| The Mayfield Minute - November 23, 2025 |
|
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and give thanks for the many blessings bestowed upon us and to open our hearts to those less fortunate and in need of our compassion, generosity, and volunteerism.
Food donations make a holiday meal possible for many families in our community. Our local food banks are entering their busiest time of year, so if you are able to donate or volunteer, please consider contacting the South Brevard Sharing Center, Treasure Coast Food Bank, Aging Matters, Second Harvest, or Providence Connects (formerly Daily Bread).
If you know of a family or individual in need, please click here to view Second Harvest's list of local food pantry partners. Veterans in need of food assistance this holiday season may contact the National Veterans Homeless Support at 321-208-7562. The Salvation Army of Melbourne (1080 Hickory Street) will be providing Thanksgiving community meals today at 1:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, November 26th from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., the canteen will be open to pick up meals.
As we enjoy time with our family and friends, and long-standing Thanksgiving traditions, please take a moment to remember our military members serving around the world ensuring our safety and freedom.
I wish everyone a very blessed and relaxing Thanksgiving Holiday.
Last week, the Florida Legislature held its fourth interim committee week in Tallahassee, in preparation for the 2026 Legislative Session. The remaining 2025 interim committee meetings are scheduled for the weeks of December 1st and December 8th.
If you will be visiting the State Capitol during the committee weeks or the legislative session and need assistance or an appointment, please call my Tallahassee office at (850) 487-5019.
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! |
|
Florida Seeks State Control of Atlantic Red Snapper Recreation Season
Governor DeSantis recently announced that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has submitted an exempted fishing permit (EFP) to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to allow the state to manage the Atlantic recreational red snapper season beginning in 2026. The EFP also proposes a substantial increase in the length of the recreational season from two to 39 days.
“State management and expansion of Gulf snapper season have been a major boon for our Gulf of America communities, allowing so many Floridians and visitors to enjoy the Red Snapper our waters have to offer,” said Governor DeSantis. "Just as it has on the Gulf coast, Florida’s management of Atlantic Red Snapper fishing will boost local economies along our Atlantic coast, supporting tackle and bait shops, hotels, restaurants, and the entire recreational fishing community.”
In 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a temporary rule to reduce snapper overfishing in the South Atlantic by limiting the recreational season to a single day. In 2025, NOAA revised that rule expanding the recreational snapper season to two days.
To view the press release in full, click here.
Attorney General Uthmeier Announces Rescue of 122 Missing Children
Last week, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the results of "Operation Home for the Holidays," a statewide rescue operation led by the U.S. Marshal Service with the support of Florida law enforcement agencies. The operation resulted in the safe rescue of 122 children, making it one of the largest child-recovery operations in American history. The rescued children ranged in ages from 23 months to 17 years. Many had experienced various levels of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or exposure to other criminal activity.
"Operation Home for the Holidays" utilized real-time intelligence and field operations to locate the missing children. Victim advocates and child welfare specialists from the Florida Department of Children and Families coordinated with law enforcement to provide immediate resources and care for the rescued children.
“Thanks to one of the single largest child-rescue operations in U.S. history, 122 missing children are safe,” said Attorney James Uthmeier. “This operation highlights the strength and diligence of Florida’s Law Enforcement. Many of these kids have been victimized in unspeakable ways. We will prosecute their abusers to the fullest extent of the law.”
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Issues Warning about Artificial Intelligence
Last week, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced a new monthly consumer safeguard series titled, "What is AI and How is it Used to Scam People?" due to the exponential increase in Artificial Intelligence (AI) usage. While many are familiar with how AI can be helpful, it is important to know that AI is also being used for unscrupulous purposes.
Along with the efficiency benefits of AI, it can also be harmful through the creation of fake websites and videos, customized email and text phishing scams, and voice cloning to impersonate others.
Below are some of the first tips from the FDACS series:
· Question any situation in which you are asked to send money or provide personal information including login credentials, account numbers or payment information.
· Look for anything that looks or sounds “off” like poor grammar, spelling, and speech that sounds unnatural or awkward.
· If unsure, always directly ask a person seeking money or information if they are legitimate. Credible people and organizations will understand your caution.
To subscribe to the FDACS monthly E-newsletter for the next series of AI scams and safeguards, click here. |
|
|
Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard presentations on Recycling and Waste Management efforts in the State of Florida.
