Adios, Paco's Tacos

The Mexican restaurant, Paco's Tacos, closed Monday.

Paco's Tacos opened with a warm reception on Beach Boulevard in early February. The "four chicas" - Barbara Banno, Jeanne Kunkle, Amy Hodges and Diane Bear - decided to take their love of Mexican food and turn it into a shared business, offering authentic Mexican meals with fresh ingredients. On Monday, Paco's Tacos fans were informed that the business was closed. The following message was shared with Gulfport Patch from co-owner Barbara Banno on Facebook. It was also posted on the Paco's Taco's Facebook page on Monday morning, just one day after Cinco de Mayo. "We wanted to let everyone know that effective today, Paco's Tacos is closed. We want to thank the community for all their support." Below are a few comments summing up what …

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Gulfport City Council

'City Divided' by HRO Ordinance, Boy Scouts Lease, Banno Says

Outgoing Council Member Barbara Banno is disappointed in the lack of a vote on the lease agreement for usage of Scout Hall for local Cub Scout groups.

For outgoing Councilor Barbara Banno, her last night on the dais Tuesday was bittersweet. Early in the meeting she was thanked for her service to Gulfport residents, but by the end, a resident's public comment left her visibly shaken on an issue close to her heart. The Gulfport City Council had just postponed a vote on whether to renew its lease with the Gulfport Lions Club, Inc for use of Scout Hall, where the club frequently hosts local Boy Scout troop meetings, in favor of a wait-and-see approach to Boy Scouts of America's upcoming decision on its anti-gay membership policy.  Many residents critical of the national organization's policy say the local troops are in violation of the city's Human Rights Ordinance, which is meant to …

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Gulfport City Council

Meet City Candidates for March Elections

Candidates for Ward 2 and 4 are unopposed, however, there are two candidates vying for your votes in the mayoral race.

After serving the City of Gulfport for more than 20 years, Mayor Mike Yakes is retiring after the March elections. Yakes has decided not to seek reelection. Mayor's Race Vice Mayor Sam Henderson and former council member Bob Worthington qualified as candidates for the mayor's post on Monday. “I’m excited to do it and if people are happy with what I’ve done the last 3 and a half years, hopefully I will be the next Mayor," Sam Henderson said in a previous story. He notes Mayor Mike Yakes' retirement announcement as the final factor in his decision. "I knew I was never gonna run against Mayor Yakes," he said. Bob Worthington told Patch is a previous story that he believes it's time for new leadership. Worthington wants to unify the Council …

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Christine Brown, Barbara Banno to Run for Ward 2 City Council Seat

Gulfport resident Christine Brown is challenging incumbent Barbara Banno for the Ward 2 City Council seat.

Gulfport resident and CERT member Christine Brown wants to be your next Gulfport City Council Member for Ward 2. Brown is challenging incumbent Barbara Banno for the spot on council. Banno is running for her second term. "I want to continue to represent the people of this city," Banno wrote to Patch. Banno was instrumental in passing the city's domestic partner registry and continutes to support expanding services at the Gulfport Municipal Marina. As a small business owner, Banno says she's always looking at ways to increase revenue for the city and help balance the budget. "I think this city has some great opportunities (such as) economic development and growth. I want to finish what I started," Banno shared with Patch. Christine Brown …

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Cherlene Willis

7:17 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012

Barbara Banno has decided not to run again. She provided this statement to Gulfport Patch this afternoon: "I would like to thank the citizens of our great town of Gulfport. Serving on City Council has been an honor and pleasure. I am so proud to have served "in my opinion" some of the greatest people in the whole world. However at this time I do not feel I have the time to devote to the City …   more ›

Gulfport Municipal Marina: Time to Grow!

The Gulfport Marina has been a regular source of cash for the city, and many officials would like to see the marina expand, to compete for more boaters and their revenue.

Living in Gulfport, chances are you love beaches, art, music and a friendly, small-town sensibility. However, the heart of the city is more than just on land; it’s on the water as well. A real jewel in Gulfport is the Municipal Marina, on Boca Ciega Bay. According to officials, improving the marina also makes good money sense. It has been a consistent moneymaker for the city. Harbor Master Denis Frain estimated the marina paid Gulfport nearly $600,000 over operating costs in 2011. The marina needs a few repairs; and if new plans are approved, capacity should be expanded by at least another 50 boats. To steal a line from Jaws—it is not that Gulfport needs a bigger boat, they need a bigger marina. “The marina has had a long history for …

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Gulfport City Council

Video: Couples Declare Domestic Partnership

Three Gulfport couples share what the domestic partnership registry means to them. Watch our video to hear from them and why the registry is a step in the right direction for equal rights for all.

