TOP STORIES LAST WEEK

Lori Berman, member, Florida Senate

On Tuesday, we witnessed the ceremony of President-Designate Wilton Simpson. Senator Simpson indicated his desire to fix the water-quality problems affecting our state, an issue I have fought hard to address on the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. He also expressed a willingness to reform Florida’s foster care system by cutting down on the wait-time for adoption and addressing the unstable, transient lifestyles some of them live. These are both important goals that we can all support and I look forward to working with the President-Designate to achieve them.

Richard Clark, CEO, Clark Leadership Con

sulting

There was no active shooter at the Boca Town Center last week. However, the trauma felt by loyal patrons changed their lives forever. Once again, hundreds ran for their lives, many separated from family, and the clear uncertainty of being a casualty of another mass shooting was real. While a false alarm, it was yet another incident adding to all too many others. Those shoppers will never be the same. Will there be any action on the part of our elected leaders, or will it just pass in time like those before? 2020 is around the corner.

Ina Lee,

owner, Travelhost Elite of Greater Fort Lauderdale

The nation lost a great leader in the passing of Maryland Representative Elijah E. Cummings. From humble beginnings, he was a civil rights champion, using his fiery voice to fight for the poor and disenfranchised. He stood for justice as the Chairmen of the

House Oversight Committee. When his district was attacked by Trump, his response: “Those in the highest levels of government must stop invoking fear, using racist language and encouraging reprehensible behavior.” Hopefully other leaders will carry his torch. We need this kind of leadership now more than ever.

Clarence McKee, president, McKee Commu

nications

After watching this week’s Democratic debate, there should be no doubt as to why the Democratic National Committee did not want the Fox News Channel to host one of the debates — they wanted softball questions from friendly moderators! That’s what they got. There were no questions on late-term abortions and infanticide; reparations for descendants of slaves; abolishing the Electoral College; changing the composition of the U.S. Supreme Court; abolishing ICE; providing free health care to illegal immigrants; or, supporting the “Green New Deal” on climate change. What’s next — asking candidates to name their favorite ice cream?

Andrea Cristina Mercado, executive director,

New Florida Majority

This week’s Democratic Presidential Debate confirmed what many fear to acknowledge. First, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders are on the rise as frontrunners (yes!), and Joe Biden is finally losing the ground he never really earned by himself to begin with (double yes!). Second, that Democrats are not going to talk about the climate crisis unless they’re forced to. Democrats must remember that bold action on climate is critical for Floridians as it is literally displacing our families from our homes. Finally, Joaquin Castro continues to lead by example by naming the problem of police violence and the murder of Atatiana Jefferson, a black woman shot by a police officer in her own home.

Frederick Lippman, chancellor of Nova Southeastern’s Health Professions Division

Pay raises recently approved for district officials already making well over $150,000 followed a discussion of raises for principals and assistant principals. There was plenty of money to go around, or so it seemed until the Broward Teachers Union asked for a 5% raise for their teachers. Suddenly, the well went dry. The community thinks teachers deserve more and voted to give it to them. The governor agrees as his recent proposal showed. The school district? They just can’t find any money for teachers. If Broward wants to attract and keep good teachers, they need to look a lot harder.

Nan Rich, member, Broward County Commis

sion

In a truly rare showing of bipartisanship, Congress voted 354 to 60 to approve a resolution opposing Trump’s withdrawal of U.S. troops from northern Syria. Both parties overwhelmingly agreed that abandoning our Kurdish allies is undermining the fight against ISIS and creating a disastrous humanitarian crisis. Now this administration has the audacity to celebrate a so-called ceasefire amidst chaos of its own making! Let there be no doubt: this catastrophe is a victory for Turkey, Iran, Syria, and Russia; not our allies and interests. We’ve abandoned our American values and, in the process, lost the trust of our allies.

Daniel Stermer, president, Broward League of Cities; mayor, City of Weston

Last week representatives from every municipality in Broward County came together to discuss plans for a comprehensive solid waste system to service the entire County. Using research conducted by an independent firm, county and city officials discussed what a new solid waste strategy might entail and cost-effective methods to increase Broward recycling rates to 75% by 2020. This is an exciting time as we unite to chart the course for the future of solid waste and recycling management for our community. While this is just the beginning, the League is committed to supporting its members in such an important mission.