May 21, 2023 - Mayfield Minute

Mayfield Minute - May 21, 2023_Third Week of May

Good Morning!

National Safe Boating Week began May 20th and extends through May 26th. The nationwide awareness week is designed to remind boaters of all ages to prioritize safety first. Florida leads the nation as the "boating capital" with over one million registered vessels.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) 54% of all vessel accidents in 2022 involved a collision. The primary causes were improper lookout and operator inexperience. To prevent or reduce accidents, FWC encourages anglers to pay close attention, maintain 360-degree awareness at all times, don't operate a boat impaired, and take a boater safety course. In 2022, 70% of operators involved in fatal boating accidents had never taken a boater education course.

For a summary of updated Florida regulations and available boater education courses, visit MyFWC.com/Boating.

In Florida, and particularly in our district, boating is a way of life, enjoyment, and for many, it is their livelihood. Please adhere to FWC's recommendations to ensure you and those you are traveling with are safe at all times on the water.

I consider it a great honor to represent District 19. Please share this link with your friends and family so that they, 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: Governor DeSantis Signs Several Bills into Law

Let Kids Be Kids

Governor DeSantis signed the "Let Kids Be Kids" bill package to protect Florida’s children from permanent mutilating surgical procedures, gender identity politics in schools, and attending sexually explicit adult performances.

“Florida is proud to lead the way in standing up for our children,” said Governor DeSantis. “As the world goes mad, Florida represents a refuge of sanity and a citadel of normalcy.”

“Thank you to Governor DeSantis for continuing to implement legislation to keep our students safe and our schools focused on education, not indoctrination,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr.

It is an honor to serve alongside Governor DeSantis and to have played a role in passing legislation that will protect Florida’s children and “Let Kids Be Kids.”

For more information regarding the "Let Kids Be Kids" bills, click here.

To Date Governor DeSantis has Signed 101 Bills of the 320 Bills Agreed Upon by the FL Senate and FL House

Since we last reported in the May 14th edition of the Mayfield Minute, the Governor has signed the following bills:

SB 144: Lactation Spaces

SB 196: Guidance Services on Academic and Career Planning

SB 240: Education

SB 254: Treatments for Sex Reassignment

SB 266: Higher Education

SB 290: Public School Progression for Students with Disabilities

SB 598: Higher Education Facilities Financing

SB 1210: Human Trafficking Victims

SB 1272: Florida Higher Education EASE Grants

SB 1438: Protection of Children

SB 7026: Higher Education Facilities

SB 7064: Human Trafficking

HB 019: Individual Education Plans

HB 225: Interscholastic School Activities

HB 265: High School Equivalency Diplomas

HB 301: Emergency Response Mapping

HB 389: Menstrual Hygiene Products in School

HB 443: Education

HB 551: Required African American Instruction

HB 633: Employee Leave, Wage, and Salary History

HB 931: Postsecondary Educational Institutions

HB 1069: Education

HB 1465: Firearms and Destructive Device Offenses

HB 1521: Facilities Requirements Based on Sex

HB 7031: Victims of Incident of Mass Violence

HB 7039: Student Outcomes

Florida's Unemployment Rate is the Lowest Among the 10 Largest States

The State is also Experiencing Record Tourism

Last week, Governor DeSantis announced that Florida has the lowest unemployment rate among the top 10 largest states in the nation. In April of 2023, the State's unemployment rate was 2.6 percent, 0.8 percentage points lower than the national rate of 3.4 percent. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate has remained lower than the national rate for 30 consecutive months.

Simultaneously, Florida is experiencing continued economic stability thanks to our robust tourism industry. Between January and March of 2023, over 37.9 million people visited the State, the largest volume of visitors ever recorded in a single quarter.

“Through strong economic policy and strategic investments, Florida is outperforming the nation and providing more opportunity for its citizens, resulting in more than 200,000 new business formations this year alone and an unemployment rate near an all-time low,” said Governor DeSantis.

Constituent of the Week

Our Constituent of the Week is Ms. Angela Blackford Ritchey, Executive Board Member, American Legion Post 81

Ms. Ritchey was born in Newport, Rhode Island and moved with her family to Melbourne in 1978. Her inspiration to serve our country and our Veterans came from her father, a distinguished United States Navy Chief Petty Officer, and an instructor for the Navy ROTC Program at the University of Colorado.

Ms. Ritchey graduated from Melbourne High School in 1989 and joined the United States Army the same year. She completed her training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and served on support crews during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

She has been "on the move" ever since, including brief relocations to San Diego, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Missoula, and finally back home to Melbourne.

Today, Ms. Ritchey is an Executive Board member for the American Legion Post 81 in Melbourne. Prior to her current position, she served at the American Legion based in Pensacola.

Ms. Ritchey's passion resides with the American Legion, she found her purpose the moment she entered their doors. She appreciates the way American Legion Post 81 uses social media to reach Veterans and families in need of services.

Ms. Ritchey is also honored to serve as the local coordinator representing the American Legion Post 81 for the Wreaths Across America (WAA) program in Melbourne. WAA started in 1992 and as of December 17, 2022, WAA volunteers have placed 2.4 million wreaths at 3,679 cemeteries. Her goal is to acknowledge and recognize every Veteran who gave their life in service as they rest in peace.

