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Hometown News Interview

The following interview was submitted to Hometown News. Be sure to watch for it in the upcoming editions.


Name (as it will appear on ballot): Mitch Needelman

Age: 57

Political Affiliation: Republican

City you live in: Melbourne

Occupation: Consultant/Business Owner

Marital Status and Name of Spouse: Joan Needelman – 38 yrs

Children and/or Grandchildren:

  • Michael – son
  • Jennifer – daughter-in-law
  • Joshua – grandson
  • Lily – granddaughter

Education/Degrees Earned:

Dual Master’s with Honors

  • Public Administration
  • Human Resource Development

Bachelor of Arts

  • Organizational Management

Associate of Arts

  • Criminology

Community Affiliations (List no more than five for this article):

  • 4 the Kids of Brevard
  • Florida Police Benevolent Assoc.
  • Melbourne Municipal Band
  • Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce
  • Honor America

Political affiliations (years served):

  • State Representative, Dist 31 – 8yrs
  • Brevard County Republican Party
  • Vice-Chairman – 2 yrs

Briefly list your top three priorities if elected:

  1. Be a strong and effective Public Trustee - The concept of “checks and balances” is one of the major political doctrines which form the very foundation of the American system of government. As your Public Trustee and Custodian of the taxpayer’s funds I will ensure that your money is managed with responsibility and accountability as required by law.
  2. The time has come for Brevard County’s Clerk of Courts to enter the 21st century – The clerk’s office current computer case management/maintenance system is over 10 years old and the very expensive patches applied to keep it limping along have out “cost” its usefulness. It is time to link with the other Clerk’s Offices around the state to modernize our system to better communicate, maintain records and coordinate efforts across county lines while sharing the cost of an effective system with others. The Space Coast is known for forward thinking technology. It is time for the Clerk’s Office to catch up!
  3. Refocus on Customer Service, both internally and externally – The very premise of the Clerk’s Office is being a Servant Leader. All aspects working with the judicial system, the record keeping structure, informational/financial organization and the public should be considered part of the process and treated as such. Complaints and concerns should be handled quickly and satisfactory in a manner of respect. An office of Ombudsman within the Clerk’s Office will be dedicated to this goal.Although your requested three priorities, I believe the fourth set out here is quite relevant and of utmost importance, so I will include it as well.
  4. The Clerk’s Budget must be dedicated to County use – The legislature in Tallahassee must understand that the Brevard County Clerk of Court is not its private revenue source, and Brevard will not fund state projects at the will of the legislature. The long greedy arm of Tallahassee needs to be removed from our pockets and wallets.

What made you decide to run for this seat?

No other office provided for in Florida’s constitution is more important or has its functions less understood by the general public than that of the circuit court clerk. As the Public Trustee, the Clerk is responsible for over 926 different constitutional and statutory functions or duties and as such, requires proven leadership. Leadership that is strong in its convictions and will not “walk out” when things get tough. The Clerk should be a leader who understands all facets of its massive responsibility and not focus on any one segment of that responsibility. A leader who is as comfortable working with the public as he is debating a position in front of a governing board.

I have those skills and would welcome the challenge of all 926 constitutional and statutory duties. I have the background, education and experience to successfully accomplish those objectives in a satisfactory and fiscally conservative manner. My proven record as your past Legislator shows my ability to tackle difficult issues and achieve desirable goals. I enjoy serving the people of Brevard and understand and respect the trust an individual holds while serving as a public official…

“A public office is a public trust. The people have the right to secure and sustain that trust.”

ARTICLE I, SECTION 8

Florida’s Constitution