ART DEMONSTRATIONS at Once Upon a Canvas Art Galleries and Studios, 129-J First St., will feature the studio’s teachers, who will give art demonstrations Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Those interested may call the studio at 707-745-1842 or visit its website, OnceUponaCanvasBenicia.com.
From military to industrial: Benicia’s ‘overnight’ transition
How a refinery and the Industrial Park shaped the city In Benicia’s not-too-distant past, its financial situation was so dire that employees who were handed checks on Friday were told not to cash them until Tuesday. That was before the U.S. Army announced in the early 1960s that the Benicia Arsenal would be the first […]
Council approves city staff contract changes
Benicia City Council has approved memorandums of understanding with all but three bargaining units representing city employees, and the bargaining units have ratified the agreement proposals. Those MOUs will modify their contracts through June 30, 2017. The Council voted unanimously Tuesday on decisions affecting senior managers, Benicia Police Officers Association, Benicia Public Service Employees Association, […]
City’s search for finance director ends
After 16 months, permanent staffer finally hired Benicia has a new finance director, City Manager Brad Kilger announced late Thursday. Kilger said has hired Karin Schnaider, who will begin Monday. Since 2006, Schnaider has been the director of administrative services for Sierra Madre, which Kilger described as a full-service city, as Benicia is.
2 years for city computer upgrade, Council told
Interim measures said to help Finance Department system situation Benicia’s Finance Department computer system has outlasted its lifespan and needs replacing, the City Council heard Tuesday. Once a contractor is hired, the job may take nearly two years to complete. In the meantime, the department has made some changes to improve and streamline its technological […]
Benicia, Vallejo swap police chiefs
Andrew Bidou goes west, Joseph Kreins comes east Vallejo police Chief Joseph Kreins, whose announced retirement led that city to hire Benicia police Chief Andrew Bidou to succeed him, will be coming here to succeed Bidou on an interim basis, City Manager Brad Kilger said Thursday. Kreins initially announced in February he would retire as […]
Fire department, BERT: Be prepared!
■ Chief issues reminder to residents on disaster due diligence If the recent Napa earthquake hasn’t served as a reminder, Benicia Fire Department and other agencies will spread the word as they mark September as National Preparedness Month. Fire Chief Jim Lydon said the theme for September 2014 is “Be disaster aware, take time to […]
Election forum merger?
■ City Council OKs plan to join LWV, Open Government events Benicia’s Open Government Commission and the local League of Women Voters may merge their election forums, but the two unopposed Council members who are seeking re-election don’t have to participate, the City Council decided Tuesday. Incumbents Mark Hughes and Alan Schwartzman, the only ones […]
More aid sought for quake victims
■ Mike Thompson calls for federal help after 6.0 Napa temblor U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson has asked President Barack Obama to make federal aid available to the areas impacted by the 6.0-magnitude earthquake that caused damage to Napa, American Canyon, Vallejo and elsewhere on Aug. 24. Thompson, D-Napa, Benicia’s representative in the House, wrote Obama […]
County offers free child support workshops
A series of workshops will help Solano County residents better understand the child support process, said Matthew Davis, senior management analyst and public communications officer. One of the workshops is “Compromise of Arrears,” will take place Sept. 9, and again Oct. 7 and Nov. 4. During those workshops, residents can learn how to reduce past […]