(This post has been updated from the print edition)
My hat is off to the full slate of capable and qualified people vying for positions on our City Council. Anyone who follows the workings of this body knows well the time and commitment required in what’s too often a thankless job. Being a 13-year resident of Benicia, I’ve been drawn to the issues most likely to have a bearing on the safety, health and welfare of our community. But, as the election grows nigh, I’ve noticed various groups and individuals taking sides for or against the various candidates.
Two groups, the Benicia police and fire fighters associations, caught my attention right away. Their many yard signs promote a slate of candidates including Lionel Largaespada, Mark Hughes and Christina Strawbridge. In turn these same candidates tout the police and firefighter endorsements in their campaigns. When I learned that most of the police and firefighters don’t live in Benicia and that they each contributed $740 apiece (Editor’s note: This is only true of the Police Officers’ Association. The exact dollar amount raised by the Firefighters’ Association was less than $99 apiece and thus has not been publicly reported per Fair Political Practices Commission rules ) to raise $20,000 to support their slate, that bothered me. From what I can tell, all the candidates want to promote public safety and support a strong police and fire department. So I was puzzled why they would endorse these particular candidates.
From my 35 years working in the federal government, I’m well aware of the Hatch Act, a law intended to protect federal employees from political coercion at work. The law is a safeguard to the merit system by ensuring that career advancement for federal employees is based on merit and not political affiliation. One of the other goals, which is tied to the two previous ones, is that it fosters public trust by requiring that federal programs, federal institutions be administered in a non-partisan fashion.
I know, city employees aren’t federal employees, and so long as Benicia doesn’t accept federal funding, city employees can use their positions to promote their political agendas. But I don’t have to like it. $740 apiece is a big chunk of change for most of us, so the police and firefighters must hope to gain something from these endorsements. (Editor’s note: See above) To wit, unions typically support candidates that support higher pay and benefits and our police and fire fighters contract negotiations begin next year. Hmmm.
The only other reason I could see for the police and fire endorsement is their perception of “growth.” Like the construction trades that operate on the “more is better” premise, the police and firefighters may hope that unbridled growth will result in more jobs and city revenue in support of future pay and benefits. If that’s the case, it’s clear why they are supporting Largaespada, who openly supported Valero’s Crude-By-Rail Project and amending the General Plan to allow construction of 900-plus homes on the Seeno property. Hughes and Strawbridge similarly voted to consider dropping the approved business park plan in lieu of residential development on the Seeno property. Elizabeth Patterson and Tom Campbell voted against adding residential as that would limit our ability to attract businesses there.
Oddly, the council candidate most knowledgeable about community development, Steve Young, was passed over by the police and fire fighters. Young was director of community development for the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency from 1999 to 2008 where he oversaw a $20 million budget managing the development of large business and industrial parks at Mather and McClellan Air Force bases after they were closed. Steve knows what it takes to attract business and undertake planning and development. According to Steve, “good planning requires a Master Plan with input from the community to assure the end result satisfies both community and economic benefits.”
So why wouldn’t the police and firefighters endorse Young?
A likely reason is Young’s in-depth analysis of Valero’s Crude-By-Rail Project while serving on Benicia’s Planning Commission. Young, like Mayor Patterson, is very detail oriented and his in-depth analysis highlighted reasons for rejecting Valero’s proposal that was later unanimously rejected by the Planning Commission and City Council. Yet, despite an abundance of evidence and hours of testimony, including findings by the state attorney general, both Hughes and Strawbridge were unable to reject the Crude-By-Rail Project initially, opting to delay the decision to get “more information.” Meanwhile, Patterson, Campbell and Young read the analysis, studied the regulations and rejected the proposal outright – without delay.
Which candidates will do the best analysis of the pay and benefits package for the police and firefighters next year? Which candidates are best prepared to oversee development of the Seeno property in a way that benefits all Benicians? In my view, it’s clearly Steve Young and Elizabeth Patterson.
Craig Snider is a Benicia resident who retired from the US Forest Service in 2014 where he fought forest fires among other things.
