Reality Check Radio

7/30/2011 Guest: Tom Frey – New York City Detective (retired) – Owner, The Cigar Shoppe

linda — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:10:53 +0000

Tom Frey a 20 year veteran detective with the New York City Police Department, now retired, resides in Brevard County and is the owner of The Cigar Shoppe (located in West Melbourne FL.) and the Hilton Gift Shop (located in the Hilton On the Beach). Tom is a very positive person and believes in a pro active approach when dealing with kids.

Early on in Tom’s career, he worked in community policing in New York where he would be able to talk to school age kids and even helped some of them get jobs. It showed the kids that he cared as a person and a Police Officer.

Tom is married and has an 11 yr. old daughter.

Come meet Tom, all the regulars, meet some new people and enjoy the great atmosphere.

7/16/2011 Guest: Joe Crews – Host of Brevard Notes Television Show

linda — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:00:37 +0000

Joe Crews has lived in Melbourne, Florida for 54 years. He grew up watching the space program develop into what it is, the greatest movement in human history. Both before and after graduating Eau Gallie High School in 1973 he traveled the world and has visited 12 countries.

In 1982 he received a B.S. in Graphic Design from Florida State University. During the 80’s while working a illustrator at the Florida Solar Energy Center he became involved with the Brevard Young Democrats and their effort to find a media outlet to tell people about the newly passed Domestic Abuse Law. With the help of his mother, Bonnie Crews, the co-founder of the Brevard Notes TV show, he was able to get Cablevision of Central Florida to tape and televise a public forum on the new law. After which, both Bonnie and Joe volunteer to work with other programs on the local cable channel until they were given the opportunity to start our own show, “ Brevard Notes ”. The mission of the show is to give television airtime to non-profit organizations in the community. During this time Joe started branching out into video production, doing contract work at BrightHouse Networks, KSC, CCAFS and others. The Brevard Notes Television Show

In 1996 Bonnie retired from the show due to health reasons and Joe became the full time Host and Producer of the show. Thanks to the great group of volunteers Joe has had working with him he has been able to produce the Brevard Notes TV show for over 20 years.

7/09/2011 Guest: Judge Michael J. Rudisill – Civil/Family Court – 18th Circuit

linda — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 12:00:15 +0000

Judge Rudisill is currently assigned to the Civil/Family Division of Seminole County. He and three other Circuit Judges serve the people of the 18th Judicial Circuit at the Civil Courthouse in Downtown Sanford on Lake Monroe. In the same day he may rule on a personal injury damage issue, dissolution of marriage, a construction litigation claim, a mortgage foreclosure, an adoption, a domestic violence injunction, an eminent domain taking, a child support award, a personal property seizure, and a wrongful death suit and virtually anything in between. He also does everything he can to make sure that litigants without attorneys have access to the Court and fair hearings. Judge Rudisill also presides over Juvenile Drug Court.

Michael Rudisill came to the bench by applying for the position vacated when Judge James E. C. Perry was elevated to Florida Supreme Court. Nearly thirty prominent attorneys from Seminole and Brevard Counties applied for the seat. Applicants had to first submit to an interview by the members of the Judicial Nominating Commission. They recommended whom the Governor should interview. After meeting with the candidates and carefully considering their qualifications and demeanor, Governor Crist appointed Michael Rudisill to the bench.

Michael Rudisill met his wife, Summer, not long after he graduated from law school and became a prosecutor. Born in Cape Canaveral Hospital, Summer is a Brevard County native. A few days after Michael Rudisill was appointed to the bench, Summer gave birth to their first children, twin boys, Conrad and Cortland.

7/02/2011 Guest: Jason Brodeur – Florida Representative, District 33

linda — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:00:59 +0000

Jason Brodeur worked for Procter & Gamble for nearly 12 years and then started his own local health care consulting business headquartered in Sanford, Florida. Being a local business owner and a leader in various community organizations across Central Florida, Jason has always put the well-being and strength of his community first.

The son of Tim and Rene Brodeur of Winter Springs, Jason grew up in our community — graduating from Jackson Heights Middle School and Oviedo High School. While in high school he was a member of the volleyball team and the wresting team where he learned leadership and hard work. He continued his education at the University of Florida, where he attended on a Florida Academic Scholarship.

As a college student, Jason participated in a number of different student organizations including the Student Senate, The College of Agriculture Honor Court and the Interfraternity Council. Jason graduated from University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the College of Agriculture, and also earned his MBA from the University of Florida. Jason is proud member of the University of Florida leadership honorary, Florida Blue Key.

Jason continued to be involved in his community by serving on the City of Sanford Charter Review Board and the Seminole County Planning and Zoning Commission. In both roles Jason took an active part of helping shape our local community. Those roles helped prepare Jason for when the Governor selected him to serve on the Medicaid Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee.

Jason is active in a number of community organizations, including being a member of the Board of Directors for Community Based Care of Seminole County, as a volunteer for the Seminole County Div-i-dend public school program, as a Sanford Rotarian and as a American Cancer Society volunteer. Jason is an also an active member at St. Andrews Chapel in Sanford.

