LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

ANOTHER GREENBERG ASSOCIATE, Lee Constantine, commissioner, Seminole County: This week another one bit the dust. It’s becoming a cliché, “Arrest of associate of former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg.” This so-called “Seminole Mafia” is proving to be as inept as the Watergate burglars. As the noose continues to tighten around these band of bunglers, now with 130 charges against eight different individuals, the rats are beginning to abandon ship and turn on the ringleaders. Unfortunately, these thugs continue to have their apologists in a few misguided political circles. The good people of Seminole County, however, eagerly wait for the end of this scourge and the inevitable victory of the criminal justice system.

Francisco Gonzalez, host, Agents of Innovation podcast: Sen. Marco Rubio and I both view abortion as the ending of a human life. Unlike me, Rubio is willing to compromise with his opposition, signing on to a bill that would allow abortions (nationally) up to 15 weeks. I want all abortions eliminated, everywhere. His Democrat opponent, Val Demings, is all in with the pro-abortion industry, allowing anyone to take the life of their child through the viability of the fetus or whenever an abortionist thinks it is OK. For those who stand for human life, voting for Rubio is worth the compromise.

RUBIO AND ABORTION,

SUICIDE PREVENTION, Jeff Hayward, president and CEO, Heart of Florida United Way: The end of September marks the end of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. One way we recognized this month was by hosting a conversation about suicide prevention with HFUW board member and success coach Annetta Wilson; Cathy Pineda, HFUW’s 211 training and development manager; and Samantha Breslin, licensed mental health counselor at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health. You can view the conversation by visiting HFUW’s YouTube channel. While September comes to an end, the conversation about mental health continues. It is vital that we support each other year-round and help connect those in need to available resources like 988 — our suicide prevention hotline available for free 24-7-365.

David Kay, chair, Interfaith Council of Central Florida:

JEWISH NEW YEAR,

As the sun sets on Sept. 25, Jews in Central Florida will join others around the world as they usher in the year 5783 on the Jewish calendar. It’s the beginning of a month filled with sacred days, beginning with Rosh Hashanah, continuing with Yom Kippur, and culminating with the joyful weeklong festival of Sukkot. These holidays preserve observances which were started thousands of years ago and have survived exile, diaspora, persecution, and attempted genocide. It’s not for nothing they are known as Yamim Nora’im, “Days of Awe.”

TURN OUT, SEMINOLE, Beverly Paulk, founding member, Central Florida Foundation and The Orlando Philharmonic: From a Seminole County resident’s perspective, our various county political and legal areas are a mixture of strengths and eye-rolling challenges. Fortunately, local people are willing to serve. Citizens’ responsibilities are to register to vote by fast-approaching Oct. 11, research candidates, and actually vote. The Seminole County Supervisor of Elections office provides great service. The phone (407-585-8683) is usually answered in only a few rings by a knowledgeable, helpful person. The website is easy to use, including requesting a mail ballot. Email is elections@voteseminole.org. The goal for Nov. 8 is a fair, well-run election with good turnout, free of dirty tricks.

Jim Philips, retired longtime radio talk-show host:

BRODEUR TROUBLE,

Jason Brodeur must be sweating like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Brodeur, a Republican state senator from Lake Mary, has been linked to a group of Seminole County “ne-er-do-wells.” Some are facing jail time ... others still awaiting trial. Brodeur is taking the Sgt. Schultz approach to it all with “I see nothing! I hear nothing! I know nothing!”. Besides having his hands full in a bid for re-election, Brodeur is facing the prospect of getting canned as president of the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is none too happy about getting sucked into a political rumpus after Brodeur’s handpicked assistant was convicted on a charge informally known as “dirty politics.” The news media are having a difficult time getting Brodeur to comment. When you run, you sweat.

NAVARATHRI, Kannan Srinivasan, former president of Asian American Chamber of Commerce; CEO of Global KTech: The Indian diaspora in Florida will be celebrating Navarathri starting Monday. This is the most important festival for Hindus all over the world. The celebration of this nine-day, nine-night Hindu festival, dedicated to Maa Durga and her nine manifestations of the cosmic energy, is as much known for its deep religiosity as for its invigorating dance and cultural events.

DISASTER RESILIENCY, Nicole Wilson, Orange County commissioner, District 1:

Last week, we saw Hurricane Fiona wreak havoc on Puerto Rico and the Caribbean at large. As we consider housing policy, transportation infrastructure, and school capacity, we must keep climate migration and natural-disaster resiliency at the top of mind. From a policy standpoint, we must make bold moves on housing supply and meaningfully invest in modes of transportation with a low carbon footprint. With thoughtful local policymaking, we can be prepared to accommodate and mitigate the aftermath of natural disasters.