FEBRUARY MAYOR'S MESSAGE
MAYOR MEDINA: I want to express appreciation to our officers at the Palm Bay Police Department and all surrounding law enforcement agencies for their work in the shooting incident from over the weekend and thank God for his grace and protection as we continue to declare that angels surround them in their daily activities.
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – It’s a great day Palm Bay! I want to start by letting you all know that due to some weather conditions, the Third Annual Palm Bay Multicultural Festival has been rescheduled to Saturday, March 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fred Poppe Regional Park.
This is a free event presented by Thrifty Specialty Produce and Meats, Cocina Cafe, and the City of Palm Bay. It will showcase culture, dance, music, food, and hands-on activities from countries around the world.
Enjoy live entertainment featuring the Spinning Canvas Dance Troupe, the Sifu Och Wing Chun Dancing Lions, food and craft vendors, face painting, glitter tattoos, inflatables for the kids, and much more. I hope to see you all there!
In January, I had the opportunity to be a keynote speaker for BCASCA’s 19th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast; joining their commitment to our community with 19 years, it was an honor for me to bring a message of encouragement.
I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate and commend BCASCA for their dedication and sacrifice in keeping the tradition of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast as part of their mission for 19 years. Thank you for all you do to enhance the quality of life in our community.
I want to express appreciation to our officers at the Palm Bay Police Department and all surrounding law enforcement agencies for their work in the shooting incident from over the weekend and thank God for his grace and protection as we continue to declare that angels surround them in their daily activities.
Let us all continue to pray for their quick recovery and the peace and comfort of the surviving family members who have lost loved ones in this tragedy.
I would also like to commend Officer Lutz for being recognized at an Orlando Magic game by the Florida Department of Transportation as the Impaired Driver Enforcement Officer of the Year for the State of Florida. This recognition spawns from his removal of over 1,600 impaired drivers from the roadway.
Thank you for your service and dedication, Officer Lutz!
Also, great news regarding Sacrifice Park: In 2023, the City modified the approach to the planning of the park. Rather than replace the existing memorial with a new design in the same footprint, the City is pivoting the memorial 90 degrees to the east, demolishing the existing small pavilions, and adding an amphitheater on the west side of the park to maximize the park event space and make Sacrifice Park a remembrance destination.
The next step is to obtain engineering plans and permits in the next few months in order to get the project to Procurement and to City Council for award of bid in late summer and begin construction late this year. I am so #PalmBayProud of all the progress thus far.
We are well on our way to building a monument worthy of the sacrifice of our first responders.
This month, we celebrate Black History Month, a time to honor the remarkable contributions of African Americans, and one key figure is Frederick Douglass. Born into slavery, Douglass rose to become a prominent abolitionist, writer, and statesman.
His escape from enslavement, self-education, and powerful oratory skills made him a leading figure in the fight against slavery.
Douglass’s advocacy extended beyond the abolition of slavery; he was a profound supporter of women’s suffrage, recognizing the interconnected struggles for freedom and equality. His commitment to justice and equality resonates through his famous words: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
As we commemorate Black History Month, let us honor Frederick Douglass and the countless individuals who have fought for justice and equality.
Their legacies inspire us to continue the journey towards a more inclusive and equitable future, where the triumphs of the past serve as a foundation for a better tomorrow.
In February, we commemorate notable leaders, observing President’s Day on the third Monday. This day pays tribute not only to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, whose birthdays fall in February but also to all past U.S. presidents.
Let’s take a moment to recognize these leaders’ significant contributions and impact on our nation.
I want to take a moment and wish my beautiful wife, Lissette, and all the other lovely ladies of Palm Bay a very happy Valentine’s Day from the bottom of my heart!
Life is too short, be sure to tell the people you love how special they are to you each and every day.
Remember to mark your calendars for Saturday, March 23, 2024, for the annual Mayor’s Ball charity fundraiser.
As Mayor of the greatest city on the face of the Earth, I feel it is my duty to give back to the community, and I have chosen a very special recipient: Serene Harbor.
Serene Harbor, a state-certified domestic violence shelter and resource center, has diligently served the community for 31 years, providing critical support to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence.
Established in 1992, Serene Harbor’s mission is to break the cycle of domestic violence in Brevard County through a multifaceted approach encompassing education, empowerment, intervention, prevention, social change, advocacy, and community engagement.
At the heart of their operations is the provision of emergency shelter, offering a safe haven to women, children, and even pets fleeing abusive environments.
Last fiscal year, Serene Harbor provided an astounding 7,470 nights of emergency shelter, assisting 1,680 individuals in their courageous efforts to escape domestic violence.
The spectrum of services offered by Serene Harbor is vast, including a 24/7 crisis hotline, counseling, support groups, case management, career, and financial resource programs, education and mentoring empowerment programs, relocation assistance, housing assistance, legal support, civil injunction legal representation, and legal advocacy.
These services are provided at no cost, aiding survivors in their journey toward personal and professional goals and offering newfound hope for a life free from violence.
I sincerely hope you will consider supporting Serene Harbor by sponsoring the 2024 Mayor’s Ball. We have several different sponsorship levels available for your consideration, from our Friend of the Mayor’s Ball sponsor to our premier Platinum sponsors.
As a sponsor, your organization will be identified as a valued community partner and supporter of Serene Harbor. This is an excellent opportunity to support a great cause and gain positive exposure for your company. As a business with strong ties to our community, you are an intricate part of making this event a success!
Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina has been a resident of Palm Bay for more than 33 years. Originally from New York, New York, Mayor Medina chose to settle in Palm Bay after proudly serving with the United States Marine Corps. A servant leader through God, honor, and integrity, Mayor Medina pledges to build public trust with the community by presiding over an open and accessible government in service to the citizens of the great city of Palm Bay.
Medina holds a Master of Arts Degree in Theology, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Life Christian University. He serves as the Director of Ministry at the House Family Ministries Church in Palm Bay. Mayor Medina is happily married to his wife Lissette. He is a father of six children and the grandfather of ten. As a Palm Bay resident, Medina has long been an active supporter of the community serving as a youth mentor, as well as a football and baseball coach.
In addition to his roles with the City of Palm Bay and the House Family Ministries, Medina serves as the Director of Community and Military Relations for United States Congressman Bill Posey. Through his work, Medina has played an integral role in obtaining official recognitions and awards such as the Congressional Gold Medal (U.S. Army’s 65th Infantry Regiment), the Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart Medal for local veterans who displayed notable heroic or meritorious achievement of service during their time in the Armed Forces. In 2019, Medina was honored with his second Congressional Medal of Recognition for his longstanding service to the veteran community.
Mayor Medina also served as an Aide to former Brevard County Commissioner Jackie Colon from 2000 until 2008. While working with the Commissioner, he built a strong foundation in local governance and developed a deep understanding of the issues that have the greatest impact on the economic success and quality of life of the residents of Palm Bay.
Using his strong ties in our community and the experience gained from years of public service, Mayor Medina will work hard to build a brighter tomorrow for the people of Palm Bay.
Contact Mayor Medina
120 Malabar Road
Palm Bay, FL 32907
Phone: (321) 952-3414
Email: MayorRobMedina@pbfl.org
Term Begins: November 2020
Term Expires: November 2024
Related Story:Gov. Ron DeSantis Awards More Than $68 Million for Electric Transit Buses Across Florida
CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS
The post Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina Praises Police Officers, Discusses Event Highlights in Mayor’s Message appeared first on Space Coast Daily.