Community News

JERJEF Homes Wins 2007 HBCA Builder of the Year

JERJEF Homes, Brevard’s premier home builder, was awarded the 2007 Builder of the Year by the Home Builders and Contractors Association of Brevard (HBCA).

The awards presentation is a crowning finale to the HBCA Fall Parade of Homes. The Parade of Homes is the most recognized marketing and awards event for builders, developers, suppliers and associates in the homebuilding industry nationwide.

This year’s competition featured 48 homes submitted by homebuilders in Brevard. JERJEF Homes was also awarded a Platinum Award in the $600,001 - $750,000 category for their Palazzo Del Vino Model in Tralee Bay at Capron Ridge near Viera.

“We are very pleased and honored to be selected Builder of the Year,” states Jerry Fleis, President of JERJEF Homes. “With so many cut backs to survive the market slowdown, quality craftsmanship and customer service are the two characteristics that have differentiated us and risen us to the top.”

Dr. Jenny Gessler Appointed to Serve on Webster University Advisory Board

Dr. Jenny Gessler, Executive Director of the South Brevard Women’s Center, was recently appointed to serve on the Webster University Space Coast Advisory Board. The Board, chaired by Dr. Maxwell C. King, Jr., is the first Advisory Board outside of the University’s main campus location in St. Louis, MO.

Members of the board assist in communicating the priorities and concerns of the Brevard County business community. Dr. Gessler’s community development experience will be an asset to this initiative. Board members are responsible for providing feedback and advice regarding new and existing programs, developing new initiatives, and evaluating other key issues facing the University’s Space Coast Campuses in order to better serve the needs of the community in the realm of education.

Two at Florida Tech Elected to myregion.org Board

Dr. Anthony J. Catanese, president of Florida Institute of Technology, and J. Carey Gleason, Florida Tech associate provost for external relations, have been elected to the myregion.org board of directors. Catanese, on the board previously, was elected to the executive committee. The board members meet four times a year.

New board member invitation letters read, “The professional expertise and regional community connections that you bring to our efforts will serve to enhance and expand our reach throughout the seven-county central Florida region.”

Public, private and civic leaders compose the membership of myregion.org, a cooperative effort designed to create a coordinated, comprehensive plan for Central Florida’s future. The organization, led by more than 100 board members encompasses the counties of Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia.

The organization, acting on results of a survey of more than 3,000 citizens and community leaders, has published a regional agenda for Central Florida. In it are six priority areas and 10 regional resolves for building a better region. It has also created a regional pre-K and beyond educational strategy to improve math and science programs, and formed a regional environmental coalition to identify the key environmental assets in Central Florida.

BCC Student Named As Essay Winner

Bramlitt’s love for writing has earned him an award for the best Brevard Community College prep writing student essay.

Bedford Saint Martin’s Publishing will present Bramlitt with a $300 award in recognition of BCC’s finest in prep writing. The company publishes the textbook Real Writing with Readings, by Susan Anker, which is used by the college for prep writing courses.

Bramlitt, who lives in Merritt Island, was selected by a committee of four Prep Writing Program Coordinators from about 12 of the best scored essays.

``I was pretty excited,’’ said Bramlitt, 18. ``I wasn’t expecting it all. It was about how animals have human qualities. I wrote how squirrels remind me a lot of a curious toddler through their various actions and behaviors. It’s a great honor to win this award.’’

A developmental task force, whose mission is to bring recognition to student achievements, read the essays and helped secure the publishing company’s award. Those faculty members are Karen Eisenhauer, Catherine Lally, George Chen, and Janice Stutte.

Bramlitt, who graduated from Merritt Island High School last year, is majoring in computers. He plans to become a video game designer.

``We believe that our Prep students should be recognized for their accomplishments and for their scholarship,’’ said Patricia Hare, dean of academics at the BCC Cocoa campus. ``The student successfully completed his course, made an excellent score on his State Essay Exam, and received a cash award from Bedford/Saint Martins Publishing. ``All of these achievements are significant. It is rare that we recognize such achievements from these students.’’

