Incumbent Felix faces two challengers for Palm Bay City Council Seat 2 position
The three candidates in the Palm Bay City Council Seat 2 race highlight increasing accountability, diversifying the economy and forging a safer city as among the key issues that each says they're best to tackle.
Richard Michael Hammer and Patric McNally are challenging incumbent Donny Jean Felix ― who also currently serves as deputy mayor ― for the seat. The position has a four-year term, with a yearly salary of $12,722.
Palm Bay council seats are nonpartisan races, and the five seats on the City Council aren't tied to geography, other than having to live in the city to qualify. So each voter in the city can cast a ballot on all of them.
If no candidate wins more than 50% of the primary vote, the top two finishers will advance to a Nov. 5 general-election runoff.
Palm Bay's issues are commonplace in Florida: The increased needs for more police, fire, water, sewage and other public services, and how to pay for them.
Here's the upshot of who each candidate is and where they stand:
Felix, 51, a small-business owner, real estate investor and builder, emphasizes "accountability" on how taxpayer money is used for roads, utilities and other infrastructure; more funding for public safety; and youth empowerment programs.
Hammer, a 44-year-old videographer, farmer and customer-service representative for International Trucks, calls for more efficiency in the city's operations, less reliance on consultants, diversifying the economy and streamlining permitting.
McNally, a 27-year-old regional sales manager, says the city should increase impact fees to address poor infrastructure; require developers to deal with road improvements; focus on recruiting more police and firefighters to improve public safety; and make the city more family-friendly by promoting more entertainment events.
There currently are two seats that are vacant on the five-member City Council.
No vote on filling vacancy:'The Lord directed me not to come': Palm Bay mayor skips meetings, no council member appointed
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Campaign contributions
Felix: $8,390 in contributions and more than $2,790 spent (through July 12).
Hammer: $14,210 in contributions and $6,504 spent (through July 19).
McNally: $4,330 in contributions and $1,876 spent (through July 19).
FLORIDA TODAY reached out to the candidates with a questionnaire, asking them to identify top issues in the city and how they'd address them. Felix did not respond, so his answer to that question is based on information from his campaign website.
Donny Jean Felix
Age: 51
Occupation: Small-business owner, real estate investor and builder. He has worked as a personal banker for a national financial institution.
Education: Associate degree of applied science in business administration from Brevard Community College.
Political/government/civic experience: Current Palm Bay city councilman. Founder and president of the Haitian-American Association of Brevard; vice chairman of Palm Bay Park and Recreation; Planning and Zoning Advisory Boards; and Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization Citizen Advisory Committee, Technical and Citizens Advisory Board.
Top issues and what specific actions you'd take to address them?
Felix's campaign website points to:
Accountability, ensuring the effective and efficient use of taxpayer resources.
Improvement of the overall infrastructure, city roadways, utilities, stormwater, streetlights, sidewalks, information-technology system.
Funding and increasing our public-safety infrastructures, including support for our first responders.
Attract new businesses for job creation, while fostering ideas to support the existing businesses.
Focus on the environment, with innovative and sustainable initiatives, and continue to be a champion of our Indian River Lagoon and the Turkey Creek.
Youth empowerment programs, such as financial literacy, skills training and internship opportunities.
Workforce and affordable housing, creating a vibrant city, enhancing an environment where families have more to make Palm Bay the perfect place to grow, live and play.
Campaign email: [email protected]
Campaign phone number: 321-205-3942
Website or Facebook page: votedonnyfelix.com
Richard Michael Hammer
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Age: 44
Occupation: Videographer, farmer, customer-service representative for International Trucks.
Education: Emergency medical technician, firefighter I & II, criminal justice, civil criminal and tort law, marketing, audio/video.
Political/government/civic experience: "My connection to Palm Bay runs deep. As the grandson of Toby Platt, a descendant of one of the city's founding families, I grew up immersed in its history and the workings of local government. Witnessing my grandmother's 30-plus years, my father's 40 years and my own 14-plus years as city employees, I've gained a unique perspective on its inner workings.
"I began my service in public works on a drainage crew, and left doing logistics for fleet, where I left as whistleblower to corruption, and vowing to fight corruption from the outside.
"My experience goes beyond just serving as a city employee. I've played a key role in attracting over $100 million in new investment through my business videos and outreach to investors.
"As executive of the city's employee union, I gained a comprehensive understanding of every position, its details and the management structure.
"I've also been involved in political campaigns, city committees and initiatives, giving me valuable insights into the political landscape and community priorities.
"This diverse background equips me with a deep understanding of Palm Bay's history, its people and its potential."
Top issues and what specific actions you'd take to address them?
"Our current operational structure is inefficient, with unqualified leaders, uncontrolled development, and a reliance on consultants, instead of our own talented engineers. Our road program is mismanaged, not just monetarily, but prioritizing less critical projects over vital ones.
"Attracting new businesses is crucial to diversify our economy and reduce the tax burden on residents. We need a strategic plan with targeted incentives and a streamlined permitting processes.
"Finally, we need to prioritize self-sufficiency by a stronger infrastructure; less multifamily developments; more smart business; and reallocating impact fees for police, fire and infrastructure projects.
"My years of experience as a city employee, as well as an executive union representative, give me a deep understanding of Palm Bay's potential and needs."
Campaign email: [email protected]
Campaign phone number: 321-821-8889
Website or Facebook page: Mike Hammer for Palm Bay
Patric McNally
Age: 27
Occupation: Regional sales manager
Education: Bachelor's in marketing from University of Central Florida; Master of Business Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University
Political/government/civic experience: No
Top issues and what specific actions you'd take to address them?
Poor infrastructure: Address this by increasing impact fees, recurring budget allocations, and requiring developers to improve and widen the roads they develop on.
Public safety: Increase recruitment of police officers and firefighters, enhance equipment through budget investments or state grants/subsidies.
Entertainment: Attract more family-friendly entertainment to Palm Bay by welcoming promoters interested in hosting events in the city.
Campaign email: [email protected]
Campaign phone number: 321-794-6760
Website or Facebook page: Facebook: Patric McNally For Palm Bay City Council Seat 2
Contact Waymer at 321-261-5903 or [email protected]. Follow him on X/Twitter at @JWayEnviro.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Two challenge incumbent Felix in Palm Bay City Council Seat 2 race
