Former Councilmember Christina Strawbridge (Top) and Economic Development Board Chair Lionel Largaespada (Bottom) became the first two candidates to file papers for their candidacies Friday with an oath administered by City Clerk Lisa Wolfe. The nomination papers for Strawbridge, who also runs Christina S Fashion Destination, received signatures from the likes of Councilmembers Tom Campbell and Alan Schwartzman, former Mayor Jerry Hayes and former Councilmember Bill Whitney. Largaespada is also a community volunteer making his second attempt at a council run and is running on a platform of finding solutions to the water and sewer rate increases, expanding street maintenance, investing in infrastructure and promoting economic development. Kari Birdseye, a planning commissioner, announced her intention to run in June but had not filed papers as of press time. Incumbent councilmembers Schwartzman and Mark Hughes are eligible for re-election, although neither had publicly announced campaigns as of press time. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 6. (Courtesy photos)
Sharing is caring!
Neither of these neighbors would accommodate medicinal safe access for patients in our wonderful town during the public hearings. The record is rich with their persistent pleas for city officials not to allow medicinal safe access. The city of Fairfax, recently featured in Benicia magazine for its small town charm, has been medicinal safe access only since 1996. Prop. 64 and resultant regulating legislation SB94 did not mandate all or nothing commercial cannabis. A local jurisdiction can accept or ban any of the twenty license types regulated by the state.
Polls from several deep red states indicated a high percentage of respondents supported medicinal safe access, even in deepest red states where support for so-called “recreational” activity hovers at around 50 percent or less. The average change between the two columns was 20 percent. It is not unreasonable to conclude that Benicia voters’ 63 percent acceptance of “recreational” cannabis would extend to around 83 percent supportive of medicinal safe access. The notion that Benicia voters supported Prop. 64 so long as it is sold somewhere else is just plain batty. Safe harbor for pols would have been to support medicinal safe access only, the widely panned “California experiment” of 1996 that has now been accepted by the FDA.
Stan one of the issues with recreational cannabis is for city’s trying to improve their image. It will not help and they could end up with an image of the “Recreational Cannabis” capitol of the area. I would rather have an image of a family friendly town that does not play up our two Recreational Cannabis stores if and when they ever open. The city of Benicia could be know as a city that participates but does not glorify it. Even Vallejo with eleven outlets is now looking at reducing the excise tax from 10 percent to something closer to 3/6 percent if not all at once but gradually. The so called 2.5/4.0 mil revenue will be very short lived and finally drop to about under 2 mil. So as you see it will never be the life saver as you and many think it will be. It will be just another business in Benicia. The BIP is where the main money stream could be and that will be limited.
Good morning Stan, I respect your passion as a cannabis advocate but that doesn’t give you permission to manipulate the facts and make false statements about me.
The record you speak of indicates that I am not prohibitionist and that I respect the rights of adults as guaranteed by the State Constitution of California. Those are facts.
The other fact.
During the public hearings I respectfully asked the Benicia City Council to wait on permitting recreational dispensaries until it conducted its own economic impact study and community benefits analysis.
The content of my statement is summarized in this letter to the editor:
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/opinion/20171027/lionel-largaespada-marijuana-sales-ordinance-needs-more-research
This does not entail denying access to medicinal marijuana to any Benician.
Let’s stick to facts please, thank you.
Whether or not you are a prohibitionist is a matter of opinion.
When you spoke against cannabis, you spoke against both, period. You made no exception for medicinal, a California staple for the last 22 years. There was no good reason to try and stall medicinal activity. I believe you were hoping to discover some reason to not permit commercial activity in Benicia, but the evidence around the nation is demonstrating medicinal and now “recreational” cannabis is not causing anyone any problems. You may find an anomaly in a rare case, but there never was and is not now any reason to keep commercial cannabis out of Benicia, off First Street, away from churches and schools or an ice cream truck.
The ED Board was not supportive of commercial cannabis. Your tasking is “to identify and investigate economic development needs and opportunities in the City…”. Your board majority saw commercial cannabis activity as a potential problem and sought to erect roadblocks. Look around you, Lionel, Commercial cannabis is making money for cities and the crime, depressed real estate values, and lost tourism never showed up. That should suffice to most voters, not analysis paralysis.
How about a medicinal-only dispensary on First Street? Would you support that, now?
