Good Morning!

First Committee Week

This past week I traveled to Tallahassee for the Florida House of Representatives’ first of six planned committee weeks. Committee weeks provide an opportunity for members to prepare for the upcoming legislative session. As a reminder, the 2025 Legislative Session will begin on March 4th and end on May 2nd.

Our first committee week was focused on member training and development, comprised of classes led by House Leadership, committee staff, and briefings from the heads of various state agencies.

Examples of the presentations we attended include:

• Staying in the Sunshine: Public Records for House Members
• Understanding the Budget Process in the Legislature
• Land Conservation and Management
• Florida’s Property Insurance Market

To view the various presentations, click here to locate the recordings in the Florida Channel’s Video Library.

I consider it a great honor to represent the people of Brevard County. 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 temporary office number at (321) 312-0124. My staff and I are here to serve you!

Statewide Update

Celebration of the Nation’s 250th Birthday

Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order Number 24-267, establishing an advisory commission in preparation for the State of Florida’s observance of America’s Semiquincentennial anniversary of its independence. 

The Executive Order also directs the Secretary of State and relevant divisions of the Florida Department of State to prepare celebrations leading up to our celebration on July 4th, 2026. 

To read the full Executive Order, which includes the historical background and purpose of the new advisory commission, click here.

Support FWC Research By Reporting Fish Kills

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued a press release encouraging the public to report any potential fish kills or fish disease that they observe.

For the past 30 years the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, a division of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), has been studying fish disease and fish kills across Florida. Reports made by the public have enabled FWC to: track incidents, study the causes of fish kills, and collaborate with outside partners to coordinate effective responses.

To make a report, call the fish kill hotline 800-636-0511. For more information on what to include in a report, click here.

Preservation of Thousand-Acre Ranch

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the purchase of a historic 1,070-acre cattle operation in Highlands County. The ranch, which is located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, was acquired through the Rural and Family Lands Program for $4.3 Million.

The Rural and Family Lands Program purchases the development rights to agricultural properties through voluntary rural lands protection easements, which prevent the future development of the land and allow agriculture operations to continue to contribute to Florida’s economy.

In the last twenty-three years, the program has protected 125,000 acres of rural land. Nearly half of that land was acquired in the past two years during Commissioner Simpson’s first term.

To read the full press release, click here.

State-Funded Program Highlight

The Florida Forever Program

The Florida Forever program is the state’s primary Land Acquisition Program. It is administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Environmental Services.

The Florida Forever program was created following the sunset of its predecessor, the P2000 program. Since it began operation in 2001, the Florida Forever program has acquired 907,000 acres for $3.3 Billion. For Fiscal Year 2024-2025, the legislature allocated $100 Million for the Florida Forever program.

Property acquired through this program is beneficial in protecting the state’s natural environment. These properties provide a host of ecological benefits including water quality and quantity, resiliency from storm impact, habitat and species protection, and outdoor recreation.

The Florida Forever funding can be used to acquire easements or to purchase land. If the state purchases the land, the Division of State Lands assumes the cost of managing the land. If the land is acquired through an easement, the state buys the land and can preserve it from future development but the current owner remains responsible for its management.

The Governor and the cabinet serve as the Board of Trustees for all lands acquired under the Florida Forever program.

To learn more about the Florida Forever program, click here.

Constituent of the Week

Debbie Goode

This week, we are pleased to feature Mrs. Debbie Goode as our Constituent of the Week. Mrs. Goode has played an active role in the development of businesses and nonprofits in our local community.

In October, Mrs. Goode retired from accounting and advisory firm Carr, Riggs, and Ingram LLC (CRI), after a 35 year career in the audit industry.

Mrs. Goode earned her B.S in Accounting from Florida State University in 1984 and her master’s degree in accounting from the University of South Florida in 1987. She is also a Certified Public Accountant.

After graduating with her master’s degree, Mrs. Goode began her professional career on the Audit Team at the Tampa office of Coopers and Lybrand LLP. After four years with Coopers and Lybrand LLP, she was offered a position with the Melbourne office of the CPA firm Hoyman, Oswalt, and Kirk which became Hoyman Dobson in 1991.

In 2012 Hoyman Dobson merged with Carr, Riggs, and Ingram, and she was appointed as the Partner in Charge of CRI’s Melbourne office in 2016. In her new role, she was responsible for a staff of 70 employees.

For two years, Mrs. Goode served as the Chair of United Way of Brevard. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Council of Florida’s Space Coast for twenty years and served as Chair for two years.

In 2018, Mrs. Goode was recognized as the Florida Economic Development Council’s Volunteer of the Year for her outstanding contributions to the state’s economic development.

She has served on several boards including Florida Tech’s We Venture program, the Brevard County Civilian/Military Community Relations Council, and LEAD Brevard. She was also a founding member of Space Coast Women in Defense.

On behalf of House District 32, I thank Mrs. Debbie Goode for her contributions to the business, community, and economic development of the Space Coast.

District Highlights

Laura Moody Appointed as Circuit Court Judge

Laura Moody, was appointed by Governor DeSantis to serve as Judge on the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court which serves Brevard and Seminole Counties.

For the past five years, Judge Moody has served as the Chief Legal Counsel for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. Prior to that role, she served as an Assistant State Attorney for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and her juris doctor from Florida A&M University.

Judge Moody fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Maloney.

