In my capacity as the Alternate Solano County member on the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Executive Board, I voted against a regional housing compact known as CASA. While there were some positive aspects to this proposal and I am thrilled to see an emphasis on solving housing issues, I do not believe that […]
Terry Scott: We are all one people
I just wanted to share some thoughts about my experiences about this weekend as we helped collect donations for Coast Guard families in Benicia and Vallejo affected by the ongoing government shutdown. I clearly saw the underlying value that most Americans share. That value that we are all one people—not red. Not blue. Just Americans […]
Jason Kishineff: This was not Dr. King’s dream
The Democratic Party thinks that you have found equality and equal access, as long as the Democratic Party is the one making the decisions, instead of the Republicans, whom they accuse of outright racism. Yet the Democratic Party practices a form of racism, too – a more subtle, insidious racism, but it is racism nonetheless. […]
A letter to Congressman Mike Thompson
Dear Mr. Thompson, I challenge you to a debate- again. I ran against you in 2018, and challenged you then, but you must not have received my letter, which I sent to all of your offices, or seen it printed in the newspaper, or seen me at a half dozen of your town halls holding […]
Girl’s basketball observations
Saturday, I attended the Niki Showcase girl’s basketball event at Miramonte High School in Orinda. Some of the best teams in California were playing, and the games and players were certainly worth the admission price. However, it’s been very troubling to me to watch and observe various coach’s (and sometimes the parents as well) behavior […]
Letters: Election and Solano library grant
A clear choice for health I moved to Benicia 15years ago, knowing it to be a small, safe, friendly community. My daughter and three grandchildren followed. I am responsible for their presence in this town. I am deeply committed to their health and safety. Valero’s power failure in May 2017 engulfed Benicia with black smoke […]
Letters: Yep, it’s election season
Swaying the vote I get a kick out of the campaign season and have for the past 25 years or so. I remember a day when local, city elections were supposed to be free from political parties. Then in the early 2000s, Dan Smith (the first to do so that I remember) mentioned that the […]
Letters: Birdseye views
Don’t be fooled I have talked about the “Shadow Government, the self-appointed leader of whom appears to be Mayor Patterson. Her self-appointed second in command is Vice Mayor Young. She is now hard at work to get Birdseye elected to the City Council as a third vote and have a very simple majority. Now she […]
Letter: Birdseye for council
Birdseye for council Ever since I was elected to be your supervisor, I have found Kari Birdseye to be a tireless advocate for Benicia. Nearly two decades ago, Kari and her husband chose to make Benicia their home. Kari raised her family in Benicia, put her kids through Benicia’s schools and volunteered numerous hours as […]
Letters: Elections and endorsements
An important election For many, this November’s election is insignificant due to it not being a presidential election. However, for the citizens of Benicia, it holds great significance. Residents and business owners have been burdened with a City Council of “tax and spend” philosophy these last few years. Increases in water rates, building fees, security […]