Professional Experience
20 years Florida Public Servant and Leader; Educator and Administrator in Public High School; 18 years Political Science Professor for Florida Public College; 14 years Community Development Specialist (fundraising, grants and project management, strategic planning)
Public Service
15 years President/Committee Representative of Neighborhood, Elected Each Year; 25 years Member and Board Member of National Women’s Organization; 14 years Ambassador/Trainer for International Education Network Focused on Youth Development; Satellite Beach Conservation Ranger; Satellite Beach Women's Club Member
Education
Doctor of Education in Leadership (Ed.D.) and Master’s in Educational Leadership (M.Ed.) at the American College of Education. Master’s of Science in Public and Urban Policy (M.S.) at The New School, School of Management & Urban Policy. Master’s of International Affairs with a concentration in Economic and Political Development at Columbia University. Bachelor’s of International Studies (B.I.S.) with a concentration in Community Development.
Campaign Mailing Address
763 Simeon Drive Satellite Beach, Florida 32937
Sustainable building practices should be incorporated into building codes where materials and designs withstand natural disasters. Zoning for sustainable development should include mixed-use developments (residential, commercial, and recreational) where residents walk to businesses/activities reducing traffic emissions. Building and zoning codes should promote effective stormwater management (bioswales and retention ponds). Financial incentives for developers who meet stricter climate resilience standards may attract new business investments while ensuring resilience to climate change.
I will combine science-based strategies, community involvement, and sustained funding. Advanced/rebuilt stormwater/wastewater systems to reduce pollutants/nutrients. Local, state, federal funding/partnerships with organizations. Critical habitats such as mangroves, oysters, and seagrasses restored to improve water quality. Educational programs on resident waste disposal and minimizing fertilizer.
Centralized power reduces opportunities for residents to have their voices heard and creates bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies. Without local autonomy, we will be unable to ensure policies are effective and responsible to the people and will reduce the flexibility to address special local issues. Local governments better understand the specific needs and preferences of communities.
The city must take proactive steps to promote long-term resilience to climate impacts. 1) Updating and regularly assessing stormwater systems to handle rainfall and prevent flooding. 2) Beach and dune restoration replenishing sand and creating living shorelines with native vegetation. 3) Community education and engagement of residents about sustainable practices. 4) Updated building codes to allow elevated structures and resilient construction practices. 5) Foster greater community engagement.
Condos over 30 years old must have 1) structural inspections every 10 years leading to higher fees/special assessments; 2) reserves for repairing/maintaining structures which may lead to higher fees; 3) detailed financial reports for owners requiring stronger financial management skills of staff; and 4) certified board members after being elected. I will organize regular workshops and community meetings to educate residents on the new laws in collaboration with legal experts; post resources online through a dedicated website; and partner with financial advisors to mitigate the financial impact on residents.
Professional Experience
Senior Principle Engineer for Collins Aerospace for 30 years.
Public Service
Active steward of the City for 20 years, participating on more than 15 boards and past City Council member.
Education
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach Florida
Campaign Mailing Address
335 Hamlin AveSatellite Beach, FL 32937
The key is the continued willingness to adapt and be open to change through positive participation when opportunity arises. I have been on the Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board Committee for a number of years and worked to develop and adopt a mixed-use policy within our limited commercial corridors along A1A and South Patrick. Adopting innovative approaches to mixed use, combining commercial with limited residential could open investment and vitalize the commercial corridors while promoting resiliency to climate change.
The City of Satellite Beach prides itself on being proactive in both meeting state mandated outflow restrictions of nitrates and metals, as well as developing outreach programs of citizen education and participation activities, such as our Green Committees. I would continue to encourage citizen participation though hands-on interaction with the lagoon and involvement of recovery efforts.
Home Rule is a delicate and complicated issue. Through my 20 years of being an active City steward, I’ve learned that it is important to recognize ‘why’ the policy was created, ‘how’ the policy can be beneficial in the correct application and damaging when applied in a wrong application.
The City strives to be a good steward of the planet through sustainable practices and reducing our impact of climate change. As the drainage infrastructure of the City has aged, there is recognition of required management and system upgrade. Water management is essential in not only controlling flooding, but in treating the outflow prior to reaching the lagoon. I continue to support storm water improvement efforts and encourage outreach programs and educational opportunities.
