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March 1, 2021February 22, 2021

Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL, 22nd District)

As we approach the first anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are reminded of how this public health crisis has impacted our community.

In the course of a year, we have lost over 28,000 Floridians, millions of Americans are still out of work, and the need for economic relief has never been higher. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues in Congress and the Biden administration to provide critical resources to South Florida.

While many of us are eager that COVID-19 vaccinations are now being distributed, I know many are frustrated with how distribution has gone so far. As we await more shipments to vaccinate our most vulnerable community members, residents are asked to remain patient.

For more information regarding vaccination sites throughout South Florida, please visit my Facebook page (Facebook.com/CongressmanTedDeutch) and my website (Deutch.house.gov).

One in twenty seniors in the U.S. is a target of fraud schemes, costing them at least $36.5 billion per year. Yet, the National Adult Protective Services Association has found that only 1 in 44 seniors actually report that they are victims of a fraud scheme.

Last Congress, I joined Rep. Buchanan and Rep. Welch to introduce the Seniors Fraud Prevention Act that was incorporated as Title II of the Stop Senior Scams Act (H.R.2610). The Stop Senior Scams Act passed the House and the Senate but it was not signed into law.

This bill would create an office within the Federal Trade Commission charged with tracking scams, educating and alerting seniors to new scams, and establishing a more effective complaint system to ensure reports of fraud are quickly addressed by the appropriate law enforcement agency.

As we begin this year with a historic opportunity to continue our actions to help prevent gun violence, I am proud to rejoin the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force leadership for the 117th Congress. Task Force leadership is drawn from members with diverse backgrounds, including former prosecutors and members of law enforcement, gun violence survivors, veterans, hunters, and teachers. These leaders hail from rural and urban districts in states across the nation as well as districts that have experienced devastating gun- related tragedies.

As always, please feel free to reach out to my office if we can be of any assistance. I urge everyone to continue to follow CDC guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Stay safe!

February 19, 2021January 22, 2021

Ask Dr. Renae: Teen protecting endangered family member is not alone

Dear Dr. Renae,

A member of my immediate family living in my home has a medical condition which makes them immune compromised. Out of love, respect and fear for their safety, I have limited my social interactions. My friends understood at first but have begun subtly pressuring me to go out. I feel very left out, and it really makes it so much harder since I am missing out on so much. I am also worried about infecting my family member, so I have not even been attending school in person. I feel isolated and may be becoming depressed. I just want my friends to understand.

Alone at 17

Dear Alone at 17,

Your concern for your family is very honorable. You’ve made the right decision by staying home to keep your family safe. I would suggest talking to your friends and explaining to them how you feel and why you don’t want to go out. I would hope that your friends are mature enough to realize that you are making the right choice in staying home. After that I would suggest just talking to them over the phone or having zoom nights together. There’s a lot of online games that you and your friends can play together, or you can just relax and talk to each other. Remember that you can always have fun even if you’re not physically together. I wish you the best of luck.

High School Senior

Dear Alone at 17,

You are not alone!! There are so many people who are going through the exact same thing as you. I think that you are being very responsible and caring, and I’m sure your friends will see that! I suggest finding a group of people to have nightly zoom calls with and plan fun things to do together on the phone. Another example is to ask your friends to have a socially distant lunch!! I for one have been extremely cautious during COVID like you and one thing I have done to see my friends is having a socially distant lunch or hangout! You pick an outdoors area and go separately with your own blanket and sit apart in a huge circle… lots of feet apart! During these trying times, it is definitely important to find people that can support you on your off days. I hope you are doing well.

A Caring Friend

Dear Alone at 17,

I have people around me who also pressure me to go out, so I completely understand where you are coming from. I found the best way to remedy the situation is with communication. It may help to communicate with your friends through a video chat or voice call about your experience with the pandemic and how you feel left out. It would also be helpful to come up with some stay-at-home events your friends can do together. I suggest game nights, powerpoint nights, or just chatting on the phone. I hope you don’t feel so alone in the future.

