LOOKING AHEAD: THE TOP STORIES OF 2 016

Ron Klein, former member, U.S. House of Representatives The American people will elect a president who can unify our country. We will elect a leader who has extensive experience in foreign policy and will help people of different faiths realize the American dream. Our next president will generate growth by investing in infrastructure, water systems and clean energy, and provide tax relief to small businesses. We will elect a president who understands one of the biggest challenges facing our country is the NRA and so will promote federal background checks and close the gun show loophole. Americans know substance “Trumps” senseless rhetoric and insults. It’s Hillary in 2016!

Eleanor Sobel, member, Florida Senate 2016 will be the year that our nation affirms the values and priorities that President Obama and his team have demonstrated over the past eight years — a commitment to working families, more opportunity for the middle class and a nation that protects all of its citizens equally. 2016 will be the year we elect a Democratic president who builds on the incredible foundation President Obama has laid over the past eight years, and I’m proud to be a part of that effort.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, member, U.S. House of Representatives Although he put up a good fight, there will be no President Trump. Florida, though, will be the home of our one of the presidential candidates. Anybody trying to predict the stock market will probably be wrong. But look for Apple to buy Tesla, resulting in more electric cars on our roadways and a need for more charging stations. Florida will pass a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana. Cuba will continue to open up and become a vacation destination. Florida will beat Florida State. That’s my hope!

Walter “Skip” Campbell, mayor, Coral Springs Looking ahead to the March GOP Primary, when Florida Republican power brokers switched to the winner-take-all system, many believed it would help establishment-favorite Jeb Bush. Since then, Florida’s political landscape has changed, and Donald Trump has led in the polls for months. If the election were held today, Florida’s 99 delegates would go to Trump. But, “it ain’t over until it’s over!” As governor, Bush did much for the people of Florida — his opponents can’t say the same. The question is, can he get that message out and make GOP voters remember? Prediction: He might just do it!

Clarence McKee, president, McKee Communications As President Obama completes his swan song year, I am hoping that we are re-inspired to reclaim the spirit of the values that ushered him into office eight years ago. I believe that 2016 will be a fierce battle of these fears and hopes. I also wish we find avenues for collaboration to find prescriptions for our epidemic of violence in many of our communities. Again, we cannot be resigned to paralysis. Big problems and challenges can only be solved when good people find a spark to act individually and collectively. 2016 will be marked by those moments when America chooses to find her true self.

Marlon Hill, partner, Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel One item I hope will be on the November ballot is the 1-cent sales surtax for transportation. As our community continues to grow, we must invest in transportation options and alternatives that meet the needs of our residents and visitors. It will be important for all of our elected officials to work together with the community to find a plan that balances prudent spending and oversight with the real need to make an investment in our future.

Randall Vitale, senior v.p., Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust The Fair Districts Amendments, requiring reapportionment at the legislative and congressional levels, will have significant impact in 2016, and this impact will grow over the years. Florida tends to vote Democratic in presidential years, and Republican in off-years. The Legislature should be about 50-50. Largely because of reapportionment, it is instead roughly 2-1 Republican. This will change. In 2016, the Florida Senate is expected to go from 26-14 Republican to 23-17 Republican. More importantly, Fair Districts will create far more “swing” seats that can vote either way, resulting in more centrist candidates from both parties, something we should all heartily endorse.

Steve Geller, former member, Florida Senate

With the Iraqi Army’s victory against the Islamic State in Ramadi, it appears some progress is being made against the Islamic State. Let us hope next year the world can come together — Shia, Sunni, Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, Communist and Capitalist — to defeat the nihilism represented by the Islamic State. Let us all hope, as well, this group that represents humanity can continue the progress made in Paris and continue human progress toward new technologies that will advance our use of clean energy, lessen our dependence on fossil fuels and reverse climate change.

Mitchell Berger, founder, Berger Singerman What will it take to end the horrible brutality reported in Florida’s prisons? Inmates have been beaten and murdered; prison officials and Corrections Department administrators prevent the public from learning what happens in state prisons and our CEO governor evades any responsibility. Male guards who sexually abuse and rape women prisoners aren’t punished — they’re transferred, sometimes just across the street to another prison. Those responsible for brutality, and the state administrators who cover it up must be held accountable. In 2016, legislators must end Florida’s backward criminal justice policies that fill prisons with those who don’t need to be there.

Howard Simon, executive director, ACLU of Florida My hope for 2016 is that together we find ways to curb violence — at home, in our schools, neighborhoods and cities. Every nine seconds a woman is battered. Every day lives are being lost to gun violence including children caught in drive-by shootings and gang and criminal violence. We do indeed have terrorism — and it all too often starts at home.

Mary Riedel, president, Women in Distress Broward County Home prices will likely moderate slightly to 5 percent in 2016, driven in part by the reduction in home buyer affordability and reduced demand as a result of Fed tightening. The total home sales in Broward may increase 3 percent or hopefully more. Mortgage rates will gradually move higher fueling the affordability challenge. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage will likely average below 4.75 percent. The good news is, expect a strengthening South Florida labor market and pent-up demand to carry momentum into 2016.

Rabbi Sheldon Harr, Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El The environment will play a bigger part of the community conversation. Beach re-nourishment, flood control, drought prevention, water and air quality, ramification of drilling in the Everglades — will all take center stage. Remediation and conservation will likely be controversial and certainly costly, but our community must become informed and take action. We can no longer sit on the sidelines. Inaction will be a shameful legacy.