Now that commercial cannabis is here and presents a tremendous economic opportunity, what is the ED Board going to do to help grow the industry?
Stan, {I think you are Stan maybe not, you tell us} I think the city council already decided that. Just what growth are you talking about.? Be clear. I do not know what you mean by “grow the industry”.
Why First Street Stan. Do you have a financial interest that it should ,be there?
Southampton Center, medicinal only? After all, alcohol, tobacco, and opioids are sold there. Solano Square? Same products there as well.
It appears Stan your beef is First Street. Do you want to be a participant for a Cannabis store on First Street? Is that your beef. There will be two cannabis stores in Benicia. I believe you will find that Solano Square is OK. Get something together and put one there. How about the old Sprankles spot. Stan lets see some action and less talk.
Oh for gosh sakes … do you really think it will make any difference to the pot user to drive to the industrial park? It doesn’t have to be on First Street to be available. It doesn’t have to be in the Raleys Shopping Center to be available. Pot stores will be just fine in the industrial park.
Why the obsession with First Street? Could it be that you must have everyone think like you do? You can’t stand an alternate view point? Is this really about pot being legal (it is), or is it about making everyone conform to your thinking?
I think it’s the latter.
Matter,You are correct. But there will be no retail cannabis in BIP only manufacturing and delivery etc. Poor Stan is concerned if his bike will make it to other than First Street. It will Stan.
Measure E; support/oppose?
I support Measure E. Everyone talked about it being 10% including myself. But as times went on we realized that the State was reducing their excise tax to 11% and it go down even further as the cannabis industry moves forward. Vallejo will reduce their 10% excise tax to around 3/7%. Other city’s are doing the same thing. So as you see Stan even at 5% with two stores the cash to the city is limited not the big budget saver the Cannabis folks are taking about. I will go on record as saying that the two retail cannabis stores will bring in about $150,000 and the BIP will bring in about $250,000 for a total of $400,000 at the top. Now that is needed money for the budget. But when CalPers is going up at the rate of between $600,00/$800,000 a year on top of what we already pay it is a drop in the bucket. Remember Stan buy the year 30/31 the city will be paying 14mil from the budget for CalPers. That is a long way from 5.5 mil in 2018/19. So as you see every little bit does help but the economic problems are not even close to being solved. We all should remember that the cannabis tax will not hit until July 2019the beginning of the 2019/20 budget years. Long way from being on top of our financial crisis. It is a crisis.
I can’t see how anyone could possibly support Lionel given his chair position in a failed board….am I wrong…is Benicia going to finally move forward with viable economic developments instead of chasing any viable business OUT of our town?
Don’t necessarily agree with you Speaker. Listen to what Lionel has to say instead of making a blanket statement about it being a failed board. For decades Benicia City government has talked about infrastructure upgrades to the industrial park, the biggest need being high speed internet. There has been no funding put in place. The BIP sits on a freeway/Interstate, has easily accessible rail access and even has water access. It is also old and outdated. Surrounding cities have been investing in new business parks with new infrastructure. Benicia does not. Hell, I don’t trust Seeno as far as I could throw him but we’ve blown every attempt to have his land developed as an industrial park. Until this city and it’s leaders get behind development, even if it is not some type of green or sustainable business nothing will ever happen. Why would any business looking from the outside want to move to Benicia? I don’t see this as a failure of a board or its members. It seems more of a failure in the city for taking advsntag3 of the BIP and investing in its future.
OK, the BIP is exactly why I would not vote for Lionel. If you are the leader of the development board and NOTHING happens except seeing more and more AVAILABLE signs in the BIP, what kind of leadership would we expect from him on the city council? How can we expect him to be better than his track record shows? You cite lack of high speed internet as the drawback…sorry, 10 years ago I would agree since 10 years ago you pretty much had to have a T1 line to get internet…not so today. The issue with BIP and Benicia is the development board has failed to convince the city government NOT to make it expensive and difficult to be a business in Benicia.
Doesn’t this fall under the Economic Development Manager and not an appointed board that can only make recommendations to the city to act on? And if you have a solution to the internet by all means go visit the city and let them know because the cheapest fix I’ve heard is in the range of $2,5 to $3 million.
