September 17, 2023 - Mayfield Minute

Mayfield Minute - September 17, 2023 - Mayfield Minute

Good Morning!

Over the past two weeks, I've had the opportunity to visit many Brevard County non-for-profit and public organizations to distribute state appropriations approved by the Legislature and Governor DeSantis during the 2023 Legislation Session.

Some of the highlights include:

Brevard County Natural Resources Management and Utility Services: $26,674,246

For septic upgrades, dredging and construction projects, the Blue Crab Cove Working Waterfront, advanced wastewater treatment facilities, potable water wells, and a second Deep Injection Well, among other projects.

Brevard Public Schools (Cocoa Beach Jr. / Sr. High School and Eau Gallie High School): $1,050,000

Purchase of used Piper Arrow III plane for students in aerospace and aircraft training programs at EGHS and for a new IRL Restoration Aquaculture program at CB Jr. and Sr. High School

City of Cocoa Beach: $2,250,000

Bicentennial Park and gravity sewer rehabilitation projects

Florida Institute of Technology: $5,000,000

ASCEND Center of Excellence -- Aerospace Cybersecurity Engineering Development programs

I'm honored to have worked with my colleagues in the legislature to bring nearly $77 million in appropriations home. Please contact my office if you have any questions about the funded projects as the list above is just a small representation of a very successful legislative session.

Florida Senate Interim Committee Meeting weeks in Tallahassee begin this Fall:

October 9th to 13th
October 16th to 20th
November 6th to 9th
November 13th to 17th
December 4th to 7th
December 11th to 15th

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

First Lady Casey DeSantis' Hope Florida Program Expands Access to Services in Florida Communities

First Lady Casey DeSantis highlighted the expansion of Florida’s CarePortal to meet the immediate needs of vulnerable adults including persons with disabilities, veterans, the elderly, and other Florida residents in need of assistance.

CarePortal is a platform that was initially created to support children and their families in need of connections to faith-based institutions and local businesses willing to help. This expansion builds on the success of the portal to date, which has led to nearly 500 churches and over 5,000 community members helping nearly 13,400 children and their families since 2020.

Hope Navigators are now able to use CarePortal’s innovative platform to meet immediate needs of the vulnerable.

If you or someone you know are in need of services addressing:

Domestic violence
Elder care abuse
Substance misuse or addiction
Mental health assistance
Child care services
Adoption or foster care services
Food insecurity benefits
Human trafficking reporting or recovery

These are just some of the services provided through the CarePortal. Please connect with a Hope Navigator by calling 850-300-HOPE or by visiting the website here.

Governor DeSantis' Expands Efforts to Attract Law Enforcement Officers from other States

Last week, Governor DeSantis announced that Florida has launched billboards in the Greater Chicago area to attract more law enforcement officers for recruitment to our State. This development comes as a result of a new law in Illinois which allows foreign nationals to become police officers while at the same time, Illinois became the first state in the nation to fully eliminate its cash bail system. This decision allows for criminals and repeat offenders to immediately immerse right back into the community.

Through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program, out-of-state police officers who relocate to Florida will receive a $5,000 signing bonus.

“Florida strongly supports law enforcement and has consistently enacted commonsense criminal justice policies to keep our communities safe,” said Governor DeSantis.

He went on to say that Florida stands behind our citizen officers… other states deputize non-citizens, enact policies that favor criminals over victims, and work to overtly or covertly defund the police, that won't happen in Florida.

To date, more than 2,700 law enforcement recruits have joined the law enforcement profession in Florida, including 750 from 48 states and two U.S. territories, mostly from California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

For more information on Florida's Law Enforcement Recruitment and Recognition Program, click here.

Constituent of the Week

Ms. Kym Kurey

Our Constituent of the Week is Ms. Kym Kurey, founder of ANEW Life International (ANEW). ANEW is a non-profit organization, based out of Melbourne and provides hope through faith-based assistance to survivors of human trafficking. There are between 100,000 to 300,000 sex trafficking victims under 18 years old in the United States annually. The average age is 12 years old.

