December 3, 2023 - Mayfield Minute

Mayfield Minute - December 3, 2023_Happy Hanukkah

Good Morning!

Hanukkah Begins Thursday, December 7, 2023

This year the first day of Hanukkah begins at nightfall on Thursday, December 7th and extends thru nightfall on Friday, December 15th.

In Hebrew, Hanukkah means “dedication” and represents the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC, after a small group of Jewish fighters liberated Jerusalem from occupying foreign forces. The holiday is known as the Festival of Lights when Jewish families and friends gather at nightfall to light one additional candle in the menorah during the eight consecutive nights of Hanukkah. They also enjoy traditional foods, games, and gifts during this gathering.

This year may be more somber given the atrocities of October 7th in Israel at the hands of the Hamas terrorist group and the uncertainty of the remaining hostages. Please continue to pray for Israel and the safe return of all hostages taken by terrorists.

For all families celebrating and for those who are suffering uncertainty, I hope you will find blessings and moments of peace and tradition with family and friends during Hanukkah.

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

Florida’s Unclaimed Property Treasure Hunt Ramps Up for the Holidays

It is not too late to recover your unclaimed property for the holidays thanks to an ongoing Florida program benefitting residents and businesses. The state of Florida recently announced it is holding unclaimed property totaling over $2.9 billion.

Unclaimed property is defined as a financial asset that is unknown or lost, or has been left inactive, unclaimed, or abandoned by its owner.

Examples include:

Dormant bank accounts
Unclaimed insurance proceeds, stocks, and dividends
Uncashed checks, deposits, credit balances, and refunds
Contents from abandoned safe deposit boxes in financial institutions

Unclaimed property assets are held by business or government entities for a set period of time, usually five years. If the holder is unable to locate, re-establish contact with the owner and return the asset, it is reported and remitted to the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Unclaimed Property.

To search for unclaimed property or to make a claim, click here.

Florida's Business Rent Tax Recently Reduced for Business Owners Beginning December 1st

The business rent tax (BRT) imposed on Florida businesses renting or leasing commercial property was reduced from 5.5 to 4.5 percent on December 1st. The one percent reduction represents $216 million in savings for business owners.

Florida ranks as one of the most business friendly climates in the nation, yet the burden of the BRT has left many small and mid-sized businesses at a competitive disadvantage.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce has been at the forefront in advocacy against the BRT over the last six years. In 2021, Senate Bill 50 passed and was signed into law by Governor DeSantis. SB 50 will reduce the BRT to two percent after the unemployment trust fund is replenished to pre-pandemic levels.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce has a call to action for business owners who pay the BRT to share their story on how this reduction positively impacts their business. Please share your story with Chad Kunde of the Florida Chamber at (850) 521-1268 or by email here.

Please support our locally-owned small businesses who are competing with the big box stores, chain retailers, and corporations for your holiday shopping.

Destination Brevard has produced a new 2023 ‘Locals Only’ holiday gift guide where you can identify local retailers and purchase unique gifts and Space Coast destination experiences right here in Brevard County. These are the local businesses that are most negatively impacted by the BRT and each will certainly benefit from your hometown support.

The 2023 Hurricane Season has Officially Ended

The 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season ended on Thursday, November 30th and while the season produced 20 named storms, only one significantly impacted Florida. Hurricane Idalia, a strong Category 3 storm, made landfall on the Big Bend Gulf coast near Keaton Beach in Taylor County on August 30th. The storm caused flooding, downed powerlines, and over $447 million in agricultural losses.

District 19 and much of the state of Florida was fortunate this hurricane season but it is always prudent to be well prepared before, during, and after a catastrophe

For more information about the 2023 Hurricane Season from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, click here and to prepare in advance for 2024, click here.

Constituent of the Week

Ms. Shaunna B. Lovell

Our Constituent of the Week is Ms. Shaunna B. Lovell, Director of Plans and Programs, for Space Launch Delta 45 (SLD 45).

As the Director, Ms. Lovell leads and oversees a wide range of activities, serving as the first contact for new customers, community engagement initiatives, and legislative affairs. In her role as the Director of Plans and Programs, Ms. Lovell communicates the SLD 45 mission to a wide range of stakeholders, and serves as a senior advisor to the Delta Commander, Vice Commander, and the Executive Director.

She is responsible for planning efforts and devises local strategy and communications plans to align with SLD 45's goals and objectives, particularly in relation to Spaceport of the Future initiatives. In close collaboration with Kennedy Space Center, Ms. Lovell plays a pivotal role in shaping the long-term vision and development of the spaceport. She also oversees the management of contingency plans, memorandums of agreement, and international treaties/agreements.

Ms. Lovell excels in fostering and maintaining strong relationships with community partners, academic institutions, government agencies, and external stakeholders including working directly with federal, state, and local elected representatives.

Prior to her leadership role, she worked with SLD 45’s front door team on Commercial Space Policy matters and with the Department of Defense and other federal customers.

