August is the month of honoring firefighters
Honoring firefighters is crucial to recognizing their sacrifices and contributions to our communities. Firefighters deserve admiration and respect for their unwavering commitment to publican safety. BFRW honored two great female firefighters, Lt. Casey Cleary, and Lt. Pamela Rudnicki at our August Luncheon.
Brevard County Fire Chief, Patrick Voltaire joined us. District Chief Ryan Barrack spoke to us about Brevard County Fire Rescue’s 40 year plus Protecting Life & Property program.
Brevard County Property Appraiser Dana Blickley gave us a very informative speech at our August Luncheon.
Ms. Blickley explained what the Property Appraiser job. The Property Appraiser’s primary job is to prepare an annual assessment roll, which becomes a tax roll, that complies with Constitutional and specific State mandated standards. To maintain an approvable tax roll, the Property Appraiser must estimate the current market value of all real and tangible personal property based upon data from real estate sales transactions (buyers and sellers), and other current market data. This is done pursuant to the requirements of specific State laws and is audited annually by the Florida Department of Revenue to ensure compliance.
The Property Appraiser is also responsible for the administration of various property tax exemptions and agricultural classifications.
Ms. Blickley explained Florida Law of Rental of homestead to constitute abandonment, what is Assessment Caps; the issues regarding Title Changes & Exemptions, and also Property Tax Law Changes on Florida Constitutional Amendment 5 – Homestead Annual Inflation Adjustment and Abandonment of Homestead Property following Damage or Destruction.
​
Ms. Dana Blickley has been a long time BFRW member and we proud of her doing the great job as Brevard County Property Appraiser.
In celebration of Independence Day, BFRW had a full house of ladies wearing patriotic gear, it was beautiful. We were touched by the recent letter from our 2023 Lillian Banks Scholarship recipient Chhloe Nason. They remind us of who we are and what we fight for!
Sadly, Congressman Mike Haridopolos could not make our Luncheon in person, but we are glad he remained in Washinton DC to help pass President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.
While he was not there in person, Congressman Haridopolos spoke to us via Zoom. The Congressman talked about the success enjoyed by Republicans and President Trump during his first six months in the office, he explained the highpoints of the One Big Beautiful Bill and talked about how our Republican Congress is determined to advance President Trump’s agenda.
Pam Persse, District Director for Congressman Haridopolos, briefed us on the functions and services provided by the Congressman’s local office.
BFRW had good time with Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey at our “Evening with the Mayor” on June 19th.
Mayor Alfrey is a constitutionalist who believes in the rule of law and fiscal responsibility. He told us that the City has no debt and talked about crime prevention and infrastructure improvements.
Mayor Alfrey was personable, answered all of our questions and, having been raised here and worked as a police officer here, his love for Melbourne was clear.
We thank Mayor Alfrey for taking the time to meet with us!
June 14th is President Trump’s birthday.
We all signed a birthday card and took a group photo, which we will send to President Trump to let him know our unwavering support for him and his American First agenda.
Our Guest Speaker, Clerk of the Court and Comptroller Rachel Sadoff said that one of the first questions people ask is: What does Clerk of the Court do?
Rachel explained that the Office of the Clerk and Comptroller provides record keeping, information management and financial management for the courts and county government in three main areas. They are Clerk of the Circuit and County Courts (acting as the court system administrator), they are the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners (and serve as accountant, auditor, and custodian of county funds); and they are the County Recorder (maintaining the county’s official documents and public records). After listen to Rachel, we realized that Clerk of the Court’s Office is an important part of pretty much every aspect of our life.
The clerk's office works closely with judges, county commissioners, law enforcement and state legislators. Its mission is to ensure accountability, accessibility, and unparalleled customer service for all those that utilize the services of the Brevard County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office.
Rachel told us that her office offers a series of courses designed to help Brevard residents understand how the system works, and she strongly urged all of us to visit their website https://www.brevardclerk.us and make use of her Office’s online educational services.
May is Brevard Federated Republican Women’s “Back the Blue” month. This year we honored two fine female deputies from the Brevard Sheriff’s Office: Lieutenant Christine Bisbee and Corporal Breean Lewis.
BFRW’s guest speakers, Tax Collector Lisa Cullen and Sheriff Wayne Ivey introduced Lt. Bisbee and Corp. Lewis, recognizing their excellence in serving & protecting Brevard County, and the outstanding contributions they make to our community every day.
During the Luncheon, Ms. Cullen also gave a very informative explanation of “The Real ID Act and What It means to You.”
Ms. Cullen explained that the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 sets new standards for the issuance of driver licenses and ID cards, and valid REAL ID credentials have a star in the upper right corner of the card.
The REAL ID Act became effective nationwide on May 11, 2008, Florida has been a REAL ID compliant State since January 1, 2010, and all Florida licenses and ID cards should be accepted nationwide.
Starting from May 7, 2025, a driver's license or ID card from a noncompliant state may only be used in conjunction with a second form of ID for boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.
Brevard County residents can obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card from the Brevard County Tax Collector's Office.
Another informative and fun BFRW Luncheon. Lt. Col Joseph Pavone, CHS ROTC instructor, introduced their program and their mission, which is to motive young people to be better citizen. Their team member Catriona McDonald joined BFRW, becoming BFRW’s youngest member.