6/25/2011 Guest: Kendall T. Moore – Attorney at Law

linda — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 12:00:27 +0000

Attorney Kendall T. Moore is a native of Brevard County, Florida. He was born in the City of Rockledge and graduated from Cocoa High School. He continued his education at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning and at the University of Florida where he received a law degree.

After serving in several capacities for the Lockheed Martin Corporation in Washington, DC, and Miami, Florida, Mr. Moore returned to Brevard County. He’s currently a partner in the law firm of MooreEavenson, PLC – Attorneys. Their practice focuses on automobile accidents and all other types of personal injuries caused by the negligence of a third party. In addition, he is the President and CEO of Space Coast Strategies, a governmental lobbying firm representing clients before all local government agencies in Brevard County.

In November of 2000, at the age of 29, he was elected to the Rockledge City Council garnering more than 60% of the votes cast. He was re-elected without opposition in November of 2003 and served as the Council’s Chairman and City’s Vice Mayor in 2004.

With all other constraints on his time, Mr. Moore still finds the time to dedicate to various religious, civic and social causes in the local community including but not limited to the:

Advisory Board – Wuesthoff Hospital/HMA;
Board of Directors – Goodwill Industries of Central Florida;
Board Chairman – LEAD Brevard (formerly Leadership Brevard);
Advisory Board – Webster University;
Former Chairman – Civilian Military Community Relations Council;
Former Vice Chair, Board of Directors – United Way of Brevard.

Mr. Moore is happily married to Dr. Kelley Moore, a general dentist in private practice in the City of Rockledge, Florida. They have two wonderful children; eight-year old Kendall T. Moore, II, also known as Ty and seven-year old Kaelyn.

Attorney Moore is a firm believer in the proverb, “To whom much is given, much is required.” Therefore, he takes every opportunity to share his knowledge and experience with those who could benefit from it.

6/18/2011 Guest: Jeff Kottkamp – 17th Lieutenant Governor of Florida

linda — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 16:00:50 +0000

Like many people in Florida, Jeff Kottkamp was born somewhere else — in the Midwest. As a young boy in Indiana he was inspired by stories of Abraham Lincoln, who grew up only a short distance from Jeff’s hometown. Jeff and his family later moved to Cape Coral in Southwest Florida in 1977.

Jeff got his first view of Florida’s State Capitol when he served as a Boy’s State Delegate representing North Fort Myers High School. After graduating from high school Jeff earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Edison College, where he was active in Student Government.

Jeff then attended Florida State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Political Science. Thereafter, Jeff attended the University of Florida College of Law where he received a Juris Doctor degree in 1987.

In 2000, was elected to the Florida House of Representatives representing District 74 which includes Cape Coral, Sanibel, Captiva, Pine Island and parts of Fort Myers and Boca Grande. Jeff was re-elected by a landslide in 2002, and was re-elected without opposition in 2004.

During his three terms in the legislature Jeff earned a reputation as a principled, conservative leader who put people over politics. He fought for lower taxes, for a quality education for all children, and for tougher penalties for repeat violent criminals.

In September of 2006 Jeff was selected the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor and was elected in November of 2006. Jeff was sworn in as Florida’s 17th Lieutenant Governor in January of 2007.

As Lieutenant Governor Jeff served as Chairman of Florida’s Children’s Cabinet, Chairman of Space Florida, Chairman of the Florida Sports Foundation and oversaw the the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Governor’s Office of Adoption and Child Protection as well as the Office of Drug Control.

Jeff’s wife Cyndie is a fourth generation Floridian. Jeff and Cyndie have one child, a son named Jackson

6/11/2011 Guest: Steve Wilson – City of Rockledge, Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager

linda — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:00:41 +0000

Steve Wilson is currently employed with the City of Rockledge as Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager. Steve’s role as Community Advocate sends him in a number of different directions with the City. As Community Advocate, he is the person of contact for Rockledge residents that have issues or concerns that need to be addressed. Often times residents may have a question, but simply don’t know who to contact. Steve is the person to call. He can either help you, or point you in the right direction for assistance.

Steve also works closely with the Rockledge Police Department on their Neighborhood Watch (NW) program. Although NW is a law enforcement initiative, Steve attends all NW meetings as a representative of City Hall. He is there to answer questions that are not criminally related. This partnership between Steve and the Rockledge Police Department has proved to be a valuable asset to the City. Steve loves getting out and meeting with the Rockledge residents. He believes that it brings a special “closeness’ to the residents and the City, because they now have a point of contact, someone they have met, that can help them on whatever issues may arise.

On his off time, Steve is involved with broadcasting youth sports on the radio, and has been doing so for approximately 10 years. Steve is a member of the “Friday Night Locker Room,” heard every Friday night on WMEL and WIXC radio. Their show is also streamed worldwide on their website, http://www.gofnlr.com/. You can hear Steve and his partner, Orville Susong, broadcasting high school football, baseball, basketball, softball…whatever happens to be in season. During the summer they cover local youth sports such as little league baseball and softball. This gives Steve the enjoyment of working with young people in Brevard County. He has always said, there is nothing more exciting than to interview a youngster on the radio. It’s just something that doesn’t happen to them every day, and people really seem to appreciate it.

