Tag Archive for leonard bembry

Leonard Bembry to Challenge Steve Southerland for Congress

November 17, 2011 Front Page One comment
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Conservative Businessman, Farmer, Citizen-Legislator to Focus on Jobs, North Florida Values

Greenville, Florida – State Representative Leonard Bembry (D-North Florida) today announced his candidacy for United States Congress from Florida’s second district. He has filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission and will begin traveling the district and building a campaign immediately. A formal announcement tour will follow.

“The priorities of this Congress couldn’t be more wrong for north Florida and our nation,” said Bembry. “While politicians in Washington fight with each other and refuse to address the big issues we face, real people everywhere continue to struggle with a stalled economy and poor job market that need a jolt charge and a runaway budget that needs to be responsibly controlled. Steve Southerland has not delivered on the political promises he made in 2010 to create jobs, change Washington, DC, and bring practical solutions that will put Floridians back to work and tackle the tough challenges we face.”

Leonard Bembry was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2008 and was re-elected last year. He is one of the most independent members of the legislature and perhaps the most conservative Democrat in the Florida House. In the legislature, Bembry quickly earned a reputation as an expert on budget, economic development and agriculture issues. He believes that creating new and better jobs, supporting small businesses by cutting taxes and regulations, protecting our seniors and Veterans, and preserving traditional values are the biggest issues facing America.

Bembry will energetically and faithfully serve the remainder of his term in the Florida House and looks forward to a busy and productive 2012 legislative session.

“I was a farmer and businessman for almost 40 years before I decided that it was my responsibility to pursue public service. I am grounded in north Florida because it’s always been my home. It is where I was raised and where Susan and I have chosen to raise our family. We love it here,” said Bembry. “I am concerned about the kind of future we are leaving for our children and grandchildren. The country is not on the right track and our elected leaders in Washington, DC are failing the test of true citizenship by playing politics instead of solving problems.

“If elected, I will go to Washington as a common-sense, honest, hard-working, conservative problem solver who believes that a dose of north Florida values and ‘can-do’ spirit is what we need to get this country moving again,” said Bembry.

Leonard Bembry and Susan, his wife of 44 years, have 3 children and 9 grandchildren. The Bembry family spans 4 generations in north Florida.

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MADISON COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION HEARING

September 14, 2011 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off

Don’t forget! The Madison County Legislative Delegation hearing is Wednesday, September 28, 2011, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The hearing will be held at the Madison County Courthouse Annex Building, Room 107, 29 SW Pinckney Street, Florida, in the County Commission Chambers.

If any member of the public would like to address the delegation, please contact Mickie Salter in Representative Bembry’s office at (850) 973-5630 or mickie.salter@myfloridahoouse.gov to be placed on the agenda. Appearance cards will also be available at the hearing for anyone who wishes to be heard.

NOTICE REGARDING THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing special accommodations to participate in this proceeding should contact the OFFICE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE LEONARD BEMBRY no later than seven (7) days prior to the proceeding at (850) 973-5630, Madison, Florida.

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Bembry Announces Legislative Delegation Hearing Dates

August 18, 2011 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off

Tallahassee – State Representative Leonard Bembry is pleased to announce the dates for the Legislative Delegation hearings that he is chairing. Because the 2012 Legislative Session will start early next year, beginning January 10th and ending March 9th, the hearings will be in September. Committee meetings begin mid-September through early December.

Representative Bembry stated, “I am convinced that delegation hearings present the general public and local government leadership with a tremendous opportunity to express their needs, and to allow an exchange of information. We can do more as your legislator if we better understand the local problems and concerns.”

Dixie County – Dixie County Commission Chambers located at 401 N. Cedar Street in Cross City, September 26, 2011 from 9:00 – 12:00am.

Levy County – Levy County Commission Chambers located at 355 South Court Street in Bronson, September 26, 2011 from 3:00 – 5:00pm.

Hamilton County – Hamilton County Commission Chambers at the Hamilton County Courthouse, located at 207 NE 1st Street, Jasper, September 28, 2011 from 10:00 – 12:00am.