It starts with the Planning Commission hearing proposals or the city staff hearing proposals. If positive results with recommendations it could move forward. If the proposals are put on a city agenda the full council will hear them. We saw what happened the last time before the 2016 election.. The proposal was heard at a lets get a look meeting by the planning commission and soundly said no informally. Went before the city council after the developer spent plenty of money developing a plan. They council said no to houses on the Seeno property. The council rejected the plan and the mayor wished him well as she slapped his horse right out of town. There does seem to be a change on the council thinking at this time. It does appear they are open to some type of housing such as a Del Webb type of housing. The big problem is it appears Seeno is not interested or using an other developer as long as the city council is as it sits. Nothing will happen until the council makeup changes. There is your answer to Lionel. As a councilmember he now has decision making power another words he has a voice at the table win or lose. The only commission/boards that has decision/voting making power is the planning commission. Even their decision can be appealed and sent to the council for a final vote. So as you see the city council has all the power not boards/commissions.
Solution is not the city’s responsibility. L’aissez faire…if you attract business, they will do what they need.
Since the board exists, it ought to do something…if it can’t do anything, I’d be more respectful of LIonel if he just disbanded the board since it is a waste of time and resources.
Wrong, solution is the City of Benicia responsibility. We have an elected mayor/council. They hire the City Manager and the City Attorney. The only two they can hire or fire. The City Manager then does the work as desired/directed by the City Council. City Staff then gives recommendations that could be over ruled, modified or not accepted. The council then can direct City Manager in the direction they want. The big issue is that the City Council/Mayor has been hi-jacked or as I say a Shadow Government is using the Mayor to carry their messages/desire to the council agenda. What should happen in a pro business atmosphere council/mayor is that the council could direct City Manager to set up a business development program thru the city staff and fund it with plenty of money. Not some overly paper product that is just that. Paper only. Then staff ,can bring it back to council with recommendations and a hope for approval. Now you have clear direction on business development. It can have time tables and be monitored every council meeting. The plan must be very clear and what they want accomplished. Such as the development of the Seeno property. Brand and Image of the city, targeted areas etc. With a very clear funding amount and how it is to be spent. City Staff/City Manager now have clear direction with a very clear plan to move forward on. Then a committee like the one that Lionel chairs now has teeth in it. Very simple and easy to do with a pro business council/mayor. You do not have that majority at present. You have a Shadow Government consumed in anti fossil fuel and anti Valero. We just saw that. Put the Shadow Government into that equation and you now have a dysfunctional anti business council/mayor in far to many instances. Simply change the council/mayor makeup so it is pro economic development . It could take only one or two seats. Depends on who runs for re-election with an added new member that is pro economic development to out vote the Mayor and Vice Mayor. It can and will happen.
You misconstrue my remarks…it is not the city’s responsibility to bring high speed internet to BIP. It is the city’s responsibility to make a climate that encourages businesses to move into BIP. Many things “could” be done, like zero or at least form fill permitting, free water and sewer hook up, reduced or rebated sales tax, free business license for x years. Streamline the process to allow a business to start up within weeks instead of months or years and not cost half a years’ projected income from the business plan.
High speed internet is part of city responsibilities to improve the desire to be part of BIP. Very simple. The other stuff you mention is old news. Been going on for years. You must also remember the property’s are not owned by the city. Individual ownership. Any business can negotiate with city for those perks. That is also not new.
Speaker … is near what you are saying but I think your antagonism towards Lionel is based on the theory that the ED board has legislative power. It does not. It is advisory. It can only put forward advice to the City council.
You can argue that it is not needed. Perhaps. I would argue that the ED board is needed I’d we had a council that was pro-business. Clearly, the mayor and her power is anti-business, is anti development of the BIP, and therefore has ignored the ED Board. That is not Lionel’s fault. Perhaps that is why the gentleman is running for the authoritative office today?
Please consider.
Matter- I have no antagonism toward Lionel. Just pointing out that his leadership of his board has not achieved anything that I consider worthwhile (ie, BIP occupancy) and therefore is not worthy of my vote. Why would I help elect someone with no track record of success?
And Bob Owl….since when is it a city’s responsibility to provide anything other than water and sewer on a property within city limits? I might be inclined to agree with you if the city provided wifi to all homeowners in Benicia, but they don’t. The city (all liberal government) tries to do too much-especially stuff they have no business doing. Police? some companies hire their own security, Fire? some companies have their own, water? other parts of the world you have to dig your own well, sewer? yadda yadda, roads?….When does the city stop providing freebees and my expense?,
Speaker just why do you think we pay taxes. The city is run on taxers. They are not a for profit company. Yes there are contracted out services such as police to say Sheriff Dept, Fire to another Fire District , City Attorney, Water and Sewer. But what your saying is very backward thinking at present. There could come a time for financial reasons the could out source/contract some services. Even the Library. But do not stay awake at night thinking about it.
