Compiled by Nick Sestanovich

75 years ago

Water For Industry Is Discussed at Water Council Meeting (June 11, 1942)

“The problem for securing water for Benicia and the Benicia Arsenal, if they are going to go into manufacturing on a large scale, will have to depend on the sweetening of the Suisun Bay area in order to get sufficient industrial water at a reasonable price,” it was revealed Monday night by William Pierce, at a meeting in Vallejo of the Solano County Water Council.
“This,” Mr. Pierce added, “will be accomplished by the release of the stored water from Shasta, Friant and American Rivers.”
Mr. Pierce declared that he has met with representatives of the Army Engineer’s Office from San Francisco and already discussed the possibility of a water supply for Benicia and the Arsenal, and given them all available data.
On the motion of John O’Grady of Benicia, the Council unanimously voted to “cooperate with Benicia in aiding that community to solve its water problem, offering the full facilities of the Solano County Water Council.”
The resignation of Harold Johnson of Vallejo and W.J. Roberts of Suisun were accepted. Otto Recknagel was named to succeed Mr. Johnson and was also elected as secretary to succeed Frank Bell in that position. Edgar Long of Suisun will succeed Mr. Roberts as a member of the Council.

50 years ago
School Bond Issue Loses For 6th Time (June 8, 1967)

Million-Dollar Plan Lacks Two-Thirds Margin Of Victory

The $1 million proposed school construction bond issue went down to its sixth consecutive defeat Tuesday. Approval of the measure would have provided urgently needed classrooms and other facilities in the Benicia Unified School District. The measure needed 66 and 2/3 per cent to pass. The vote was 618 for the bonds and 416 against.
Dist. Supt. Robert L. McKee said, “I don’t know what we are going to do now. We have more children than we know what to do with. “The board of trustees will have to decide at its next meeting whether it will authorize double sessions or try to obtain some temporary classrooms
“We have reached a critical shortage of space in both the high school and elementary schools.”
Thirty-three per cent of the registered Benicia voters went to the polls Tuesday with 59.7 per cent voting for the bonds.
Benicia first voted down the bonds in February 1965 and have rejected the measure in five succeeding times, including Tuesday night.
In the meantime, the high school has been using a staggered schedule of class hours. All of the classrooms are overcrowded.
Dr. McKee said the building shortage has reached critical proportions in the several grade schools.

25 years ago

BHS grads get ready to party ’til dawn (June 7, 1992)

By Tim Hearden

On Saturday morning, members of Benicia High School’s 1992 graduating class will reflect on what it’s like stepping out into the world. Saturday night, they’ll party ’til dawn.
The school’s fourth annual clean and sober Grad Night party will begin at 6:30 p.m. and won’t end until the sun comes up Sunday morning. Grad Night co-chairwoman Pat Butler said she expects most of the Class of ’92 will attend.
The party in the BHS gym offers something for every graduate, Butler said.
…
The seniors start by going through a passport area, check in and receive the evening’s itinerary. When they get into the gym, they’ll have casino games and play for prizes, and they’ll have various game booths.
A full arcade will be set up in one corner, and a photo center will be placed in another. The seniors will have a log roll, a movie room with videos and a “memory room,” a sort of reflection room with photos of the seniors from throughout their childhood.
Teachers and other BHS staff will set themselves up as targets at a dunk tank, and the grads will play an 18-hole miniature golf course. They’ll have an archery and participate in stick seahorse racing.
After a couple hours of checking everything out, the grads will be given a full dinner– seatings are at 8 and 9:30 p.m. While eating, the seniors will be entertained by the Electric Man, a magician.
At 12:30 a.m., hypnotist Ormond McGill will provide more entertainment. California Music Sound will serve as DJ throughout the party, and a dance will begin at 3 a.m. . _

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

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