Your Fellow Teen

Dear Alone at 17,

It is inconceivable to be robbed of your much anticipated social year and normal for you to feel a loss. Your love and respect for your family is admirable especially for a teen. You sound like you are comfortable with your decision, an important predictor for your ability to make future difficult decisions. Friends who acknowledge and respect your choice will likely stand out head and shoulders above those friends who do not understand. Focusing your attention on these true friends will likely bring you more comfort than focusing attention on those who regrettably surprised you with their lack of support. True friends will find creative ways to remain connected to you, especially now when you need your friends more than ever. In addition, when you are able to finally socialize in person, it will be helpful to know who your true friends are so you can count on them in the future.

Dr. Renae

TEENS: Curious as to what other teens would say? If you have a question or problem you would like to present to other teens, please email: askdrrenae@att.net and include your age, grade, and gender you identify with. All questions are published anonymously and your identity and contact information will be kept confidential.

PARENTS OF TEENS: Would you like to anonymously and confidentially ask the panel of teen Peer Counseling Writers to comment on a parenting issue you are struggling with? If you are ready for a variety of honest opinions from real teens, please address your questions to askdrrenae@att.net.

Dr. Renae Lapin, a licensed marriage and family therapist with 40 years experience, currently maintains a private practice in Boca Raton, Florida. For more information about Dr. Renae and her practice, visit her website: https://askdrrenae.com

January 29, 2021January 20, 2021

Commissioner Michael Udine (3rd District, Broward County)

Broward County is on the move. Investing in the future, creating sustainable job growth, and working with leading stakeholders to create a strong economy will provide opportunity for all. In the past two months, several new companies have announced they will be moving their headquarters here to Broward County. I am excited to work in partnership with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance to attract even more this year and will work tirelessly through all platforms to make sure everyone knows that Broward County is the place to be!

As Vice-Mayor of Broward County one of my top priorities is to encourage investment in the South Florida region by attracting top level tech and financial companies to call our community home. In collaboration with the Mayors of the City of Miami and Fort Lauderdale, I have been meeting with local officials to see how we can work together to bring investment, and good quality jobs, to our community. Creating a tech corridor with a solid foundation, led by our hometown universities like FAU and NSU, will create strong job growth for years to come.

In January I made a site visit to Port Everglades to see firsthand the dock expansion, and the brand-new gantry cranes that will service the supersized Panamax cargo vessels once the projects are complete. These new cranes, which I saw up close and in person (not for those afraid of heights), will increase our port’s economic potential. In addition, the port is working with Florida Department of Environmental Protection to protect and expand the mangrove habitats on site. This will help keep our water and wildlife healthy for future generations. I was honored to meet several District 3 residents who operate these cranes on a daily basis and learn everything that goes into doing their job for Broward County.

Over the past two months, the brand-new Motorola public safety radio system has come online in Broward County. This replacement was necessary to protect Broward County residents in the event of an emergency. From new towers, to new radios, and interoperability with neighboring counties like Palm Beach, we are focused on providing the fastest service when every second counts. I would like to thank the whole team of Broward County Emergency Management, and all stakeholders, for their steadfast support in getting this done.

It is difficult to find the words when I reflect on the three years that have gone by since the tragedy at MSD on February 14th. Our community has been forever changed by that fateful day. We miss those we have lost, continue to heal with those who are hurting, and fight for changes that will make schools safer and prioritize mental health. To all members of our community: the anniversary of this day will never get easier, but we will get through it together.

My staff and I have made staying connected with the residents of District 3 a top priority. We have been available by phone, answering questions by email, and getting out the most up-to-date and accurate information available. I can be reached as always at MUdine@ Broward.org or at my office at (954) 357-7003.

Follow me on social media @CommissionerMichaelUdine on Facebook and @MichaelUdine on Twitter or Instagram to receive important updates and see what is happening in our community. I look forward to connecting with you.

