South Florida 100

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

The top stories last week

Paul Castronovo, host, Paul Castronovo Show

I don’t know Dania Beach Mayor Tamara James, but boy did she say something idiotic. Dania decided to not join other cities locally, who allow their citizens to buy alcohol on Sundays before noon. She said, “If you need to buy it at 7 a.m., you need to go to AA.” Really? I’m an adult, and don’t need a politician telling me when or where I can buy beer. Maybe I’m going fishing on my day off and want to hoist a few. Perhaps it’s Mother’s Day and mom wants a Mimosa — does she have a problem? Or does the mayor? Clarence V. McKee, president, McKee Communications

The dismal statistics presented at the recent “State of Black Broward” conference: only eight of the county’s 90 judges are black. Black motorists are stopped 1.9 times more than whites for seat belt violations. Median household income is $74,000 for whites and $43,000 for blacks. The unemployment rate last year was 4.4 percent but 9 percent for blacks. And of the more than 800 firefighters in Broward Sheriff ’s Office Fire-Rescue, only 54 are black. Combined with recent studies showing racial disparities in school suspensions and sentencing, there is but one conclusion: Broward has a race problem. Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, president, Children’s Services Council of Broward County

It was heartening, announcement snafu notwithstanding, to see the locally filmed and produced “Moonlight” win the Oscar for Best Picture. The story of a gay black youth coming of age in Overtown is compelling on many levels: acceptance, mentorship, effects of substance use and abuse, self-fulfillment. For those working in human services, understanding that reality and addressing needs such as those faced by the story’s protagonist means ensuring youth of color, youth

who identify as LGBTQ, families struggling with substance abuse and communities saddled with mass incarcerations have a voice and can access resources that help turn lives around. Tom Shea, president, Right Management

“Moonlight’s” big Oscar wins make a powerful case for the significance and boundless potential of South Florida filmmaking. Despite a small budget and the state’s lack of incentives, Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney fulfilled their vision of filming in Miami. Their work and their support for Miami’s African Heritage Cultural Arts Center are opening new horizons for tomorrow’s talent. Just imagine what could happen in Florida if we created incentives to entice the film industry to do much more here as other states do. John “Jack” P. Seiler, mayor, Fort Lauderdale

Congratulations to Dillard High girls’ basketball coach Marcia Pinder, winner of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2017 Morgan Wootten Award for Lifetime Achievement. With more than 900 wins and nine state championships, Marcia Pinder is Florida’s all-time winningest high school basketball coach. Her accomplishments on the court are surpassed only by the extraordinary difference she has made in the lives of thousands of young people by instilling family values, building character, stressing academic excellence, and guiding them to achieve success. We commend Coach Pinder on this prestigious honor and thank her for lifelong contributions to our community. Gary Farmer, member, Florida Senate

Many, including this state senator and proud alumnus, heard the student voice at FSU. A “YES” vote passed by 66 percent to make FSU a sanctuary campus. It is important that

immigrants can go to school, study and work without fear of prosecution for their status. Undocumented students should not feel at risk, and should be able to freely engage in public service and education to better their lives and their community. I urge the school administration to take the students’ concerns to heart, and enact the results of this referendum into school policy.

Sheldon Harr, founding rabbi emeritus, Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El

The secretary of education, with support and guidance by the president, wants to use tax supported school vouchers supporting all types of schools, including religious affiliated schools. I am troubled by two aspects of this proposal. First, haven’t our current governmental officials heard of the doctrine of the separation of church and state? And wait until tax dollars go to support a Madrassa — then the real implications of this policy and the First Amendment will most definitely come into play, dividing our country even further. This proposal is taking us down a very slippery slope. Kathleen Cannon, president, United Way of Broward County

Lent started this week and many Christians observe a period of reflection, action, self-denial and spiritual discipline. Some do this to become closer to God, some to be kinder to others and some to better themselves. This is a practice that all people can engage in irrespective of their religious, spiritual or faith identity. We need togetherness and we need to put a stop to hate and to anti-Semitic acts that have no place in our world, never mind our backyard. Let’s all take the next 40 days to shower each other with respect, dignity, reverence and love.