As election season shifts further into gear, several Benicians have reported receiving calls purporting to be surveys about the City Council election while asking questions reportedly putting one of its candidates in a negative light. One person who reported hearing the call was Vice Mayor Steve Young, who detailed his experiences with a recent call […]
Candidate Spotlight: EDB Chair Lionel Largaespada taking another shot at council seat
A defeat in 2016 did not deter Lionel Largaespada from running again for the Benicia City Council. If anything, he says it has made him more energized. “Friends, residents, voters asked me to keep at it,” he said. “Momentum was on our side, and that really inspired and motivated me to stay in the race.” […]
City Council candidates discuss issues at Chamber of Commerce forum
Viewers of Wednesday’s Candidate’s Night forum, sponsored by the Benicia Chamber of Commerce, had an opportunity to ask questions of the City Council candidates and learn their perspectives on hot-button issues facing the city. The forum was held in the Council Chambers of City Hall and moderated by James Cooper, the president of the Vallejo […]
Photos: Election season begins in Benicia
EDB chair announces second bid for council seat
Election 2018 Staff Report The race for the Benicia City Council is underway. Shortly after the end of the 2016 election, Christina Strawbridge became the first candidate to declare her candidacy in the 2018 race. On Friday, Economic Development Chair Lionel Largaespada became the second. “It’s time for new ideas and new leaders with the […]
Letters: Industrial Park and the General Plan
City should finance Industrial Park broadband update On Jan. 24, the Benicia City Council received an update on the outstanding broadband services project for the Benicia Industrial Park, with Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani presenting three options: 1. The city of Benicia will self-finance the project, at a cost of $3 to $5 million; 2. […]
Largaespada, Cullen elected as new Economic Development Board chair, vice chair
At last week’s Economic Development Board meeting, two of its members were elevated to higher positions by a majority vote of the board. Lionel Largaespada and Dennis Cullen will be serving as chair and vice chair, respectively, through December 2017. Largaespada, who had been serving as vice chair since 2015, is the director of […]
BREAKING: Elizabeth Patterson narrowly elected to third term as mayor of Benicia
Steve Young elected to council; Tom Campbell to serve fourth term; Christina Strawbridge defeated for re-election After what turned out to be a very tight race, mayoral candidate Mark Hughes conceded the election Wednesday to Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, who will serve her third term through 2020. Patterson said the call was very gracious, and “he […]
With all precincts reporting, Elizabeth Patterson maintains slight lead in mayoral race
Steve Young and Tom Campbell leading in city council race As of Wednesday morning with all precincts reporting, Mayor Elizabeth Patterson has a slight lead over her opponent Mark Hughes. Patterson currently possesses 50.37 percent of the vote to Hughes’ 49.33 percent. The Solano County Registrar of Voters has identified one overvote and 528 undervotes. […]
Will Gregory: Candidates in their own words
This is in regards to what was reported in the Sept. 15 Herald article “Office seekers/holders discuss goals, crude by rail at Candidate’s Night.” The Benicia Police Officers Association selected slate of candidates in their own words—-with my replies (as a concerned citizen-voter in an election campaign) following –marked with +++ Christina Strawbridge: “’I don’t think […]