Speaker. You are correct. It is not the city’s responsibility to bring high speed internet to BIP.. Especially when it come to things like internet access. Technology is changing way to fast For any municipality to provide infrastructure for a technology that may be antiquated in less than a decade would be a mistake. Case and point: Google Fiber is scaling back their investments dramatically. Google has shifted invested to Webpass, a company that beams high-speed broadband via networks of small antennas. Point to point is the future.
Thomas if that is the case why solar rebates to residents. It appears that also is not a responsibility of the city? As some say times are changing and the city should stay out of that business.
Bob, What about whataboutism?
Speaker to Vegetables – I’m sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I took my girls camping for the weekend and we got back yesterday evening.
If you chose to make political points using false statements to present untrue pictures of targeted people, you better stick with me Vegetables and leave the Benicia Economic Development Board and City Staff out of this.
These are good men and women, my friends and your neighbors, who give their time to serve the community of Benicia.
If you are interested in facts about the Benicia Economic Development Board, which I am proud to chair, and positions I’ve taken as an advocate for Benicia residents and businesses, here you go:
http://beniciaheraldonline.com/city-to-host-first-business-walk-today/
http://beniciaheraldonline.com/letters-industrial-park-and-the-general-plan/
http://beniciaheraldonline.com/letters-fee-hikes-and-emission-caps/
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/general-news/20170816/benicia-city-council-discusses-new-water-rates-hears-from-angry-constituents
http://beniciaheraldonline.com/letters-rate-hike-alternatives/
http://beniciaheraldonline.com/letters-benicia-bid-renewal/
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/general-news/20170907/benicia-merchants-and-council-approve-renewing-twinkly-lights-along-first-street
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/opinion/20171122/lionel-largaespada-small-business-saturday-big-for-benicia
I am running for a seat on the City Council because Benicia is an extraordinary city and franky I concerned that the majority of the council (depending on the vote) is doing the opposite to help Benicia residents and small businesses, as well as attract new one, between limited broadband in the industrial park, crumbling roads and higher water/sewer rates.
Lastly, despite your plea, the Benicia Economic Development Board will remain active. Our next meeting is Wednesday July 25 at 5:30 pm in the Commission Room at City Hall. Please join us.
The ED Board had no interest in commercial cannabis activity and in fact voted to impose onerous restrictions on same, such as advocating to protect religious assemblies from cannabis, not required by the state. Here again is another issue that is inconsistent among faith assemblies; support for safe access of medicinal cannabis.
My good friends at St. Paul’s provide comfort to the sick and dying. The Episcopalians endorse medicinal cannabis and would not have squawked if an M license dispensary were to set up shop across the street, a building that may never be brought back to life because of the cost. Cannabis money could do it easily, but medicinal cannabis is not allowed on First Street. There are other faith assemblies that have declared medicinal cannabis to be an agent of moral decay and sub-virtuous living.
I don’t understand the “broadband problem” out at BIP. Right now, I am on the internet by way of a small antenna. Why wouldn’t a common large antenna out at BIP do the same thing? Wolfman Jack had one with fifty thousand watts back in the sixties. As far as the vacancies go, I have spoken with cannabis money about coming to BIP. They are concerned about being adjacent to the refinery, especially downwind (“that place might blow up someday”). In my opinion, the presence of crude oil refining and the explosive potential of same is why there is sluggish activity at BIP.
Today’s spot oil prices:
Crude oil (potentially explosive) – $51 per barrel
Cannabis oil; Jack Herer Original (can’t explode) – $10,332,000 per barrel
Stan it is this type of comments that give Benicia a very bad brand. Which simple means we are a very dirty refinery town. Are you part of the “Shadow Government”. It is not about medical cannabis Stan. Please explain the sluggish activity at BIP. You have not answered any of my questions. There will be cannabis production ,and distribution in the BIP. We will have two retail cannabis stores. We will do fine because this city was very careful. Oakland has already reduced ,their excise tax and others will also. There will be fewer stores ,in Vallejo, Oakland etc as they see this so called boom get back to regular economic results. Yes it will be in many towns but not as glamorous as you make it out to be. It will be just any other mfg and retail outlets. Stan you will be able to buy all the cannabis you want in Benicia. Apparently the lack of cannabis in Benicia has prevented you from getting what you need. Just what is your issue. Could it be personal financial goals which could mean you want a piece of the so called action. , You confuse me.. But I am willing to listen.