Amazon Supports Family Promise of Brevard

Amazon announced a $25,000 gift to Family Promise of Brevard. The organization’s mission is to “leverage the strengths of our community to empower and elevate families facing homelessness.” The gift was designated to support Family Promise’s “Firehouse” model, where the organization can connect families to multiple services in one accessible location.

Tara Pagliarini, Family Promise of Brevard’s Executive Director stated “This new collaboration has not only expanded access and opportunities for families, but has also strengthened our community bonds, ensuring that no family is left behind.”

The gift comes as Amazon continues to expand its presence in the Brevard community. The retailer is currently in the process of opening a new fulfillment center in Cocoa which is expected to bring hundreds of jobs to the area. 

To read more about Family Promise, click here.

EFSC Recognized as a Purple Heart Campus

The Florida Department of Education designated Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) as a Purple Heart Campus. This program was established by the Florida Legislature in 2023 to recognize institutions which make significant commitments to supporting military

students and families as they transition to the college environment.

EFSC’s Military and Veteran Services Center was established in annually supports 1,300 students who are either active military, military veterans, or family members so that they can be successful in college and earn the certifications or degrees they will need to successfully compete in the civilian workforce.

Services offered by the center include:

• Assistance with navigating veteran’s educational benefits
• Priority course registration
• Academic advising and course schedule planning
• A student orientation program tailored for veterans
• Training for faculty and staff on the special assistance veterans may need inside and outside the classroom.

For more information on EFSC’s Military and Veteran Services Center, click here.

NVHS 16th Annual “Warm Full Safe” Campaign

National Veterans Homeless Support (NVHS) kicked off their 16th Annual Warm Full Safe campaign this past week.

The Warm Full Safe campaign began with a simple idea: to give homeless Veterans a warm and safe place to stay and have some basic necessities for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Over the years, NVHS expanded the program as part of their Search and Rescue initiative to locate Veterans experiencing homelessness and to provide financial assistance during the holidays and throughout the year.

The Warm Full Safe campaign receives their greatest support during the holiday season thanks to the generosity of local residents and businesses.

NVHS is seeking contributions to reach their goal of raising $175,000 by December 31st. Donations can be made on the website.

Upcoming Events

Holiday Food Drive

The City of Rockledge annual Holiday Food Drive is currently ongoing and ends this Friday, December 13th. All donations will benefit the Central Brevard Sharing Center.

Donations of non perishable food items will be accepted at Rockledge City Hall (1600 Huntington Lane, Rockledge) or can be left in a drop box at one of the local businesses listed below.

• Pet Pros (500 Barton Blvd #2, Rockledge)
• Crest Cleaners (885 Barton Blvd, Rockledge)
• J.W. Performance Transmission (1826 Baldwin St, Rockledge)
• Schroeck Veterinary Care (1954 Rockledge Blvd #109, Rockledge)
• Building Bodies Fitness Center (906 Barton Blvd, Rockledge)
• Schlenker Automotive (396 Barton Blvd, Rockledge)
• Renco Electronics (595 International Pl, Rockledge)

For more information, click here.

Youth with Disabilities Program

Registration is open for the Barnyard Challengers program organized by 4-H. This program is open to youth ages 8 and up who have a disability and would like to participate in an animal project. Youth will be paired with mentors to learn about raising poultry with the opportunity to participate in the Brevard County Fair. The cost is $25.00 per participant.

The program will take place on Mondays from 6:00 PM to 7:00 pm beginning January 27th and run through March 17, at the UF/IFAS Extension Office (3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa).

For additional information and registration, reach out to the coordinator at [email protected]or 321-615-7323.

2024 Holidays in Space

The Kennedy Space Center (Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island) will be showing their Holiday Voyage film at 6:50 PM each night from December 20th to December 30th. The film will be projected on the massive exterior of Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex. Additionally, there will be festive decorations and holiday attractions throughout the Visitor Center.

The Holidays in Space attractions are included with the price of admission to Kennedy Space Center. Tickets and additional details can be found here.

Opioid Epidemic Community Town Hall

The Brevard County Housing and Human Services Department will be holding a town hall meeting on Wednesday, December 11th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Melbourne Public Library (540 Fee Ave, Melbourne). This is an opportunity for residents to share their thoughts and opinions on the ongoing threat of opioids in our community, especially concerning heroin and fentanyl.

The county asks that residents who are unable to attend the town hall consider taking the 11-question Opioid Epidemic Awareness Survey, which is available until December 13th.

Breakfast with Santa

The City of Melbourne is hosting their Breakfast with Santa event from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM on Saturday, December 14th at the Wickham Park Community Center (2815 Leisure Way, Melbourne). Admission to the event includes a photo opportunity with Santa and a pancake breakfast.

Tickets to the event must be purchased in advance and are priced at $10 per adult and $5 per child. For more information, call 321-608-7490.

Surfing Santas

Cocoa Beach will host their annual Surfing Santas event on December 24th from 7:30 AM until noon. Each year the event attracts hundreds of people to come enjoy surfing at the beach in their best Santa costume on Christmas Eve. The event will be located on Cocoa Beach at the East end of Minutemen Causeway.

Admission is free and the event includes live performances, a costume contest, a photo opportunity, and time for surfing.

For more information on the event click here.

Contact Information

Melbourne Office 

900 East Strawbridge Avenue

Melbourne, FL 32901

Tallahassee Office

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

Staff

Yvette Campbell

William Gooden

Marisa Kahn