Compiled by Nick Sestanovich

75 years ago

Land dispute settlement is seen (July 16, 1942)

Following a conference with Superior Judge W.T. O’Donnell on Monday it is believed an amicable settlement will be made of the suit of the Benicia Properties Ltd., against eh County of Solano, City of Benicia and W.F. Parker, county tax collector, it was made known yesterday.
Many phases of the suit have been discussed by the attorneys for the plaintiff and defendants in Judge O’Donnell’s chambers and the court made an order continuing the matter until August 24th when Judge O’Donnell will have returned from his summer vacation.
The Benicia Properties Ltd., sought an injunction to prevent the sale of property in Benicia Reclamation District by the County of Solano to the City of Benicia.
The property in question, the complaint charges, reverted to the State of California for unpaid taxes.
Various angles of the case were discussed and it was believed some amicable agreement will soon be reached satisfactory to all parties concerned.

50 years ago

Bus Service For Benicia Is Possible (July 13, 1967)

Albert Johnson, chairman of a special Chamber of Commerce bus transportation committee, reported to the membership that excellent progress is being made toward obtained passenger service to Vallejo.
Johnson said as a result of strong community interest on the transportation problem, a local businessman has made application to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to provide service six times daily to Vallejo.
This proposed service would operate to the Greyhound depot in downtown Vallejo. It would permit Benicians to make bus connections for San Francisco or points north and east.
Johnson said the chamber has pledged full support to this plan and will support the man’s application with facts and figures showing the urgent need for such a service.
It also was announced at the meeting that the first annual Peddler’s Fair (formerly Flea Market) will be held all day Saturday, Aug. 12, on First Street.

25 years ago

City OKs design changes for plaza (July 12, 1992)

By Sarah Rohrs

Unleashing a year’s worth of frustration over her continuous construction delays, Old Town Plaza owner Avelina Adarme accused the city of harassing her and gave the planning director a severe tongue-lashing.
Adarme’s angry and tearful denouncement of the city’s several “stop-work orders” over the last 1½ years came before Thursday night’s Planning Commission meeting.
Adarme appealed to the commission to let her finish the building so she could open for business without being required to spend additional money on design changes. She asked commissioners to remember the recession and the city’s commitment to business on First Street.
“What we need here is what we can afford. Everyone is losing money, only we cannot open it for business. Who cares about colors? Who cares about trims?” she said to loud applause from about a dozen of her family members, friends and other supporters.
The commission considered and later unanimously approved numerous minor changes the Design review Commission and staff had worked out in an attempt to correct color, trim, window placement and other elements in construction done without the city’s approval.

The full articles of these and other stories are available on microfilm at the Benicia Public Library.

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