Kevin Beckner honored by social workers
Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner may have failed in his attempt to get the commission to consider offering domestic partner benefits to county employees. But he succeeded in getting an award from social workers for the effort. The local chapter of the National Association of Social Workers named Beckner Legislator of the Year last week in part because of the domestic partnership initiative. The organization also gave Beckner props for holding office hours in locations throughout the county.
Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
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From the writers of the St. Petersburg Times, Bay Buzz offers the latest news on Tampa Bay politics. This is a public forum sponsored and maintained by the St. Petersburg Times. When you post comments here, what you say becomes public and could appear in the newspaper. You are not engaging in private communication with candidates or Times staffers.
Commissioner Beckner uses and shares similar values to ones that social workers use in working with their clients. With all the negative press that politician get meeting and talking to Commissioner Becker was a pleasure. He shows a keen knowledge of local issues and the human services needs of people in Hillsborough County. Erik Libby, MSW, LCSW
Posted by: Erik Libby | March 25, 2009 at 03:03 PM
As a foster mom who interacts with social workers regularly, I appreciate this news and know I cast my vote in the right direction this past November: for Kevin Beckner, a County Commissioner who cares about our citizens.
Posted by: Michelle from Tampa | March 25, 2009 at 04:15 PM
If only we could clone Kevin Beckner and elect said clones to commission seats here in Pinellas. Would that be ok with you Kevin? Please say yes. kkthnx
Posted by: Mark F | March 25, 2009 at 04:24 PM
Good Lord people; get over yourselves and ease up on tossing Beckner’s salad. I mean congrats to Kevin, but “Legislator of the Year”? Dude’s only been on the job for 4-months, and it’s only March for Heaven’s sake. What will the social workers do if another politician who supports their agenda actually succeeds in getting something accomplished for them… before the actual year ends?
Posted by: RB | March 25, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Although Beckner is a freshman, he shines like a beacon in the night, especially compared to many of the other current commissioners on the Hillsborough board. He is already starting to be recognized in many circles as the "citizens commissioner", and that's because he's putting citizens first and foremost in his ideas, and in his decision making. If there was only a way to clone!!!
Posted by: FixHillsborough | March 25, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Congrats, Kevin! This is a promising start to a bright future for residents of Hillsborough.
Posted by: Anastacia | March 25, 2009 at 04:54 PM
puke
Posted by: . | March 25, 2009 at 05:12 PM
This is a good start for Beckner. Shows that he is serving the community. 1 in 50 children in the US are now homeless.
Thanks, Beckner.
Posted by: Cheryl | March 25, 2009 at 09:35 PM
Congratulations, Kevin. And, thank you! Continue the good work that we elected you to do: mass transit, smart growth, and balanced development.
You won by 20k votes and have a clear mandate. Use your position of power that the people gave you.
Posted by: Diane | March 26, 2009 at 12:19 AM
Legislator of the Year? C'mon now! He brought the issue up one time and gained the support of only one other commissioner (he lost 5-2). It wasn't exactly Stonewall! If a "national" organization is awarding him such an honor three months into the year, it's a pretty sad commentary on the state of social work in our nation. These people have really low standards.
Posted by: Get over yourselves! | March 26, 2009 at 08:17 AM
8:17: Are you kidding??? The problem is that the BOCC has continued to ignore the needs of social workers. Blair and others voted against the Sheriff's recommendation of funding a battered women shelter - and this is just one example.
Social workers are giving Beckner this award because he is living up to campaign promises to listen to the voters and champion smart, balanced policies. This is exactly why 55% of the voters in Nov. booted Blair to the curb and elected Beckner.
Beckner won and he won big time. He has a clear mandate to implement change. The other members of the board should heed the electoral shift.
Posted by: Republicans For Change | March 26, 2009 at 09:09 AM
He lied in his campaign ads, lied about his background, and now you people want to give him an award for failing?
Posted by: Becknerwatch | March 26, 2009 at 04:07 PM
4:07,
Welcome to the NEW Democrat Party... Stoneballer style!
Posted by: Thssskeeeip! | March 26, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Please, repiggies! Just because cry baby Blair files another frivolous lawsuit you all go after the good work that Beckner has done.
What a morally bankrupt group of people you are.
Keep spewing your hate. It only turns off independents and motivates small d's to get out there and vote. Thanks for all you morons do! You are your own worst enemies!
PS. Congrats Beckner for actually doing the work of the people!
Posted by: Danny | March 26, 2009 at 09:47 PM
Danny does drugs.... way too often.
Posted by: Pthsssssssp... ere! | March 27, 2009 at 03:24 PM