LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

Dr. Michael Dennis, chair, FAU Schmidt College of Medicine. The planet is learning a very serious lesson: Every country must address the issue of greenhouse-gas emissions if effective reduction of climate change temperature elevations is to be achieved. Western Europe has done more in this effort than any other region in the world by expanding solar and wind power. However, those countries are experiencing the hottest temperatures on record. And low-income countries in South America and Africa are suffering severe heat and water shortages. It would be extremely helpful if Asian nations did much more to curtail the production of heat-intensifiers since the winds deliver trouble throughout the globe.

Marty Kiar, property appraiser, Broward County. The Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office will be mailing the 2022 Senior Exemption receipts to property owners who have been approved for the low-income senior exemption for the first time. To qualify for this additional tax saving exemption, an applicant must be receiving Homestead Exemption; be 65 years of age or older as of Jan. 1, 2022; and have an adjusted household gross income for 2022 not exceeding $32,561. You can still apply for this exemption until Sept. 19, 2022. Please visit our website at web.bcpa.net or call 954-357-6830.

Bob Mayersohn, city commissioner, Parkland; president, Broward League of Cities. July 26 commemorates the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. On this day in 1990, our nation implemented the necessary changes needed to protect the basic civil rights of over 15% of Americans by providing equal access to participate in programs, services and activities provided by municipalities. Over the past three decades, under this law, Broward’s 31 cities have embraced the guiding principles of the ADA. Today, we continue to ensure that the modification of policies and procedures provide the necessary support for individuals with disabilities to live, work and play independently throughout our ONE Broward community.

Wayne Messam, mayor, Miramar. Eleven cities, including Miramar, published data on the manufacturers of crime guns in their cities. The top manufacturer of recovered crime guns was Glock in nine of the 11 reporting cities. On average, over 1.5 times more Glocks were recovered than the second leading manufacturer in each of those nine cities. Five gun manufacturers accounted for over half of the recovered crime guns: Glock (16.8%), Taurus (12.5%), Smith & Wesson (11.7%), Ruger (6.5%), and Polymer80 (3.7%). Collectively, these five manufacturers accounted for over 9,600 recovered crime guns.

Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, president and CEO, Community Foundation of Broward . On July 30, we celebrate the commissioning of the USS Fort Lauderdale. What an honor for this “amphibious transport dock ship,” with a crew of 360 sailors, to carry the name of the place we call home. Our community has a proud tradition of supporting the Navy. The new Mary Porter Sea Cadet Training Center will soon become the local home for one of the nation’s best youth leadership development programs. Someday, cadets from the training center — made possible by philanthropist Mary Porter’s estate gift to the Community Foundation of Broward — could sail aboard the USS Fort Lauderdale.

Kerry Ann Royes, CEO, YWCA South Florida. Inflation grips Black families harder than others because for generations, systems have made it difficult to maintain financial savings, leaving entire groups of people behind. The nation’s wealth gap leaves Black Americans without the funds needed to offset rising prices. This dynamic is scary and has a ripple effect because families are faced with difficult decisions to go without necessities like medicines, food or utility payments. Expectant moms worry about their children’s future and how they will provide while grandparents have anxiety over another economic downturn. Lawmakers need to act quickly to combat inflation as we face a looming recession.

Chad Van Horn, founding partner attorney, Van Horn Law Group, P. A. Congratulations to Gary S. Lesser, the new president of the Florida Bar Association, who is prioritizing mentorship of young attorneys, professionalism in the legal world and increasing access and awareness of pro bono legal aid services. These issues all are admirable and in need of attention, but I particularly look forward to furthering pro bono work in my profession. I believe strongly that all persons should have access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. Kudos to Mr. Lesser for launching this important initiative.

Thomas Wenski, archbishop, Archdiocese of Miami. Disruption of Ukrainian exports of wheat because of Russia’s aggression has caused steep rises in food prices around the world but also threatens famine in many poor countries. The Vatican’s newspaper, Observatore Romano, reports that in Uganda’s Karamoja region there are already almost

100,000 children in conditions of severe malnutrition. About

10,000 pregnant or lactating women are in the same dramatic conditions. Ugandan authorities confirmed that hundreds of people died “because of hunger.” The crisis, the newspaper observed, has yet to find “adequate space in the media.” Growing food insecurity is a sign of the globalization of indifference.