SOUTH FLORIDA 100: NEXT WEEK

Thomas Wenski, archbishop, Archdiocese

of Miami

October 12 is Columbus Day, “el día de la

Raza”. Some feel there is nothing to celebrate: the conquistadores committed many crimes, colonization was accompanied by disrespect for the rights of original peoples. But a new world was born — like all births, with pain and joy. Along with Sword of exploitation came the Cross of evangelization. To say the faith that shaped the culture of the Americas was only the result of forced conversions or bribes would be calumny. History is full of lights and shadows. We should join with Hispanics (and Italians) in celebrating Columbus’ feat.

Chip LaMarca, member, Florida House of Representatives

Visit Florida’s legislation is set to expire June 2020. The South Florida Business Council is working with industry partners to renew this legislation and establish the continued existence with a new date for 2027. If Visit Florida is not reauthorized, there could be a dramatic impact on tourism in the Sunshine State. It could result in fewer visitors, fewer patrons at our hotels, less tourist spending at local businesses, and fewer tax revenues for critical public services. Since tourism has been a driving force to our economic prosperity, it is extremely important to have strong marketing presence.

Michael Gottlieb, member, Florida House of

Representatives

Constitutional Carry seems to be the bill du jour. It’s not enough that our state has suffered great tragedies due to lax gun control laws. It doesn’t matter that most NRA members support comprehensive universal background checks. A bill sponsor wants to trivialize our safety controls as permission slips, calling for lessening the requirements for carrying concealed weapons, lowering the age and penalties for gun offenses. I’m all for protecting us/our constitutional rights but we need balanced measures that consider the general safety and welfare of us all.

Robert Weinroth, member, Palm Beach County Commission

Over 600,000 adults and 180,000 children in Florida suffer with serious mental illness. However, against that backdrop, one of Palm Beach County’s largest mental health hospitals, Jerome Golden, will soon lay off over 200 employees and close half its beds. Jerome Golden, and South County Mental Health Center in Delray Beach are the county’s only nonprofit mental health facilities. It is imperative that notwithstanding the chaos of reorganizing, indigent patients retain a mental health safety net to protect them from themselves and from inflicting harm on others. Adequate funding must be appropriated.

Michael Ryan, mayor, Sunrise

Chess to benefit young lives. At nine, a young man was briefly introduced to chess at a free Sunrise program. But trauma in his life resulted in him becoming withdrawn; his grades collapsed and he stopped going to school awaiting a new school assignment. Sunrise’s chess coordinator visited him. He was convinced to join our free classes. Two years later, he has won tournaments and trophies. At age 11, he is 80th in the nation for his age group. His grades, confidence, and outlook on life have improved markedly. Many other anecdotes prove to us the value of community-based chess.

Howard Simon, retired executive director, ACLU of Florida

Impeachment inquiry developments are cascading at such a rapid rate it is difficult to predict what might come next. But one issue that emerged last week should develop into the next confrontation between the Congressional investigating committees and the President, similar to the release of the White

House tapes during Watergate that led to the resignation of Richard Nixon. Expect to see the impeachment investigating committee focus on — and the President to resist — release of the actual transcript of Trump’s conversation with the Ukraine President.

Michael De Lucca, president, Broward Regional Health Planning Council, Inc.

This October show your support by wearing pink to spread awareness, knowledge and prevention for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is among the top three forms of cancer found in women in the United States. Each year, about 245,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and 2,200 in men. All month long South Florida wellness and community centers will be hosting informational events to promote education and awareness of Breast Cancer. I encourage you to find local events in your area here: https://trib.al/vi7jXZt.

Peter Moore, president, Chen Moore and

Associates

Next week, the 2019 Annual Convention for the American Society of Civil Engineers comes into Miami. While this is normally a meeting for a very specific technical audience, this convention is special. There will be an unveiling of the Proof of Concept for the Future World Vision. Future World Vision uses data-driven, in-depth, scenario-planning analysis to reimagine infrastructure through five potential future worlds. The first “world”, called the Floating City, will be featured in a booth where participants can “tour” a floating city of the future through a virtual 4D experience. Come experience the future.