January 29, 2021January 20, 2021

Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL, 22nd District)

I’m honored to once again serve the people of Florida’s 22nd District. As we enter the new Congress, we continue to live through a pandemic that has weakened our economy, put millions out of work and taken the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans. We need efficient vaccine distribution, additional economic relief, and continued response efforts to heal and protect our neighbors and restore our economy.

Since last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused tremendous challenges for our community. In December, Congress passed a long overdue COVID-19 relief package to address our community’s top concerns. However, Congress must continue to support families and small businesses to help them get through this pandemic. I look forward to working with the new Biden administration to extend economic assistance and strengthen our pandemic response efforts throughout South Florida.

While many of us are eager that COVID-19 vaccinations are now being distributed, I know many are frustrated with how distribution has gone so far. I share your frustrations and have been pressing state and local officials to make public a comprehensive vaccine plan. We must be patient due to limited supplies but also continue to urge a distribution plan with full transparency for all Floridians.

For more information regarding vaccination sites throughout South Florida, please visit my Facebook page (Facebook.com/CongressmanTedDeutch) and my website (Deutch.house.gov).

As always, please feel free to reach out to my office if we can be of any assistance. I urge everyone to continue to follow CDC guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Stay safe!

I look forward to working closely with the new administration on shared priorities such as ensuring meaningful action on gun violence and climate change, two deeply personal issues to Florida. We need to strengthen Social Security by increasing benefits and extending solvency to ensure this essential program remains for generations. Congress must also exercise its role in foreign policy to defend human rights, support our allies, and protect our national security.

January 1, 2021December 28, 2020

Commissioner Michael Udine (3rd District, Broward County)

WELCOME 2021! Here we go, and we are off and running! We are all excited to welcome the new year and all its possibilities. From the rollout of a vaccine, to getting back to business, and eventually getting our lives back to some normalcy in 2021. Personally, I am looking forward to seeing more friends and neighbors in District 3 whenever it becomes possible. We have come through the challenges of 2020, and we are now ready to roll as Broward moves into the future.

Titans of the investment world are taking the opportunity to make the jump to South Florida. Goldman Sachs, Black Rock, and others have started making significant investments by moving departments or even potential headquarters to our neck of the woods. These moves are long term positives for Broward that will bring a variety of jobs and investments to our community. Companies, if you are listening, why wouldn’t you want to be in Broward? The sun, surf, and life with less taxing await your arrival!

Broward County is nearing completion on the switch over to the new P25 radio system that will serve our residents and visitors. The towers and radio systems, backed by Motorola, provide additional capacity, and improve our communication ability during a crisis. Feedback from first responders utilizing the system has been overwhelmingly positive. I have been a strong advocate for this critical public safety system and have worked with all stakeholders to make it a reality.

I have been in discussion with the Broward County Cultural Divisionto push for more financial support to eligible artists and non-profit organizations in District 3.

Recently, the Division has restructured its grant programs to create a more accessible, transparent, and equitable process. Grant programs support individual artists and organizations throughout Broward County. If you or your organization is interested in participating, please visit Broward. org/arts for more information, or call my office at 954-357-7003. Deadlines are approaching soon!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is January 18th. This past year has seen many events that have made us question whether our country has made any progress towards his dream. I believe that while we have made significant changes, we still have a long way to go. We need to listen more carefully to each other and put ourselves in our neighbor’s shoes. While we honor Dr. King on January 18th, we must take the principles that he advocated for, and have them be our north star every day.

As always, I can be reached at MUdine@Broward.org or my office at (954) 357 7003.

January 1, 2021December 29, 2020

Mental health hotline mandated

Awareness of mental health challenges has been increasing at the local, state, and national levels. Efforts focus on ensuring folks who need to talk to someone during a mental health emergency can access the help they need.

Nationally, on Oct 17th, President Trump signed a bipartisan bill (S.2661) to create a new national hotline. The FCC already allocated 988 as the number, to replace a 10-digit phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). The new law also created a fee that a state may levy to support the hotline, similar to how the current 911 system works.