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Craig I do understand how you feel. There are two sides to the endorsements. All candidates love endorsement. Steve and the Mayor tout their endorsements. I think they should. If Steve Young and Mayor were both endorsed by the Police and Fire would you still feel the same and endorse them as you have. I would like to see how you feel if it was reversed. Also did they seek that endorsement and did not get it? Do you know that? There is no question that Steve and the Mayor are capable candidates. But as we all see they both appear to be anti growth and do not have sound economic development plans. Crude By Rail is over and out. The only big issue left on the table is Economic Development. . The no growth issue was solved long ago. The City of Benicia can not grow much more than maybe up to at the most 31,000. That would include a lesser amount of housing on the Seeno property. I think you will find that the council as it stands now will be open to both retail and housing on the Seeno project. It does appear the Mayor and Steve have made their decision already. Could be that neither will be around to cast a vote on that issue. The voters will determine that..Economic development of the Seeno property is the last chance for a revenue stream to protect this fine city and all its services. By the way many of us did not live the city where we were employed. That is a dead issue. The big issue is that they are there to serve this city and will. . You may want to read the comment by James Slaughter. It does solve the issue very easily.. I* support our fire and police City employees. and I know they will be there when needed. I also support the three candidates that you do not plus Tom Campbell. These are proven leaders with the best interest of the city.
Bravo Craig! Hughes, Strawbridge and Schwartzman, as well as Largaespada need to be sent a message.Yes to re-elect Mayor Elizabeth Patterson and elect Steve Young to the City Council
It appears the contributions of individual police officer and fire fighter exceeds the Benicia individual contribution limit. perhaps there is a loophole for contributions to a PAC..
It appears Mayor Patterson and Steve Young were also interviewed by the BPOA. How cozy. I agree about messages but it should also include all the facts. Did the C of C endorse Mayor Patterson and Steve Young? Did the teachers union endorse Mayor Patterson and Steve Young? The message should be why not if that is the case. I assume Mayor Patterson and Steve Young are nit anti union.. Are they? Not sure what you are talking about on the individual contribution limit. A little explanation would help..
I believe with regard to the $540 limit that Andres is referring to this. However, I appears to apply only to candidates that agree to limit contributions. Not sure how this squares with the Police contributions to a PAC.
http://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/vertical/sites/%7BF991A639-AAED-4E1A-9735-86EA195E2C8D%7D/uploads/Candidate_Campaiging_Questions.pdf
People that belong to groups that are serving the needs of all City of Benicia residents must be recognized as groups of people that are doing the hard work to make our city safe and well educated. That is just another message.
I have to wonder. If Mayor Patterson received the endorsement from the police and fire fighters, and the fact is she did interview for it, would you still have written an article talking about questionable endorsements?
Outstanding John
Benicia 2016 Election news you can use…
“Money is the mother’s milk of politics” a December 14, 1962 Time magazine story quoted from Jesse Unruh (1922-1987), then speaker of California’s state assembly. The quotation became much-used in 1963 and is still used as a classic political truism.
Beyond endorsements, real politics for the citizens of Benicia to consider…
Endorsements all the candidates have them. With regards the BPOA, they didn’t choose/endorse, George Oakes, Steve Young, Elizabeth Patterson and Dr. Tom Campbell. Four of the elite eight (6 on the planning commission and two on the council) who are running for office in this town. all who voted against crude-by-rail.; all who are more cautious about how to proceed on the Northern Gateway/Seeno property, to protect our small town character. And probably most importantly, they won’t be patsies when police contract talks come up in June of 2017.
The 27 police officers are not happy about their pay, it isn’t comparable to other cities.
The average pay for a police officer in this town…drum roll..$141,388.00. Source: Human Resources Office, City of Benicia.
Can you imagine the 27 police officers the bulk of them don’t even live here. There kids don’t go to our schools; they cannot vote in “our” election; yet they are calling for economic growth (when did the police become experts in urban planning ?)–because they believe it will help their cause for more pay down the road.. With total disregard for the rest of the citizens who do live here. Somehow that just doesn’t seem fair, just or right!
The three candidates they endorsed are the ones who correctly answered the the BPOA’s questions to the Association’s satisfaction .
