| The Mayfield Minute - September 28, 2025 |
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Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day
Today, our nation observes Gold Star Mother’s and Family's Day in support of grieving mothers and families who have lost loved ones while serving in the military. We honor the memory of sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, and all relatives who courageously gave their lives to defend our nation.
In 1928, Grace Darling Seibold, whose son George died in WWI, founded American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. to support grieving mothers and honor fallen service members. In 1936, the United States Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 115, designated the last Sunday in September to be known as “Gold Star Mother’s Day.” More recently in 2009, the observance expanded to include Gold Star Families as well in recognition of the enduring impact such losses have on spouses, siblings, and children.
In a recent proclamation, President Donald J. Trump stated, “The supreme sacrifice of our fallen heroes is neither solitary nor finite. Instead, it is shared by bereaved families who bury the fallen and wage an unending battle of unfathomable heartache that is not erased by the passage of time. Gold Star Families know better than anyone the tremendous cost of our freedom, paid for by the blood of their beloved husbands, wives, sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers who forfeited their hopes and dreams so that others may live with peace, safety, and liberty in the greatest country on the face of the Earth. We are eternally grateful for their heroic sacrifice.”
To all Gold Star Families in Brevard County, I extend my deepest condolences for the unbearable loss of your loved ones while serving our country. I hope you may find solace in knowing your family member will always be remembered with honor and dignity.
To read President Trump's Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day proclamation, click here.
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! |
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2025-2026 Interim Committee Weeks Begin October 6th
In advance of the 2026 Regular Session (January 13th through March 13th), the Florida Senate's first week of Interim Committee Meetings will begin on Monday, October 6th. The remaining 2025 interim committee meetings will take place during the weeks of October 13th, November 3rd, November 17th, December 1st, and December 8th.
In addition to serving as Chair of the Governmental, Oversight, and Accountability Committee and Vice Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, I am honored to serve on the following committees:
· Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
· Commerce and Tourism
· Finance and Tax
· Fiscal Policy
· Regulated Industries
· Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining, Alternating Chair
· Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight
All committee meetings are broadcasted on the Florida Channel here. Scroll down on the right side of the screen to view the schedule.
Please continue to send your concerns and recommendations to me at mayfield.debbie.web@flsenate.gov or call my district office 321-409-2025.
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 local office at 321-409-2025 or my Tallahassee office at 850-487-5019.
DEP Celebrates 25 Years of Florida Forever Program
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Florida Forever program, which has protected more than one million acres of land across the state. Last week, the Live Wildly Foundation joined the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to celebrate the milestone on National Public Lands Day, encouraging Floridians and visitors to explore the State’s unique natural areas.
"National Public Lands Day reminds us how fortunate we are to have access to so many amazing state parks, wildlife management areas and other public lands across Florida, where we can relax, recreate and discover the vital role nature plays in our daily lives," said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. "The Florida Forever program has been essential in conserving many of these public areas while also keeping working lands healthy and productive."
The Florida Forever program was created following the sunset of its predecessor, the P2000 program. Since it began operation in 2001, the Florida Forever program has acquired 907,000 acres for $3.3 Billion. For Fiscal Year 2024-2025, the legislature allocated $100 Million for the Florida Forever program.
The Florida Wildlife Corridor, was created in 2021 and is currently comprised of 18 million acres of connected lands. The Wildlife Corridor runs from Northwest Florida to the Everglades and provides habitat protection for imperiled Florida native species while generating billions of dollars in economic activity.
UCF Achieves ‘Preeminence’ Status
The University of Central Florida (UCF) has become the fifth state university to achieve “preeminent” status by meeting 12 metrics designated by Florida’s State University System Board of Governors. The metrics include graduation rates, research dollars earned, and national rankings, among other criteria. The preeminent status will lead to an increase in funding for the university.
UCF received over $285 million in annual research grants for space exploration, engineering, optics and photonics, modeling and simulation, healthcare, cybersecurity, and many other fields. UCF is also a Top 20 University for patents in the U.S., according to the National Academy of Inventors.
The student population is nearly 70,000, making UCF the largest public university in Florida and the second largest in the U.S. Of the 3,500 students from Brevard County attending UCF, more than 500 are enrolled at the university’s Cocoa branch campus.
To learn more about the University of Central Florida’s preeminence accomplishment, click here. |
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Master Chief, (RET) Ron Ecker, President Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation
Our Constituent of the Week is Master Chief (RET) Ron Ecker, President of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation (CCLF). Master Chief Ecker grew up in Maryland and joined the U.S. Navy in 1963. Throughout his 24-year naval career, he served on four submarines throughout the world, including Hawaii where he was stationed for nine and a half years.
His last sea tour was as Chief of the Boat on the USS Patrick Henry, a George Washington-class nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarine. The USS Patrick Henry was decommissioned in 1984 after providing critical deterrence during the Cold War. In 1987, Master Chief Ecker retired from the military as the Command Master Chief of the Naval Ordnance Test Unit.
After retiring from the military, he moved to Florida with his wife, Chris, of 57 years, ultimately settling in Satellite Beach. His love of historic lighthouses began after a visit to the St. Augustine Lighthouse, which inspired them to travel the state, visiting other iconic lighthouses such as Ponce Inlet, Jupiter, and Cedar Key. Their hobby quickly turned into a "second career" for Master Chief Ecker.
