September 15, 2024 - Mayfield Minute

Mayfield Minute - September 15, 2024 - Remembering 9/11

Good Morning!

Remembering September 11, 2001

Last week, our nation commemorated and remembered the lives lost in the deadliest attack on the United States of America in the history of our nation. On September 11, 2001, terrorists coordinate attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and in Shanksville, PA killing 2,977 innocent civilians and courageous first responders. This tragedy forever changed our country, much like the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.

On December 18, 2001, the 71 ^st House Joint Resolution of the 107th Congress established September 11thas Patriot Day, a national day of remembrance. On this day each year, the U.S. President issues a proclamation, calls for flags to fly at half-staff, and for Americans to observe a moment of silence to memorialize this solemn day in history.

Sadly to this day, 23 years later, heroic first responders are still succumbing to 9/11-related illnesses incurred as they selflessly sacrificed their own health to rescue and recover those tragically injured and killed on this infamous day. May we never forget the evil brought upon our nation and the precious lives lost.

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Statewide Update

Florida Ranks #1 in Education Freedom for Third Year

Last week, the Heritage Foundation ranked Florida top in the nation for Education Freedom for the third straight year. Factors contributing to the #1 ranking include expansion of school choice programs and the State's support of parental rights.

“Florida has enacted policies that allow parents to direct where education money goes,” said Governor DeSantis. “Our universal school choice program has empowered families, benefitted students, and improved educational opportunities. Florida leads on education freedom—and students and families are better off because of this leadership.”

The Heritage Foundation Education Freedom Report Card began in 2022, and Florida has earned the top ranking every year since its inception. The report card uses four categories: school choice, transparency, regulatory freedom, and spending to rank states performance. Other criteria include access to scholarship programs, the design of private schools, and the environment for charter schools and homeschooling.

To view the Governor's full press release, click here. To view the article by the Heritage Foundation, click here.

State Boosts Apprenticeship Programs with $2 Million Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rebate for Employers

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis recently highlighted efforts to bolster Florida’s apprenticeship programs and work-based learning programs for Florida students ages 18 and under.

During the 2024 Legislative Session, lawmakers provided $2 million to the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) to permit employers, including eligible school districts and Florida College System institutions, to apply to DFS for reimbursement of the proportionate cost of workers’ compensation premiums. Students eligible must be participating in work-based learning programs.

CFO Patronis said, “Apprenticeship programs and work-based learning are vital for the success of our state’s students and workforce. The invaluable skills learned while on the job empower students throughout their lives, providing them with career opportunities that not only enable them to earn a great living but also contribute meaningfully to their communities.”

For more information on the reimbursement program, click here. For more information on apprenticeship opportunities in Florida, click here.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Announces Start of Annual Youth Fish Art Contest

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in partnership with Wildlife Forever, is hosting the 2024-2025 Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest. Since 1997, over 85,000 youth in 46 countries have participated in the Fish Art Contest.

The free contest is accessible to K-12 students. Participants can submit their artwork to Wildlife Forever using the Florida Fish Art Contest entry form page.

One first place winner and one runner up will be selected for each grade bracket:
Kindergarten through third grade
Fourth through sixth grade
Seventh through ninth grade
Tenth through twelfth grade

Prizes will be awarded for illustrating the best freshwater fish species and one for the best saltwater fish species.

Visit MyFWC.com/FishArt for more information on prizes and entry deadlines.

Agency Highlight

This week our agency highlight is the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA). The mission of the department is to advocate with purpose and passion for Florida Veterans and link them to services, benefits, and support. Florida has the third highest Veteran population in the nation. According to the department, 12% of adult Floridians are Veterans.

FDVA achieves its mission by both providing its own resources, as well as connecting Veterans and their family to those provided by other state and federal agencies and community partners. The department also has Service Officers who provide free assistance with claims for all state and federal programs.

Issues related to healthcare are a common reason many Veterans reach out to the FDVA. The department assists in connecting Veterans to medical centers within the VA network. There are seven VA medical centers in Florida, in addition to clinics throughout the state.

