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The Space Coast’s 65th successful launch of 2023 took place when the Space X Falcon rocket carrying 23 Starlink internet satellites successfully deployed from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station last week.

The new record of 65 launches surpassed 2022’s record total of 57 launches and is on track to reach 70+ launches before the end of the year.

Space X is attributed to 61 of the 65 launches and is currently constructing a launch facility at KSC to accommodate its new Starship. The Space X Starship will eventually replace the company’s Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets.

It is anticipated that in 2024 there will be at least seven planned Space Coast launches carrying a total of 26 astronauts, the most since 2009. The Space Coast remains a premier location for public, private, and commercial space and aerospace industries nationwide and globally.

I consider it a great honor to represent District 19. Please share this link with your friends and family so they too, can sign up for the Mayfield Minute.

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!

Statewide Update

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez Announced the ‘Letters to Heroes’ Campaign

Last week, Lieutenant Governor Nuñez announced the ‘Holiday Letters to Heroes’ campaign to encourage Florida’s K–8 students to write holiday letters to the men and women who are serving in our military or on state active duty in the Florida National Guard this holiday season. Through her ‘LG on Mission’ initiative, the Lieutenant Governor is partnering with the Florida Department of Education to collect and send letters to support military service members through December 15th.

“Being away from one’s family is difficult, especially during the holidays. These men and women have courageously served our state and we want to share our gratitude and appreciation for their service,” said Lieutenant Governor Nuñez. 

Each student will submit a handwritten letter to the Florida Department of Education with a message of support and appreciation for our active military men and women. Students are also encouraged to include drawings that share the holiday spirit in their letter.

All letters must be received by Friday, December 15th and should be mailed to:

ATTN: Holiday Letters to Heroes

325 W Gaines Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Florida’s Economy Continues to Grow While National Job Growth Rates Are in Decline

Recently Governor DeSantis announced that Florida’s strategic investments have resulted in continued economic growth while national rates continue to see economic decline.

Florida continues to outpace the nation in labor force growth for a 29th consecutive month with the private sector adding over 25,900 jobs in October 2023. Florida’s unemployment rate was 2.8 percent in October, lower than the national rate of 3.9 percent. This marks the 36th consecutive month Florida’s unemployment rate has remained below the nation’s unemployment rate.

Florida’s construction industry experienced its fifth consecutive month of growth in October with over 2,500 jobs added since September.

“Florida is bucking the national trends and we continue to see job growth month after month,” said Governor DeSantis. “In Florida we are driving economic success through smart investment in workforce education, strong infrastructure and local community development.

Floridians in search of new job opportunities are encouraged to visit the CareerSource Florida network for assistance.

First Lady DeSantis ‘Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive’ Kicks Off

There are three weeks remaining in First Lady Casey DeSantis’s ‘Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive’ benefitting foster families, Hope Florida participants, and Florida families in need this holiday season. Donations will be accepted through Friday, December 15th

“There is no greater joy at this time of year than making magic happen for a child,” said First Lady DeSantis. “Throughout the year, our Hope Navigators work to ensure that families are working towards self-sufficiency, and many along this journey may not be able to afford extras like holiday presents. Through the Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive, families will experience the goodwill of their neighbors and communities and create special memories for their children. We know parents want the best for their children, and through this initiative, can bring a little more hope to Florida’s families.”

The Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive can be accessed here. Individuals can purchase new and unwrapped toys to be sent directly to Hope Florida. These toys will be organized and distributed to families by Hope Florida throughout the month of December.

The toys will be organized and distributed to families by Hope Florida at events scheduled in December. Organizations who are interested in partnering with Hope Florida can contact the Department of Children and Families at [email protected].

Attorney General Ashley Moody Warns of Holiday Scams 

AG Moody is committed to protecting consumers from fraud, scams, and deceptive business practices during the holidays. Last week, she released the 2023 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide—a comprehensive resource that provides Floridians with information to avoid falling for in-person and online shopping scams, tips for safe charitable giving, and a list of recently recalled items. 

