It’s a great day Palm Bay!
I’d like to begin my April Mayor’s Message with a sincere and heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the 2022 Mayor’s Ball. On March 26, nearly 200 guests including sponsors, local dignitaries, community partners, and citizens joined me in my effort to build a new monument at Sacrifice Park to honor local first responders who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our community. Thanks to your efforts, we raised over $30,000!
With your incredible support, we are well on our way to funding the new monument, but we have more work to do in order to achieve our goal. If you’d like to lock arms with us and help to build our new Sacrifice Park memorial monument, please consider making a donation at www.pbfl.org/mayorsball and help us to build a memorial worthy of such sacrifice.
On March 8, the City of Palm Bay held a Special Election to fill the City Council seat vacated by the resignation of former Councilman Jeff Bailey. I was heartened to see the community support and participation in the election - evidence of the level of civic engagement in our great community. I’d like to express my appreciation to all candidates who stepped forward and offer my compliments on a race well run. My sincere congratulations to the victor and our newest Councilman Peter Filiberto. May you serve Palm Bay well, sir!
On March 10, I was honored to preside over a roadway renaming ceremony honoring Samuel C. Lopez. The renaming proposal was brought forward by former Palm Bay Mayor Ed Geier to commemorate the many contributions made to the City of Palm Bay by Mr. Lopez. Thanks to the support of my fellow City Councilmen, the participation of the Lopez family, and many community partners, I am Palm Bay Proud to share that visitors to Palm Bay City Hall will now enter the complex via Samuel C. Lopez Way - a fitting tribute to a man who worked tirelessly to better his community.
On March 28, the City of Palm Bay began demolition of the existing playground structure at Lynbrook Park. In the coming weeks, an all-new playground will be installed on the site, providing Palm Bay families with a wonderful place to play. The upgrades at Lynbrook Park are just the latest in a series of recreational improvements taking place all over Palm Bay, including Riviera Park, Oakwood Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Knecht Park, Oakview Park, and Pollak Park.
On March 29, our nation commemorates the brave men and women who served in the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War was an extremely divisive issue among the people of the United States and a conflict that caused a generation of veterans to wait too long for the United States public to acknowledge and honor the efforts and services of such veterans. Members of the United States Armed Forces who served bravely and faithfully for the United States during the Vietnam War were often wrongly criticized for the policy decisions made by four presidential administrations in the United States. I believe we have all learned from this part of history and will vow never to have events such as those experienced by our Vietnam Veterans reoccur. I hope you’ll join me in saying “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans!”
As of April 2022, the City has completed paving 267 miles, or 34%, of the 791 miles of roadway in Palm Bay. On Monday April 4, the City of Palm Bay will begin Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) operations on Florida Avenue, which is the first joint paving project with the City of Melbourne. In addition, City Council recently awarded construction of Phase 2 Unit 20 (16.6 miles), Phase 3 Unit 48 (23.0 miles), and Emerson Drive from the C-1 canal to Fairhaven. Additionally, Unit 30 Road Paving plans have been submitted to Procurement for advertising.
Beginning on April 7, 2022, Palm Bay’s Regular Council Meetings will start at 6pm, a new, earlier time. A key part in building the best Palm Bay possible is ensuring that we maintain an informed and involved citizenry. I encourage all Palm Bayers to take the time to stay informed on local issues and to engage in the process of your local government. To that end, I would like to remind everyone to mark your calendars to reflect this change and join us at the Council meetings at 6pm to make your voice heard. As always, meeting dates and agendas are available on the City of Palm Bay website at www.pbfl.org/agenda.
Each April we celebrate Earth Day. Palm Bayers looking for an opportunity to give back to Mother Nature are invited to join Team Palm Bay on the 2022 Trash Bash on Saturday, April 9. The City will host litter clean-ups from 8:00am until 12:00pm at four locations: Palm Bay Road and US1, Northview Street NE and Robert J. Conlan Boulevard, Minton Road and Malabar Road, and San Filippo Drive SE and Malabar Road. If you’d like to volunteer and help with this great event, please visit https://www.palmbayflorida.org/Home/Components/News/News/11119/17 for registration details.
The beginning of April marks the start of Ramadan. To all Palm Bayers of the Muslim faith, may many blessings be upon you this Ramadan as you observe your fasting and prayers. Ramadan Kareem!
Finally, I would like to wish a very Happy Easter to all Palm Bayers! On Easter Sunday, April 17, we celebrate life and the resurrection of Jesus Christ – and that is good news! May you and your families have a safe, healthy, and joyous holiday!