In Brevard County, there are two outpatient VA Clinics. The Viera VA Clinic is located at 2900 Veterans Way in Melbourne and the Palm Bay VA Clinic is located at 5200 Babcock Street in Palm Bay. The nearest full-service VA Medical Center is located at 13800 Veterans Way in Orlando.

Both the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (USVA) and FDVA provide mental health resources, emergency hotlines, and treatment for specific issues such as homelessness, substance abuse, recovery, counseling, and suicide prevention. The USVA operates the Melbourne Combat Vet Center located at 2098 Sarno Road which provides counseling to Veterans in our community.

In addition to aiding with the healing process for Veterans, the FDVA also helps Veterans to access state housing, down payment assistance, tax exemptions, educational benefits, and GI Bill benefits. The FDVA also provides access to information on hiring within government agencies, Veterans’ preference information and training in a variety of career fields.

To learn more about the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, click here.

Constituent of the Week

Retired Chief David Micka, Melbourne Beach Volunteer Fire Department

Retired Chief David Micka, Melbourne Beach Volunteer Fire Department (MBVFD) is our Constituent of the Week.

Throughout his 37-year career at the MBVFD, Chief Micka has completed 1,050 hours of State of Florida Certified Fire Service Training. He held various roles within the MBVFD including volunteer firefighter, driver/engineer, lieutenant, captain, deputy chief, fire marshal, and chief.

With an all-volunteer force of firefighters, Chief Micka had the challenge of navigating a tight budget while helping his team meet the demands of the community. He recalls when he began as chief, his budget was about $65,000 for the entire department including one paid fire marshal and one maintenance employee. They found ways to fund the necessary expenses of the department such as applying for grants and have kept the town of Melbourne Beach safe for decades. Today, according to the town’s website, that budget is roughly $431,302.

Under his leadership, the MBVFD has experienced significant advancement in training programs, equipment, community engagement, increased volunteer recruitment, safety protocols and streamlined operations.

In retirement, he continues to serve as a safety consultant, grant writer, and as an evaluator for department bids.

In addition to his service at MBVFD, Chief Micka has had an extraordinary career in the aerospace industry.

He graduated from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Oceanography and began working as a Cryogenic Engineer for the Planning Research Corporation at Cape Canaveral.

From 1986 to 2004, he worked for McDonnell Douglas first, and during the aviation company’s transition into Boeing. Chief Micka held the positions of Engineer Scientist Specialist Launch Operations GPS/Shuttle PAM D2, Specialist for Structural/Mechanical Engineering Vehicle Systems, and as Manager of Structural/Mechanical Engineering.

From 2004 to July 2017, he was the Senior Manager/Manager for System Safety and Safety, Health, and Environmental Affairs at United Launch Alliance (ULA), Launch Operations.

Throughout his aerospace industry career, Chief Micka processed launch vehicles and payloads for over 250 launches for the Delta, Delta II, Delta III, Delta IV, Atlas 5, Titan, and the shuttle program. He also served as the liaison between Boeing, ULA, and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Fire Rescue to develop Astronaut Rescues for Commercial Crew Missions.

Some of the highlights of his time at Cape Canaveral include helping to design space shuttle parts. This included the arm for the GOX vent, affectionately called a ‘beanie cap’ because of the way it sits on top of the shuttle system when upright. The vent was a system which covered the nose of the external fuel tank and helped to vent away Gaseous Oxygen and prevent freezing. Another memorable moment Chief Micka recalled was the explosion of the Delta II Rocket on January 17, 1997. He was monitoring the launch nearby and ended up stuck for hours in a smoky room. When help finally came, he noted that it was firefighters that rescued him and his team from the launch site to safety.

His other assignments and accomplishments are too numerous to mention. He is well known throughout both professions for his tireless commitment to the safety of others including his aerospace colleagues, the MBVFD volunteers, and the community at large. In 2021, Chief Micka was selected by his peers throughout Brevard County as the Space Coast Volunteer Firefighter of the Year.