Ms. Lovell earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Management from the University of South Florida and an MBA with Honors from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. She has completed several courses in civilian and military personnel management at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, and executive leadership programs in Brevard County.

Ms. Lovell was born at Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico and frequently relocated due to her parents’ service in the Air Force. She met her husband, Thomas, a fellow Space Force Civil Servant and Military Veteran, at Patrick Air Force Base (now PSFB).

In addition to her accomplished professional career, Ms. Lovell will receive the prestigious “Volunteer of the Year” award at the Economic Development Commission of the Space Coast’s annual signature meeting on Wednesday, January 24th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the King Center (3865 Wickham Road) in Melbourne.

The Lovell's reside in Merritt Island with their children—Kaden, Landon, Alannah, and Wesling—and their dogs, Bronco and Mustang. They spend their free time volunteering throughout the community and are especially active with local soccer and volleyball teams. Ms. Lovell serves as the team manager for her younger son's soccer team, Mr. Lovell coaches high school soccer, and their daughter excels in club volleyball.

District 19 congratulates Ms. Lovell on her career success, her compassion to volunteer by helping other young professionals, and her service throughout our communities.

District Highlights

Florida Power and Light Surprises Local Veteran and Family with a Holiday Light Display for their Home

This past Friday, FPL employees and volunteers thanked United States Army Veteran Private First Class Marc Gray for his heroic military service with the surprise of decorating his family's home for the holidays with thousands of LED lights and solar-powered, energy efficient decorations.

Private First Class Gray served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 where he was severely wounded. His wife, Lindsey, is also a Veteran of the United States Army and served with him in Afghanistan. This past August, Private First Class Gray received the Military Order of the Purple Heart to honor his combat service recognizing his sacrifice and the injuries he sustained in protecting our nation.

This is the 16th year FPL employees and volunteers have celebrated local heroes for their service by surprising their families with holiday home decorating.

A Record-Breaking 12,770+ Sea Turtles Nests Recorded in Indian River County in 2023

The 2023 sea turtle nesting season (March 1st thru October 31) in Indian River County has set a new record with 12,771 nests, easily surpassing the 2022 count of 9,242 nests.

The annual nesting season is comprised of three distinct sea turtle species, leatherbacks, loggerheads, and green sea turtles. Experts report each turtle can lay up to six nests per season with each nest holding 80-120 eggs.

In 2023:

Loggerhead sea turtles, the most common in the area, created 8,639 nests, a 15% increase from last year.
Green sea turtles, known for consuming seagrass, have increased by 55% from their their previous record in 2017, laying 4,105 nests.
Leatherback sea turtles, the largest species, have laid 27 nests, a decrease from the 101 nests in 2022.

Conservation efforts are critical to support the sea turtles' long migrations which can span thousands of miles before returning to their birth beaches for nesting. Experts confirm that it can take 20-30 years for a turtle to mature enough for egg-laying.

For more information or to assist the efforts of Indian River County's Sea Turtle Conservation program, click here.

Upcoming Events

NVHS Launches 15th Annual "Warm Full Safe" Campaign

National Veterans Homeless Support (NVHS) has launched their 15th Annual Warm Full Safe campaign to raise funds for the organization's ongoing mission of preventing homelessness.

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 $100,000 by December 31st. Donations can be made on the website, by texting “Save a Vet” to 44321, or by mail to the NVHS office at 1436 King St, Cocoa, FL 32922.

Veterans Council of Indian River County to Host Pearl Harbor Commemorative Event

The Veterans Council of Indian River County (VCIRC) is hosting a commemorative event on Thursday, December 7th at 7:45 a.m. to honor the 82nd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. This free program will be held at the Heritage Center in Pocahontas Park (2140 14th Avenue) in Vero Beach.

A panel of veterans and historians will speak at the event, sharing insights and personal experiences related to Pearl Harbor. The VCIRC aims to keep the memory of this day and the bravery of World War II servicemen and women top of mind and to express gratitude for the veterans’ sacrifices.

For additional details about the VCIRC, click here or contact Cynthia Ryan at 772-410-5820.

The National Wreaths Across America Event Will Honor Veterans at the Cape Canaveral and Melbourne Cemeteries

"REMEMBER the Fallen. . . HONOR those who Serve. . . TEACH our children the value of Freedom" is the theme for the 2023 Wreaths Across America events which will be held on Saturday, December 16th at 9:00 a.m. at the Cape Canaveral Cemetery (5525 US-1) in Mims and the Melbourne Cemetery (710 East Hibiscus Boulevard) in Melbourne.

Immediately following the ceremonial remarks, the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes will take place at each cemetery. There are many ways to support each event but what is needed most at this time is volunteers to assist in the laying of the wreaths.

To volunteer at the Cape Canaveral Ceremony, call 321-383-2638 or click here. To volunteer at the Melbourne Cemetery, please visit the American Legion Post 81 Facebook page here or email ALP81FLCommander@gmail.com.