The 2023 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide helps Floridians stay informed and protect themselves from scams, deceptive practices, and faulty products.

The guide includes information about: 

• Online Shopping Safety: Tips about secure online shopping practices, protecting personal information and dealing with disputes;
• Gift Card Scams: How to avoid gift card scams, including the need to inspect gift cards for tampering before making a purchase;
• Fraudulent Charities: Advice for avoiding charity fraud, such as verifying the legitimacy of charities to ensure donations are going to the intended causes; and
• Recalled Products: A list of recently recalled products from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to keep families safe from potentially hazardous items.

To review the 2023 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide, click here. 

To report a scam, visit MyFloridaLegal.com or call 1(866) 9NO-SCAM.

Constituent of the Week

Tom Kammerdener

Our Constituent of the Week is Tom Kammerdener, CEO/President of Aging Matters in Brevard.

Mr. Kammerdener was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved to Florida in the early 90’s when his wife graduated from Georgia State University and began a registered nursing career at Holmes Regional. Mr. Kammerdener was able to transfer with his company RTM Arbys, the largest food service franchisee in the United States at that time. 

He grew up in a family that valued community service and those values have guided him throughout his career. He credits his Mom for setting the example, as she took it upon herself to care for every relative in need, while also volunteering for a variety of causes throughout their community. 

Mr. Kammerdener joined the Health First team in 1993 as an Operations Manager and was tasked with the creation and implementation of various programs leading to the success of the organization. In 2010, he was selected as recipient of the Annual Presidents award for Holmes Regional Medical Center. Additionally, he is a three time recipient of the Gallup Organization World Class Leader Award having consistently achieved above the 90th percentile in employee satisfaction. These recognitions demonstrate Mr. Kammerdener’s leadership and his steadfast commitment to prioritizing the wellness of his employees.   

In 2012, Mr. Kammerdener joined Aging Matters in Brevard as the Senior Director of Operations. 

“Being able to affect the seniors of Brevard has been a rewarding experience and one that motivates me every day to continue to be their advocate,” said Mr. Kammerdener.  

In 2018, he received the 211 Brevard “Stars of the Space Coast” award. After a decade of service to Aging Matters of Brevard, Mr. Kammerdener accepted the position of CEO/President in 2022.

“Every day I’m inspired by the selfless passion our staff and volunteers demonstrate in order to achieve our mission of serving the aging citizens of Brevard.” 

In his free time, Mr. Kammerdener is a passionate sports fan, a passion he shares with his wife of 33 years and his two sons. Visiting every major league baseball park is on his life bucket list. His favorite baseball team is the New York Mets; perhaps that is because he began dating his wife in 1986, the last time the New York Mets won the World Series.

Mr. Kammendener and his wife reside in Melbourne, and they have two sons, Ryan who is Pharmacist with Publix and Cody, a Supervisor at L3 Harris. 

District 19 is blessed to have a special person like Tom Kammendener in our community. In his position as CEO/President of Aging Matters of Brevard, he advocates and works every day to ensure vulnerable and vibrant seniors in our community are shown the dignity and respect they truly deserve.

District Highlights

Governor DeSantis Awards More Than $28 Million to Expand Florida Semiconductor and Chip Manufacturing Industries

Eastern Florida State College is one of five award recipients and will receive $1,555,000 from the $28 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. The fund is dedicated to the expansion of semiconductor and chip manufacturing through five workforce development projects in Florida.

Florida is currently ranked 5th in the nation for semiconductor manufacturing jobs and 3rd in the nation for semiconductor establishments. These investments will help Florida continue to grow in semiconductor chip manufacturing industry.

The funding provided to EFSC is designated for the establishment for the College’s Center for Innovative Technology Education to train students in robotics and simulation technician skills and in the design, operation, testing, and repair of robotics systems.

For more information on Governor DeSantis’s news release, please click here.

