TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

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

Dan Daley,

member, Florida House of Representatives. This week, the Florida Department of Financial Services announced the launch of the My Safe Florida Home program. This program allows eligible Florida homeowners to obtain free home inspections to identify storm mitigation measures and provides grants to harden properties from storm damage. This program should also help decrease the state’s cost of residential property insurance. For more information and to determine if you are eligible, visit myfloridacfo.com/mysafeflhome.

Howard Dvorkin, CPA, chairman, Debt. com. Our national elections have become such a culture war that it’s bleeding down to our local elections. I was happy to see a fellow CPA win a seat on the Fort Lauderdale City Commission. John Herbst won by a whopping 17%, and while I’m sure I won’t agree with him on every issue, I firmly believe every city commission needs at least one CPA and one small-business owner to balance out the attorneys, community activists and full-time politicians who usually dominate these elections. Tip O’Neill once said, “All politics are local.” Well, I say, “All local politics are financial.”

Marlon A. Hill, of counsel, Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, P.L. Recently, the Miami City Commission usurped the governance powers of the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Beach Park Trust responsible for the management and preservation of Miami’s historic Black beach park. Many in the Black community lament this move as an effort to not only disregard the trust afforded to the appointed leaders of the community but also to jeopardize the preservation of a legacy asset of the soul of the Black community. In a world in which teaching and learning Black history is increasingly under attack, it is critical that Miami’s political and executive leaders assure us that they will provide the resources and political will to ensure that the vision of this community space is preserved for all to enjoy.

Gary Resnick, commissioner, Wilton Manors. A mass shooting at a gay club in Colorado Springs shows the effect of LGBTQ hate rhetoric by many leaders. This has to be the intent since we see it happening over and over around the country. Hate mongers seem to score points with their constituents by inciting such violence. And lots of liberal groups then use these outrageous statements to raise money. It’s frightening that we can do nothing to stop these events that seem to benefit so many.

Howard Simon, retired executive director, ACLU of Florida. Last week, a federal judge struck down Gov. DeSantis’ “anti-woke” legislation restricting classroom discussions by university professors about the role of race in American history and institutions. The law also ties tenure decisions to toeing the government-approved ideological line. The governor often claims that Florida is the land of freedom and that he supports freedom of speech. But freedom of speech means freedom for the speech you hate, not just the speech you support. What absurd doublespeak will DeSantis need to employ to convince the appeals court that speech in the classroom can be restricted in order to advance freedom?

Nick Sortal, member, Plantation City Council. I am now three days in as Plantation’s mayor, and I’m encouraged. I see an administrative staff that shows initiative, creativity and intelligence. I see 14 talented, bright department heads that not only have a healthy respect for their employees but a respect for each other. And I see more than 1,000 employees who are here not because they have to be, but they choose to be. They want to do their part in making our public service pie as complete as possible. Like me, they have this innate belief that Plantation is special.

Gregory Tony, Broward sheriff. The holiday season is here, and the Broward Sheriff ’s Office wants to help make it a safe and joyous one. While out shopping, remember to stay alert to your surroundings, never carry large amounts of cash, and do not leave valuable items in your vehicle. If purchasing online, ensure you buy from trusted retailers and pay with a credit card. Additionally, BSO district offices provide a safe meeting location for online buyers and sellers. Please call your local district office to arrange a transaction time. Find your nearest district office at sheriff.org/LE/Pages/District-Offices.aspx. From our BSO family to yours, Happy Holidays!

Thomas Wenski, archbishop, Archdiocese of Miami. The so-called “Respect for Marriage Act” is up for vote in the Senate to “codify” same-sex marriage. This is unnecessary as public support for same-sex unions is at an all-time high and there are no legal restitutions on same-sex relationships. Holding the traditional understanding of marriage is now a decidedly counter-cultural act. Rather than protect same-sex “marriage,” this legislation would deny space in public school for those holding to traditional view of marriage and force private parties — religious organizations, individuals of faith — to approve and support those relationships by our own words and conduct.