· John Truitt, Deputy Secretary of Regulatory Programs at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, gave an update on solid waste management and recycling in Florida. Mr. Truitt provided data highlighting recent recycling goals, recycling rates, as well as updating landfill operations around the state.
· Keyna Cory, Florida Chapter Lobbyist for the National Waste & Recycling Association, highlighted the importance of waste operations keeping up with population growth in Florida. Ms. Cory also reminded the committee on the danger of battery fires, and how to take the necessary precautions to avoid them.
The committee also passed Senate Bill 240 (Auxiliary Containers), sponsored by Senator Ileana Garcia, with unanimous support.
The bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a uniform ordinance for the use and disposition of single-use, non-recyclable auxiliary containers. These containers include bags, cups, bottles, and cans.
The next stop for SB 240 is the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government.
To watch the full presentation, click here.
Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard presentations from the state agencies regarding the state's ongoing projects to expand economic development and support transportation infrastructure.
· Jason Mahon, Deputy Secretary of Economic Development and Chief Manufacturing Officer at FloridaCommerce, gave a presentation on Florida’s economic toolkit, and different opportunities that the state provides to help businesses thrive. Mr. Mahon also highlighted the Florida Job Growth Grant fund, and the positive impact it has had on the state since 2019, with 82 projects across 40 counties taking place.
· Jennifer Marshall, Chief Engineer of Production at the Florida Department of Transportation, updated the committee on major road projects. One of the recently completed successful projects, which finished ahead of schedule, was the NASA Causeway Bridge. Other major ongoing projects included congestion relief and interchange updates on state and interstate highways around the state.
To watch the full presentation, click here.
Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
The Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security received presentations from several stakeholders in Florida’s Aerospace industry. Below are a few highlights from the presentations.
· Janet Petro, Director of Kennedy Space Center (KSC), provided an update on NASA’s activities and spaceport operations. Ms. Petro highlighted the record number of launches out of KSC, with 96 taking place, to date, in 2025. She also pointed to NASA’s economic impact statewide, with over $8.2 billion in economic output and over 35,000 jobs supported.
· Rob Long, President and CEO of Space Florida, gave a presentation on the positive statewide impact of the aerospace industry. Mr. Long also highlighted Florida’s University Space Research Consortium, showing the importance of workforce development across the state University system and beyond.
· Anna Spencer, Government Relations from Blue Origin, presented the company’s activities and operation updates. This included the development of the New Glenn rocket, as well as Rocket Park and Launch Complex 36 at Kennedy Space Center. Ms. Spencer also highlighted the workforce development program throughout the state.
To watch the full presentation, click here. |
|
Dorothy "Ms. Dot" Linson
Our Constituent of the Week is Dorothy "Ms. Dot" Linson. For decades, Ms. Dot has embodied the spirit of giving in Brevard County. She is a beloved humanitarian, well-known and highly regarded for her service throughout the community.
Ms. Dot, the daughter of a sharecropper, was born in Alabama. She moved to Brevard County as a young woman and attended Brevard Public Schools. In 1979, she began working at the City of Melbourne Parks, Recreation, and Golf Department where she was assigned to the Eddie Lee Taylor, Sr. Community Center. Ms. Dot held a variety of positions working with children, organizing summer camps, holiday themed parties, athletics, and special events. In recognition of her outstanding leadership, she was promoted to Recreation Supervisor and Senior Recreation Supervisor before retiring in 2009.
Throughout her career, Ms. Dot has been consistently active in the community, uplifting seniors, children, Veterans, and families. In 1989, with Ms. Gladys Williams, she co-founded Club Esteem, a nonprofit providing tutoring, mentorship, and life skills to children in underserved neighborhoods. Ms. Dot’s vision was to instill citizenship, respect, education, and confidence in young people.
Ms. Dot also established a senior citizens group which made Christmas stockings, pillows, and quilts for military members and nursing home residents, ensuring that seniors and Veterans felt remembered and valued during the holidays. She also taught sewing classes to children and nutrition workshops to families, empowering them with practical skills for healthier and more independent living.
Perhaps Ms. Dot is best known for her annual Thanksgiving community meals which she started with her family in 1999. The original small gathering has grown into the Dorothy A. Linson “Ms. Dot” Annual Thanksgiving Community Luncheon, a hallmark Thanksgiving event drawing thousands of attendees. With support from her family, friends, and local police departments, she serves over 1,500 meals each year. Last week, Ms. Dot’s Annual Thanksgiving Community Luncheon celebrated its 26th year, a testament to her enduring promise that “no one should face hunger on Thanksgiving.”