Partners Jan and Denise Lowe, Doug Hudson and Leonardo Robledo and Councilor Barbara Banno and Jeanne Kunkle gathered at Gulfport City Hall on Monday, June 25, for a historic event. All three same-sex couples registered under the City of Gulfport's domestic partnership registry, the first couples to do so since the Council adopted the program. Watch our video and hear from all three couples about the monumental event for them and their families. Also hear how the registry is raising awareness about equality for all.

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Gulfport City Council

Gulfport Leaders Take Action, Urge Neighbors to Create Domestic Partnership Registries

Gulfport city leaders are reaching out to municipalities, sharing information and spreading support, to hopefully see more registries created in nearby cities and in Pinellas County.

The Gulfport City Council made history when leaders were the first to pass a Domestic Partnership Registry in Pinellas County on May 15. Dozens of residents expressed their support during the discussions and final passage of the ordinance, but one main point continued surface. Supporters wanted momentum to build and eventually see neighboring communities pass similar registries. City leaders vowed they would spread education and support for the registry. Councilor Barbara Banno did just that when she addressed the St. Petersburg City Council on Thursday. St. Pete leaders unanimously approved a domestic partnership registry _open to all couples, not just St. Pete residents. Banno spoke on behalf of the Gulfport City Council saying that …

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Gulfport City Council

Final Vote on Domestic Partnership Registry Tuesday

If Gulfport City leaders pass the Domestic Partnership Registry Tuesday night, the city will be the first in Pinellas County to create a registry for unmarried couples.

The creation of a domestic partnership registry in Gulfport would grant unmarried couples rights when making education choices for children, emergency medical decisions, end-of-life and funeral arrangements. The registry was first brought to the council's attention by Councilors Barbara Banno and Jennifer Salmon following Tampa's move and passage of a local domestic partnership registry. On April 19, council discussed the ordinance at a workshop. Then, after a few minor revisions and additions, ordinance 1212-10, passed during first reading with a 4-1 vote on May 1. Now, the registry is one vote away from passage and will be the first in Pinellas County if leaders pass it on Tuesday night. What are people saying? "The Domestic Partnership …

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Gulfport City Council

Domestic Partnership Registry One Step Closer to Passage

The domestic partnership registry passed first reading with a 4-1 vote by the Gulfport City Council Tuesday night.

The domestic partnership registry is one vote away from becoming reality for unmarried couples in Gulfport. The legal recognition at the local level would grant unmarried couples rights similar to that of a married couples when making education choices for children, emergency medical decisions, end-of-life choices and funeral arrangements. City Council voted 4 - 1 during first reading of the ordinance Tuesday night with Councilor Dan Liedtke casting the only no vote. Liedtke expressed concerns over whether or not other municipalities will recognize a local registry. "I want to know, how do we minimize the symbolism from the equation and move onto something that has weight," Liedtke said. He requested that a power of attorney and health …

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Rob Fowler

7:14 am on Sunday, May 6, 2012

Perfect! More community involvement with solid results always works best for me.   more ›

Gulfport City Council

Gulfport Considers Domestic Partnership Registry

Gulfport leaders will discuss whether to adopt a domestic registry ordinance that will grant some rights to unmarried couples that have been exclusive to married couples.

Gulfport's waterfront district is an economic engine for this Gulf coast city. One of the bustling spots is Stella’s restaurant, run by City Council member Barbara Banno and her life partner, Jeanne Kunkle. “We love Gulfport,” said Banno, and the city clearly has welcomed the couple, who wed in Canada in 2006, though their union is not recognized by the state of Florida. So when Banno heard about Tampa's move and passage of a local domestic partnership registry, she started pushing for a similar one in Gulfport. A domestic partnership registry gives couples, gay or straight, the opportunity to register with the City Clerk’s office. A proposed ordinance is on the agenda for a workshop Thursday, April 19, at 5:30 p.m. at Gulfport City Hall. …

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