Tampa Tribune Endorses Kevin Beckner

The conservative Tampa Tribune couldn't hold their nose and endorse Hillsborough County Commision incumbant Brian Blair. Could it be the silly previous career as a professional wrestler? Perhaps Blair claiming he isn't a bigot by calling Michael Jackson a white person? Maybe it is Blair using gay and lesbian rights as a political wedge issue? Or that Blair has been the most anti-environmental commisioner in Hillsborough County's history. The answer is the Tampa Tribune finds Blair too stupid to endorse.

The amiable Blair is not the sharpest commissioner, but he has grown in office. He's helped curtail extravagant salary increases for county employees, supported cuts in property taxes and advanced worthy measures such as go-slow traffic zones around communities for seniors.

Yet he remains prone to rash pronouncements, as when he complained that cutting his $600 monthly car allowance would take food out of his children's mouths.

The nicest things the Tribune could say is Blair "not the sharpest commissioner" and his finest policy idea was "go-slow traffic zones" for senior citizens. Blair is for cutting county employee saleries. Excluding his own salery.

The Tribune offers praise for Beckner.

He stresses the need for better planning and understands that sprawling development makes the county a more expensive place to live, a negative when trying to attract high-wage companies.

The former police officer believes the county should better prioritize spending and focus on building infrastructure that supports job growth. Beckner rightly believes the county can do a better job of partnering with its municipalities, and its state delegation, to advance the region's interests.

Beckner would approach each issue with an open mind and seems unlikely to be swayed by special interests. His role models on the commission are Mark Sharpe and Rose Ferlita.

Will Beckner have a more out-of-the-box idea like go-slow traffic zones? Inquiring minds want to know.