Founded in 2019, under Ms. Kurey’s leadership and with her team, ANEW has been offering survivors the opportunity to clear their past criminal record history as well as providing resources and safe housing through their partnership with several other trusted organizations across the country and in Honduras.

Ms. Kurey is a strong advocate for Florida Statute Section 943.0583, which allows a victim of human trafficking to petition for the expungement of the record, for an offense committed or reported to have been committed while he/she was a victim of human trafficking.

Professionally, Ms. Kurey was in the background screening industry for over 25 years and managed or owned several companies along the way. She currently works with Vital4 Data, a wholesale data provider, in the fight against money laundering and human trafficking. After expungement, her team works diligently to ensure that the records never appear again through intense monitoring of the internet and social media, reputation management, and victim notification services.

Last week, Ms. Kurey and her team held a ribbon cutting and grand opening event for ANEW’s first Drop-in and Resource Center located at 1555 Harbor City Boulevard, in Melbourne. The new facility offers a safe space for healing, music therapy, a dress for success on-site closet for job interviews, formal dresses for young women attending prom or homecoming for the first time, counseling, and life coaching. ANEW is strategically designed to literally wrap their arms and compassionate services around those escaping the terror of human trafficking.

In addition to leading ANEW, Ms. Kurey is an ordained pastor and currently studying for her master’s degree at Life Christian University, and plans to continue her education to earn her doctorate degree. She is a sought after speaker and singer/songwriter, having performed for over 35 years, and is the author of an award-winning children’s book series.

Ms. Kurey life mission is to be a voice for the voiceless, to empowering communities with awareness, and to help men, women and children to overcome the deception and stigma of exploitation. District 19 is grateful for her unwavering determination in educating the public to identify trafficking victims, and to help survivors rehabilitate and recover.

To learn more about ANEW Life International or participate in their plight to end human trafficking, click here.

Remembering David Panicola

Deputy Mayor Indian Harbour Beach

1967-2023

Dave Panicola passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 9th at his home due to an unfortunate accident. Mr. Panicola was originally from Long Island, New York. He was a graduate of St. Joseph’s College in Long Island, NY where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Human Relations. He moved to Florida over 29 years ago and lived in Indian Harbour Beach for the last 24 years. He was the owner of Point A. Advantage, Inc., a non-emergency transportation company for people with special needs until 2016.

His calling was always public service. He was first elected to the City Council of Indian Harbour Beach in 2003. He was currently serving as the Deputy Mayor, and had served as the City Mayor from 2015 until 2019. He served his first term as Deputy Mayor from 2011 to 2015. Prior to his election to the City Council Mr. Panicola, served on the Planning and Zoning Board and was a volunteer firefighter for Indian Harbour Beach for over seven years. He volunteered as the Safety Officer on the Indian Harbour Beach Little League Board, was a former Satellite High School teacher, baseball and golf coach, and a Rear Commodore at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club.

He will forever be remembered for his one liners, his sense of humor and the big smile that he always had on his face.

Mr. Panicola is survived by his parents, Joyce and Vince Panicola, brother Vince Jr. (his wife Doreen), daughter Shannon (her husband Mike) and daughter Courtney (her husband Tony) and son Michael, three grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and girlfriend, Nancy.

The family has planned a Celebration of Life ceremony on Monday, September 18th at 6:00 p.m. at Discover Life Church (3550 W. Eau Gallie Blvd.) in Melbourne.

District Highlights

Candlelighter Families in Brevard and Indian River Counties Recognize National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

The month of September is dedicated to celebrating the brave superheroes that battle pediatric cancer. There are over 90 Candlelighter families in Brevard and Indian River counties who benefit from Candlelighter programs and services. Throughout their journey the first shock is the cancer diagnosis of their child, next comes fear, and time-sensitive decisions regarding treatment. Childhood cancer results in a heavy emotional toll on the entire family and often leads to financial strains due to endless travel in pursuit of the best care for the child.

