South Florida

The top stories last week

Andrew Duffell, president, Research Park at Florida Atlantic University

The foremost issue on people’s mind in South Florida is Hurricane Irma, especially after having witnessed Hurricane Harvey’s devastation. The information the National Hurricane Center and NOAA have been able to share has likely saved lives and certainly given us more time to prepare for the impending storm. I hope, therefore, that President Trump will reconsider his drastic proposed cuts to both organizations, having now seen how useful they can be. We need to fund NOAA and the National Hurricane Center, as well as other research organizations in order to safeguard our lives and property now, more than ever.

Claudette Bruck, realtor; former commissioner, Coral Springs

If you were wise enough to renew your flood insurance though you may not appear to be in a flood prone zone, you are probably celebrating. If not, you may be preparing to lament that decision. Harvey and Irma have provided a huge reminder of the importance of our National Flood Insurance Program which is set to expire at the end of September unless we persuade Congress to reauthorize this program. Act now to increase funds for mitigation strategies, to minimize the impact of flooding, cap overall premium increases, remove obstacles to the private market providing coverage now.

Anthony Abbate, Florida Atlantic University, Associate Provost, Broward

This week Irma is testing our capacity to prepare for the big one with sustained winds greater than those of Hurricane Andrew that wrought historic devastation in 1992. I write this with the fervent hope that next week we are spared the greater test of our resiliency in the aftermath. Under such circumstances — regardless of the outcome — we must rely on our faith in ourselves, and each other, to ensure our safety, well-being, and our ability to bounce back better than before.

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

Hurricane Irma is a significant storm and hopefully it won’t cause the devastation that we see in Texas. One of the bad effects is that it is causing many cancellations of significant events. Unfortunately, one of these events is the observance of the anniversary of 9/11. Remembering this day is so important to us Americans. The terrorists were trying to destroy what our nation was built on. We, though, came together as a nation and wouldn’t let them win. We must all remember “Together we stand, Divided we fall.” I can’t think of a more important time than now for us to remember this.

Chip LaMarca, member, Broward County Commission

After Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in all 67 counties this past week due to Hurricane Irma’s approach to the state of Florida, Attorney General Pam Bondi also activated Florida’s price gouging hotline for all consumers in Florida. State law prohibits extreme increases in the price of essential commodities, such as food, water, hotels, ice, gasoline, lumber and equipment, needed as a direct result of an officially declared emergency. Anyone who suspects price gouging during this declared state of emergency should report it to the Attorney General’s Office by calling 1-866-9-NO-SCAM.

Irela Bagué, president, Bagué Group

The president’s decided to remove protections for “dreamers,” the 800,000 children who were brought into this country by their parents illegally at no fault of their own. They are now young adults who were offered protections by our country in exchange for their excellence. This is an unconscionable act by the president, who again is bullying and insulting another group of mostly Latinos. Let’s hope the Republican led Congress can muster up enough courage to stand up and protect this generation of future professionals and leaders.

Michael Dennis, M.D., chairman, Florida Atlantic University Schmidt College of Medicine

The American people deserve much better; these months of fruitless bickering and delays must end. With Congress reconvening and the House and Senate only meeting 12 days simultaneously in September, the agenda couldn’t be more critical. Current funding for the federal government expires Oct. 1. The U.S. borrowing limit must be raised to avoid default on the nation’s debt. And the conundrum of health care and infrastructure repair remain. Fortunately, and a demonstration of compassion for our fellow Americans, the House this week passed legislation that provides $7.85 billion for relief from the human and material damage of Hurricane Harvey.

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

Can any of us imagine the horror of living as a citizen of America since our childhood, brought there by our parents, and then be told that we are not real Americans? Instead we are branded as law-breakers who will be returned to our country of ethnic origin. President Obama remedied this situation. Trump, on the other hand, is attempting to destroy the DACA program, which recognizes the special status of these young adults who only know America as their country and to which they pledge allegiance. The president’s trumpeted Judeo-Christian values are swept aside for political motifs. Disgusting. Deplorable.

Ted Deutch, member, U.S. House of Representatives

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program isn’t a government handout. When congressional Republicans repeatedly blocked immigration reform, President Obama acted to protect the 800,000 children brought to America at young ages through no fault of their own. These hard-working, bright individuals have known no other country but the U.S. Yet, President Trump broke his promise to treat “dreamers” with heart and compassion by cruelly ending the DACA program. Congress must finally act to protect these dreamers by passing bipartisan, comprehensive, and compassionate immigration reform. And the President must show some humanity by signing it.

Tracey Grossman, chairperson, Florida Anti-Defamation League

In the aftermath of natural disasters, people come together. As we endure Hurricane Irma, let’s use this as an opportunity to also overcome an increasingly man-made disaster. Bias-motivated incidents have been increasing from the Keys to Pensacola; but they did not come about in a vacuum. Hateful speech has gone unchallenged for far too long. This coming Friday, Sept. 15, ADL is spearheading the first No Place For Hate Day throughout Florida. Share your pictures and thoughts on social media, and join the thousands of Floridians who will be proclaiming Florida as #NoPlaceforHate.

Melissa McKinlay, member, Palm Beach County Commission

Over the past week, we have watched an amazing emergency response unfold in Houston from Hurricane Harvey as Hurricane Irma has her eyes set on Florida. The lessons observed in Houston are motivating Florida residents to jump into action as we prepare for Irma. As tragic as Harvey has been, he has the potential to save lives in Florida. We are all praying Irma moves east into the ocean but I am so impressed as I sit in the Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Center that we will be prepared.

Marlon A. Hill, partner, Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel

There is nothing like a natural disaster to bring out the best of our humanity. It is also a great opportunity to meet your neighbors for the very first time. As we experience one of most politically divisive periods in our history, we must humble ourselves to get back to the basics of respect for each other and the basic value of life. Mother Nature does not discriminate in how her wind blows or her river flows. She is the ultimate equalizer. We should not upset her natural equilibrium and evoke some semblance of sanity in our daily dealings. Harvey, Irma, and the rest of their cohorts expect us to be on our best behavior. Always.