Compiled by Nick Sestanovich

75 years ago

Vallejo News Edits On July 9, 1843 (July 8, 1943)

Indications that “time” will be put on the ration list was suggested in the date line of the Vallejo Evening News edition of last Thursday night and that also the News had been hoarding a reserve stock from which to draw, according to the dating which read “Friday, July 9, 1843,” only 100 years and eight days behind the times.
The Benicia Herald-New Era makes mistakes, too, but it is much more gratifying to find them in other papers. .

50 years ago

Benicia Council discusses letter (July 4, 1968)

The request, by H.R. Watchie Development Company of Washington and Benicia, to clarify any agreements made by the city, with Humble Oil Company, concerning use of Lake Herman, was the topic of main discussion at Tuesday night’s meeting of the City Council. A letter, which referred to the proposed multi-million dollar project, entered into with the city under a June 4, 1961 lease option agreement, was received from the developer’s legal counsel.
The request, newly hired City Attorney Charles Williams said, is an apparent attempt to set the stage for a breach of promise action on the grounds that the context of the original lease option has been changed.
Under terms of the 1961 document, Watchie agreed to pay the city $500,000 at a rate of $50,000 annually for 10 years for a large acreage the city acquired when it purchased the holdings of the California Pacific Utilities Co., including the water system, Lake Herman and surrounding land.
Watchie’s plans to use the property as part of a vast residential development apparently came to an end of the line last April when extensions on subdivision agreements expired.
Approximately $227,000 has been paid on the lease option. However, the balance is some $425,000 because of eight lease extensions and the fact most of the funds received were paid on interest. The city also previously granted the developer an 18-month moratorium on the payments.
The city is still legal owner of the property and, according to Councilman John Cody, “Benicia can never lose the lake as a source of water supply.”

25 years ago

Complaints have council considering curfew at Ninth St. Park (July 4, 1993)

By David Hagerty

Police and city council members are proposing that a curfew be imposed at West Ninth Street Park in response to citizen complaints about noise and traffic after dark.
The curfew would shut down most of the park half an hour after sunset, but would permit parking in a small area next to the boat ramp. This would allow fishermen to launch their craft after hours, but hopefully keep others away.
The council will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall to discuss the curfew and other matters.
Police have received “numerous complaints” from residents living near the park regarding speeding vehicles, litter, loud noises, and alcohol violations, police Chief Otto Giuliani reported to the council.
Several council members have already expressed interest in such an ordinance after receiving similar complaints.

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

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