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Local Leader Kevin Beckner on the Challenges of Public Office

The Hillsborough County commissioner from District 6 talks about the challenges he has faced since being elected and what it's taken to achieve the goals he has set for himself. Sponsored by Grape-Nuts.

About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. Kevin Beckner, elected to the Hillsborough County Commission in November 2008, is a native of Michigan City, IN. Since entering office, he has been a champion for at-risk children and their families, creating the Juvenile Justice Task Force, whose mission is to help at-risk youth become productive citizens within our community. Beckner has also been successful at passing important consumer and public safety initiatives that shut down pill mills and tackled the epidemic of insurance fraud related to staged auto …

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Hillsborough Domestic Partner Registry Talk Resurfaces, Sinks

Instead of a registry, the commission is considering making legal documents affording some rights more readily available to residents.

Westchase residents living together in committed relationships without the bonds of marriage tying them together won’t be able to join a registry that affords them some rights to make decisions for each other. The Hillsborough County Commission, instead, has decided to make it easier for same-sex and other unwed couples to file the legal papers needed to afford them some decision-making rights. The idea to create a packet of legal documents that reflect laws already on the books in regard to medical surrogacy and other major life decisions was brought up by Commissioner Al Higginbotham during the commission’s March 20 meeting. Higginbotham wants the county to create a packet of documents for residents to easily access online and at …

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Kevin Beckner To Host Office Hours In Town ‘N Country

The commissioner will make himself available to the public.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner is headed to the area to chat with the community, answer questions and address concerns. The District 6 commissioner is hosting office hours at the Town 'N Country Senior Center on February 27 from 10a.m.-12p.m. The Commissioner and his staff welcome this opportunity to meet citizens to discuss their ideas and concerns regarding issues taking place in Hillsborough County, according to a county media release . No appointment is necessary and residents are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. If You Go: Wednesday, Feb. 27 10 a.m.-12:00p.m. Town 'N Country Senior Center 7606 Paula Drive in Tampa For more information call: 813-873-6336

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Commission Says No to Gun Buyback, Yes to Task Force

Commissioner Kevin Beckner’s plan to curb gun violence was met with a lukewarm reception during today’s meeting in downtown Tampa.

Hillsborough County taxpayers won’t be on the hook for a gun buyback program – just yet at least. Commissioner Kevin Beckner’s proposal to launch an annual buyback program was heard by the full board Wednesday and was shot down. One part of his proposal – an idea to create a task force to look into gun violence – was approved, however, according to The Tampa Tribune. That task force, the Tribune reports, could make a recommendation to enact an annual buyback, but for now that particular idea is on ice. "The premise is very simple," Beckner was quoted by the Tribune as saying. "Every gun that's removed from the home or streets and taken from public circulation is one less gun that can be used in an incidence of gun violence." Beckner made …

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Commissioner Kevin Beckner To Visit Westchase

The Hillsborough County Commissioner will answer questions and talk to residents.

This information provided by Hillsborough County... Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner will host community office hours at the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Public Library Dec. 14 Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, District 6 - Countywide, is hosting office hours in the community to hear from residents and to help connect them to their County government. The Commissioner and his staff welcome this opportunity to meet citizens to discuss their ideas and concerns regarding issues taking place in Hillsborough County. No appointment is necessary and residents are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Community Office Hours are: Friday, Dec. 14 , 2012 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Upper Tampa Bay Regional Public Library 11211 …

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Beckner Retains County Commission Seat

The incumbent Democrat will serve another four years.

The results are in and incumbent Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner will serve another four years. The Democrat was first elected to the countywide District 6 seat in 2008. Beckner is the county’s first openly gay commissioner, according to TBO. Beckner’s Republican challenger in the race, Margaret Iuculano, is a foster child advocate. Here’s how the county voted: During his election watch party earlier tonight, it was evident to Beckner and supporters that he would win the race. Even so, Beckner was humble about the victory. “I never take any single vote for granted,” he said. “You always run like you're 20 points behind and never take a single vote for granted." So what’s the incumbent going to focus on in his new term? "I'll…

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