Good Morning!

The Last Sunday in September Honors Gold Star Mothers and Families

The First Gold Star Mother’s Day was originally established in 1936…86 years ago

During World War I, service flags hung in homes and businesses with a Blue Star to represent every immediate family member serving in the Armed Forces. As the war progressed, sadly many Americans lost their lives in combat, and in 1936 the Gold Star was introduced in their honor. It was superimposed on the original Blue Star to recognize the American heroes who courageously gave their lives in service and sacrifice to our nation.  

The mothers of those fallen service members collectively launched a national movement, called the Gold Star Mothers. Every American president since FDR has acknowledged the last Sunday in September as the Gold Star Mother’s Day.  In 2011, President Barack Obama amended the original title of “Gold Star Mother’s Day” to include families, renaming the last Sunday in September as “Gold Star Mother’s and Families Day.” 

In September 2020, President Donald Trump said, “The brave men and women of our Armed Forces represent the very best of our great Nation, matched only by the families who walk beside them in their service. On this Gold Star Mother’s and Families Day, we solemnly honor the memory of every lost Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman, and we humbly grieve with their families who persevere with remarkable courage, strength, and grace.”

Please take the time to thank every military family for their service and sacrifices for our country and especially the Gold Star families for their loss. 

I consider it a great honor to represent District 17 not only on days of special remembrance, but every day. 

If you or someone you know needs my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office. My staff and I are here to serve you.  Please share this link with your friends and family so they too, can sign up for the Mayfield Minute.

Rosh Hashanah…Happy New Year!

Rosh Hashanah 2022 begins at sunset on Sunday, September 25, 2022 and ends on the evening of Tuesday, September 27, 2022. 

We want to wish a Happy New Year to all of our friends and neighbors throughout Senate District 17 celebrating this special holiday.

Statewide Update

Governor Ron DeSantis Declares State of Emergency for All 67 Counties as Tropical Storm Ian threatens Florida 

On Saturday, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 22-219, declaring a State of Emergency for all 67 counties in the potential path of Tropical Storm Ian. Additionally, Governor DeSantis has requested a federal pre-landfall Emergency Declaration in anticipation of impacts from the storm.

This declaration will make available important resources and support, as well as free up funding sources for emergency protective measures. Under this emergency order, members of the Florida National Guard will be activated and on standby awaiting orders. 

“This storm has the potential to strengthen into a major hurricane and we encourage all Floridians to make their preparations. We are coordinating with all state and local government partners to track potential impacts of this storm,” said Governor DeSantis. 

Floridians and their families are urged to begin preparing to ensure their family emergency supply kit is ready and stocked with food, water, and medicine.

To find resources to help you and your family with storm preparedness, you can visit floridadisaster.org/planprepare.

You can track the path of Tropical Storm Ian, at the National Hurricane Center. 

Attorney General Moody Expands Price Gouging Hotline Statewide as Tropical Storm Ian Intensifies

The expansion comes following Governor Ron DeSantis’s amended executive order expanding the state of emergency to all 67 counties in Florida. Floridians statewide can now report instances of severe price increases on essential commodities needed to prepare for the storm to the Attorney General’s Office. Florida’s price gouging law only applies to commodities and services essential to preparing for, or recovering from, a storm during a declared state of emergency.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “As Tropical Storm Ian intensifies, I am expanding Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline statewide. Please watch Ian closely, and as you prepare for a potential storm strike, report incidences of price gouging to my office.”

During a storm-related declared state of emergency, state law prohibits excessive increases in the price of essential commodities, such as food, water, hotel rooms, ice, gasoline, lumber, equipment and storm-related services needed as a direct result of the event.

Anyone who suspects price gouging can report it to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by using the No Scam app, visiting MyFloridaLegal.com or calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM. Attorney General Moody’s No Scam app can be downloaded for free on Apple and Android devices through the app store by searching No Scam.

For tips on reporting price gouging, click here.

For more information on price gouging, click here.

Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and up to a total of $25,000 for multiple violations committed in a single 24-hour period. In addition to the civil penalties for price gouging, state law criminalizes the sale of goods and services to the public without possession of a business tax receipt.

To download Attorney General Moody’s Scams at a Glance: Price Gouging brochure in English, click here.

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces 2023 Legislative Proposal to Provide Family Focused Tax Relief

Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a portion of his tax relief proposal for the upcoming legislative session which would provide $1.1 billion in tax relief for Florida families through multiple tax holidays. Included in the proposal is an expansion of the annual back to school tax holiday and permanent tax exemptions for baby and toddler items in addition to a yearlong tax exemption on other household items families need every day. 

“I’m proud that Florida has a record budget surplus and am happy to propose historic tax relief to Florida families,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This proposal will allow families to purchase items for their children at a lower cost and help families keep more money in their pockets. I look forward to working with the Legislature to bring this major relief to Florida families.”

For more information about the proposed tax relief legislation, click here.

Constituent of the Week

Latoya “Miss B” Bullard, M.S.C.I.T, ED.S

Our Constituent of the Week is Latoya “Miss B” Bullard. Nearly two decades ago, Miss B envisioned a community in which every child in Indian River County would have the tools and the support needed to compete and accomplish their goals. That vision became a reality when she established Miss B’s Learning Bees.   

She held the first academic enrichment program for children struggling in school in 2006 and was quickly recognized as a Distinguished Educator by the Florida Department of Education. 

Miss B has always said, “I believed and continue to believe, that if we provide students with the time, support, and resources they need, they will be successful.”

By 2014 she had assisted over 75 children and Miss B’s Learning Bees was established as a 501(c) 3 non-profit. Her data told an amazing story, an astounding 98% of the students in the program experienced increased scores in their school performance.

“We started by helping children reach proficiency in reading, math, and science by providing academic enrichment and learning opportunities beyond the school day,” she said.

In her program, each student works one on one with a certified/retired teacher to help close the gaps in their academic foundation through the creation of an Individual Action Plan for each student specific to their learning needs. Miss B also established a collaborative program with a Behavior Analyst to improve student behaviors known to hinder learning. 

Further, Miss B identified that transportation and food insecurity are significant challenges to a child’s success. She opened “neighborhood hubs” in Oslo, Gifford, and Wabasso allowing students the convenience of a neighborhood location for after school learning and minimized their worries about their next meal. All students in Miss B’s program receive a wholesome snack and drink before they begin after school academics. Before they leave for home, they are also provided a healthy dinner.  There is no charge at Miss B’s Learning Bees for students. 

Miss B was born and raised in Indian River County, was a member of the first graduating class of Sebastian River High School, and graduated from Benedict College in Columbia, SC. Senate District 17 benefits from her compassion as a teacher, mentor, education advocate, and friend to students and families in our community.

District Highlights

Local Storm Updates Sunday, September 25th at 8:00 a.m.

Sandbag distribution locations open as of 8:00 a.m. Sunday, September 25th in north, central and south Brevard are as follows: 

• Mitchell Ellington Park, 577 Hall Road, Merritt Island, FL, 32953. All events at Mitchell Ellington Park on Sunday and Monday have been canceled.

• Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne, FL. 32935. Enter using south access from Parkway Dr.

• Eastern Florida State College, 250 Community College Parkway SE, Palm Bay, FL., 32909.

• Chain of Lakes, 2300 Truman Scarborough Way, Titusville, FL., 32796

There is a limit of 10 sandbags per vehicle.

Sand is being provided by Brevard County Public Works and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office will have supervised inmate work crews filling and loading sandbags for residents. Brevard County officials will evaluate and announce any additional sandbag operations as needed.

As a reminder, sandbags can be purchased at home improvement stores and filled with dirt from your property. Do not fill sandbags with sand from the beach.

To receive real-time alerts from Brevard County Emergency Management, click here and for Indian River County Emergency Sign Up Alerts, click here.

Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Timothy Bobanic as Brevard County Supervisor of Elections

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Timothy Bobanic as Brevard County Supervisor of Elections effective October 1, 2022. Mr. Bobanic succeeds long term Supervisor of Elections, Ms. Lori Scott who served through 27 elections over 14 years.  

