Brevard County Commissioner Curt Smith Updates Citizens On Nov. 1 Meeting
By Space Coast Daily // November 16, 2016
BOARD SELECTS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
NO-SHAVE NOVEMBER RESOLUTION: Unanimously Approved
I had the pleasure and honor of sponsoring a resolution at Tuesday’s Board Meeting for No-Shave November, a non-profit organization that is raising awareness for Prostate & Testicular Cancer.
Among American men, prostate cancer is both the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. In 2015 alone, an estimated 220,800 men in the United States will be diagnosed with the illness and almost 30, 000 men will die from the disease.
The goal of No-Shave November is to raise awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow. Instead of using the money on shaving and grooming, men are encouraged to donate it to cancer research and education in order to save lives and aid those fighting the battle. Accepting the Resolution this year is Dr. Jeffrey Stalnaker of Health-First.
I challenge all of the men I know, particularly other elected officials, to let their hair grow for No-Shave November. I ask that you donate the cost usually spent on grooming needs to cancer research instead.
My office is still accepting checks payable to American Cancer Society, if you wish to participate. No-Shave November is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that has partnered with American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Prevent Cancer Foundation, and Fight Colorectal Cancer. All four of these foundations are making great strides to fight cancer.
A BIG THANK-YOU FOR ALL THE VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE “REAL MEN WEAR PINK” CAMPAIGN:
I want to say a truly special thank you to everyone who participated in the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign and all the volunteers that donated money to help us far surpass our goal of raising $2500. To date, we have raised over $5000, and are still taking donations.
As some of you may know, this is very near and dear to my heart since I have personally dealt with losing my mom, who along with my older sister and a high school buddy, lost their lives to this dreadful disease.
They are the motivation behind my “Real Men Wear Pink” Campaign and my desire to be a part of ending this horrible disease.
Pictured above, I am standing with Brevard County Firefighters to promote awareness for breast cancer. “On Fire for a Cure” is the campaign slogan our wonderful Firefighters are using to raise money. They are selling these T-shirts, short & long sleeved, in cotton as well as dri-fit. All proceeds go to the fight against breast cancer. Contact Richard Pierce at 321-323-6162 if you wish to order.
BOARD SELECTS CITIZEN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE: Unanimously Approved
On August 23, 2016, the Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 16-15 for the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Project Plan and Trust Fund.
The Ordinance called for the timely establishment of a Citizen Oversight Committee. The Committee structure consists of 7 members and seven alternates representing seven fields of expertise: Science, Technology, Economics/Finance, Real Estate, Education/Outreach, Tourism, and Lagoon Advocacy.
The Board of County Commissioners selected and ratified the final committee members at the November 1, 2016 meeting as follows:
Tourism: Primary Member, David Lane; Alternate Member, Karen McLaughlin
Real Estate: Primary Member, Gene Artusa; Alternate Member, Danielle Bowden
Economics/Finance: Primary Member, Courtney Barker; Alternate Member, Todd Swingle
Technology: Primary Member, John Byron; Alternate Member, Vinnie Taranto
Education/Outreach: Primary Member, Stephany Eley; Alternate Member, Stephen Ferenz
Science: Primary Member, Lorraine Koss; Alternate Member, Charles Venuto
Lagoon Advocacy: Primary Member, John Windsor; Alternate Member, Terry Casto
SALE OF THE 2013 PIERCE TILLER TRUCK: Unanimously Approved
Fire Rescue Staff requested permission from the Board to dispose of the Department’s 2013 Pierce Tiller Truck. Staff reviewed the overall benefits of operating this unit and determined that the operating costs outweighed the benefits.
A rough estimated value of the tiller unit is believed to be approximately $500,000. Proceeds from the sale will be placed into Department’s fund reserves for future use. Additionally, Fire Operations will realize an annual reoccurring savings of around $850,000 in operating costs no longer incurred.
The vote was unanimously approved, noting that the Tiller Truck was under utilized. The Department will work with Asset Management to determine the most appropriate method to liquidate the unit.
CONSIDERING AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO BEAR MANAGEMENT: Unanimously Approved to Deny
It was requested that we, the Board of County Commissioners, consider an ordinance relating to bear management, specifically to set forth standards and conditions addressing the control, disposal and collection of bear attractants to reduce instances of human encounters with bears with common bear activity.
After discussion, it was determined that specifics of the population with regards to the number of black bears in the county were not sufficient enough to warrant this ordinance. I voted no because I believe this was looking for a problem that just doesn’t exist.
Furthermore, there is already too much government regulation and this would have added another unnecessary layer of government bureaucracy. If there does become a problem with bear inhabitants in the future, we can always re-look at this at that point.
UPCOMING BREVARD COUNTY COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETINGS:
• Tuesday November 22, 2016: 9 a.m.- Commission Chambers, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera
• Tuesday December 6, 2016: 9 a.m.- Commission Chambers, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera
ABOUT CURT SMITH, Brevard County District 4 Commissioner
Smith was elected to the Brevard County Commission in November of 2014 with 63 percent of the vote. He ran as a fiscal conservative coming from the private sector with 40 years of small business, entrepreneurial experience. This was his first venture into the world of politics.
Smith and his wife Linda owned and operated a Maaco Autopainting franchise in Melbourne for almost 27 years before retiring at the end of 2013. He grew up in a little town in southern New Jersey on the Delaware River called Pennsville. This is where he developed his deep love of nature and for being on and in the water of the river he loved. He also credits this area, just south of Philadelphia, with his deep love of God and country. The Delaware Valley is often called the cradle of Liberty.
Smith has always been civic minded. Some of his many associations in Brevard County include Board of Directors of Friends of Sally’s House and Prevent as well as supporting Brevard Little League Teams, Habitat for Humanity, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Candlelighters, Animal Services, and supporting efforts to restore the Indian River Lagoon.
Curt and his wife Linda have been residents of Melbourne since 1986. They have one daughter and three grandchildren.
To contact Curt Smith e-mail D4.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us or call 321-633-2044.
