Mayor Ben Malik's February Message

BY MAYOR BEN MALIK

City of Cocoa Beach,

February comes at us with its full winter fury (ok…maybe a bit exaggerated, but I am not a fan of cold ocean water temps) as we look for some glimpse of the arrival of springtime. My family enjoyed a trip up to the mountains of North Carolina and quaint towns of Chimney Rock and Lake Laurel (that 9 ½ hour drive is no joke though — 2 cars, 5 people and 2 dogs, 4 states, one day!). The highlight was the hike through Chimney Rock State Park. The 500 steps to the top was a bit nerve wracking as it seems we are all a bit apprehensive of heights, but the views were spectacular! Sometimes you just have to face your fears and move on! Of course, there were some fun challenges, the dirt road to the rental cabin seemed like a 70-degree incline and corkscrew turns going up a mountain with soft clay on the shoulders. We got stuck in the mud twice. Thankfully, my son-in-law, Luke, had his truck, and a nice local lent us their tow rope to get my car out of the mud. It was fun spraying the kids with mud as the tires dug in deeper trying to get traction! Thankfully, our hurricane experiences prepared us well for the power and water going out the last night due to blustery wind; we were ready to come home the next day to civilization!

I cannot believe our youngest son, Christopher James, will be 19 this month. Time seems to race by lately! I am so blessed to have such a supporting wife and great family (the fact the kids still want to go on vacation with us is really cool)! In the early 2000’s, I was so obsessed with running my own company and making money that I neglected my family and was hardly ever home. I was a completely self-absorbed arrogant tool. At the height of the housing meltdown, I kept the business going without taking a paycheck for a year draining all our savings and retirement accounts. When I finally closed the business and sold our house to move to Cocoa Beach, it was like God had given me a lesson in humility and a second chance to reconnect with my wife and family. Cocoa Beach saved my life and family which is why I am so engaged in our local non-profits and strive to make our community better for the future generations to come. I have learned to slow down and realize the truly most important things in my life are my family, faith and work (in that order)!

My old-man advice to the younger parents is to spend as much time as you can with your children. It is so important that you are there to guide them; that is your job as parents (it is my biggest regret to have missed so much time with my family)! Teach them the importance of work ethic, kindness and humility, the rest will follow.

Let’s make 2019 the best year yet!

Thank you for your support and allowing me to serve as your Mayor. Please feel free to contact me with any suggestions at bmalik@cityofcocoabeach.com or my cell at 321.794.6668