September was a busy month for the City of Palm Bay! On Wednesday, September 11, the City of Palm Bay held its annual Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony, which was held at Veterans Memorial Park this year. The ceremony was a heartfelt tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and a reminder of the resilience and unity that followed that tragic day. I couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect in the air as those in attendance paid tribute not only to those lost but also to the first responders who risk their lives every day to keep our community safe.
Then, on Friday, September 13, the City held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fire Station 7 on Palm Bay Road, at the exact site of the former Fire Station 1. This station will play a key role in improving emergency response times and enhancing public safety for the community. This station isn't just a new building—it's a lifeline for our growing community. The safety of our residents is, and always will be, our top priority.
I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to congratulate Jeff Spears on his well-deserved promotion to Deputy Chief of Police for the Palm Bay Police Department! In all of his years of dedicated service to our great city, Deputy Chief Spears has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment, and an unyielding dedication to the safety and well-being of our community. He has served this city with grace and professionalism. I am confident that he will continue to inspire and lead with integrity, guiding our police department with the same excellence that has defined his career.
We continue to see great progress for a project close to my heart – the remodel and improvements of Sacrifice Park. Following the ceremonial removal of the existing plaques, which were returned to their home law enforcement agencies, we have obtained all the permits we need to begin construction. We recently closed Sacrifice Park so our Public Works and Parks & Facilities Team can complete the demolition. At the October 17 Regular Council meeting, we will consider awarding the Contractor to start the renovations and improvements. Visit www.pbfl.org/SacrificePark for updates.
Join us tonight for our second Public Hearing discussing the FY 2025 Budget. The meeting will begin at 6:00pm in the City Council Chambers located at 120 Malabar Road SE. The City of Palm Bay’s Budget Office encourages all citizens to attend and gain more in-depth knowledge of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. If you can’t attend, the meeting will also be streamed live on the City of Palm Bay's website at www.palmbayflorida.org/watch, on the City's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/PalmBayFlorida1, and on the City’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cityofpalmbayfl.
The Palm Bay Police Department will host its National Night Out event on Tuesday, October 1, at Fred Poppe Regional Park, located at 1951 Malabar Road. The event begins at 5:00 PM and will include a SWAT demo, K9 Unit, Frosty Five-O, food trucks, inflatables, and more. I hope to see you there!
To keep the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month going, I want to invite you to two very special upcoming events. The 27th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade & Festival, presented by U.T.B. United Third Bridge, Inc. will be held on Sunday, October 6, at Fred Poppe Regional Park. The parade will begin at 10:00 AM, and the festival will follow immediately after. For more information, email United Third Bridge at utbinc77@gmail.com or visit utbunitedthirdbridge.org.
Keep the party flowing the following weekend and continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on Saturday, October 12, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Fred Poppe Regional Park for the Viva Brevard Festival 2024 featuring live music, business expo, great food, kids' zone, multicultural integration, exhibitors, vendors, raffles, and lots of fun! For more information, call (321) 327-8938 or visit vivabrevard.com.
On October 13, we proudly celebrate the brave men and women of the United States Navy on their 249th birthday! For nearly two and a half centuries, you've sailed the seas with unshakable courage and dedication, protecting our nation from coast to coast and beyond. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your commitment to safeguarding our freedom.
With Halloween quickly approaching, I want to encourage everyone to be safe as you embark on your adventures. Be sure to get the kids to the City's Fall Fest at Fred Poppe Regional Park on Saturday, October 26, from 5–9:00 PM. Enjoy vendors, food vendors, costume contest, trunk-or-treat, spooky hayrides, music, crafts, and games. Fall Fest is free to attend.
Finally, I invite all Palm Bayers to join me on Saturday, November 9, at 10 AM for the 2024 Palm Bay Veterans Day Parade. The parade will start at the Tony Rosa Community Center at 10:00 AM, head east on Port Malabar Blvd, and end at Veterans Memorial Park. The Grand Marshal of the Veterans Day Parade will be the Gold Star Family of Staff Sgt. Tristen Wright. The parade will be followed by an event in the park until 3:00 PM with food, drinks, and entertainment. I hope you'll mark your calendars and join me in honoring our veterans!
