TO PST ORIES FROM LAST WEEK

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

Dr. Michael Dennis, chair, FAU Schmidt College of Medicine. Don’t the elderly, those of low socioeconomic status and racial/ethnic minorities have enough problems to deal with? At a time when medical problems are rampant, major pharmacy chains like Walgreens and Rite Aid are reducing operating hours due to labor shortages, which impacts everyone — especially those identified above. Access to critical medications is restricted. A report this week highlights the problem as retailers nationwide are experiencing low supplies and therefore limiting purchases! With cases of the flu, RSV and COVID-19 respiratory viruses soaring, it’s absolutely unacceptable that the industry is not fully prepared to meet the needs of the people.

Charlotte Mather-Taylor, executive director, Area Agency on Aging of Broward County. Last week, the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County announced a new community initiative with Ring to help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life as they age. Ring is making a monetary contribution and donating over 1,000 Ring and Amazon devices to the 11 Area Agencies on Aging throughout Florida. In the past few years, it has become clear how essential technology is to stay connected, and we hope this donation will help seniors feel more secure and facilitate communication with their loved ones. For more information visit adrcbroward.org/news/florida-association-area-agencies-aging-announces-collaboration-ring-help-senior-residents-age or contact me at 954-745-9567.

Nora Rupert, member, Broward School Board. The Broward County School Board had another tumultuous week ending with Rod Velez calling a press conference to announce his swearing in. At the same time, Gov. Ron DeSantis officially declared the seat vacant and appointed Dan Foganholi once again to the Board. Since the August election, there have been three iterations of the board. With Foganholi appointed, there will be little to no learning curve and, hopefully, stability for at least a few weeks. This Carousel of Crazy Chaos must end so we can focus once again on our students, and not the political drama of adults.

Maria Sachs, member, Palm Beach County Commission. Highways are the arteries of a community. They are the lifeblood that keeps people connected to businesses, schools and families. In this week’s Palm Beach County Commission meeting, the public heard the plan for the construction of new roads as well as the widening of existing roads throughout the county. Knowing where the new roads are being constructed and the older roads are being improved gives us a blueprint for where new development could occur in the future. Any construction that takes place without a solid infrastructure in place is a recipe for increased traffic, congestion and a community that is without connection.

Howard Simon, retired executive director, ACLU of Florida. Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed several judges to the newly created 6th District Court of Appeals. One of his appointees, Jared Smith, had just been rejected for re-election as circuit judge by Hillsborough County voters after he denied a 17-year-old a judicial waiver, as provided in law, to get an abortion without involving her parents. If there is one unifying theme to the policies of the DeSantis administration, it seems to be to use every opportunity to poke a finger in the eye of liberals, though in this case, it’s in the eye of everyone supporting the right to an abortion.

Eleanor Sobel, former member, Florida Senate. Florida officials announced a proposal that would double the number of medical marijuana treatment centers, which cultivate, process and dispense profitable medical marijuana products. The proposal allows Florida to grant 22 additional licenses in one of the most successful medical-marijuana markets in the U.S. Because such licenses are so valuable, Florida is also increasing license renewal fees from $60,000 to more than $1.3 million. Though the increase will certainly generate resistance, the fee was calculated to reflect the cost of industry regulations. Florida’s marijuana industry burgeoned after a 2016 constitutional amendment

was passed to legalize medical use of the drug.

Chad Van Horn, founding partner attorney, Van Horn Law Group, P. A. It’s no surprise to me that distracted-driving accidents on I-95 in Broward totaled 5,396 in 2021, as noted in the Sun Sentinel’s “Die 95” story. That road is simply frightening. I’ve discovered a foolproof way to stay safe from the perils of 95 — completely avoid it. I know every side street, back way and surface road in Broward, and my trusty Vespa takes me wherever I want to go without ever jumping on that hazardous highway. If I must go further afield, Brightline works. Like everything in life, driving on a dangerous road is a choice. I just say no.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, member, U.S. House of Representatives. South Florida benefited tremendously this year from my work with the White House and Democrats in Congress, from $1.5 billion for Everglades restoration, to finally beating Big Pharma and cutting Medicare prescription costs. But 2022 is not over. I’m proud to announce that the

2023 appropriations bills include $55 million to replace our

40-year-old federal courthouse, and I just helped secure

$319 million to expand Port Everglades, so this premier commerce and passenger hub can grow even stronger. In 2023, I’ll keep fighting for our community, and I look forward to working with you to make more great things happen.