Transportation Worker Identification Credential Arrives at Port Canaveral

During the next three months, thousands of badged workers at Port Canaveral will switch to the new Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC). The federal identification is required for all persons seeking unescorted access into secure facilities or restricted areas at the nation’s seaports. “We have been given a 90-day window before TWIC enforcement begins,” says Stan Payne, CEO of Port Canaveral. “Since we have between 11,000 and 12,000 current badge holders at Port Canaveral, we had to begin preparing our employees, tenants and other Port workers months ago to make this transition.” The TWIC is a tamper-resistant ‘Smart Card’ that will link to the worker’s fingerprint.

It eliminates the need for transportation workers to obtain multiple badges to access different seaports. Canaveral served as a Florida test site for the TWIC program.

“Keeping track of the activity within our nation’s ports is a crucial national security priority,” says Florida Congressman Dave Weldon, whose district includes Port Canaveral. “I support the Port Authority’s cooperation with the federal government to enhance such efforts.”

According to U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney, who represents Brevard County in which the Port district resides, “It is imperative that we know who is coming and going at our nation’s entry points, and I am pleased to see the federal government and the state of Florida working together to balance the need for enhanced national security with measures that still encourage the growing flow of international business and tourism through busy ports like Canaveral.”

Florida Tech Professor Becomes IEEE Lifetime Honorary Member

Florida Tech Professor of Engineering Systems Wade H. Shaw has been named a Lifetime Honorary Member of IEEE engineering management society. The award, in recognition of long and exemplary service to the profession, will be presented in Lisbon, Portugal, in June 2008.

Shaw is a Fellow of the IEEE and editor- in-chief of the Engineering Management Review, a widely read international publication. He received the IEEE Centennial Medal in 2000 for his contributions to engineering management and education. He teaches and researches in the areas of simulation modeling, experiment design and systems engineering. The Melbourne resident has been on the Florida Tech faculty since 1989.

Florida Tech offers master’s degrees in systems engineering and engineering management.

Canaveral Board of Commissioners Elect New Officers

During its first meeting of 2008, the Canaveral Port Authority elected Titusville attorney Joe Matheny as the new chairman of the Board of Commissioners. The five-member board voted unanimously for Matheny, the District 2 representative who has served on the board since 1998.

“We have experienced dramatic success during the past two years with topping the $50 million revenue mark for the first time in our history, moving into the Port’s new modern administration building, and signing major cargo deals such as the new Vitol fuel tank farm,” Matheny said after the Board vote. “As the new chairman, I look forward to working with the Board and staff to achieve even more as we take on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Matheny succeeds outgoing chairman Tom Goodson of Rockledge, who owns a paving company. The District 3 representative was elected to the Board in 2002.

Rodney Ketcham, a Cocoa Beach real estate business owner representing District 5, was elected vice chairman and Merritt Island construction company owner Ralph Kennedy was elected secretary- treasurer. Ketcham has served on the Board since 1996. Kennedy has represented District 4 since 1990.

Completing the Board is retired aerospace manager Raymond Sharkey of Titusville, elected from District 1 to the Commission in 1994.

Inspiration Park Celebrates Handicapped Accessibility

Attending a recent ribbon cutting at Inspiration Park in Palm Bay were Councilman Milo Zonka, Councilwoman Kristine Isnardi, City Manager Lee Feldman, Parks and Recreation Director Steve Riser, Brevard County Commissioner Jackie Colon and Dr. Sally Shinn from the Space Coast Early Intervention Center, Ray Roberts from the Palm Bay Fire Dept. (who submitted the name ‘Inspiration’) along with senior police and fire officers, members of the Recreational Advisory board, Mayor Mazziotti and Deputy Mayor Ed Geier. The park, one of only twelve parks in Florida that is now 100% handicapped and special- needs accessible.

One little girl showed up for the ceremony with her mom. 8 year old Brittany Klenotich is everely disabled, but making her own way around the playground with a walker and a huge grin, was ready to tackle the climbing wall. “See Brittany? We don’t have to pay for the climbing wall anymore..”, said her Mom, Denise. Then she said, “Here she can just be a kid. Not different.” Asked if that was one of the hardest parts of raising a child with a disability, she nodded. “Yes..” “And I’m proud that it’s where we live in Palm Bay.”