What about the residents?

The mayor’s seat is empty and without leadership. It is occupied by an agenda-driven person who puts her personal ideals before the residents of this wonderful town. I’m talking about Mayor Patterson. That was on full display at Tuesday’s council meeting.
I have been a very strong critic of the mayor for about eight years. I have been correct, but she does keep getting elected by very small margins. So what do we do? We fight back on the issues that the mayor favors that are not good for the residents. I will get to that in a moment.
A glaring example of her overpowering bullying tactics was on display that night. The big one was a direct question to the city manager. It went like this: What would happen if we did not have the fee increases to the budget? The city manager said we would have to take money from the reserves and cut services. That is just not true. She did say earlier that we do have $2.5 million in Measure C money that can be used to balance the budget. That question was set up to be a scare tactic by the mayor to get her way. Well guess what, neither Councilmember Hughes nor Campbell are frightened by the mayor and her bullying tactics nor are the residents. Why would I say it is not true? Very simple, Measure C”money. About $5 million is collected every year. That money goes to the general fund and can be spent as needed. The city manager has clarified that. In this case, to balance the budget without the need to cut services. That scare tactic comment was wrong, so we do not have the new fee money. We come up short on balancing the budget by about $1.2 million. Here is where Measure C money comes in. In the projected 2017-18 and 2018-19 budgets, we are allocating Measure C money on a 50/50 split: $2.5 million to fund the city operating budget and $2.5 million for infrastructure or unfunded projects. The total amount of Measure C money can go to the general fund to keep this city operating as a full-service city. Reduce the infrastructure funds to the needed amount to keep this city at full service. Anyone who has followed the city budget already knows that by the 2019-20 and 2020-21 fiscal years, we will need all the Measure C money to keep the lights on. Why is that? The empty mayor’s seat does not understand finances or economic development at all. It’s too late to get her out of the seat. I do not believe in recalls. The next option is to get at least one, two or the remaining councilmembers to side with the residents. The residents have the power. The residents must ignore the empty mayor’s seat and move forward.
Two big issues that do affect the residents are water rates and the proposed new fee hikes. Something can be done about both. I did say on water rates to go back to the tiered rates and slow down the capital projects. Using the capital project money to reduce the rates will a big saving. Yes, we have done nothing for many years, so what is another 10-15 years? It does seem we may have one more that favors that resolve. Odds are in the residents’ favor to with stand any major issue. I will take those odds.
When I asked the mayor what she was going to do to help the residents, she would not answer and cut my mic off. There is your answer: avoid the residents. As I walked away, I did shout back “I won this one,” which I did. It was not for me, it was for the residents. It was well-received, and great volumes of applause could be heard. It was clear the mayor lost on that one.
I do realize it was an information on water usage, etc., but the question I asked was “What are you going to do for the residents?” If that is not an informational question just what is it. I was correct.
I urge the residents of this fine city to take a stand against the mayor. Contact the councilmembers about your concerns. The mayor does not seem to care. Fight for what you deserve. I hope the residents do know that “The Owl” will be keeping a very close eye on this issue and others as they move forward. I am with the residents and this very fine city all the way.

Bob “The Owl” Livesay,
Benicia

Dialogue starts with next generation

The latest example of American hate and bigotry in Charlottesville, Va. is just more proof that as Americans, we don’t know each other or respect each other, and I believe we are in grave danger of losing our identity as a nation.
The idea that “nationalists” want to protect “history” is a pathetic excuse to protect and promote their hate. Did you know that several of the offensive statues being removed were put in place in the 1960s as a protest against integration, as was the extreme rise in the number of private schools (whites only) in the South.
These people who are promoting hate and Anarchy are hopelessly lost in their love for hate and anarchy. I think the federal government must use its powers to stop this revival.
Frankly, the president should be taking much more of a leadership role, but he isn’t because he also needs those who hate just a little bit. He already has the vote of those involved in the Charlottesville disgrace.
I propose that to prevent a national collapse of our identity as united Americans, we need to start with our young people.
I have found that dialogue and listening generally helps conflicts, so I’d like to submit a few ideas to bring our children’s political views and values to be more inclusive and reflect the true America that will in a short time, makes us a much better country for all. And dare I say, make America great again.

1. Mandatory national service for everybody 18 to 23 years old.
I was against the draft and did not serve, but I would have gladly served in a national work program of some sort if there was one. Eighteen to 24 months of somebody from Benicia sharing the barracks with somebody from Georgia, that’s a good thing. Or how about a person from Marin bunking with a person from Detroit? Some kid from a small town working with a kid from the big city? They could include financial credits for college, further trades job training or home ownership, etc.
As Americans, we just don’t know each other or respect each other very much, and this idea would pretty much solve the problem in five years, creating a new generation of Americans that know the value of their fellow Americans. Other countries have been doing this for decades, the template is there. Let’s get going on this goal.

2. Repeal gerrymandering of voting districts. 
Hopefully the Supreme Court will address this issue soon and will come to a positive ruling that would strike down this socially divisive political technique of insuring re-election of intrenched politicians, who only answer to a limited, defined group of people. Gerrymandering will destroy our republic if it’s not struck down.

3. Campaign finance reform.
So much has been written about this, so I can’t offer anything new. We all know it’s corrupt, out of control and needs to be fixed. Corporations, unions and weaselly PACs are not people. Donations should be limited to a reasonable amount and traceable to a specific individual. The campaign period should be shortened.

Lastly, please give no attention to those who want demonstrate their hate with hate in SF soon._They are a lost cause. Give them nothing, they will get nothing. _
Seize the day.

Richard DeGraffenreid,
Benicia

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