It’s a great day Palm Bay!
Last month, we celebrated our annual Fall Fest at Fred Poppe Regional Park, and if you didn’t get a chance to attend, be sure to come out next year! This year’s event was even bigger than last year, with the most vendors and attendees we’ve ever had! Check out the recap video.
As part of our ongoing DOGE initiative, the City continues to strengthen accountability and efficiency in operations. One major focus has been addressing the use of take-home vehicles by eliminating non-essential assignments and setting clear mileage and distance restrictions. We’re also exploring the implementation of GPS technology in all City vehicles to help identify and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse, while ensuring our fleet purchases align with actual operational needs. For example, we are evaluating whether smaller, more cost-effective vehicles can meet the same requirements as larger, higher-cost options.
In addition, our City Manager, Matthew Morton, has made significant progress in tracking and managing City projects through DOGE. Every open project is now being carefully reviewed, and earlier this year, we closed more than 180 inactive projects, returning over $53 million in funds to be reallocated to priority needs. Early findings show that some projects have struggled due to inaccurate cost or time estimates, insufficient follow-through, and scope changes that add unnecessary expense or delay. By identifying these patterns early, we can improve planning, increase accountability, and ensure our resources are being used effectively for the benefit of our residents.
Join me in congratulating GEI Works on becoming the fourth quarter Mayor’s Business Spotlight Program winner for 2025! Located in the heart of Palm Bay, GEI Works stands as a quiet but powerful force behind some of the most critical infrastructure and environmental solutions used across the country—and around the globe. Founded and operated right here in Florida, GEI Works has grown from a small start-up into a nationally recognized manufacturing company that embodies the values of resilience, innovation, and local pride. Since its founding, GEI Works has been designing and manufacturing containment, erosion control, and water management products for industries ranging from construction and agriculture to disaster response and military support. But beyond the products it makes, GEI Works has built a reputation for something bigger: building up Palm Bay.
Don’t forget to join me at our Annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 8, at 10:00 AM. This special event is an opportunity for our community to come together in gratitude for the courage and sacrifices of our veterans and their families. The parade will begin at the Tony Rosa Community Center and travel east along Port Malabar Boulevard, concluding at Veterans Memorial Park. You’re welcome to enjoy the parade from any point along the route, with some of the best viewing areas located near Veterans Memorial Park.
On November 10, we celebrate the birth of our nation’s elite group of service members. To my beloved Marine Corps and my fellow Marines, I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy 250th Birthday. From Tun Tavern, Pennsylvania, to the halls of Montezuma, and the shores of Tripoli, you have been the tip of the spear for our Nation. Each and every Marine has earned the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor—and no one can ever take that away. Whether you’re on active duty or have since joined the ranks of our veterans, you have earned the title—Marine. We are a brotherhood that stands to defend our Nation’s freedoms, and as a reminder, the oath we have taken to defend our Constitution still stands. As we celebrate this incredible milestone, let us continue to live by our core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment—the very foundation of what it means to be a United States Marine. May God bless each of you and continue to bless our great nation, the United States of America. OOH RAH!
Every November 11, we honor a group that holds a special place in my heart—America’s veterans. On this Veterans Day, we come together as one nation to honor the heroes who have served and continue to serve the United States of America. To every veteran who has worn the uniform, we thank you. You left the comfort of home, answered the call of duty, and gave of yourselves so that others could live in peace. Your sacrifice and bravery will never be forgotten, and your legacy lives on through the freedom and peace you have secured for us all. To all who have served — we salute you. We are forever grateful for your bravery, your strength, and your love for this country. Happy Veterans Day, and God bless our veterans, their families, and the United States of America.
Later this month, we will come together with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. Let’s remember, it isn’t just about the feast on the table — it’s about gratitude, reflection, and the people who make our lives and our city so meaningful. I’m thankful for the City of Palm Bay and for all of you who make it such a remarkable place to call home. To all Palm Bay residents—wishing you a joyful, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving!