Her contributions to the Brevard community have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, she was honored with Florida Institute of Technology’s "MLK Commemoration Award" for lifelong humanitarianism and Florida Today’s "2022 Volunteer of the Year" award.
Ms. Dot resides in Melbourne and is a proud mother and grandmother to her children and grandchildren, and to many in the community who fondly call her "Mama Dot."
SD 19 is grateful for Ms. Dorothy Linson’s decades-long dedication to community service and her compassionate commitment to uplifting families, seniors, and children throughout Brevard County. |
|
Brevard Sheriff's Office Paws & Stripes College K-9 Alum Wins “National Hero Dog” Award
K-9 Sergeant Bo, a graduate of the Brevard Sheriff's Office Paws and Stripes College, wins the 15th Annual American Humane Society’s top honor, “National Hero Dog.”
Before being rescued and chosen for the Paws and Stripes College, Bo was a stray dog wandering the streets of Brevard County. The Paws and Stripes College is an inmate guided program where carefully selected inmates teach the skills comfort dogs need to console and reassure children, de-escalate emotional crises, and heal communities experiencing a tragedy.
K-9 graduates of the program are trained to serve as Law Enforcement and Multidiscipline Crimes Against Persons Therapy Dogs which provide aid to children victimized by (or witnesses to) child abuse, sexual exploitation, violent crime, and traumatic incidents. Law enforcement officers receive specialized instruction in the role of comfort dogs while interviewing child victims, handling skills, and the intense preparation K-9 dogs need to serve as part of a therapy dog team.
After completing his training, Sgt. Bo was paired with a K-9 handler at the Metro Nashville Police Department. Within only months of his assignment to Nashville, a tragic school shooting occurred leaving the community in a state of heartbreak and grief. In response to this tragedy, Sgt. Bo was called to provide much-needed comfort and distraction to the students.
Sgt. Bo’s achievement is a heartwarming story and a testament to the Paws and Stripes College.
“This program helps so many people,” Sheriff Wayne Ivey said. “From the inmates who train these dogs, to the children and people they go on to comfort, to the communities they ultimately protect.”
For more information on the Brevard County Sheriff's Office Paws and Stripes College, click here.
Brevard Public Schools Employee of the Year 2025
The Brevard Schools Foundation announced Christopher (Chris) Hattaway, School Resource Officer at Rockledge High School, as the 2025-2026 Brevard Public Schools Employee of the Year.
Officer Hattaway is well-known for building strong relationships, creating a safe and welcoming environment, and serving as a trusted advocate for students. His work reflects his belief that every student deserves to be seen, supported, and secure.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition,” said Officer Hattaway. “Rockledge High School is my home, and serving its students and staff is the greatest privilege of my career. Everything I do is rooted in the belief that every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and valued. I am grateful to my family, my school community, and the colleagues who inspire me every day. Raider Pride!”
In addition to Officer Hattaway, five other exceptional Brevard Public Schools employees were honored as finalists for their service, professionalism, and dedication:
· Emilee Floyd, Astronaut High School, ESE Paraprofessional
· Matthew France, John F. Kennedy Middle School, Technology Associate
· Jake Kraus, Satellite High School, Theater Manager
· Susan Kunkel, Westside Elementary School
· Cheryi Meyer, Early Childhood Program Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction
Palm Bay Police Department Achieves Excelsior Status
Last week, the City of Palm Bay hosted a special celebration honoring the Palm Bay Police Department's recent achievement of Excelsior Status from the Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation.
Excelsior Status represents the highest level of professional excellence a law enforcement agency can attain. To achieve the distinction, an agency must complete five consecutive three-year reaccreditation cycles demonstrating consistent adherence to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability. The Palm Bay Police Department's reaccreditation evaluation resulted in a flawless report with no corrections or compliance issues.
Police Chief Mario Augello stated, “This reaccreditation and Excelsior Status isn’t just for us, it’s for our community. It’s a promise that their police department meets the absolute highest standards in public safety and service.” |
|
MikeyStrong for a Cure 5K Fun Run/Walk
The MikeyStrong for a Cure Fun Run/Walk 5K will take place on Wednesday, November 26th at the Mike Goodwin Playground at James H. Nance Park (2011 North Miramar Avenue) in Indialantic. The Turkey Dash pre-race begins at 4:30 p.m. and the Run/Walk 5K begins at 5:00 p.m.
