COUNCIL MEMBER PAUL ALFREY: Why I Have Chosen to Run for Mayor of the City of Melbourne

By  //  May 24, 2020

Councilman Paul Alfrey: 'Community-minded leadership is more important than ever in an elected official'

PAUL ALFREY: During the past several months it has never been more important to have strong business-minded leadership in our City. In these challenging times many small businesses are struggling and our residents feel uncertain times. Community-minded leadership is more important than ever in an elected official. I strive every day to be that leader.

During the past several months it has never been more important to have strong business-minded leadership in our City. In these challenging times many small businesses are struggling and our residents feel uncertain times.

As each day brings a new challenges it also brings another opportunity to make our community better, safer and stronger.

As I complete my first term as Vice Mayor I am engaged in Melbourne’s Buy-Local campaign. In an effort to help rebuild Melbourne’s local economy, I along with others have worked tirelessly to reduce regulation to create a pro-businesses environment.

As my family celebrates 50 years of owning a small business in the Melbourne area, I understand the needs and challenges of a business and the urgency for a solid economic recovery.

Community-minded leadership is more important than ever in an elected official. I strive every day to be that leader. Fortunately next week we will open our second dog park built by our community.

I brought this concept to our Council which had never been done before. By using community partners, the sweat equity from hundreds of volunteers and recycled materials we built the Pieloch dog parks in Eau Gallie and Melbourne. These dog parks are incredible assets for our community to use.

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Last year as Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas, I helped form and lead the Brevard’s Relief for the Bahamas.

With the amazing efforts of hundreds of volunteers, our business and governmental partners, the Orlando-Melbourne International Airport, Space Coast Association of Realtors and Florida Tech and private pilots we successfully delivered nearly 100,000 pounds of food and supplied by air and sea.

Our Brevard’s Relief was one of the first boots on the ground and provided life-saving food and medicine to men, women and children in need. Our relief efforts continued for several months and were honorably mentioned in a news conference by our Governor and received a 2019 Space Coast Humanitarian Award from Space Coast Daily.

I have led the fight for cleaner water for our community. Last year I demanded for cleaner water when residents began reporting water issues. I implemented a town hall with State Officials to ensure our residents voices were heard and questions answered.

On a broader scale I began working with our Brevard County Commission to adopt a moratorium on the dumping of BioSolids from South Florida locally.

Also pushing for infrastructure upgrades and improvements to the DB Lee and Grant Street Water Reclamation Facilities. These challenges still exist and it is important to have a leader that will work tirelessly to meet our clean water goals.

I have kept my promise and gone through the budget identifying ways to keep spending in check. During this time more money has been spent on infrastructure including roads and drainage than ever before.

During a review I also identified an internal invoice scam that took money from our general fund and diverted it for personal use. After recovering some of the stolen tax dollars I went to Tallahassee to obtain an audit on our City by our State Auditor General.

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After presenting evidence the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee unanimously approved the audit which is ongoing. Changes by the new administration already includes a City anti-fraud policy and training to all employees. This audit will be made available to the public when it is released within the next few months.

Most importantly I have made myself available to our residents. My personal cell phone number is available on the City website.

I have met our residents to discuss their issues and needs even on weekends and holidays. And besides volunteering hundreds of hours in the community any “take-home” salary from our Council is donated back into our community.

It would be my honor to serve you and our City, as your Mayor, and work with you to overcome the challenges that will face us and our families. I humbly ask for your support and vote as Mayor for the City of Melbourne.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul Alfrey represents Melbourne’s District 5. He was elected to the Melbourne City Council in 2016.

Paul Alfrey represents Melbourne’s District 5 (view a map of Council Districts). He was elected to the Melbourne City Council in 2016. His current term ends in 2020. Paul is also a member of the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization.

Alfrey is an entrepreneur and Melbourne multiple small business owner. He is a Florida Certified Contractor, Home Inspector and Insurance Agent and President of Alfrey Roofing, incorporated, American Standard Insurance Group and former owner of Humpty Dumpster.

Alfrey served as a law enforcement officer, including three years at the Sanford Police Department and 12 years at the Melbourne Police Department, retiring in 2012.

He served as a Canine Officer, Street Crimes Officer, Community Policing Officer and Field Training Officer. He received dozens of awards and commendations including Officer of the Month several times. In 2010, Paul and his Melbourne Canine named Faro were credited with achieving over 100 criminal suspect apprehensions.

Prior to serving our community, Alfrey served in the United States Coast Guard as a Rescue Swimmer and Maritime Law Enforcement Officer aboard Brevard’s own U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Confidence and Station Miami Beach.

During his tenure on Cutter Confidence as a rescue swimmer, he participated in Operation Able Vigil and Able Manner which resulted in thousands of migrants being rescued at sea, as well as one of the worst ferry accidents in world history, the sinking of the Haitian Neptune ferry.

Alfrey served as a raider boat coxswain with Port Security Unit 302 during Operation Uphold Democracy, a multinational force approved by the United Nations Security Council to liberate Haiti. During his service, he received numerous medals and commendations including the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Department of Transportation Gold Award for Outstanding Achievement and two Humanitarian Medals.

Alfrey is a member of numerous associations including the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce, winning their Better Business Award in 2004. He is also a member of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, the Florida Roofing Sheet Metal Association (FRSA) and past-President of one of Brevard’s oldest associations, the Space Coast Licensed Roofer’s Association (SCLRA). He also served on the FRSA Unlicensed Contractor’s Task Force Board.

Currently, he is very active in our community serving as a committee member for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Pet Posse. Notable achievements include making the Brevard animal shelters “no-kill” shelters. Alfrey is also an assistant basketball coach for the Congressionally recognized Brevard County Sheriff’s Officer Enforcers, and he volunteers with the Brevard County Police Athletic League.

Alfrey received the Space Coast Public Safety Hall of Fame Award for Making a Difference in our community, a notable achievement for working with dozens of local charities including as a Construction Captain for the Space Coast Field of Dreams community build and Volunteer Contractor for Nana’s House Children’s Home that aids neglected, needy, abused or abandoned children in our community.

Alfrey is married to Frannie Alfrey and has five children. He attended Sabal and Sherwood elementary schools, Johnson Junior High School and graduated from Eau Gallie High School. Paul also attended Brevard Community College, Miami Dade Community College and Seminole State.

Contact
Council Member Paul Alfrey
900 E. Strawbridge Avenue
Melbourne, Florida 32901
321-508-4339
Paul.Alfrey@mlbfl.org

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