TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

Mitch Ceasar, former chairman, Broward County Democratic Party. A new bad bill has emerged in Tallahassee, relating to absentee voters. It would require those folks to request ballots every calendar year, rather than once every two general election cycles. This has occurred because of the explosion of mail-in voting due to the pandemic. Apparently, that is too much participatory democracy. Beyond the added public costs, it will end up a voter suppression problem. Clearly placing an added burden on mail-in folks. This will be especially true of our military voters. We need to encourage, not discourage voting. It is a solution in search of a problem.

Michael De Lucca, president, Broward Regional Health Planning Council, Inc. The Health Insurance Marketplace opened on Feb. 15 and will stay open through May 15, 2021; a special three-month window. You can change or enroll in health plans due to the COVID-19 emergency through May 15, 2021, or anytime if you have certain life changes that qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to get the health coverage you need at a more affordable rate. Don’t miss out on this opportunity as this may be the last chance to enroll in health plans for 2021 coverage.

Belinda Keiser, vice chancellor, Keiser University. Health care students are part of the solution to the COVID-19 pandemic. Universities throughout the state applied to serve as vaccinations sites. Keiser University nursing students administered second doses of the vaccine, which also helps overworked health care staff. Meanwhile, St. Leo University used its location to hold vaccination clinics. Additionally, other health care students are assisting in pre-vaccination screenings, education and vaccination observation in several other vaccination sites across the state. COVID-19 has thrown us into unique circumstances, but we will overcome adversity through teamwork and a continuing commitment to serve our community.

Peter Moore, president, Chen Moore and Associates. If you are like me, you looked at the weather across the country the past week and said, thank goodness I’m in Florida. What you really should have said is thank goodness we have the infrastructure that we do in Florida. With the failure of the unregulated Texan electrical grid, I think more of us should have appreciated the robustness of the Floridian grid and post-storm activities that we’ve had. Even at that, the operators of the nine electric grids saved the day, implementing rolling blackouts that were unpopular but stopped a catastrophic failure.

Alissa Jean Schafer, member, Broward Soil and Water Conservation District. I tested positive for COVID. After nearly a year of social-distancing, mask-wearing and canceled life events, I somehow still got this virus. I’m encouraged by vaccination news, but all precautions remain crucial in getting COVID under control. I’m unfortunately now a local example of how contagious this disease is, hopefully serving as a reminder to folks with “pandemic fatigue” that things are not back to normal yet. While I remain optimistic that I will beat my case, nearly 30,000 of our neighbors have not been so lucky. How many more lives will COVID destroy? Keep your mask on.

Gregory Tony, Broward Sheriff. When it comes to public safety, innovative, out-of-thebox thinking can make a significant difference in the outcome of a life-threatening situation. This week, BSO firefighters used drone technology to locate and extinguish a small house fire. Twenty firefighters responded to the West Park fire, and fortunately, no one sustained any injury. Drone technology gives us an opportunity to better deploy our assets and avoid putting first responders in harm’s way. BSO will continue in our efforts to ensure our first responders have the tools and equipment necessary to protect this community.

Dean Trantalis, mayor, Fort Lauderdale. At Tuesday’s city commission meeting, I declared Feb. 16, 2021, as Anthony Ginsberg Day in Fort Lauderdale. Over the last year, Ginsberg set off on a first-of-its-kind, nonpartisan effort in our city to engage the homeless citizenry in fulfilling their civic duty and encouraging them to exercise their right to vote in November’s election. He compassionately connected with over 200 members of the homeless community on the importance of keeping one’s voter registration information current and providing education about Broward’s vote-by-mail process. We recognize Anthony Ginsberg for this dedicated work and thank him for his service to preserving the sanctity of American democracy.

Michael Udine, vice mayor, Broward County. Freezing temperatures in Texas, and a power infrastructure that was left unprepared by companies. People are suffering, property is being damaged and officials in government and the power industry are pointing fingers. This weather is another symptom that we face in the climate crisis, and inadequate infrastructure only adds to the devastation. Floridians understand that weather events cannot be taken lightly. Officials at all levels of government and industry must plan now and work together for the future rather than putting their heads in the sand. Preparation, prevention and investment in the technology of tomorrow is needed now!