Looking ahead to this week

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

It’s past time to stop this madness. Las Vegas, Sandy Hook, Columbine — the list is heartbreaking. The tragedy of these mass murders, in addition to daily gun violence, could not have been entirely prevented. Nonetheless, with appropriate gun laws in effect, perhaps a few, or perhaps just one life could be saved. My faith teaches that “He who saves one life, it is as if he has saved the life of the entire world.” Let’s elected politicians who have the moral and ethical backbone to stand up to the NRA.

Howard Simon, executive director, ACLU of Florida

America always seems to be on the verge of a “conversation about race,” but then never enters the arena. But will the clearly different responses by the federal government to hurricane-ravaged Texas and Florida on the one hand, and Puerto Rico on the other, ignite a renewed examination of the role race plays in policy? Put aside the unseemly optics of the president tossing rolls of paper towels; the focus should be on the difference between the aid response — manpower, material and the speed with which both were sent — to the victims of these different storms. That deserves examination.

J. David Armstrong Jr., president, Broward College

Congress should support the “SUCCEED Act,” introduced in the U.S. Senate last week. The bill is the best option to replace the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program which ends next year. It offers hope to those brought to the United States as children who may otherwise face deportation. Importantly, it also creates a path to citizenship. The proposed bill calls for extensive and continuous background checks on applicants, which should not be a major challenge to most Dreamers as evidence shows they are no threat to national security. Help protect our Dreamers, many of whom are Floridians and students of Broward College.

Chip LaMarca, member, Broward County Commission

The King Tides are expected to occur Oct. 4-11 and 15-22; Nov. 2-9; and Dec. 2-6, 2017. Low-lying coastal areas of Broward County can be impacted by flooding from high tide events. These often time occur during the fall (August-November) with the peak usually occurring the King Tide (the highest tide of year) in October. Residents in Broward’s coastal communities are encouraged to be vigilant of the unusually high seasonal tides and are urged to take precautions. These events can be very dangerous if you do not plan ahead. Be prepared. Visit www.fortlauderdale.gov for more information.

Melissa McKinlay, member, Palm Beach County Commission

The Legislature is beginning its first week of committee meetings. Again, local government home rule will be under assault. As the Legislature continues to contemplate restrictions on local government, I hope they will consider examples like Guardian ad Litem funding where we have stepped in when they fail. If they choke our ability to respond to local needs such as giving children a voice, then they had better be willing to pay for it themselves. If not, the ones they hurt won’t be the local officials, it will be the tiniest and frailest among us who depend on someone to help, most often local leaders.

Tracey Grossman, chairperson, Florida Anti-Defamation League

October is Bullying Awareness Prevention Month. To parents, educators, and administrators: by the end of the 2017-18 school year, many of your students will either have been targets of bullies, bystanders, or engage in bullying behavior. Bullying has three components: repeated actions or threats, a power imbalance, and harmful intention. More and more bullying is based on the target’s intrinsic characteristics. Starting now, you have an opportunity to proactively intervene. Inculcate in your students: bullying happens because of an aggressor’s bias, not because of the target’s identity. And, being an ally requires courage, but can yield the most significant results.

Katy Sorenson, past president, Good Government Initiative, University of Miami

Week three following Hurricane Irma and the streets are piled high with debris and foliage. It’s hard to complain when you’ve seen the scenes of Houston, Key West and now poor, neglected Puerto Rico. And yet it seems as though we’ve suffered more than just a Category 1 storm. Governments from the federal level to the local need to step up their game on hurricane recovery. So does Florida Power & Light.

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

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, this weekend the 33rd annual Miami Broward Caribbean Carnival will provide a boost to the local cultural tourism economy of over $12 million dollars and to the spirits of thousands of local residents with an escape into the pageantry and sounds of Caribbean culture. As South Florida becomes a home to thousands of Caribbean Americans, we are mindful of Florida’s important role in the recovery and rebuilding of island nations and territories, such as Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Dominica. We are bonded in heritage, trade, and the impact of natural disasters.