Steve has been happily married to his wife, Becky, for 31 years. They have a son, Keith, that graduated from Rockledge High School in 2000, and is currently employed and living in Orlando. Away from the City and radio job, Steve enjoys playing golf with his son Keith.

Bottom line is…..his phone is always on, waiting for the next City of Rockledge resident to call for help!

6/04/2011 Guest: Lawrence Lawton – Founder of The Reality Check Program

linda — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 21:17:46 +0000

I, Larry Lawton the President of Lawton911 and the Reality Check Program will open my heart and tell all about my past, my crimes, being tortured in prison and how I founded the Reality Check Program.

I get a lot of calls asking me about my story. A book is in the works as is a TV show and eventual movie. I will give you a preview and tell all. This will be a dynamic show.

It is all about saving young people from heading down the path I did. As I always say, “I don’t believe in bad kids, I believe in bad choices”.

5/28/2011 Guest: Kevin Deaton – Founder of KLD Youth Foundation – Baseball Player

linda — Sun, 22 May 2011 15:00:28 +0000

.. as the President and Founder of KLD Kevin Deaton personifies and lives the foundations’ commitment to the mission, to educate and empower the youth of Brevard. By conveying a solid belief that they “Can” and by serving the entire child; mind, body and soul they are able to see great gain in achievement. Kevin’s goal is to provide a safe place, effective education, and the knowledge to make healthy positive life decisions and ultimately, for youth to believe “All things are possible.”

The KLD Youth Foundation was founded in 2002, conceived from a vision to effectively equip a generation in need. The founder, Kevin Deaton, was merely 20 years old when he, his wife, and his foster mother formed the not-for-profit organization. The foundation’s vision is simple: to EQUIP, ENHANCE and EMPOWER this generation, one life at a time.
As a hometown boy, Kevin was a star athlete at Merritt Island High being the first two time All American in two sports. Upon graduating Kevin was offered a full ride to play football for the University of Florida and a contract to play baseball with the New York Mets. Kevin chooses to play baseball and was successful with the Mets for 5 years being:

Player – 2002 – Player of the Year - 2002 – Led New York Penn League in strike outs - 2003 – Starting pitcher for South Atlantic League All-Star Game - 2004 – Starting pitcher for Florida State League All-Star Game.

Today Kevin works full-time at his mission to help impact the youth in Brevard. Learn more about the KLD Youth Foundation go to: www.KLDkids.org

5/21/2011 Guest: Michele Paccione – Palm Bay City Council – Seat 3

linda — Tue, 10 May 2011 20:00:45 +0000

Palm Bay City Council Woman Michele Paccione was born in Long Island New York on July 31, 1962. She later studied Communications at CW Post in Greenvale NY. From 1984 through 1990, Michele worked managing a Men’s Custom Clothing store in Manhattan.

In 1990, she moved to Palm Bay FL with her husband Michael. Over the 21 years Michele has lived in Palm Bay, she has proved to be a valuable citizen and an active member of the community. She attended the Space Coast School of Real Estate and from 1992 until 1999, she worked as a Licensed Realtor with Pruitt Real Estate in Melbourne Florida. In 1999 she began working as a Licensed Escrow, Title Agent and Manager for Security First Title & Escrow, where she continues to work today.

Michele has also held various positions in the local activist community. She has served as both President and Treasurer of the Democratic Women’s Club of Palm Bay. She also served as Treasurer of the DWC of Florida Region 6. She is also the Former President of Space Coast Progressive Alliance and former President of Brevard NOW. She has also served as Secretary of Palm Bay Democratic Club and has held the position of Campaign Manager on several local campaigns.
In November 2008, Michele was elected to Palm Bay City Council. She has since used this position not only to enact change in the city of Palm Bay, but also as a platform that has allowed her to give back to her community. In 2008, Michele served as Team Captain of a local Arthritis Awareness Walk. From 2009 through 2011, she has served as a Team Captain and Volunteer for Relay for Life through Bayside high school. Michele also played an instrumental role in bringing the Domestic Violence awareness and prevention event, ‘Take Back the Night’ to Brevard County and has also chaired the event for the last two years.
Michele Paccione continues to be a tireless advocate for women’s rights, having played a vital role in working with several local organizations to bring a more comprehensive sex education program to Brevard County Schools. She was recognized by Space Coast Progressive Alliance for work in this effort. She has also served on the Commission on the Status of Women Brevard County for the last two years.

Through her position on Palm Bay City Council, Michele attended the Institute of Elected Municipal Officers training program. She was also recently recognized by the National Association of Social Worker’s Space Coast organization, who named her The Elected official of the year in March 2011. Palm Bay’s Chamber of Commerce also recently recognized the great work Michele has done for our community, giving her the Chairman’s Award in April 2011.

Michele continues to tirelessly serve her community in various ways. In addition to her work on council and several additional responsibilities, she is also an active member of the Brevard Democratic Executive Committee and is currently serving on the County Transportation Planning Organization.