The bill mandates a July 16th, 2022 deadline for phone companies to enable the new service. Meanwhile, there are existing resources people have access to, including Broward County’s 2-1-1 Broward https://2-1-1-broward.org.

2-1-1 Broward has been a local non- profit resource for people who need to talk to someone since it was founded in 1995. Their mission statement is to provide a “24-hour comprehensive helpline, providing all people with crisis, health, and human services support and connecting them to resources in our community.”

For the past 6 years, 2-1-1 Broward has averaged 116,000 incoming calls a year. Since April 2020, 2-1-1 Broward has seen a steady increase of calls, up 82 percent in September.

The most common calls are related to COVID-19 services, basic needs (food, clothing), hospitalization, financial, and mental health services.

According to 2-1-1 Broward, some of the callers simply need listening support to de-escalate their situation.

The non- profit organization provides referrals to other professionals such as counseling, telehealth, crisis centers, support groups, family counseling, trauma-informed care, etc.

Due to COVID-19, 2-1-1 Broward has evolved to continue to service the community. The call center is fully remote for the safety of their workers. The resource database has been expanded to cover COVID-19 related responses. Additional staff is trained and hired to provide for Broward residents.

2-1-1 Broward is also nationally affiliated with Lifeline, which operates the national 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Calls from Broward to the national hotline are routed to 2-1-1 Broward. They also participate in many national programs, such as the Ride United Last-Mile Delivery program where, since April 2020, over 75,000 meals have been delivered across Broward County. The program aims to deliver food and supplies to vulnerable populations as a response to COVID-19.

You can find out more at their website: https://2-1-1-broward.org.

November 1, 2020October 22, 2020

Parkland Mayor: Christine Hunschofsky

Writing this, my final column as Mayor of Parkland, is bittersweet. Serving you, the residents of Parkland, as your Mayor, has been the honor of a lifetime.

My journey to serve our community has always been one that I had been passionate about but never planned. Back in 2012, our then District 2 Commissioner Jared Moskowitz decided to run for State Rep. I had been active in our community serving our Education Advisory Board for 7 years and covering the City Commission for almost 10 years. When this opportunity presented itself, so many friends and neighbors thought I was the best choice and encouraged me to run for the seat.

While I had been continually active in the community and followed the city government very closely, I had never in my life planned or anticipated running for office. With my family’s encouragement I decided to enter the race…to step into the arena. I remember thinking I would have the opportunity to be an example of the kind of elected official I always wanted my boys to see. A sense of panic overcame me that night as I thought to myself, what have I done…what now…

Now, when I look back almost 8-years later, I could never have anticipated the experiences I had, the lessons I learned, the pain I witnessed, the challenges I faced, in addition to the hope I was given, the care and compassion I saw, the joy I experienced, and the wonderful people I met in our community.

I am proud of what we have accomplished from fighting against school boundaries that would have excluded students from attending our neighborhood schools to effectively advocating for additional elementary school capacity. With your support, we secured land for future city needs and limited that development. We approved building fire stations, expanding the library, and Pine Trails Park, making improvements to infrastructure, many city amenities, and so much more; it has been a busy 7+ years.

We have also had our share of crises, from the flooding in June 2017, Hurricane Irma in September 2017, the current pandemic, and the devastating and horrific mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Throughout it all, our community has demonstrated what it means to show up for one another. While there is division on social media, out in the real community, on the ground, there is so much care and compassion. We had neighbors helping neighbors during the hurricane, and in its aftermath, and so many who reached out to help the Florida Keys that were devastated during Hurricane Irma. We had multiple residents doing collections to help the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian. After the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, our community stood up for one another, helping families, teachers, and students. While our community changed forever that day, the heart of who we are did not. Even in the current pandemic, we had residents making masks for first responders and supplying food to those in need. We have an incredible and resilient community, which is what makes our city such a special place to live.

Congratulations to our new City Commission and your willingness to serve. I wish you much success as you continue the work of keeping Parkland the wonderful community it is and the place we all call home.

