WATCH: Candidates Square Off at Melbourne Mayors Forum Exclusively on Space Coast Daily TV

By  //  August 25, 2020

Forum begins at 9:50 a.m.

ABOVE VIDEO: Candidates Square Off at Melbourne Mayors Forum From Space Coast Association Of Realtors Building in Melbourne, Exclusively on Space Coast Daily TV.

Join Melbourne Regional Commerces’ Business Advocacy Committee for a lively virtual discussion with the candidates for City of Melbourne Mayor: Paul Alfrey, Hazel Buggs, CJ Johnson and Molly Jean Tasker.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Join Melbourne Regional Commerces’ Business Advocacy Committee for a lively virtual discussion with the candidates for City of Melbourne Mayor: Paul Alfrey, Hazel Buggs, CJ Johnson and Molly Jean Tasker.

The forum begins at 9:50 a.m. exclusively on Space Coast Daily TV.

Tuesday’s event is sponsored by AT&T and Waste Management and in partnership with Space Coast Association of Realtors and Space Coast Daily.

PAUL ALFREY

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. He will serve as Vice Mayor through November 2020.

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. He will serve as Vice Mayor through November 2020. Paul is also a member of the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization.

Vice Mayor 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.

Vice Mayor 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. Paul 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, he 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.

Vice Mayor 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.

He 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, Vice Mayor Alfrey 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. Paul 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.

Paul 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.

Vice Mayor 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. He also attended Brevard Community College, Miami Dade Community College and Seminole State.

HAZEL BUGGS

Hazel has over 30 years of community service. (

“I am a visionary, challenge driven, professional servant leader in both civic and community arenas,” said Buggs.

“I am a natural and persuasive communicator recognized for my keen ability to energize and inspire individuals towards achieving a common goal and excel in creating consensus among divergent groups.”

Hazel has over 30 years of community service.

Her involvement includes: the Community Action Board to the Brevard County Commissioners, Melbourne Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board to the Melbourne City Council, University Park Elementary School Advisory Council, Powell Subdivision Neighborhood Watch Committee.

Hazel is a life member and former Officer of the Boston NAACP Branch and the South Brevard Branch NAACP, former Vice President and charter member of the National Congress of Black Women, founder of the Minister’s Wives Alliance of Melbourne, founder of the South Melbourne Neighborhood Redevelopment Extension Committee, member of the BTAN/Stop HIV Stigma Coalition, Friends of the Dr. Martin Luther King Library, Push Back Community Alliance and Concerned Citizens Committee of Melbourne.

Some of her greatest accomplishments were initiating the idea and serving as the Program Chair commemorating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with the first Peace March in Melbourne, which drew over 5,000 participants throughout Brevard County. Also, coordinated one of the largest fundraisers for the Mt. Zion Northeast Coast Missionary Baptist Association, raising over $50,000. I have received many plaques and certificates for my service from: Brevard County Weed and Seed, Powell Subdivision Neighborhood Watch, Adult and Family Literacy Program, South Brevard Branch NAACP, Brevard County Citizens Academy, Florida Small Business Development Center, Brevard County Library System, United Way of Brevard, National Center for Citizen Involvement, Hands Across America, City of Melbourne and a Leadership Award for Service in Brevard County from MT. Moriah A.M.E. Church, Cocoa, FL.

CJ JOHNSON

CJ Johnson has volunteered as a contestant (2017) for the Dancing for the Space Coast where he raised money for multiple charities throughout Brevard County.

Growing up in Melbourne, CJ Johnson is a product of parents who instilled strong morals, work ethic and compassion for others. This value system is what impassions CJ as a husband, father, mentor, servant leader and business owner.

CJ attended Florida Southern College and graduated with his BA degree in International Business. CJ earned his law degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Law. In his final year of law school, CJ interned for Governor Rick Scottin the Office of Policy and Budget.

Today, CJ’s law firm focuses on general counsel services for small businesses and partnerships with local governments to recover millions of dollars on their behalf. In 2020, CJ graduated from the University ofFlorida with his MBA.

Through a partnership with Sheriff Wayne Ivey, State Attorney Phil Archer and their respective Government Agencies, CJ worked to have House Bill 581 and Senate Bill 618 passed in the State of Florida legislature in Tallahassee.

CJ received a Space Coast Public Service Award for his work cracking down on internet predators and protecting children. With many constraints on his time, CJ also served as youth leader with Young Life where he mentored middle school students.

CJ Johnson resides in Melbourne with his wife, Sandra and their son Wyatt.

“I am proud to call Melbourne my home and I believe the families of Melbourne need an advocate to stand up for them. We need better economic growth and we can achieve this by supporting business, innovation and entrepreneurship. Our small businesses and families are being suffocated by over regulation and need someone to protect their livelihoods.”