Sheriff Ivey and K-9 Junny are Highlighting Local Pet Adoption Opportunities In December

For the next four Saturdays leading up to Christmas Day, Sheriff Ivey and K-9 Junny are inviting families seeking to adopt a pet to visit the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Animal Care Center for a personalized experience in pet adoption. Adoption specialists on site have individual knowledge of each pet at the Animal Care Center and are ready to assist you in finding the right dog or cat for your family. 

The Holiday Adoption events will take place on December 2nd, December 9th, December 16th, and December 23rd from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 5100 West Eau Gallie Boulevard in Melbourne. 

New families will receive the following free with adoption:

• Feeding bowl
• Leash and collar
• One month of pet food
• Microchip
• Crate
• 1st vet visit free

To adopt in advance of the Saturday events or if you need further information, email Kayli Wilson with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

Upcoming Events

Applications Now Open for 2024 ‘Melbourne Salutes Hometown Heroes; Recognition Program

The City of Melbourne is now accepting applications for the 2024 ‘Melbourne Salutes Hometown Heroes’ military banner recognition program. Applications will be accepted thru January 25, 2024 on a first come, first serve basis.

‘Melbourne Salutes Hometown Heroes’ is designed to honor City of Melbourne residents, business and property owners, or their immediate family members who are: actively serving the United States Armed Forces; Veterans; or those who lost their life in the line of duty. The program also recognizes City of Melbourne employees who are Veterans.

Between May 1, 2024 through July 4, 2024, the City will display street pole banners along New Haven Avenue in Downtown Melbourne, each featuring a different Veteran’s name, photo, branch of service, and years served.

We are fortunate that our community is home to countless “Hometown Heroes” which is also why it is so important to apply early to secure your loved one’s banner. For more information and to apply, click here.

Light Up the Night Presented by the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce

The Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Light up the Night “Shop Local” event on Friday, December 1st from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The community-wide open house annually supports locally owned businesses and kicks off the ‘shop local’ season.

Participating locations will decorate their shops to light up the night, offer sales, discounts, and door prizes with family-friendly activities, and refreshments.

For more information, contact the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce at 772-589-5969.

11th Annual Light Up Viera Holiday Parade Takes Place on December 2nd

The 11th Annual Light Up Viera Holiday Parade brings “Sounds of the Season” to the Viera community on Saturday, December 2nd. The parade will begin and end at Viera High School. Road closures will begin at 5:00 p.m. followed by a fireworks presentation at at 6:00 p.m. and then the parade will immediately start.

Parade entries include a variety of local organizations including the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Brevard County Fire Department, local sports teams, dance troupes, professional entertainers, and marching bands from Viera, Rockledge, Satellite, Merritt Island, and Eau Gallie high schools.

The entire event is sponsored by The Viera Company and includes food trucks for snacks and beverages near the Viera Charter School and the Calvary Chapel Viera.

The schedule is as follows:

4:00 p.m. Open for guest arrival, entertainment, meet and greet, food and beverages

6:00 p.m. Fireworks display

6:20 p.m. Parade procession begins at Viera High School

For more information, click here or contact [email protected].

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary to Meet with Members of the Businesses Community

Secretary Melanie Griffin will meet with members of the business community on Thursday, December 7th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Duran Golf Club (7032 Stadium Parkway) in Viera. This event is being sponsored by the Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $15.00. Advanced registration is highly encouraged, please click here.

Topics of discussion will include how DBPR assists new and existing businesses with their application, licensure, and regulations.

Small businesses are an essential part of Florida’s economic landscape, making up 99.8% of all Florida businesses and employing 3.6 million employees – more than 41% of the state’s workforce, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) October 20, 2023.

DBPR is responsible for assisting over 1.6 million businesses and professionals in Florida largely in the construction, food, beverage, and hospitality, real estate, shipping, and professional services such as accounting, and many more industries.

For more information on the services provided by DBPR, click here.

Contact Information

Melbourne Office 

900 East Strawbridge Avenue

Melbourne, FL 32901

(321) 409-2025

Tallahassee Office

400 Senate Office Building

404 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

(850) 487-5019

Staff:

Kelli Lane

Yvette Campbell

Ian Nolan