Ms. Ritchey is also championing a new movement to provide a sign at each heroes’ gravesite in addition to the wreaths. On Memorial Day, Monday, May 29th at 9:00 a.m., the American Legion Post 81 will meet at the Melbourne City Cemetery on Hibiscus to place flags at the graves of our Veterans. Volunteers and donations are welcome.

District 19 is blessed to have so many individuals and families seeking every opportunity to “Never Forget” those who have served to protect us at home and abroad. May the month of May bring you peace knowing that all who have endured the greatest sacrifice are genuinely appreciated and remembered, not forgotten.

District Highlights

Melbourne Selects Ms. Jenni Lamb as New City Manager

Last week, the Melbourne City Council voted unanimously to name Jenni Lamb as the next City Manager.

Ms. Lamb has served as the city’s Interim City Manager since January 20th succeeding Shannon Lewis. Ms. Lamb has has been employed with the City of Melbourne for 24 years.

Her career began in the Engineering Department in September 1999, followed by a promotion to City Engineer in 2005, before becoming Deputy City Manager in 2019. She has overseen several major infrastructure and development projects, including the design and construction of the current City Hall building, numerous road resurfacing projects, and key storm water pollution reduction projects benefiting the Indian River Lagoon.

Ms. Lamb holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida and is a licensed Professional Engineer.

The City of Sebastian Names a New (Interim) City Manager

Brian Benton has been named the interim City Manager replacing Paul Carlisle, effective June 9th.

Mr. Benton joined the City of Sebastian in 2018 as Leisure Service Director to oversee the parks and recreation programs. Last year, his role expanded to include public facilities, cemetery and airport maintenance, and the Veterans Advisory Council. Mr. Benton was formerly recreation supervisor for the town of Jupiter in Palm Beach County.

His term is expected to last six months or until the City Council names a permanent City Manager.

Port Canaveral Announces Another New Cruise Ship to Begin Sailing from the Port

Carnival, the world's largest cruise line, added a record-setting fifth ship to its Port Canaveral fleet. The Italian-themed Carnival Venezia will begin sailing from Port Canaveral on December 18, 2024 with four-day cruises to Nassau and Freeport, Bahamas. Additionally, the Carnival Venezia will operate seven and 14 day Caribbean cruises.

Port Canaveral continues to advance as the world's busiest cruise port, with over four million passengers. In addition, the port managed 5.4 million tons of bulk cargo passing through in 2022.

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said, "The addition of the Venezia to Port Canaveral will bring another truly dynamic offering to one of our most popular home ports, and gives Carnival's customers another great option when sailing from Central Florida.”

Carnival Cruise Line currently operates 25 ships worldwide, the Venezia will join Carnival's Freedom, Liberty, Mardi Gras, and Vista cruise ships at Port Canaveral.

Melbourne Ranked 15th Best Place to Live in the Nation

Latest U.S. News and World Report 2023-2024

Last week, U.S. News and World Report listed the 150 best places to live in the United States. The City of Melbourne ranked 15th climbing up five spots from last year’s 20th ranking among the “most populous metropolitan areas."

Factors giving the Harbor City a boost included weather, quality of life, home values, the job market, relative cost of living, and general desirability among other criteria.

In total, Florida had 14 cities ranking in the top 150, with Sarasota (#5) and Naples (#6) as the only cities surpassing Melbourne. Jacksonville was next at (#16). To see the full list, click here.

Overall, Green Bay, Wisconsin (#1), Huntsville, Alabama (#2), Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (#3) took the top three spots.

Upcoming Events

Memorial Day Ceremony: Never Forget Our Fallen, POWs, MIAs

On Monday, May 29th from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., the Veterans Memorial Center (located at 400 South Sykes Creek Parkway) in Merritt Island will hold "A Solemn Remembrance of American Sacrifices for our Freedoms."

The event recognizes fallen service members, prisoners of war, those missing in action and the families who have endured the ultimate sacrifice. Special presentations include:

Musical tributes by the Lonnie and Delinda, and TAPS by Bob Doyle
Color Guards from Veteran and Cadet Units
Veterans Memorial Center Welcome by Dean Schaff
Fallen First Responders Tribute by Sheriff Wayne Ivey
The Ultimate Sacrifice by LTC Tim Thomas, United States Army, Ret.
Gold Star Families Left Behind by Donn Weaver
Honor of the Fallen by Ruck March of Cocoa
Rifle Salute by Brevard County Sheriff's Office

For more information on the Memorial Day Ceremony in tribute to the fallen, POW's, MIA's and families, contact the Veteran's Memorial Center at 321-453-1776.

Summer Fertilizer Bans Begin June 1 in Indian River and Brevard

Brevard and Indian River Counties' summer fertilizer bans start Thursday, June 1st thru Saturday, September 30th. The regulation prevents harmful fertilizer nutrients from entering storm drains and the Indian River Lagoon where it can fuel algae blooms and kill fish and other marine life.

City and county officials also remind residents that it is illegal to blow grass clippings into streets or storm water drains at any time of the year. Clippings should be blown back into yards or composted.

A fine of $200 may be imposed per violation in some areas.

To see more tips on how to keep your yard healthy and green without fertilizer, click here.

In Brevard County, if you have questions about the regulation, click here. For Indian River County, click here.