Board celebrates the life, service, and accomplishments of local civic leader
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners posthumously awarded its 2025 Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award to Louis G. Betz Jr., a local civic leader and consultant, during its May 7 Board meeting. Betz joins the ranks of other esteemed recipients of the award that include Judge E.J. Salcines, former Governor Bob Martinez, and last year's recipient, former Hillsborough County Public Schools educator Doretha Edgecomb, to name a few.
A native of Hillsborough County, Mr. Betz led the charge for the Florida Legislature to pass the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act, which allows cities and counties to implement and utilize red light camera safety programs. In 2011, he partnered with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and various other organizations to help convince the Legislature to pass landmark sexual assault legislation, the Walk in Their Shoes Act. In 2014, he established the annual Hillsborough Day in Tallahassee, which showcases the region during the state's legislative session. He was appointed to serve on the Florida State Fair Authority Board, and he founded More Transplant More Life in 2020. In 2023, on behalf of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and while working with Hillsborough County and Sheriff Chad Chronister, Mr. Betz helped facilitate the opening of the second certified rape crisis center in Hillsborough County, located in Ruskin, to serve the growing population in South County. Sadly, Louis G. Betz, Jr. passed away on Jan. 20, 2025, at the age of 61.
Victoria Betz Yost, Betz's daughter, spoke on behalf of his family, and said that it is with great pride that she accepted the award in honor of her father and his countless accomplishments.
"While he is not physically here to receive this recognition himself, I know, without a doubt, how much this would have meant to him," she said. "He dedicated his life to his community and his work. He poured his heart and soul into helping others. He never sought accolades or recognition. He was driven by a passion for his work, a love of his family, and to make a difference in our community."
For 28 years, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners has presented the Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award to an individual or group for the significant role they play in improving government through leadership and vision. The award is named in honor of Ellsworth G. Simmons, a respected government and civic leader who served seven years on the Hillsborough County School Board, and 21 years on the Board of County Commissioners.
The Board also presented a proclamation declaring May 7, 2025 as the Nineteenth Annual Delta Day.
Interested in all the details about the latest BOCC meeting? Here is a full recap.
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