Incumbent City Council members Mark Hughes and Alan Schwartzman will be unopposed in the Nov. 4 election.
They were the only two who submitted papers by Friday’s deadline for the two vacancies that will occur at the end of their current terms Dec. 31, City Clerk Lisa Wolfe said Tuesday.
In fact, since they are assured of re-election, the city had the option of leaving the two men’s names off the ballot, Wolfe said.
“But we’re leaving them on the ballot, so people can see who’s running — so everyone’s clear,” she said.
Wolfe said it’s unusual for only incumbents to be on the ballot for Council races, unlike her own post, for which she has run unopposed in the past.
“I don’t remember the last time” a Council race was unopposed, she said, adding that there have been elections in which only three have run for two vacancies.
The last time that occurred may have been in 2005, Wolfe said. “This is new for me.”
She said in addition to the two Council posts, Benicia has two measures on the Nov. 4 ballot.
One, Measure B, will let voters decide whether the city treasurer should become an appointed position. The other, Measure C, would raise the city sales tax by one penny.
Both Schwartzman and Hughes are seeking third terms on the Council. Schwartzman also ran unsuccessfully against Mayor Elizabeth Patterson in 2011.
“My impression is, generally speaking, the town feels the current Council is doing a good job,” Schwartzman said Tuesday.
He referred to former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, who said most either were hiring elections, such as when President Barack Obama was elected, or firing elections, when incumbents are voted out of office.
This year, however, “was not a hiring election or a firing election,” Schwartzman said.
After the 2011 election, Benicia changed its city elections to even-numbered years to coincide with a majority of agencies in Solano County.
This meant all elected officials — the Council, the city treasurer and the city clerk — saw their current terms extended by one year.
Hughes did not respond by press time to a request for comment.
Bob Livesay says
The important thing is the Mayor was very unsucessful in getting candidates to run against these two giants. Believe me she tried and lost big time.Does that not make you think we have a very weak mayor with no leadership skills. The next two years are going to be very difficuklt for our mayor.. Remember who she follows. I will help you. The council member from Richmond. His name is Butt. He just put his name in the picture for mayor of Richmond because even if he loses he will retain his council seat. Not much of a risk for a person who went against his ideals TO EXTORT MONEY FROM Chevron. Try 90 mil. Not A pretty picture that you want as your idol. Bad news Mayor Patterson. You will be the next that will be out of Benicia politics. Try as you may the fol;ks are on to you big time. Bye, Bye Mayor Patterson.
Reg Page says
Bob,
Please – let’s not politicize this. The credit is to Mark and Alan who have shown a willingness to listen and be objective in the interests of the community. Otherwise there would have been a challenge (certainly for the first time in my memory of over 40 years). Personally, I think we are fortunate that they are willing to continue. In many ways this IS a thankless job, and they need our understanding, if not agreement, to do what they do..
Finally, please don’t demonize the Mayor or others whose views you disagree with, even if we may agree with you.
Reg
Bob Livesay says
Reg I do understand what you are saying. But at the same time the mayor has gotten a free ride over eight years. I just happen to be the only one that does bring her ideals to the attention of the residents/voters.. Who else has the courage? Try no one. You know very well elections are all about politics and always will be. It is important for the public to know what is happening. Reg you have a polarized council. Four against one. Do you think I am the only one that sees that. No. I am the only one that brings it to the residents attention. I fully understand that is does get the local Liberals all tied up in a knot. But at the same time someone must bring out this agenda driven mayors ideals. i have chosen myself. I do appreciate your comment and concern but you did say” “even if we agree with you”. It is about time folks take a stance for the better of their city which I now call “TEAM BENICIA”. Reg get on the team. I do think you for sure agree with what I say. It is just I guess you would rather I not tell the true story. Reg I will continue and I hope you do understand my position..
Reg Page says
Bob,
I do understand. I just think that the significance of this has far more to do with the confidence people have in Alan and Mark than anything else. Whether or not the mayor was encouraging a challenge it would have been possible for anyone who really wanted to to run for the office. . They didn’t!
Bob Livesay says
That is the point Reg. The folks are satisfied the mayor is not and looked for folks to run with her ideals. It is political and it did not work.
Stan Golovich says
(And now for something completely different) I found out from a reliable source that City of Benicia has close to two dozen people getting the cash equivalent of the health plan they don’t need, and that 3 of them are on council. We know Strawbridge declined both stipend and cash perk, so there is one more elected official to hold up as an example.
Residents are being asked to sacrifice and pay more to maintain the quality of life here, The practice of cash-in-lieu is ethically wrong in good times or bad, in my opinion. This issue is on pause for this election, but will surely see discussion in 2016 mayor’s race.
There is yet to be a comment here supportive of cash-in-lieu perks for public officials and employees.
(And now, back to our regular programming)
Bob Livesay says
Stan i have been talking about Council benefits for a long time. The council should vote to do away with them. They should not get them. The mayor does get $622 a month for not taking healthcare plus other eye, vision etc benefits. It amounts to about $8,000 a year. Why to I cite her? Simple because she claims leadership skills. No leadership here. Seems to me to be pure self serving. This benefit must stop. It is up to the mayor as the leader. Can she show leadership skills. I doubt that. It weill now have to be a member of the council. Lets keep an eye on this. Thanks Stan.