Madison County – Madison County Courthouse Annex, Room 107, 29 SW Pinckney Street, Madison, September 28, 2011 from 3:00 – 5:00pm.

Franklin County – Franklin County Commission Room in the Franklin County Courthouse Annex Building, located at 34 Forbes Street, Apalachicola, September 29, 2011 from 4:00 – 6:00pm.

House District 10 is the largest geographical district in the state, and spans from Franklin County, east to Columbia County, and down the coastline to Levy County.

If any member of the public would like to address the delegation, please contact Teresa Watson in Representative Bembry’s office at (352) 493-6848 or teresa.watson@myfloridahouse.gov, to be placed on the agenda. Appearance cards will also be available at the hearing for anyone who wishes to be heard.

NOTICE REGARDING THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing special accommodations to participate in this proceeding should contact the OFFICE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE LEONARD BEMBRY no later than seven (7) days prior to the proceeding at (352) 493-6848, Chiefland, Florida.

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Small Counties Do Well In A Difficult Budget Year

June 9, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
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Tallahassee, FL – Although it was a tough budget year in Tallahassee for the 2011 Legislative Session, small fiscally constrained counties did see some light at the end of the tunnel. “I represent all or part of ten small counties, of which nine are fiscally constrained. I made sure legislators knew how their decisions would affect the lives of the people in my district,” said Representative Leonard Bembry (D-Greenville). “There were a lot of cuts in the budget that I couldn’t support, mainly affecting education and the elderly.”

Critical programs for fiscally constrained counties were fully funded this year including Revenue Sharing, Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), and Pre-trial Detention Offset. These monies help fill the gap for struggling counties created by unfunded mandates.

Representative Bembry currently serves on the Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee as Ranking Member and was instrumental in retaining the PILT funding. He stated, “I’m very aware of how important these dollars are to our small counties. They depend on this money every year to help defray lost ad valorem revenues due to conservation easements purchased on lands.” To qualify for this program, a county in which the Water Management District has purchased land must have a population of less than 150,000. Payments are made each year for the previous year’s taxes lost by these counties.

Local libraries were saved from the chopping block by being funded at $21.3 million, an increase of $100,000 from 2010. Representative Bembry stated, “Libraries open a new world to our children and helps them understand the importance of learning and of education. They will enjoy their educational background for a lifetime”

Also saved were the Small County Road Assistance Program (SCRAP) and Small County Outreach Program (SCOP). Both of these programs provide funding for repaving and road widening. Without the SCRAP and SCOP funds, many small counties would not be able to improve or pave roads. The Small County Solid Waste Recycling Program was maintained at $2.4 million. These monies provide essential funding for counties with populations fewer than 100,000 to implement education programs and recycling efforts.

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BEMBRY SPONSORS STATE PARK BENEFITS FOR FAMILIES OF FALLEN MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIREFIGHTERS

May 10, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State Representative Leonard Bembry (D-Greenville) is pleased to announce that the Florida Legislature has approved a bill he sponsored to allow parents of deceased military veterans, as well as spouses and parents of fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters, to join a select group of people eligible to receive lifetime free entry to Florida State Parks.

The legislation (House Bill 95), which will be presented to Governor Rick Scott for consideration, builds on legislation Representative Bembry passed last year that made state park passes available to spouses of deceased members of the United States Armed Forces, National Guard, or reserves who have fallen in combat.

“I am proud to help Florida continue a tradition of being a veteran-friendly state by passing legislation that provides free lifetime family passes to parents who have lost a son or daughter who has fallen in military combat,” said Representative Bembry. “House Bill 95 also will allow spouses and parents of fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters to obtain annual entrance passes to state parks at no charge.

“I believe this is a thoughtful way for a grateful state to thank those who have sacrificed so much for our nation. It is only fitting that this legislation was voted on during the month that we commemorate Memorial Day,” added Representative Bembry. “I look forward to Governor Scott’s favorable consideration of this deserved legislation.”

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