SO, what developments are in those articles? People mad about water rates? Going for walks around existing businesses? Taking credit for a national small business selling day? I’m sorry, but unless and until you or your board can bring BIP into 90% occupancy, you aren’t going to get any respect from me.
You are wrong. Economic development is for suggestions and the city then can take action or not. Go to a council meeting you will understand much clearer how it works. Do you know the occupancy o BIP? You appear to ,be saying under 90%. Give us your clear facts. You know number of total spaces available and number that are occupied. I do not think you do. You talk about signs, I assume you mean for rent signs. ,How many spaces are there in BIP. Are the signs for just a part of a building? Do you know any of this? If so give us your source and very clear facts on your comment.
Get off your f’ing computer and drive around the BIP. Those are the dismal facts. What a blind OWL.
Ask the EDM. You will get the correct figure. I drive around the BIP all the time. I guess if I get off my computer you will also have to get of yours. You do love to comment back to me a lot. See you at the council meeting tonight.
To summarize candidate [———–‘-] brief foray into the public Forum, he challenged my assertion that he would not accommodate retail medicinal cannabis by responding that he only asked for more studies on economic impact and community benefits regarding “recreational” sales, concluding “this does not entail denying access to medicinal (cannabis) to any Benician”. OK, but when asked if he then would support medicinal only retail, on First Street or other areas, he refused to answer. When asked for his view on Measure E, another clam up.
He also lit into Mr. Speaker for expressing a view I share that the ED Board is basically a vapid function, chairmanship aside, serving only a minor advisory role in city economic activity. This does not rise to the level of attacks on his friends and neighbors on the Board. Commercial cannabis activity now has a prominent role in the future economy of our fine city, with only minority support at the ED Board and Planning Commission.
The EDB’s Business Walk Report of commercial activity at Columbus Center summarized that most businesses “spoke favorably” of commercial cannabis activity. The Business Walk at Southampton Center did not broach the subject. I believe it was to avoid more favorable opinions of retail cannabis at SC in the report. Two businesses spoke of “smelling pot”. To refresh memories, the hard copy survey of First Street businesses and residents cooked up by Benicia Main Street last year resulted in minimal participation and opposition to retail cannabis. I believe the Board members behind the survey had hoped to whip up anti-cannabis sentiment but it bombed big time.
As advised here previously, wannabes should partake of a brine soak at a health spa to toughen your hide for a future as a politician. The mayor, vice mayor, and now presumed candidate Birdseye have been attacked here and just ignored the posters, like I ignore the ranting of cartoon characters and assorted unidentified trolls that hang on every word I say despite me not reading anything they submit.
MedMan215 Says/Stan. You do read it. The Mayor, Vice Mayor and Birdseye think they have the “Shadow Government” at their backs. I should post but I will not post an e-mail from the Vice Mayor on responding. If I did you would fully understand.
Stan:Tell why you asked about Measure E
MedMan 215 just who are you replying to?
I would be interested in learning more about why the ED Board Business Walk Group did not ask about commercial cannabis at SC. Why was it removed from the matrix?
Planning Commission Chair Birdseye supports regulated cannabis, as do most Benicians. Unconfirmed reports of Councilman Schwartzman not seeking re-election guarantees Birdseye a place on council. New polls in several states indicate an even greater acceptance of medicinal cannabis following FDA approval of the first of many products formulated from full spectrum cannabis. Even if no one else files, candidate [———–] is guaranteed another big time loss.
Birdseye will be the recipient of cannabis industry backing for her campaign. The other two are going to be in a heap of trouble for funding, since they are not likely to seek the endorsementS of future pensioners and big real estate this time around, especially following the dismal projections presented last night on rising pension obligations.
You could be right on contributions. Her first filing on contributions was not impressive. She still will have to live with her Anti Fossil Fuel and Anti Valero issues along with the “Shadow Government” which are her backers. That part is not good. I believe she showed about $4,000 on first report. ,Did you give to campaign. It will show on a report if you did.