I'd like to begin my July Mayor's Message with a sincere and heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the 2025 Mayor's Ball, benefitting Space Coast Discovery. On June 28, nearly 180 guests, including sponsors, local dignitaries, community partners, and residents, joined me in supporting an organization that is transforming the lives of children with special needs right here in Brevard County.

For over 35 years, Space Coast Discovery has served as a beacon of innovation, inclusion, and hope, providing personalized education, therapeutic services, and life skills training to children with developmental challenges. Their mission empowers students to reach their fullest potential in a nurturing environment tailored to meet their unique needs.

To everyone who attended, donated, sponsored, or supported this event in any way, thank you from the bottom of my heart. The evening was more than a celebration; it was a powerful reminder of the compassion and generosity that define our great city. Together, we are creating brighter futures for the children of Palm Bay and beyond.

On June 26, we made a splash at the Palm Bay Aquatic Center during the World's Largest Swimming Lesson, and what an incredible event it was! For the second year in a row, it brought families, kids, and residents of all ages together for a fun, educational experience focused on water safety and drowning prevention.

This important event was made possible by the outstanding teamwork of Palm Bay Recreation, Palm Bay Fire Rescue, Health First, and Aquatics & Education. Together, they helped reinforce the message that learning to swim is a life-saving skill and a whole lot of fun, too. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this initiative to keep Palm Bay families safe in and around the water.

In recent weeks, our community faced an unexpected and serious challenge with the sewer force main break near Clearmont Street. I want to personally thank our residents for their patience and trust as our City team and partners worked around the clock to contain the spill, restore the impacted area, and protect public health and our environment.

As of June 17, immediate on-site recovery operations have been completed. Crews removed contaminated materials, restored the right-of-way and surrounding areas, and took careful steps to protect Turkey Creek and the Indian River Lagoon. While the visible work may be done, our commitment continues. The City will continue regular water quality testing and environmental monitoring to ensure the ongoing safety of the area for residents and wildlife.

We appreciate the community's patience and understanding throughout this process. Further updates will be shared as necessary through official City channels. The most up-to-date information can be found on the Clearmont Sewer FAQ page.

I am proud to welcome seven new commercial businesses that opened their doors right here in Palm Bay during May 2025:

Coastal Technical Institute
Carniceria 3 Hermanos Inc
Extra Space Storage (#4172)
KMS Express Services, LLC
MAPD Construction Inc
Top Notch Septic
Yvonne's Donut & Deli

Each of these businesses symbolizes the bold spirit of entrepreneurship and the continued economic momentum of our community. Their decision to invest in Palm Bay helps strengthen our local economy, create jobs, and enhance the quality of life for our residents.

To the business owners and their teams: welcome to the Palm Bay family. We're excited to support you and watch you thrive. Let's all take a moment to celebrate these new ventures and the hardworking individuals behind them!

With Independence Day approaching, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude for all of you who call our city home. Independence Day is a powerful reminder of the freedoms we hold dear as Americans. It's a time to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of those who came before us, who dared to dream of a nation rooted in liberty, justice, and opportunity for all.

As Mayor of Palm Bay and a proud Marine Corps veteran, I carry those values with me each and every day. I see them in the hardworking families of our city, in the bravery of our first responders, and in the teamwork approach of our diverse community.

This Fourth of July, let us not only celebrate our independence but also recommit ourselves to building a future that honors the ideals that founded this great nation: freedom, justice, and liberty for all. Reminding us to serve one another. Our founding fathers served us and provided a republic. Let's all work together to make sure we pass it on for generations to come.

To keep the celebration going, I invite you and your families to join me for our 2025 Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 5, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Eastern Florida State College Palm Bay Campus, located at 250 Community College Parkway SE.

This annual tradition is one of my favorite events of the year and for good reason. We're once again partnering with Zambelli Fireworks to light up the sky with the biggest and brightest fireworks display on the Space Coast! Plus, we'll have a great lineup of food trucks, vendors, and family-friendly fun for everyone to enjoy.

Let's come together as one community to honor our freedom, our flag, and the spirit that makes Palm Bay the greatest city on the face of the Earth. I look forward to seeing you there!