And since they cannot vote in “our’ election they have filed an Independent Expenditure Report-Form 497 with the City Clerk’s office in support of Mark Hughes for Mayor. Again, to be clear, Mark Hughes didn’t seek their support. But the BPOA Political Action Committee has raised $20 thousand to support not only Mr. Hughes, but to also use this money to buy/manipulate our election.
Note: As citizens we see this kind of money being thrown around at the state and national levels… Well,wake -up Benicia, it is happening in our” little city.” Spending $20 grand in a small town election is a huge game changer.
The gloves are off. The only thing that can change this kind of cash register politics is, information, and an informed electorate and going to the voting booth and refuting this police PAC and their slate of candidates.
Will your statement on average pay for a police officer is wrong. That is the average cost to the city not the average pay. Big difference. That figure you quote also does not include overtime which would be an added amount to gross pay/cost to city. Also you do not deduct the amount that the city pays for CalPers and benefits to get to the gross pay or w2 amount that the officers actually get. At present the fire and safety pay a portion of the city share to CalPers. For police the city pays 21.23 minus the police officers contribution of 5.53. So as we see the actual gross pay to a police officer is not any where near the figure you are using. I believe it is important to identify true police compensation and not the cost to the city which is much different. Very unfair and false comment about are very fine city police officers. I suggest you dig deeper Will on your info. It is suspect.
Correction:
Should have said, The average “cost” for a police officer …“cost” includes city costs such as payment to CalPERS retirement, payment for health insurance, etc.
So, The average cost for a police officer in this town…drum roll..$141,388.00. Source: Human Resources Office, City of Benicia
The 27 police officers are not happy about their pay, it isn’t comparable to other cities.
The average pay for a police officer in this town…drum roll..$141,388.00. Source: Human Resources Office, City of Benicia
Will you must be specific on your numbers. The average pay for the officers you are talking about is about 126,000/129,000. Cost to the city is actually more than your number because you did not include overtime. The officers pay that I am showing does include overtime. Add that too your figure and it comes to about $160,000 cost to the city. All figures are not up to date and some are partial. But the numbers will be very close to being correct. I will take my numbers not Will Gregory. Base salary for these police officers is in the 80/100 range. Their actual pay goes up because of overtime and other pay. That is what they will be taxed on. Not the 141 or the 16o. Will feel free to correct me. If I am wrong I will admit it just like you did.
Will the big thing you fail to tell the voters is that it is NOT unusual for Police Officers not to live in the town they work. Many reasons but a big one is safety and possible harassment from the public if they are around town, children in local schools. I would think Will you would respect that and not try to belittle these very fine Police Officers that we all respect and depend on. I assume you also respect them and depend on them. Vote Hughes, Strawbridge and Largaespada they have the best interest of the city and its very fine residents.
Will you say the endorsed candidates answered the questions to the satisfaction of BPOA. Will can you give us the questions and how each candidate answered them? You appear to know. Will clear up the elite eight. It appears you are confused. The vote was 5/0 on the city council and 6/0 on the Planning Commission. I believe that is an 11/0 vote. Could that then be called the elite eleven? Of those running for office the Mayor and three council members all voted against the CBR. Two planning commissioners also voted against the CBR. That is six of the 11/0 votes it also appears our police officer pay is misleading. That total is what it costs the city. Remember Will the city pays a major share of the city share of CalPers not the officer. I will be back to give further info on that. What is more important is what amount appears on the officers W2.. That is what they actual are paid…
Craig why would this city want to elect a career bureaucrat driven buy his agendas driven ideals on planning. He has no history with or about this very fine city.. His only claim to fame is he has lived here for four years. Also was a member of the Planning Commission and his filibustering got him some attention.. That’s it. He has partnered with Mayor Patterson on the same agenda. They have no plans for the Seeno property or any other economic develop I will take Mark Hughes ove the r Mayor and also Lionel and Christina for city council. The fact that both the Mayor and Steve interviewed for the endorsement tells a big story. They did not get that endorsement. Very easy to figure out. It is not a campaign issue it is a big campaign plus. So what does the opposition do they try to make it a campaign issue. It is not and I have pretty much put that issue to bed with correct facts.
Benicia 2016 Election News:
A belated, excellent article, Mr. Snider.
