Just a reminder, the Viva Brevard Festival has been rescheduled to Saturday, November 18 at Fred Poppe Regional Park due to weather. I hope to see you all there!
Last month, the City held a ribbon cutting ceremony for two nutrient separating baffle boxes in Palm Bay. During the FY2021 State Legislative Session, with the support of Senator Debbie Mayfield and Representative Randy Fine, the City of Palm Bay was awarded $300,000 for the installation of two nutrient separating baffle boxes to reduce pollutant discharge into Turkey Creek and improve water quality for the impaired Indian River Lagoon. The baffle boxes were installed at the outfall discharge at Goode Park and within an existing ditch that discharges Basin 11 adjacent to Lipscomb Street. The nutrient baffle boxes will help to reduce the amount of Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total Phosphorus (TP), which will help to improve the City’s stormwater infrastructure and serve as a responsible steward of our local natural resources. Thank you to everyone who supports Palm Bay’s commitment to the health of our Turkey Creek and Indian River Lagoon.
Join me in congratulating R&S Soft Water Services Inc. on becoming the fourth quarter Mayor's Business Spotlight Program winner for 2023! R&S Soft Water Services Inc., located at 4520 Babcock Street SE, has been in business since 1949. Originally formed as a home improvement company in Ohio by Robert Rickert and Bryce Seymour, it was later purchased by Mr. William Wilson in 1970, who had a new vision for the company. Mr. Wilson had taken the company to focus primarily on water treatment and moved the business from Ohio to Cocoa, Florida, and then to their permanent residence here in the great City of Palm Bay in 1973. As a company that can base its success on the longevity of life and a loyal customer base, R&S Soft Water Services has been recently recognized by the City of Palm Bay for its commitment to the community by doing business in the city for the past 50 years! R&S Soft Water Services Inc. was presented with a Proclamation at the October 5th, 2023, Regular City Council Meeting as the Mayor’s Business Spotlight Program recipient for the fourth quarter of 2023. For any business to survive ten years, twenty years, but to survive fifty years and be a business that the community stands by, speaks volumes of not only owners of that business but at the same time how much the constituency loves that business.
I want to take a minute and brag on one of our own. Sergeant Joshua Taylor of the Palm Bay Police Department recently competed in the Ironman North Carolina 70.3. The race was held in Wilmington, NC, and consisted of a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 13.1-mile run. He finished with a time of 5 hours 26 minutes 35 seconds, which is a tremendous accomplishment. Congratulations Sgt. Taylor!
Don’t forget to join me on Saturday, November 11 at 10:00am for the 2023 Palm Bay Veterans Day Parade. The parade will start at Palm Bay City Hall and head east on Malabar Road to Emerson Drive. It will then head south on Emerson and end at Copley Street SE. There will be viewing areas for the public in the median as well as along the sidewalk on the south side of Malabar Road. The Grand Marshal of the Veterans Day Parade will be U.S. Congressman Bill Posey from Florida's 8th Congressional District.
Each November 11, we celebrate a group near and dear to my heart – America’s veterans. These fine men and women demonstrated profound selflessness and bravery when they enlisted to serve in the United States Armed Forces. To every hero who has worn the uniform, leaving the comforts of home to defend our freedoms, we say thank you. Thank you for your selflessness, for the sacrifices you've made, and for the hardships you've endured. Your service has shaped our nation, protected our liberties, and preserved the values we hold dear. To all veterans, we salute you. We thank you for the trials you've faced, the victories you've achieved, and the immense love you've shown for our nation. May your courage continue to inspire us, and may we strive to honor your service every day. Happy Veterans Day!
I would also like to acknowledge the 248th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Happy Birthday and Semper Fi to my fellow Marines! Our core values continue to serve our beloved Corps. Honor, Courage, and Commitment are values we live by and fight with as well. May God bless you and continue to bless our great nation, the United States of America…OOH RAAH!
Later this month, we will all gather with loved ones in celebration of Thanksgiving. I am thankful for each and every one of you and grateful to serve as Mayor of the greatest city on the face of the earth! During this festive season, let us be thankful for our many blessings. Thanksgiving is a time for us to come together as a community, express gratitude, and reflect on the blessings we enjoy. To all Palm Bayers – have a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving!
As Mayor of the greatest city on the face of the Earth, I feel it is my duty to give back to the community. On March 23, 2024, I will host the annual Mayor's Ball charity fundraiser, and I have chosen a very special recipient: Serene Harbor.
Serene Harbor, a state-certified domestic violence shelter and resource center, has diligently served the community for 31 years, providing critical support to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence. Established in 1992, Serene Harbor's mission is to break the cycle of domestic violence in Brevard County through a multifaceted approach encompassing education, empowerment, intervention, prevention, social change, advocacy, and community engagement.
At the heart of their operations is the provision of emergency shelter, offering a safe haven to women, children, and even pets fleeing abusive environments. Last fiscal year, Serene Harbor provided an astounding 7,470 nights of emergency shelter, assisting 1,680 individuals in their courageous efforts to escape domestic violence.
The spectrum of services offered by Serene Harbor is vast, including a 24/7 crisis hotline, counseling, support groups, case management, career and financial resource programs, education and mentoring empowerment programs, relocation assistance, housing assistance, legal support, civil injunction legal representation, and legal advocacy. These services are provided at no cost, aiding survivors in their journey toward personal and professional goals and offering newfound hope for a life free from violence.
I sincerely hope you will consider supporting Serene Harbor by sponsoring the 2024 Mayor's Ball. We have several different sponsorship levels available for your consideration, ranging from our Friend of the Mayor's Ball sponsor up to our premier Platinum sponsors. As a sponsor, your organization will be identified as a valued community partner and supporter of Serene Harbor. This is an excellent opportunity to support a great cause and gain positive exposure for your company. As a business with strong ties to our community, you are an intricate part of making this event a success!
Tickets are not yet available, but for information about becoming a sponsor, please contact Evelyn Padilla at Evelyn.Padilla@pbfl.org.