MOLLY JEAN TASKER

Molly Jean Tasker is a graduate of Cocoa High School She has also atteneded Santa Fe Junior College (Gainesville, FL) where she was presented with her Associate of Arts degree. Subsequently, she went to Florida Atlantic University where she earned Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Finally, she completed Juris Doctor at Florida State University.

Molly Jean Tasker is a graduate of Cocoa High School She has also atteneded Santa Fe Junior College (Gainesville, FL) where she was presented with her Associate of Arts degree. Subsequently, she went to Florida Atlantic University where she earned Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Finally, she completed Juris Doctor at Florida State University.

Tasker has an extensive work history where she has served the City of Melbourne. As an elected official (non-partisan) of the City Council member, she has served 2 four-year terms (Nov. 2008 – Nov. 2016). She is also a member, Board of Directors, Orlando-Melbourne International Airport Authority (Nov. 2008 – Nov. 2016). Melbourne Vice Mayor (Nov. 2012 – Nov. 2013).

She has served in U.S. Intelligence Community as National Security Consultant 1999 – present. Clearance held TS.

She has previously worked at Tasker & Stephens, P.A. Attorneys at law, from approximately 1997 – 2007.

After retirement from the CIA, she and her cousin formed up a small, part-time law firm addressing primarily land use issues. Note: The firm was dissolved when her cousin decided not to move back to Florida from Pennsylvania and she became more occupied with her consulting work.

Her time with the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, D. C. ran from 1974 – 1995.

She has also served as Chair of Publications Review Board from 1993 – 1995. Tasker has also served as Assistant General Counsel from 1980 – 1995 and operations Officer, 1974 – 1979 and 1985 – 1989.

Volunteer Work:
Babcock Street Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee (2019 – present).
Association of Former Intelligence Officers Executive Officer (2018 – present).
League of Women Voters (1997 – present) (Temporarily inactive during campaign).
VFW Post 4643 Ladies’ Auxiliary (1990 – present).
Florida State University College of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors (2015 – 2019).
City of Melbourne Building and Construction Advisory Committee (2007).
Board of Directors of Community Housing Initiative (ca. 2005).
Chair of Chamber of Commerce Government Action Committee (1998).

Experience and Skills

Attorney, Manager, Problem Solver. I am an attorney, a former Melbourne City Council member, and a consultant to the federal government on national security issues. Highlights of my employment as a consultant and staff employee of the CIA are as follows:

Since November 1995, I have been working intermittently as an independent contractor on classification and other issues with the Intelligence Community.

In 2008, I spent six months with the Director of the CIA’s Office of Policy and Corporate Coordination working on reorganization within the entire of the U.S. intelligence community.

In 2006-7, I was a consultant for six months in the CIA/National Clandestine Service/Office of Policy Coordination.

In 2005, I was in Baghdad working on Saddam Hussein war crimes issues with the Department of State, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Justice Department/Regime Crimes Liaison Office, and the FBI.

Right after the events of September 11, 2001, from October 2001 – January 2002, I served in Islamabad, Pakistan and in Afghanistan working 9/11 counter-terrorism operations with the FBI and State Department.

During the war in the Balkans I served the Director/CIA as acting representative to NATO Headquarters in Kosovo, de-conflicting operations and coordinating information sharing with all NATO military and civilian participants in country. Earlier, I served operationally in the Bosnia theatre.

When employed as staff, I enjoyed 25 years with the Central Intelligence Agency, confronting and solving complex legal and operational issues — at times making instantaneous decisions under extreme conditions.

As an attorney, I worked high profile criminal and civil cases including participation in Iran-Contra litigations and the UN War Crimes Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. When I retired as a staff employee, I was Chair of the CIA’s Publications Review Board (see Robert Gates’ acknowledgment in his book, “From the Shadows”).

As a CIA operations officer, my primary focus was counter-terrorism. I had two full (2-3 years) overseas tours, one in Europe and one in the Middle East.

Tasker has received numerous honors over her career including; Pro Bono Volunteer Special Recognition Award in 1997 and 1999 from Brevard County Legal Aid, Senior Member – Florida State University Law Review, NATO and US Medals for Kosovo Peacekeeping (2001).

She was also awarded the Career Intelligence Medal awarded by the Central Intelligence Agency for a cumulative record of service which reflects exceptional achievement (1995).

Tasker has Performance Awards for work with U.S. Department of State on the former Yugoslavia War Crimes Tribunal and again as attorney for the Counter Intelligence Center for work with the FBI.

She is a Fulbright Travel Grant Recipient – FSU Center for Slavic and East European Studies in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

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