October 2, 2020October 8, 2020

Coconut Creek woman wins breast cancer battle

At the ripe old age of 32, while living your life, climbing the corporate ladder, and making plans for the future, the last thing you expect to hear is a cancer diagnosis – especially for the very rare and aggressive triple-negative breast cancer – which accounts for 10 percent of all breast cancers.

Triple-negative breast cancer is cancer that tests negative for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and excess HER2 protein, making it harder to treat.

But that is exactly the diagnosis Coconut Creek resident and advertising and marketing professional Jessica Duemig, now 35, heard after discovering a lump in her breast.

To make sense of her experience, she put pen to paper (or keys to keyboard) and wrote a book about her experiences, titled, “WARRIOR,” which she self-published and is available on Amazon.

“It was total happenstance,” remembers Duemig about the night that changed her life. “I am a side sleeper and felt something in my breast that woke me up.”

Thinking nothing of it, Duemig ignored it for a couple of weeks until a month later the lump woke her up again and she decided to visit her doctor.

Her diagnosis was confirmed on Feb. 1, 2017. Three weeks later she underwent a bi-lateral mastectomy as a precaution, followed by immediate partial reconstruction, then endured chemotherapy for almost five months. Luckily, the cancer had not progressed to her lymph nodes. Six weeks after she finished chemo, she had the full reconstruction.

Duemig had her treatment at the Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health and the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Alliance.

With no family history of breast cancer, no BRACA 1 or 2 gene, Duemig says there was “no logical reason” to suspect she would have breast cancer at such a young age. She notes that typically mammograms are not even recommended for women under the age of 40.

“I could have been sitting there for eight years before I found this,” she says ruefully.

During those trying months, Duemig founded a community of family and friends on Facebook where she created Livestream videos of her daily struggles as a way to stay connected and keep her friends and family in the loop.

She used these videos as fodder for her book.

On her LinkedIn profile, she says: “This book is a testament to the process, from detection, through diagnosis into treatment and ultimately recovery. It’s emotional and funny and real – and it’s my story.”

“My hope is that this book can be the support warriors need and that reading it will unlock the “F*ck this” attitude it will take to come out on top,” she says.

Lindsay Oerter, a teacher from Royal Palm Beach, and her mom, Karen Boland, of Loxahatchee and herself a breast cancer survivor, were two of the viewers who tuned in regularly to support Duemig.

“I always knew she was a tough girl and someone who gets things done,” says Oerter, who is a friend from Wellington High School. “I had no doubt in my mind that Jess would get through this. That’s her.”

With no family history on her mother’s side, Boland, who retired after 23 years at Publix, and fought breast cancer along with two of her sisters, was told she inherited the predisposition from her father’s side of the family, something she did not realize was possible.

On a trip to Connecticut to visit her mom, Boland read a preliminary version of Duemig’s book.

“Jess’s writing style keeps you interested and engaged,” Boland says. “I would recommend it for a family member or anyone going through something similar.”

Writing the book was therapeutic for Duemig, during her nine-month journey.

“I wrote the guidebook I wished I had,” she says. “What to expect and what’s normal, both from the physical and emotional standpoints.”

What advice does she have for other women going through a similar experience?

“If you feel something is wrong, get it checked out,” she says. “It’s better to be proven wrong than to let something linger.”

“And,” she says, “whatever your feelings are, just know they are normal.”

Now, three years later, Duemig received her diagnosis of ‘cured’ last Feb. 29. (According to Duemig, with Triple Negative Breast Cancer a cured designation is given after three years, and not five as in other types of cancer.)

“As bad as it was, this could have been so much worse,” says Duemig. “I went into it with a “f*ck this” attitude – mind over matter. The minute you lay down and give in – it will win.”

Duemig didn’t hold back in her writing, putting a realistic/optimistic spin on the book.

“I had to look at all the good things that can come from this experience,” says Duemig. “I know myself better. I have the ability to make hard decisions.”

“Harness that power,” she says. “If you can beat cancer, what can’t you do?”

“WARRIOR” is available on Amazon and other online booksellers.

By Jan Engoren