Steve Young posts his comments on the history of endorsements in this election season.. This is important information for the voters to see/read/comprehend.
Context on my endorsements
By Steve Young
October 28, 2016
It has been said repeatedly in letters to the Editor that I sought out endorsements from Labor and that is mostly true. But some context is needed to understand the background of these endorsements. What is not true is that I was interviewed by either the Police or Fire unions.
As a supporter of labor unions my whole life, and the son of a teachers union President, I did hope to secure an endorsement from labor, which here is represented by the Napa/Solano Labor Council. I had been warned, however, that securing such an endorsement was unlikely. Having never run for office before, I was unclear as to why that would be the case.
I, along with the other candidates, had interviewed with representatives of the Napa/Solano Central Labor Council several months ago. After my interview, I was approached by two representatives of the Benicia Police Officers Association (POA), who said they were impressed by my honesty and directness, and asked if I would be interested in the endorsement of the POA. I answered that I would be interested, and that we should talk more. When I called the POA representative the following week to set up a meeting as they suggested, I was surprised to be told that they had talked with their political consultant and that, since they were told I was supporting Mayor Patterson, they could not consider me for an endorsement.
Putting aside the question of why a 27 member union in a small town like Benicia feels the need to have a political consultant, no other explanation was given for why my support for Mayor Patterson was a disqualifying factor. Perhaps it is because she has consistently supported a policy of “all for one, and one for all” in regards to labor negotiations. This approach means all bargaining groups in the City should be offered the same salary and benefit increases, and that city employees should not be pitted against each other. It is my understanding that the entire Council also supported this approach in past negotiations. It will be interesting to see if the new Council will uphold this, as negotiations on a new contract with the POA is now beginning.
I should stress that NO candidate interviews were ever held with the POA or the Firefighters union. These unions evidently did not need to talk to any of the candidates before making their endorsements and deciding to heavily invest in the outcome of this election.
A similar thing happened with the Benicia Teachers Association. After what seemed like a very positive interview with their group, the President of the union called me and said that, after consulting with the head of the Napa Solano Labor Council, they felt the need to endorse the same candidate slate as the rest of the unions. I wonder if the membership of these unions were ever contacted about these endorsements or expenditures.
On the other hand, all four of the Democrats running for City Council (Strawbridge, Campbell, Oakes and myself) DID interview for the endorsement of the California/Solano Democratic Party. (Since he is a Republican, Lionel Largaspaeda understandably did not seek this endorsement). I am proud to say that I was the only one of the four remaining Council candidates to receive the party’s endorsement, even though there are two seats being contested. None of the other candidates received the necessary 50% plus one vote. Mayor Patterson also received the endorsement of the Democratic party- which was a mere formality given that her opponent Mark Hughes is a Republican.
It used to be that labor unions were reliable supporters of Democrats. That evidently is no longer the case in regards to labor unions in Benicia, as they endorsed the only two Republicans running, along with Councilwoman Strawbridge.
It remains to be seen if the unions’ investment in our election will pay dividends.
Hat Tip: To the Benicia Independent.
http://beniciaindependent.com/letter-series-steve-young-context-on-my-endorsements/
Steve Young has no idea what an interview is. It can be casual, one on one, phone, informal, or as he says in a group setting. He states: “After my INTERVIEW I was approached by two representatives of the Benicia Police Officers Association, who said they were impressed by my honest and directness, and asked if I would be interested in the endorsement of the POA. I answered that I would be interested, and that we should talk more”. Notice the word interview. He also says I should stress that NO candidate interviews were ever held with the POA or Firefighters union. A half truth.; Remember he did use the word interview. This is what Steve Young does consistently. He misleads the voters. Once on the 900 homes on the Seeno property and also on the recycled water project. Then adds the interview word to his misleading endorsement statement. I encourage everyone to read Greg Gartrell LTTE in the Nov. I, 2016 Benicia Herald. It pretty well invalidates Steve Young’s misleading statements on this project. It just shows the folks that all his so called info is invalid and very misleading. I have seen, read and do comprehend what Steve Young is saying and he is invalid on all three of his statements. Is this the type of member of the Benicia City Council we want. I think not. I will be back so stay tuned.