How can you build a corporate culture? How is it possible to mentor younger staff just entering the workforce? If you still believe business can be run remotely, ask yourself: What shortcomings will exist in future leadership. Will interpersonal skills be lacking because of isolation? Some basic and necessary skills will not be developed due to remote working.

Christine Hunschofsky, member, Florida House of Representatives. Last session, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 419, which was the most transformational bill in early learning in the past two decades. The bill strengthened accountability, programs to identify emergent literacy and mathematics skill deficiencies, and established a Division of Early Learning. Quality and affordable early child-care programs are crucial for the development of our children and for working families. However, the workforce and financial crisis in child care and early learning has only been getting worse. With so many families relying on quality child care to be able to work, we need to invest in this sector to prevent further decline.

Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, president and CEO, Community Foundation of Broward . Brightline trains returning to regular service on Nov. 8 is another good sign that we are emerging from the pandemic. Before stopping service in 2020, Brightline provided a welcome transportation alternative for South Floridians and tourists alike. Brightline was also becoming a valuable economic engine (so to speak) linking West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Restoring Brightline service means bringing back hundreds of jobs displaced by the pandemic. There’s also the likelihood that getting the trains rolling again will generate many more employment opportunities that spring from trains delivering more customers to South Florida’s downtowns.

Frank Ortis, mayor, Pembroke Pines .As more and more bills are being filed for the 2022 legislative session, it looks like vacation rental regulations will once again be a topic for debate. Two bills were recently filed, both in the Florida House and Senate, regarding this issue. The bottom line is that we live in a state that people come to for vacations. Local governments need the ability to regulate these vacation rentals in the best way possible for residents. We are fortunate to live here but should not be subjected to those who do not ruining our neighborhoods. Let’s get it right this time.

Philip Purcell, CEO/President, Marine Industries Association of South Florida. For the

62nd consecutive time, the cornerstone of Florida’s marine industry, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) begins Wednesday. The show supports

8,000 fulltime jobs, generates $1.3 billion in economic impact in five days and attracts

100,000 visitors to our airports, Uber drivers, hotels and restaurants. The world’s largest in-water show’s business model is not necessarily unique, but it is the world’s best for business-to-business and business-to-consumer, with kayaks to superyachts on display. International travel restrictions challenged a few visitors this year. Fortunately, they will be able to enjoy the one-hour FLIBS special 10 p.m. Sunday on NBC Sports.

Mike Ryan, mayor, Sunrise. During the pandemic, telemedicine expanded timely access for primary care, follow up specialists and mental health counseling. But states and health insurance carriers are slowly restricting telemedicine again. The United States, it is reported, is one of the few countries that requires health care professionals to register in every state. States do not aggressively regulate bad health care professionals to protect patients; principles of medical care don’t differ state-to-state. Instead, these restrictions are intended to protect a monopoly, reduce your options, and cost us all more. But, hey, at least we get to sit and read magazines in waiting rooms again.

Tim Ryan, member, Broward County Commission.

The long wait will soon be over for parents who choose to have their young children vaccinated. COVID shots for kids ages 5 to 11 will be available as soon as the vaccines are approved by the FDA and recommended by the CDC. Approval is expected within days. The federal government has purchased enough doses to vaccinate every child in the country. This is especially welcome news for parents sending their children to schools without mask mandates and another critical milestone in our fight against the disease.

Maria Sachs, member, Palm Beach County Commission. The future development of the Agricultural Reserve is an important topic to the many residents who live there as well as to the future development of Palm Beach County. This will be the subject of a Workshop scheduled for a full day next week. Comprising some of the last remaining land for housing as well as boasting a unique soil rich in nutrients for farming, makes every parcel an important part of this discussion. The public is invited to attend and participate as county commissioners weigh the various options available for this special and protected area of our county.