Mr. Bobanic, of Melbourne, is the Director of Information Technology and Election Services for the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections, a position he has held since 2013. He was previously the Director of Information Technology for the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections.

Often referred to as a master Florida certified election professional, Mr. Bobanic earned his bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of South Florida. With 13+ years of experience in Florida elections, and knowledge of the intricacies of running elections and cyber security protocols, Mr. Bobanic is prepared to manage a seamless transition into his new position leading up to the November 8th General Election. 

Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce Announces Business Champions of the Year

Last week, the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized its 2022 Business Champions of the Year who have made the largest annual impact on the community and the lives of residents. 

LARGE BUSINESS

LAUNCH CREDIT UNION

MEDIUM BUSINESS

CARIB BREWERY USA

SMALL BUSINESS

FINANCIAL CORNERSTONE GROUP

and

WIEDMANN CONSTRUCTION AND ROOFING

START-UP BUSINESS

LAUNCH NETWORK DIGITAL MEDIA SERVICES, LLC

NON-PROFIT BUSINESS

BREVARD HUMANE SOCIETY

The judges considered the following criteria while examining each nominee’s submission before selecting the final winners above:

1.   Vision

2.   Growth

3.   Stability

4.   Innovation

5.   Community Involvement

To join the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce, learn more about their special events in the community, and the services they provide for new and established businesses, click here. 

Upcoming Events

If You Believe in Magic, It Is Happening in Cocoa Village

Wayne Gonce is bringing his “You’ve Been Magished Comedy & Magic Tour” to the Magic Dove Magic Shop and Theatre (604 Brevard Avenue) in Cocoa Village on October 1st. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and showtime is 7:00 p.m.  

Gonce began studying the art of magic at the age of nine. By the age of 13, he started training and learning from the legendary magician Denny Haney, who was the owner of the Denny & Lee Magic Studio in Baltimore, Maryland. Haney toured the world with his own show for 35 years and is highly respected by David Copperfield, Lance Burton, Penn & Teller, and many more.

Tickets to see Wayne Gonce live are $25.00 and may be available at the door if space permits. Your best bet is to order early by calling 321-433-1130 and purchasing in advance.

Melbourne Police Dept. to Host 3rd Annual Kids Fishing Camp

The third annual Kids Fishing Camp hosted by the Melbourne Police Department (MPD) will be held on Saturday, October 1st from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Ballard Park (924 Thomas Barbour Drive) in Melbourne.  

MPD is providing an opportunity for kids to learn more about the outdoors including:

• The unique ecosystem of the Indian River Lagoon;
• Knot tying, tackle preparation, sun protection, and water safety; 
• Casting, and proper handling of your catch;
• Angler conservation, habitat preservation, catch and release, environmental clean up; and 
• Respect and protection of all marine life, on land and in the water. 

Partnering with a police officer for a day to learn more about the river and ocean environments is sure to have a positive impact on children in our community. 

The event is free of charge and registration can be completed in advance here.   

Nothing Says Florida Like a Seafood Festival

The Treasure Coast Seafood Festival in conjunction with the 14th Annual Treasure Coast Marine Flea Market and Boat Sale will host their annual two-day event on October 8th and 9th at the Indian River Fairgrounds (7955 58th Avenue) in Vero Beach. 

The event will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors to the family-friendly festival will be treated to local music and unique artists and craftsmen selling original art work in addition to great seafood. 

Event tickets are $10.00 and children under the age of 12 are admitted free. 

For more information, visit here.

Contact Information

Melbourne Office 

900 East Strawbridge Avenue

Melbourne, FL 32901

(321) 409-2025

Tallahassee Office

330 Senate Office Building

404 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

(850) 487-5017

Vero Beach Office

Administration Building B

1801 27th Street

Vero Beach, FL 32960

(772) 226-1970

Staff:

Kelli Lane

Yvette Campbell

Joshua McWilliams