The in-person run/walk registration fee is $35 and the Turkey Dash for children ages 12 and under is free of charge. For those unable to attend but would like to participate virtually, the registration fee is $25.
Mike “Mikey” Goodwin was a vibrant 19-year-old student athlete when diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a deadly form of brain cancer. Sadly, Mikey lost his battle with DIPG just three months after his diagnosis. The memorial MikeyStrong for a Cure Fun Run/Walk 5K serves to honor his life and other victims of the disease. Race proceeds benefit those currently fighting DIPG and research for a cure.
To register for the MikeyStrong for a Cure 5K Fun/Run Walk 5K, click here.
Light Up Viera Christmas Parade 2025
The Brevard County Sheriff's Office and the Brevard County Sheriff's Office Charity will co-host the annual "Light Up Viera Christmas Parade" on Saturday, November 29th. Fireworks will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the parade will immediately follow.
The parade will begin at the intersection of Judge Fran Jamieson Way and Stadium Drive, near the government buildings. The parade will proceed north along Stadium Drive, passing by the Space Coast Stadium, Viera High School, and Viera Middle School, before ending at Manatee Elementary (3425 Viera Boulevard).
The best viewing opportunities will be at the intersection of Stadium Drive and Viera Boulevard. For more information, contact the Brevard Sheriff's Office Charity Executive Director, Lindsey Deaton-Boane, at Lindsey@BCSOCharity.org.
3rd Annual Flutie 5K for Autism & 6th Annual Ping Pong Palooza
The 2025 3rd Annual Flutie 5K for Autism will be held on Saturday, December 6th at the West Melbourne Community Park (3000 Minton Road) in West Melbourne. The pre-race Kids’ Fun Run starts at 7:50 a.m. and the 5K starts at 8:00 a.m.
The registration fee for the 5K is $35 and includes divisions for adaptive runners, walkers, wheelchairs, and duo teams. The Kid’s Fun Run, a quick sprint for children ages 10 and under, is free of charge. All registered participants will receive a Flutie 5K race shirt and finisher medal.
To register for the Flutie 5K for Autism, click here.
Following the Flutie 5K, Promise in Brevard’s 6th Annual Ping Pong Palooza, sponsored by the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation, will begin at 10:00 a.m. One thousand numbered ping pong balls, each representing a chance to win cash prizes, will be dropped from the sky. The ball that lands closest to the center bullseye will win the $10,000 grand prize. Additional cash prizes are also available.
Tickets for the Ping Pong Palooza are $100 each and must be purchased by Friday, December 5th at 11:59 p.m. To purchase your ticket(s), click here.
Proceeds from the Flutie 5K for Autism and the Ping Pong Palooza will benefit Promise in Brevard.
Who We Play For 11th Annual December to ReMem6er Golf Scramble
Who We Play For will host their 11th Annual December to ReMem6er Golf Scramble on Friday, December 19th at the Cocoa Beach Country Club (5000 Tom Warriner Boulevard) in Cocoa Beach. Check-in for the event will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a shotgun start at 12:00 p.m. A "19th Hole Celebration" will take place immediately following the scramble and includes a buffet dinner, awards ceremony, and raffle prizes.
The cost per player is $72 and golfers can register as an individual or as a foursome. As you complete your online registration, you will be invited to sign up for a free heart screening.
The annual golf scramble supports the Who We Play For organization which honors the life of Rafe Maccarone, a local high school soccer player who lost his life due to sudden cardiac arrest at the age of 16. Who We Play's For's mission is to eliminate preventable youth sudden cardiac deaths through affordable heart screenings.
Early registration is encouraged as the event often reaches capacity. To register, sponsor, or learn more about the Who We Play For organization, click here. |
|
Contact Information
Melbourne Office
900 East Strawbridge Avenue,
Suite 408,
Melbourne, FL 32901
321-409-2025
Tallahassee Office
400 South Monroe Street,
302 Senate Building,
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
850-487-5019
Staff
Yvette Campbell
Christian Chesnut
William Gooden
Kelli Lane |
|
|
|
|
