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Wed. Oct 23rd, 2024
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Two mayors and a former candidate are vying for Melbourne mayor

By L. Dreeye
Two mayors and a former candidate are vying for Melbourne mayor

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The current mayor, a former mayor and a long-time city resident who previously ran for mayor are vying to lead Melbourne.

Melburnians will go to the polls to choose between incumbent mayor Paul Alfrey; Katie Meehan, who was mayor of Melbourne from 2012 to 2020; and Realtor Hazel Buggs.

Melbourne voters will also vote for city councilors in Wards 1, 3 and 5.

Meehan, owner of the more than 100-year-old family business Meehan’s Office Supplies, stepped down as mayor in 2020 due to term limits.

Melbourne’s term limits rules prohibit candidates from serving more than two consecutive terms. Since Meehan has not held office since 2020, she is eligible to run for mayor again, according to the City Charter.

Melbourne’s mayoral elections are non-partisan and all city residents have the right to vote in elections. The remaining six seats on the City Council are elected by districts, which hold elections every two years.

The mayor receives a salary of $10,350 per year plus a monthly allowance for expenses of $415. Council members receive a salary of $7,475 annually plus a monthly expense allowance of $255.

The winner will receive a four-year term as mayor of Melbourne, Brevard’s second-most populous city after Palm Bay.

The main problems of candidates

Here’s what the candidates say are the main issues in the mayoral campaign and how they will address them:

Paul Alfrey

I’m running for re-election because we have a lot of work to do.

I called for a state audit of the law and worked with state auditors to make changes to fiduciary policies to ensure that the city also does not overpay when purchasing land.

Additionally, our city has invested in public safety, making our public safety professionals the highest paid in Brevard County while receiving the lowest toll tax rate in 10 years.

Like many other cities, our biggest challenges are homelessness and affordability for our residents. Melbourne is a leader in the county and is working with community partners to address these issues, but it needs more attention.

If re-elected, I will continue to be available to our residents, making Melbourne safe, clean, corruption-free and a better place to live, work and raise a family, while keeping taxes low.

Hazel Buggs

Affordable Housing is a major concern as more households struggle to afford a home and the cost of living continues to squeeze family budgets. The need for more affordable housing is essential to preventing people from becoming homeless. I will advocate for more affordable housing. The Florida Hometown Heroes program is designed to help eligible community members purchase a home in Florida, and 3D printed homes can be less expensive than traditionally built homes.

Homelessness is an ongoing problem in the city. In many cases, mental health and substance abuse issues need to be addressed. Employment opportunities should be available to them, and I would advocate for a tiny home community that would be accessible to the homeless.

Indian River Lagoon is still a serious problem. The City of Melbourne has already taken several steps to support the Indian River Lagoon, such as installing a stormwater treatment system, a storm drainage system that regulates discharges, banning fertilizers and grass clippings, and restoring the shoreline when necessary. In addition, we continue to educate citizens and conduct outreach activities to encourage them to help reduce pollution in the lagoon.

Katie Meehan

Law enforcement and first responders: Ensuring the safety of our citizens is one of my top priorities. They play a critical role in maintaining public safety and responding to emergencies. Their work requires a commitment to safety, community involvement, and the ability to respond effectively to emergency situations. Supporting these professionals through training, resources, and community partnerships is essential. I attend Melbourne Police Community Relations Board meetings every month to engage with the community, which is very important.

Economic development: I will promote small businesses, which are a vital component of economic development, as these businesses make significant contributions to job creation, innovation and community vitality. I will also find ways to attract new investment to our city.

Improved infrastructure and roads: Improving our infrastructure and roads is a critical aspect of planning and development that can lead to increased economic growth, improved safety and a better quality of life for our residents. I place Ellis Road as a priority because it is a direct link to Melbourne-Orlando International Airport and the surrounding aerospace and aviation economic centers.

Endorsements

Alfrey: Space Coast Association of Realtors; police union (Coastal PBA); the firefighters’ union (Melbourne Professional Firefighters); Puerto Rican Hispanic Minority Empowerment Committee in Florida. He was also named the 2023 Local Leader of the Year by the Florida Secretary of State for Main Streets.

Buggs: Brevard Inclusion Alliance.

Meehan: Former Brevard Clerk of Courts Scott Ellis; Malabar Mayor Pat Reilly; former Melbourne mayor Ken Allen; Mark Piloch, CEO of the American Muscle Car Museum.

Campaign funding

Alfrey: As of October 4, he had raised $22,210 and spent $11,663.35. Its sponsors include Brevard County Commission Chairman Jason Steele, former Florida Senate President and current congressional candidate Mike Haridopolos, West Melbourne City Councilman John Dittmore, Palm Bay City Council candidate Mike Jaffe, the Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association and the political committee ” Conservatives for Good Government.”

Buggs: As of October 4, she has raised $4,450.05 (including $555) and spent $2,805.44. Its sponsors include the Brevard Democratic Committee.

Meehan: As of October 4, she had raised $12,600 (including a $5,000 loan) and spent $6,281.07.

Spitzer is a popular reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].

More about the candidates

Paul Alfrey

Age: 54

Class: Small business owner; retired policeman

Education: Attended Miami-Dade Community College and Seminole State. Has numerous licenses and certificates.

Political/Governmental/Civic Experience: More than 30 years of experience. He has served as mayor for the past four years, which includes serving on the boards of Melbourne Orlando International Airport and the Melbourne Affordable Housing Committee. Previously, he served on the Melbourne City Council for four years as a Ward 5 councilor and worked for the Space Coast Transport Planning Organization.

Previously he worked as a dog handler, street crime officer and field training officer with the Melbourne Police Department.

Previously, he served in the US Coast Guard as a rescue swimmer and boarding crew member.

Also led many community organizations, including the Space Coast Licensed Roofers Association, and volunteer groups, including hurricane relief in the Bahamas and the construction of both dog parks in Melbourne.

Campaign email: [email protected]

Campaign phone: 321-508-4339

Website or Facebook page: http://www.paulalfrey.com and Facebook Mayor of Melbourne Paul Allfrey

Hazel Buggs

Class: Professional realtor

Education: Master of Divinity and Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Lighthouse Bible College.

Political/Governmental/Civic Experience: I stood for Mayor of Melbourne in the 2020 General Election. I served for 10 years on the Melbourne Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board. I served on the Brevard County Commissioners Community Action Board.

I am currently the President of the Friends of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library.

In addition, I have volunteered with over 25 organizations, receiving certificates and plaques for my service, and am still involved in several of them today.

Campaign email: Hazelbuggs.com

Campaign phone: 321-794-4623

Katie Meehan

Age: 69

Class: Manager of Meehans’ Office & Art Products, a family business in business since 1921.

Education: BA in Psychology, magna cum laude, Florida Institute of Technology, 1992.

Political/Governmental/Civic Experience: Former Mayor of Melbourne (2012 to 2020); Melbourne councilor (2004 to 2012); Deputy Chairman of the Melbourne-Orlando Airport Authority; Trustee, Board Member, Melbourne Regional Chamber (2004–2020); board member of the Space Coast League of Cities (2004 to 2020), president (2009 to 2010); Chairman of the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization; board member of the League of Mayors (2012–2020); board member of the Florida League of Cities (2013 to 2020); He received the Hometown Hero award several times.

Campaign Email: [email protected]

Campaign phone: 321-984-7588

Website or Facebook Page: www.meehanformayor.com.

By L. Dreeye

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