Dr. Karen Hiltz was our main speaker. Dr. Hiltz began with an update on the state of education under the Trump administration. Secretary Linda McMahon is at the helm and has been tasked to work herself out of a job by dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. There are a few challenges with actually closing the department as it does require Congress to act, but it can be greatly downsized now with many responsibilities returned to the states. Some functions have been directed to other departments or agencies and funding will still be required for federal programs such as Civil Rights Title Programs and IDEA.
She shared information about the history of how the U.S. Department of Education came into existence, when Title IX was signed into law, and 8 Executive Orders President Trump has signed specific to education since returning to the White House.
Though President Trump is in office, she encouraged all members to stay vigilant. It takes all of us to help get motivated, quality candidates to run for office. And once they are elected, help them know what their authority, role, and responsibilities are.
President Speech
​
On behalf of the Membership and Executive Board of Brevard Federated Republican Women, I welcome you and thank you for making our 2025 Biennial Veterans & Military Appreciation Dinner a great success.
My only memory of US military from my teenage is a West Point documentary I watched. Which showed me only the brightest, bravest, and the most patriotic young men join the Military. (And the young men were so handsome). Not until we moved to close to my mother in law Indian River Colony Club in Brevard. One day my husband and I join Carol and her good friends General Gene Anderson and his wife Gloria Anderson for dinner. They were celebrating their grandson was accepted to Air Force Academy, most of their family members are military. Gloria said to me during the dinner “wait until you received all their person belongs were mailed back home in a month, they will realized that they don’t belong to you anymore, they belong to the military.” My eyes were wet at that moment. Yes, my children are my life, all the veterans are the children of parents, they are also the children of the country, we should treat our veteran as our children.
​
I don’t know what to say to our veterans, “Thank you for your service” seems too hollow for me, as BFRW members, we will follow our tradition to honor the sacrifice and dedication of our military members. They give their life to fight for the freedom for us, as Republican women, we will follow their step, to give our life to fight for the freedom for the future of our children.
Another full house at BFRW’s March Luncheon, with over 75 great women in attendance!
​
Our first Panel Discussion, with our moderator Charles George, an appellee attorney and four great lady lawyers, Robyn Hattaway, Anne McPhee, Rene Torpy and Timi Tucker, was very informative. They discussed legal issues ranging from governmental regulation, to wills, trusts and estates, to law enforcement while protecting civil rights, to grandparent rights. BFRW has and will always work to advance women of all backgrounds in leadership positions by providing a forum in the political, governmental and civic arenas.
​
Florida State Senate candidates Tim Thomas, Mark Lighter and Debbie Mayfield’s representative Marisa Khan, and State House Candidate Brian Hodgers, discussed the issues and their campaigns in upcoming special elections. BFRW values all the Republicans who are willing to step and serve at the local, state and national levels.
Brevard Federated Republican Women’s February Monthly Luncheon featured Lt.C. (Ret) Tim Thomas. His stirring and motivating talk, "Leadership Presence in the Golden Era,” received a standing ovation from the audience.
Lt.C. Thomas illustrated how President Trump's leadership has affected the entire world, and how at no time in our country’s modern history has there been such a need for good leadership. Lt.C. Thomas explained that during the past four years, we witnessed the worldwide repercussions of the lack of leadership in Washington. How the vacuum in leadership emboldened the Chinese, Russians, North Koreans and Iranians to do things they would not otherwise do. How the reelection of President Trump filled the leadership vacuum, restored the balance of power and is ushering in the next Gold Age of America.
Lt.C. Thomas asked: Given the divineness of the past four years, what type of leader could coalesce the greatest minds of modern time to coalesce around an agenda that promotes America first? Only President Trump: He is a strong leader with clear vision, and a well-defined goal: “Make America Great Again.” President Trump has clear ideas on how to achieve that goal; secure the border, energy independence, peace through strength, a merit-based advancement, not DEI hires, reduced government, regulation and accountability and efficiency - DOGE. Under President Trump, America First policies win.
We agree with Lt.C. Thomas, and believe that with President Trump’s leadership, rebuilding American excellence is underway.
On January 8, 2025, Barbara Price, President of the Florida Federation of Republican Women, led the installation of Brevard Federated Republican Women’s 2025-2027 officers at BFRW’s Monthly Luncheon.
​
BFRW’s 2025-2027 officers are: President Xiaoqi Wang, 1st VP Connie Cavazos, 2nd VP Patricia Moore-Carroll, 3rd VP Claudette Bish, Treasurer Jackie McLaughlin, Recording Secretary Dixie Riepl.
​
The BFRW’s 2025-2027 Board is a dynamic, hardworking team. During the last year, they ran BFRW’s Republican Victory Office, held monthly voter registration drives, manned polling place tents from dawn to dusk, hosted candidate forums, made tens of thousands of phone calls and knocked on tens of thousands of doors in support of Republican candidates. They are the backbone of BFRW’s grassroots efforts in Brevard County.
​
Following the Installation Ceremony, Ms. Price gave an inspiring talk on how Federated Republican Women are leading the political charge in our states, communities and nation and, in doing so, living up to the Club’s motto: Engage, Unite, Achieve, our success comes from hard work.
​
BFRW’s 2025-2027 Executive Board is committed to the task at hand and asked that like-minded Republican women and men support BFRW’s mission by becoming a member or associate member. You can apply for membership, and reserve your spot at BFRW’s Monthly Luncheon, through BFRW’s website: www.brevardfederatedrepublicanwomen.org.
