(Left to right) Bill Markley of St. Paul’s Historic Trust; Paul Adler, Valero community relations director; Viola Robertson, Benicia Community Action Council director; Mary Frances Kelly Poh, retired CAC assistant director; Fred Railsback, CAC board member; and Leslie Sullivan, Valero operations director gather for the burning of the CAC’s mortgage Friday. When Robertson sought a loan to purchase the current location at 480 Military East in the ’90s, she pulled together a $150,000 down payment, $25,000 of which consisted of the CAC’s own funds, a $75,000 federal grant aimed at helping communities affected by the closing of Mare Island Naval Station in 1996,$25,000 from then-Supervisor John Silva and $25,000 from the Exxon Benicia Refinery, which is now owned by Valero. The St. Paul’s Historic Trust also financed the loan. With the mortgage finally paid off this year, a special celebration was held in Parrish Hall Friday, which moved out to the church’s courtyard where Railsback lit the mortgage on fire with supervision from the Fire Department. (Photo by Nick Sestanovich)
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I was wondering why the mayor wouldn’t take the opportunity for a photo event with such a fine organization as the Benicia CAC.
Then I read the caption; evil Valero and the petroleum industry helped out with the CAC.
We better shut down those oil companies. Right Mayor?
The Mayor was there and the only person she was budding up to was her partner Vice Mayor Young. The Vice Mayor was behind the food table in clear view. He reached out to shake my hand and I refused. I told his e-mail to be said that his advisors told him to not communicate with me. So I followed his e-mail demand. That event was observed by many and I received many very quiet thanks.. Loved it.
Sad that comments about this very positive community event are full of pettiness and small-mindedness. The CAC does wonderful work. Why can’t you guys celebrate this achievement instead of taking potshots at the mayor and vice mayor? It’s so juvenile.
J my wife volunteers at CAC. Do not tell me what to say. The Mayor and Vice Mayor were no more than quests. That is it. Valero and the CAC put on a very well received event. The mayor and vice mayor were very lonely nobody’s. Get Woke J. The mayor and vice mayor not WOKE
The basic fact that the mayor is openly and on record opposing Valero and the entire petroleum industry makes her a hypocrite for attending the event. The mayor is very public in her animosity towards Valero. If she had principles she would have declined the invitation to attend.