TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

Our panel of 100 influential leaders discusses the most important issues affecting you.

Alexandria Ayala, member, Palm Beach County School Board. For the first time, both the Palm Beach County School Board and the County Commission have approved corresponding electoral district maps that include Hispanic-majority districts. As the first Hispanic woman elected to the Palm Beach County School Board, I was proud to lead this effort and continue opening doors of opportunity for our thriving community. Hispanics make up the fastest-growing population in our county, growing from 19% of the population to 23% in the last decade. While some states are already being sued over discriminatory boundaries, I am proud to be in Palm Beach County, where racial fairness is a priority.

Lori Berman, member, Florida Senate .A record 1,017 manatees have died in Florida this year, many from starvation. Since 2009, the Indian River Lagoon, where hundreds of manatees venture during the winter months, has lost 58% of its seagrass coverage. Experts say the seagrass die-off is due to humancaused algal blooms and nutrient pollution. As winter approaches, Florida’s manatees face another potential die-off, prompting federal and state officials to move forward with an unprecedented pilot program to feed the manatees. Florida’s water quality and environment have long suffered under Republican leadership. Now, one of Florida’s signature species has reached its breaking point because of it.

Debbi Hixon, member, Broward County School Board. As we grapple with yet another school shooting, I believe we should emphasize that safe storage of firearms is the responsibility of every firearm owner. I applaud the Biden administration for promoting safe firearm storage and clarifying best practices for firearms dealers. Safe firearm storage limits the accessibility to firearms by unauthorized users, including minors and burglars. This includes locking firearms in a secure place such as a gun safe or cabinet or using safety devices such as trigger or cable locks. Keep firearms out of the hands of people that should not have them — it will help save lives.

Kerry Ann Royes, CEO, YWCA South Florida. South Florida may be labeled the next tech hub, but women remain highly underrepresented in software engineering (14% of the total workforce) and computer science-related jobs (25%). Further, 3% of computing-related jobs are fulfilled by African-American women, 6% by Asian women, and 2% by Hispanic women. We believe in empowering women and their ability to reimagine what’s possible for themselves, as well as everyone around them. Now, 11 celebrated women will graduate from our Women In Tech Program and enter this field. They’re setting off a wave that could change representation in tech and tip the scales toward equality.

Tim Ryan, member, Broward County Commission. The Broward County Commission has approved new commission district boundaries that take effect in January 2022. As the county’s partner in the 2021 redistricting effort, FIU drew and submitted four final draft maps after input from the public on the redistricting process. Redistricting is done every 10 years based on the results of the Census and reflects Broward’s population growth and demographic changes. This is necessary to ensure that each district has roughly an equal number of residents and that minority representation is equitable. Redistricting presents a new opportunity for individuals to step forward and represent their communities.

Eleanor Sobel, former member, Florida Senate. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently released a public health advisory regarding the mental health challenges many children and adolescents face today. He described an emerging crisis that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, one in four adolescents suffer from depression, and one in five adolescents suffer from anxiety. Such statistics remind us of the mental and physical strain of the pandemic. Online classes have significantly contributed to sentiments of loneliness and isolation. Murthy encouraged friends, guardians and teachers to pay close attention to adolescents’ changes in mood. Schools should also invest in mental health counselors.

Calibe Thompson, executive director, Island SPACE. In the wake of Barbados becoming a republic — with its woman prime minister, new woman president and new national heroine, Rihanna — chatter started about Jamaica following suit. I had heard talk about such aspirations when we had our first and only woman prime minister. There’s also been timid chatter of making our iconic poet Louise Bennett a heroine for years, without progress. While our progress may be frustratingly slow, I’m personally grateful Jamaican women’s rights are progressing. Thanks to the Supreme Court’s abortion musings of last week, it doesn’t seem the United States can say the same.

Gregory Tony, Broward Sheriff. Don’t let the Grinch steal your Christmas — or your gifts. BSO reminds you to be aware of thieves who steal unattended packages from residences’ front doors. If no one is home to accept a package, there are several ways to ensure they make it inside safely. Ship packages to a secure location such as your office. Ask someone trusted to retrieve your package once delivered. Request your package is delivered to your backdoor to keep it out of sight or ask the carrier to hold it at their local location and pick it up at a time convenient for you.