The tragic consequence of aging structures in a seaside community coupled with the due diligence of maintenance will impact our condominium citizens differently. Satellite Beach has a variety of aged condominium structures, from relatively new to decades old. The impact to City residents of those residing in or next to a condominium may require assistance through variance, permitting, conditional use, or rezoning needs. I will adapt to the need of the citizen to secure their investment and integrity of their safety.
Professional Experience
Small business owner since 2013
Public Service
Sustainability Board since 2017, Climate Ambassador ad-hoc committee 2017-2018, Community Garden subcommittees 2017 & 2021
Education
Vici Capilli School of Cosmetology
Campaign Phone
239-269-1313
Campaign Mailing Address
27 Sunset St. Satellite Beach, FL 32937-2970
I served on the Climate Ambassadors Ad-Hoc Committee for this purpose. We reduced parking requirements, encouraged permeable parking surfaces and stilting to allow for stormwater requirements for redeveloping commercial areas. This would allow our smaller plots to be redeveloped in a way that is still profitable for the property owner and meets St. John’s Stormwater management district requirements. I am satisfied with the changes that we have made. Redeveloping these areas will have a positive impact on the Lagoon as well as nearby residential areas by reducing stormwater runoff.
I will propose the City further promote living shoreline projects and resident participation in our Adopt-A-Canal program. I would also like to propose the City to equip at least one living shoreline in a public right of way to have a launch for canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. I believe the more accessible the Lagoon is to residents, the more they will want to protect and improve it.
Decades ago, our residents voted to restrict building heights west of A1A not to exceed 35ft. The recently passed Live Local Act, allows builders, in some cases, to build to more than twice that height. Our residents have clearly stated they are opposed to this. I find it disheartening that the State has preempted our rights to make decisions about our own governance.
The City of Satellite Beach has been preparing and planning for a long time. We have been part of pilot studies which have allowed us to gather valuable data about our City’s vulnerabilities. I will encourage local business redevelopment in order to significantly reduce our City’s impact from stormwater runoff. I will also promote educational outreach to residents about our upcoming projects to reduce flooding in the City.
This presents a very big challenge to those residents. I will stay informed and offer guidance and options as I learn about them. The magnitude of this issue spreads far beyond our City’s borders. Hopefully, programs and help will become available, which I can encourage condominium owners to participate in.
Professional Experience
United States Army
Public Service
501st Legion, Knights of Columbus, U.S. Army, Osceola County Fire Department
Education
BAs History, Anthropology, General Studies; MA Military Studies; MS Strategic Intelligence; currently PhD History Student
Campaign Phone
321-652-7587
Campaign Mailing Address
350 Sherwood Ave, Satellite Beach, FL 32937
There needs to be different codes for A1A and South Patrick corridors. As the elevation is higher on the A1A side of the island, pylon based construction may not be necessary, where as on the South Patrick side, according to the 2017 Study, pylon construction is more necessary. For percolation, rather than permeable asphalt, consider cement pavers with the diamond shaped cut outs. This supports natural percolation while preventing water retention. It also allows parking space while supporting resiliency for storms.
Any effort conducted by the City must be done in conjunction with surrounding municipalities or it is throwing good money and effort down the drain. This coordination must be done throughout the Indian River from Titusville to Sebastian. In the meantime, the City can only encourage private property owners to plant retention and purifying plants. Protected zones for fauna may be a local option.
I am against any State infringement upon the liberty of municipalities to respond to the needs of their citizens with localized solutions. The State cannot respond to each municipalities needs equally and therefore should provide advisory and assistance guidelines, but not dictate to a local government. Only the citizens of that municipality have that power.
The city must continue to modernize its own storm water drainage capabilities. A possibility may be integrating with County and Federal Entities, along with immediate neighboring municipalities, to invest in a storm water treatment facility on the island. This should address flooding in general from rain. For now, encouragement of private owners to plant dune-protecting flora on the beach can be done. For the riverside, increasing mangrove areas may work, but again private owners must buy in
Regarding S.B. 102, the Live Local Act, and S.B. 328, preventing municipalities from restricting heights and unit areas, every attempt must be made to stop the State from imposing unwanted construction into our City. Legal options need to be looked into.
Perhaps the County's recent legal opinion can help us regarding this, perhaps using population density studies can help as this is an existing law pertinent to barrier islands. It takes an attorney to determine this though and without further advise, no answer can be made regarding this issue. Privacy Laws may be a route as well, but again, a legal assessment is required.