Chief Micka resides in Melbourne Beach with his wife, Norita. They have three grown children between the two of them.

Senate District 19 is grateful for Chief Micka’s service in the aerospace industry and his selfless dedication to the betterment and safety of our communities.

District Highlights

Westin Cocoa Beach Resort and Spa Groundbreaking

A groundbreaking ceremony was held last Tuesday, for the upcoming Westin Cocoa Beach Resort and Spa. The project is funded by the Miami Driftwood Capital fund and is planned to have over 500 rooms. Once completed, the hotel will include venues for fitness, relaxation, dining, shopping, large events, and more. The resort is expected to add over 500 new jobs in Cocoa Beach.

The project has an estimated cost of $420 million and is being built at the former location of the International Palms Resort (1300 North Atlantic Avenue). The hotel is anticipating a 2027 opening.

For more information about the Westin Cocoa Beach project click here.

SpaceX Polaris Dawn Breaks 'Distance Above Earth' Space Flight Record

The Polaris Dawn four person crew launched from Cape Canaveral early morning on Tuesday September 10th aboard a SpaceX Dragon Crew Capsule. This is the first human spaceflight for Mission Pilot Kidd Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon. Mission Commander Jared Isaacman previously flew to space as Commander of Inspiration4.

This mission is also the first time two SpaceX employees will be part of a human spaceflight crew.

Polaris Dawn is orbiting the Earth at an altitude roughly three times that of the International Space Station. This mission marks the furthest that a human has traveled from the earth, approximately 1400 kilometers (roughly 870 miles), since the last Apollo mission in 1972. The crew conducted the first ever spacewalk of private citizens on Thursday, September 12th at 7:58 a.m.

Upon the opening of the Dragon Capsule for the spacewalk, Mission Commander Isaacman profoundly stated, "It’s gorgeous, back at home we all have a lot of work to do, but from here, Earth sure looks like a perfect world.”

In addition to the spacewalk, the crew is conducting dozens of scientific experiments including the testing of the next generation of EVA (extra-vehicular activity) suits that have been developed by SpaceX for spacewalks.

To view the Polaris Dawn crew action, click here.

Upcoming Events

Melbourne Beach International Coastal Cleanup Day 2024

Keep Brevard Beautiful and the Ocean Conservancy are hosting a coastal cleanup on Saturday, September 21st from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The event will be at the Ocean Park Beach located at the corner of Ocean Avenue and Highway A1A.

The organizer is providing cleanup supplies, but they ask you to bring your own sunscreen, hat, and water.

Green Gables Annual Harvest Festival

On Saturday, September 21st, Green Gables will be hosting their annual Harvest Festival from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This event will be at Green Gables, a 128-year-old historic home overlooking the Indian River Lagoon (1501 S. Harbor City Boulevard) in Melbourne.

The festival will feature food trucks, arts and crafts, activities for children and live music. The event is free but tours of Green Gables will be available for $10. Parking will be available next door at the Reflections Building (1499 S Harbor City Boulevard) in Melbourne.

Food Drive to be Held by the Viera GFWC Chapter

On Saturday, September 28th, the Viera chapter of the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs will be hosting a food drive in support of the Sharing Center of Central Brevard and the Children’s Hunger Project.

These organizations provide meals to those in need and are requesting non-perishable items to be dropped off between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Publix (7655 Stadium Parkway) in Melbourne.

For more information visit the GFWC website here.

Second Annual Rocktober 5K Race – City of Rockledge

Registration is now open for the City of Rockledge’s Rocktober 5K race to benefit the Physical Education program at Golfview Elementary School. The race takes place on Saturday, October 5th and will begin at 7:30 a.m. The cost to enter the race is $30 for those over 12 years old and $20 for kids under 12.

The race begins at the Rockledge Civic Hub (530 Barton Boulevard) in Rockledge, and will have a scenic route around the Don Griffin Trail. Snacks and drinks will be available and the first 120 registrants will receive a T-shirt.

For more details and registration, click here.