Richard Barkett, CEO, Greater Fort Lauderdale REALTORS For 2016, two major issues will continue to impact public education. First, local school districts will continue to press for a sense of reality as Florida marches on toward highstakes testing and a flawed accountability system that contains a school grading formula that does not include student learning gains. Second, districts will struggle with shortages of teachers, especially in the areas of math, science, bilingual and special education. Our state must focus on this critical issue as the future of our education system depends on our ability to hire, develop and retain quality teachers.

Robert Runcie, superintendent, Broward County Public Schools The Florida Legislature will neglect our schools again, and we will remain in the bottom quartile for another year. Florida will continue to show economic growth, and tax breaks will be given to business. The slate of people running for office will still reflect career politicians moving from one office to another even if they have no qualifications. At the national level, we will elect yet another person who will likely be there for the self and not the public. Wages will remain flat, and our economy may struggle. Many will sing praises for the world we live in, but not much will really change. We just sit back and watch.

Chuck Shaw, chairman, Palm Beach County School Board Greater Fort Lauderdale’s tourism market will continue on an upward trend, fueling the economy and job growth. The major focus will be on the financing and building of a convention center hotel and expanded convention center. With more than 8,900 new rooms under construction and 14,000 more rooms in the planning process, the additional money needed to market the destination and convention center in an increasingly competitive landscape will be critical to our success.

Ina Lee, owner, Travelhost Elite of Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward’s 2016 New Year’s resolution should be to ensure the completion of the current beach renourishment project. Broward is losing its beaches because much of the coastline has eroded. To remedy this, a beach renourishment project called “Segment II,” is adding thousands of cubic yards of sand to 5 miles of eroded beach in Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Pompano Beach. When completed, the beach will be approximately 75 feet wider. The cost is about $55 million and is worth every penny. The new beach will keep tourists coming.

Marty Kiar, mayor, Broward County “Life is no different than the weather. Not only is it unpredictable, but it shows us a new perspective of the world every day.” — Suzy Kassem. Ms. Kassem was correct. Nonetheless these are my predictions for the coming year: Donald Trump will self-destruct. America will elect its first female president. Terrorism will continue to plague the universe. Life will present us individually with times of great joy and times of deep sadness. And, as Kassem wrote, the future will “show us a new perspective of the world every day.”

Robert Weinroth, deputy mayor, Boca Raton The opening of the expanded Panama Canal will be a true economic game-changer for South Florida. Post-Panamax ships with doubled cargo capacity will seek deep ports here and along the East Coast. Cities that don’t step up with infrastructure will be left behind. The completed $1 billion PortMiami Tunnel and port improvements will keep Miami a global powerhouse. With Port Everglades poised for harbor deepening and widening, we must build our local trade and logistics talent base to keep pace with amazing opportunities ahead.

Linda Carter, president, Community Foundation of Broward If you’re looking to enjoy cultural arts in the new year, you won’t have to travel far. Our cities offer an extraordinary variety of local resources including four arts parks, dozens of performing arts theaters, dance companies, art festivals, art walks and numerous galleries. Favorite attractions include the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, the Museum of Discovery & Science, Buehler Planetarium, the NSU Art Museum and Young at Art. The passion of our communities lies within its art, so take time to appreciate the individuality of what each of our 31 cities has to offer.

David Rosenof, president, Broward League of Cities Since mental health conditions are amazingly common (one in five Americans have a diagnosable mental illness,) my hope and prediction for 2016, is that the Florida Legislature will finally, seriously commit to supporting its citizens with increased mental health resources. Being 49th of 50 states in per-capita spending is no longer acceptable. Mental illness and wellness is now part of the American conversation, and Floridians demand and deserve better. With innovative, science-based, and tested treatments and supports now available, we know just what to do to help. Now let’s do it.

Dr. Steven Ronik, CEO, Henderson Behavioral Health As sheriff, I have worked to bring transparency to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. This is why in 2015 I began the process of implementing body cameras for our road patrol deputies. Both the public and law enforcement will benefit from this type of visual evidence. Studies of body camera usage have shown a significant reduction in use-of-force incidents and decreases in complaints against deputies. Our community wants us to utilize this new technology. Recording interactions between our deputies and the community makes good sense and will help improve both officer and public safety in 2016.

Scott Israel, sheriff, Broward County Just as the attacks of 9/11 changed our view of terrorism, the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino have again challenged our ability to balance civil liberties with protection from homegrown and imported terrorists. Post-Edward Snowden reforms of surveillance powers will fade as Congress presses for governmental backdoors to encryption and expanded collection of information in the name of national security. With the presidential campaign in full swing, it’s doubtful President Obama will be willing to take affirmative steps to address the expanding influence of the Islamic State, leaving it to the next occupant of the White House to attack this threat, head-on.

Tom Shea, president, Right Management, Florida/Caribbean In 2016, I hope to see firm, public stands against bigotry and anti-Semitism. Terrorist groups continue to heavily rely on antiSemitism for propaganda. Jews were blamed for the January and November Islamic State attacks in France. The hashtags #stabajew and #theknivesintifada went viral when Palestinians began violently attacking Israelis. Yet in the same year, the French Prime Minister took a firm stand in a landmark speech, “a reawakening of anti-Semitism is the symptom of a crisis in democracy.” More of us need to stand firm against hate and anti-Semitism in 2016.