The top stories last week

George Moraitis, chairman, Broward Republican Executive Committee

Even as our community continues to grieve the loss of 17 students and faculty at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the Florida House and Senate released a plan to improve school safety which will be voted on this coming week. We will not be able to bring back the victims, and it remains important that we continue to pray for and support the families of the victims and the entire community still reeling. Even as I grieve, I am encouraged to see our state come together to honor the victims and rededicate ourselves to protecting our communities from another mass shooting.

Sandra Bernard-Bastien, chief communications officer, Children’s Services Council of Broward County

It has been hard for many of us to see any good news this week. Our entire county has been shrouded in despair and grief since February 14th. It is hard to meet anyone who remains unaffected. Ever the eternal optimist though, I have been proud of our community, in the support they have provided to those immediately impacted. Unexpected care package deliveries, FREE therapeutic services, volunteers and not the least, so proud of our school board staff — our social workers and our teachers.

Linda Carter, president, Community Foundation of Broward

To create change someone has to start the conversation. But nothing speaks louder than action. This week it was reported that Dick’s Sporting Goods will no longer sell assault-style weapons and will raise the minimum age for all gun sales to be 21. The article goes on to say, the management team didn’t feel that just talking about the problem or waiting for someone else to act was enough. They took initiative and leadership to be the change. I applaud them for their leadership. To quote Marjory Stoneman Douglas herself, “You have to stand for some things in this world.”

Earl Maucker, commissioner, Lighthouse Point; former editor, Sun Sentinel

What a disgusting display of politics to emerge from the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas. The call to suspend Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel is a case in point. While there is legitimate criticism of the BSO, only Republican legislators called for his resignation. Why? Because he is a Democrat. In return, 10 legislators — all Democrats — formally attacked the Republicans for their partisan action. What the community needs is courage, transformation and healing, not political back biting. Perhaps this can be a teachable moment for the students who are unwitting participants in this nonsense.

Michael Udine, member, Broward County Commission

The tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School requires an outside, independent investigation! I have demanded that Broward County hire an investigator, with national renown, who has the gravitas to give our community the facts. All aspects of the lead up, incident, and post incident must be examined. Each agency involved must participate, be held accountable, and institute necessary changes. We owe the victims, and our residents, impartial facts and the unvarnished truth. Our community will slowly heal, but we will not rest until we have the full story.

Pastor D.H. Dawkins Sr., Praise Tabernacle International

The bill being passed through committees in Tallahassee regarding the mandatory 81 degrees or less default temperature in senior care facilities (i.e. nursing homes) is well overdue. I believe that this should’ve been implemented long ago considering the high temperatures in our state, and the need to honor our elderly with dignity and care in their most fragile years.

Philip Purcell, CEO/president, Marine Industries Association of South Florida

Nearly everyone has relied on Google Maps to find a location in an unfamiliar place, and for millions it has proven to be an essential mobile app. Last week, MIASF announced the first-of-its-kind collaboration with a Google Street View content provider to map the Intracoastal Waterway in South Florida using Google Street View Technology to develop the new Waterway View app. Just as Google Street View connects businesses with customers, Waterway View could become the most exciting new resource for connecting boaters directly with marinas, fuel docks, service and sales centers, restaurants, and all the other resources they may need.

Bob Swindell, president, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance

This week 80 local business leaders traveled to Nashville to understand the multiple initiatives that have resulted in admirable business recruitment and talent gains. In our meetings with business leaders and public officials, we saw very similar issues — particularly in the “Two T’s” Transit and Talent. Mayor Megan Barry said something provoking that she shares with her residents — “Today is your best traffic day” — in other words, without doing something new and creative, traffic is never getting better. To attract and retain talent we must provide amenities skilled workers are looking for, including affordable workforce housing and transit options.