The top stories last week

Ian S. Seitel, attorney, Ian Seitel P. A.

Attorney General Sessions has ordered federal prosecutors to resume the antiquated and ineffective practice of pursuing the harshest possible charges against those arrested for drug offenses. This reverses the more enlightened policy effectuated in 2013 by thenAttorney General Eric Holder. The Trump policy will again result in racist sentencing disparities and unnecessarily inflate the jails with non-violent offenders and renew the war on drugs that failed before. The irony is that our self proclaimed “law and order” president appears to be our obstructionist-inchief.

Walter G. “Skip” Campbell Jr., mayor, Coral Springs; former member, Florida Senate

I keep scratching my head when I see news articles about Broward Health. They hire their fourth CEO in 18 months. They fire one of their longstanding auditors. They have lost more than twice as much as was reported in 2016. They have not complied with a federal regulatory agreement that cost the taxpayers $70 million. But most intriguing, they hire one of their own seated hospital board members who has been part of the board that oversees this mess. Was there a conflict of interest for the board to appoint one of their own? I think so.

Paul Castronovo, host, Paul Castronovo Show

The story of the Margate man on trial for the murder of his wife, claiming that she died during consensual sex may be the greatest defense ever — and I watch Judge Judy. He insists that she choked ... on “it” (even though he texted his ex that he “choked her.”) Now, he wants the jury to see “it” to prove how big “it” actually is. If someone hadn’t died during this ordeal it would be comical. What’s not funny is that he waited between one and three days before calling for help. Why? He was too embarrassed to call. Enjoy prison, sir.

Scott J. Israel, sheriff, Broward County

A historic opioid epidemic is raging throughout the nation and Broward County, poisoning neighborhoods and filling morgues. Last year, opioids killed 582 in Broward — the death toll is expected to exceed 1,000 this year. Through a combination of education, intervention, and enforcement, BSO and community partners are committed to ending this epidemic. Last week we held the first of many community town halls to better address this crisis. BSO also obtained grant funding to equip more deputies in critical areas with the anti-overdose drug Naloxone. This broadens our existing program with fire-rescue and police personnel, hopefully saving more lives.

John “Jack” P. Seiler, mayor, Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale lost a respected colleague and true friend when cancer took the life of Police Sgt. Jack Lokeinsky. He served with honor and distinction for 29 years, the past 12 as president of the Fraternal Order of Police. His leadership and dedication to the safety and protection of our neighbors and visitors exemplified distinguished public service. His legacy will live on in the thousands of lives he touched and causes he supported. Please keep his family in your prayers and join us Monday at 10:30 a.m. for a memorial service at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Howard Finkelstein, chief public defender, Broward County

Broward has been embarrassed by its judges many times over the years. Several have resigned; some have been removed by the Florida Supreme Court. So when Judge Mardi Levey Cohen called an attorney a “twit” and a defendant “stupid” and an “idiot,” the chief judge had an opportunity to take action before she further embarrassed the judiciary. But a letter of complaint was met with silence. It’s hard to trust a system that ignores abuse. Once again, Broward judges are circling the wagons. They are required to instill public trust in our justice system, not to protect each other.

Mike Ryan, mayor, Sunrise

Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week. Thriving neighborhoods are supported by excellence in our classrooms; talented and dedicated teachers translate into economic success for communities. For me, it’s more personal. Early on, I wasn’t a very good student. An eighth grade teacher, despite my self-doubt, assured me I was deserving of a positive grade on a paper. From then on, I developed confidence in my potential. My full scholarship to law school was rooted back to the teacher’s belief that I could achieve. Value, support and thank teachers because they inspire potential, defeat self-doubt and push us toward excellence.

Joshua Thifault, advancement director, Turning Point USA

In the words of our president, “this is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history!” Overstatement, or fact? Only time will tell. Ever since Inauguration Day, Democrats have hammered home the “Russia” talking point. Yes, the Kremlin did their best to stop Secretary Clinton. We know that. But does any evidence point to collusion with the Trump camp? Not yet. With a special counsel appointed by the Justice Department, I hope this issue will burn out soon. It’s time to focus on the real problems.

James Donnelly, chairman, Broward Workshop

I toured the Broward Public Library main branch in downtown Fort Lauderdale last week. I often wondered what the role of a library would be in a digital world. Now I know. There are still books but more impressively there are free resources for children, teens, adults and entrepreneurs — everything from Creation Station where people can learn and engage in 3D printing and virtual reality to space to incubate your new business. What a resource we have in Broward County. Kudos to the county and the Broward Public Library Foundation who help make 38 library branches available to all of us.

Chip LaMarca, member, Broward County Commission

Broward County’s Port Everglades has recently been affirmed the “A” rating by Fitch Ratings for its outstanding $167 million port facilities senior revenue and refunding bonds and has revised the rating outlook from stable to positive. This is fantastic news for Broward County’s economy as the positive outlook reflects the expectation that the port will continue to demonstrate strong financial performance in terms of coverage and leverage, in addition to anticipation that the port will maintain a diverse maritime operations and increasing revenue growth. Port Everglades generates more than $29 billion in business activity and more than 222,914 jobs statewide.