The Candlelighter organization is committed to ensuring that local children and their families have the support and resources they critically need, especially with the absence of pediatric oncology services in our area. To that end, they are inviting community members to join with them in recognizing National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by making a donation in honor of Operation Superhero. Operation Superhero, in partnership with Jason Hook Photography, transforms suffering children into the superhero of their dreams with a photoshoot celebrating their fearlessness in their battle to beat cancer.

Donations help the local Candlelighters organization to encourage and nurture each child's inner superhero and show them that they are not alone in their fight. The campaign goal of $40,000 goes towards providing emotional support and financial assistance to the 90 Candlelighter children in our communities.

"It will take a justice league coming together for good to provide these families with every resource needed to fight the villain – cancer," --Candlelighters

If you are able to volunteer or donate, please visit the website here.

Brevard County Receives New Tool to Combat Harmful Algae Blooms

Last week, I joined Brevard County Natural Resources Management officials and AECOM leadership to launch the AECOM Algae Harvester Ship.

“The objective here is to remove intact harmful algae blooms,” said David Pinelli, a member of the team that built the ship.

Algae blooms fed by nutrients like fertilizer flowing into the lagoon are thought to be behind fish kills.

“It’s also suspected that the algae blooms inhibit the growth of the seagrass that is so important to the manatee population,” Pinelli said. “We put some chemical additive in the water to cause the algae cells and other contaminants to agglomerate, then we can float them out.”

When it makes its way to the surface in the big tank on the harvester, the algae is skimmed off and the resulting biomass is used for conversion to bio-fertilizer or bio-crude oil.

The Algae Harvester Ship will remain in the lagoon for a couple weeks as a pilot project, and then will be deployed as algae blooms are present, and on a rotating basis to control the level of algae. The ship is capable of testing fresh, salt, and brackish water.

Upcoming Events

Brightline Orlando to/from South Florida Service Begins Sept. 22nd

Brightline's operation from South Florida to Orlando International Airport begins Friday, September 22nd with connections in Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach.

“Opening Orlando fulfills our ultimate business model. We have seen incredible enthusiasm from the business and tourism industries eager to travel between Central and South Florida,” shared Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline. “As we start service to Orlando for peak holiday seasons, I encourage everyone to check calendars, make plans, visit our website or app, and reserve a seat now.”

For a limited time, Brightline is offering one-way SMART fares starting at $79 for adults and $39 for kids. Groups of 4+ will automatically save an additional 25 percent on SMART fares.

SMART service and fares include:

Business-class option
Complimentary Starlink WiFi
Power and USB outlets
Food and beverages for purchase

One-way PREMIUM fares start at $149, a first class experience with added amenities including a dedicated PREMIUM lounge, priority boarding, checked luggage, and complimentary snacks and beverages throughout the journey.

To learn more about Brightline’s industry promotions, student discounts, travel agent promotional pricing, and to purchase tickets or experience an inaugural ride, click here. You can also connect with Brightline by downloading the Brightline app on iOS and Android phones.

Life Recaptured Organization to Hold “Classics for a Cause” Event

Life Recaptured, a Brevard-based organization whose mission is to bring awareness, prevention, and restoration to the lives of sex trafficking victims, will hold their annual “Classics for a Cause” event on Saturday, September 23rd at 6:00 p.m. at the American Muscle Car Museum (3500 Sarno Road) in Melbourne.

Participants will have the opportunity to view over 400 classic and famous cars, enjoy complimentary food and drinks, and raffle games and prizes. Tickets are $75.00 and all proceeds benefit Life Recaptured. To register, click here.

Life Recaptured offers women trapped in sexual exploitation a way to refuge and freedom. They provide solutions to end sex trafficking and heal survivors through physical and mental health care, empowerment, education, case management, spiritual guidance, and mentorship.

For more information about the Life Recaptured organization, click here.