In 2007, while in Cedar Key, Master Chief Ecker joined the Florida Lighthouse Association which represents 29 historic lighthouses across the state. In 2009, he decided to share his knowledge with his community by becoming a docent at his local historic lighthouse, the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation. Master Chief Ecker began serving as the Meetings Chair for the Florida Lighthouse Association in 2011, and over the next 10 years he planned all of the association's membership meetings throughout Florida.
In 2011, Bob Merrilees, who was the President of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation at the time, invited Master Chief Ecker to serve on the foundation's board as their liaison to the Florida Lighthouse Association. Since joining the board, Master Chief Ecker has served in other leadership positions including as the Governance Committee Chair, 1st Vice-President, and President.
Chief Master Ecker and Chris reside in Satellite Beach. They have three grown children and 15 grandchildren. Their passion for lighthouses has brought them to locations they never knew existed, and now those same locations have become their favorite places to visit.
SD 19 congratulates Mr. and Mrs. Ecker on nearly six decades of marriage and for his leadership as President of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation. His commitment to the preservation and advancement of the historic Cape Canaveral Lighthouse as a premier destination for locals and visitors alike is truly appreciated. |
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Brevard Delegation Meeting
The 2025 Brevard County Legislative Delegation Meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 30th, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Brevard County Commission Chambers (2725 Judge Fran Jameison Way) in Melbourne. Members of the public that wish to provide comments to the delegation, but did not submit an Appearance Request Form by the deadline, may complete a public comment card at the event. Public comments will be accommodated if time permits.
If you are unable to attend, you can view the delegation meeting online here.
As a reminder, the following legislators serve on the Brevard County Legislative Delegation:
· Senator Debbie Mayfield, Chair
· Senator Tom Wright
· Representative Robert Brackett
· Representative Brian Hodgers
· Representative Monique Miller
· Representative Tyler Sirois
· Representative Chase Tramont
If you have any questions, please contact the district office at 321-409-2025 or email gooden.william@flsenate.gov.
150 Arrested in Brevard County During Multi-Law Enforcement Agency Operation
During a press conference last week in Brevard County, Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins announced that approximately 150 illegal migrants in Brevard County were taken into custody and bused to federal holding facilities during a multi-agency law enforcement operation. Sheriff Wayne Ivey confirmed another 200 illegal immigrants were arrested in surrounding counties during the four-day operation.
This enforcement is the latest example of how our state and local law enforcement agencies utilize 287g agreements to coordinate with the federal government on immigration enforcement.
The operation targeted illegal residents and undocumented workers and included participation from federal agents from Immigrations Customs and Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations, deputies from the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, and troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol.
"Florida will not tolerate lawlessness in our borders," Lieutenant Governor Collins said. "Operations like this will continue...we're going to lead. This is one of many to come," he said.
To view the press conference in full, click here. |
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FDOT Announces Open House for Ellis Road Widening Project
As a reminder, the Florida Department of Transportation will hold an Open House regarding the Ellis Road Widening project on Wednesday, October 1st from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Serenity Venue (3980 Sarno Road, Suite 103) in Melbourne.
The purpose of the project is to increase capacity along Ellis Road from west of John Rodes Boulevard to west of Wickham Road in Brevard County. The proposed plan will provide an additional travel lane in each direction separated by a raised median.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a presentation of the project, speak with team members, and submit comments or questions. To register to attend the meeting virtually, please click here.
Following the meeting on October 1st, FDOT will post the presentation on their website and will accept questions and comments online until October 13th. To access the online presentation during the comment period, please click here.
Rockledge 4th Annual Rocktober 5K
The City of Rockledge's 4th Annual Rocktober 5K will take place on Saturday, October 4th at the Rockledge Civic Hub (530 Barton Boulevard) in Rockledge beginning at 7:30 a.m.
The registration fee is $30 for an individual runner/walker and $20 for an individual runner/walker age 12 and under. The fee will increase by $5 on race day.
Early registration will be held on Friday, October 3rd from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Rockledge City Hall (1600 Huntington Lane) in Rockledge. Late Registration and Packet Pickup will be available on the morning of the race, from 6:15 a.m. to 7:15 a.m., at the race site. The awards ceremony will take place immediately following the race with snacks and drinks provided.
All proceeds will benefit McNair Magnet Middle School's recreational and athletic upgrades.
For more information and to register, click here.
28th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade and Multicultural Festival
The 28th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade and Multicultural Festival will be held on Saturday, October 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Eastern Florida State College (250 Community College Parkway SE) in Palm Bay. The parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the festival immediately following.
The family friendly event is free of charge and features culturally-themed food and beverages, live music, health and wellness activities, and a Kids Zone.
To participate in the parade or as a vendor at the festival, contact 863-381-4858. For more information about the 28th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade and Multicultural Festival, click here.
FWC to Host Public Workshop on Atlantic Red Snapper Management
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will host a public workshop and one virtual webinar to gather input from stakeholders regarding the recreational red snapper fishery off Florida’s Atlantic coast. FWC has been concerned with extremely short federal fishing seasons despite record abundance levels of Atlantic red snapper.
The workshop will take place on Thursday, October 9th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Radisson Resort at the Port (8701 Astronaut Boulevard) in Cape Canaveral.
If you are unable to attend and would like to provide public comments, you can join the webinar here (link will be activated on Thursday, October 9th). To enter comments on the website, click here, or email marine@myFWC.com. |
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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 |
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