South Florida 100

Our panel of 100 influential leaders discusses the most important issues affecting you.

TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

Tracey Labgold, chairperson, Anti-Defama

tion League Florida. ADL’s 2019 Audit of Antisemitic incidents reflected 2,107 acts of harassment, vandalism, and assault — the most since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in the United States in 1979. This reflects a 12% rise nationally over the previous year, and a 20% rise in Florida — up to 91 incidents. This rise strongly reinforces the need for louder voices of condemnation by leaders and officials, and more intense and effective education efforts about antisemitism and all forms of bigotry. These acts threaten, intimidate, and harass individual targets and the entire community. Antisemitic or bias-motivated incidents should be reported to ADL at adl.org/reportincident.

Mitch Ceasar, former chairman, Broward

County Democratic Party. Broward County is re-emerging with a “new normal.“We’re dining out at limited capacity, wearing masks, and social distancing. Many will be looking for safer outdoor seating. The folks serving you at restaurants are excited to see you, but still under stress. Let’s be patient and extra kind, life is tough enough, but continue to be vigilant about safety precautions. I am very diligent, as my daughter calls me each day, to be sure I am careful. It’s truly role reversal, the children checking on parents. Remember, be smart and be safe; nobody wants a COVID-19 surge.

Tim Lonergan, commissioner, Oakland Park.

Ahmaud Arbery was a young black man murdered by two armed vigilantes in a Georgia suburb on Sunday, Feb. 23. It was an unjustified invasion into Mr. Arbery’s personal space in an attempt to detain Mr. Arbery that lead to his murder. Mr. Arbery made a desperate attempt to protect himself while being abducted by strangers. On March 13, Breonna Taylor was a victim of murder in her home in Kentucky. Her death was the result of a home invasion involving a botched police search warrant. The individuals responsible for these murders must be held accountable and justice must prevail.

Nan Rich, member, Broward County Commis

sion. The CARES Act provides federal funding for states ($20 million for Florida) to secure their elections against COVID-19, including PPE for in-person voting and resources to dramatically expand Vote-By-Mail. This is not a partisan issue. Democratic and Republican Secretaries of State and Supervisors of Elections keep asking for this money. This is about ensuring that every person is safe when they vote in November. Thankfully, this week Gov. DeSantis finally put in the request for these funds, which will help ensure the safety of poll workers and voters as they exercise their precious right to vote.

Howard Simon, retired executive director,

ACLU of Florida. All Presidents, including Trump, are role models for some. The White House Coronavirus Task Force urged us to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 by social distancing and wearing face masks. The President said that’s not for him, and encouraged protests by hyper-individualists resisting both. Now the President announced that he is taking a daily dose of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine for which there is anecdotal but not scientific evidence that it could be effective, and more evidence that it could be harmful and sometimes deadly. Will some follow his lead, and will there be documentation of the harm and deaths?

Irela Bagué, president, Bagué Group. We are one week away from the start of the hurricane season, and we have just seen the firstnamed storm skirt by the coast of Florida. The time to prepare is now. It is critical to finalize plans and stay informed as we add the coronavirus to the mix. Floridians that live in evacuation areas must stay up to date with local officials and prepare an evacuation plan as many shelters for this year may not be open due to COVID-19.

Marty Kiar, property appraiser, Broward

County. Under previous Florida law, a tax exemption for surviving spouses of military veterans who died from service-connected causes while on active duty, or Florida first responders who died in the line of duty was only available if the deceased was a permanent resident of Florida as of January 1 of the year he or she died. A recent change in the law has removed the Florida residency requirement, allowing the surviving spouses who were not Florida residents at the time of their death to receive this exemption on their homesteaded property. For more information, please contact BCPA at 954-357-6830.

Tom Shea, chairman & founder, Right Man

agement. If it seems like hurricanes are getting stronger each season, they really are. Hurricanes have grown in strength by 8% each decade according to a 40-year analysis of NOAA global storm satellite data. Global warming has increased the surface temperature of the sea which allows hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones to intensify. There is no question that stronger storms increase the likelihood of death and severe damage. The real question is “what can consistently be done to effectively reverse the effects of global warming,” besides a disastrous pandemic? Reaction to our current one has reduced global carbon dioxide emissions by 17%.