By Cathy Bennett Special to the Herald When the subject of Valero comes up most of us think about the refinery. For many of us, this is a reminder of the toxic emissions it releases into our air on a daily basis. That’s troublesome enough, but most of us are unaware that Valero also operates […]
Bob Livesay: ISO vote was win for voters, residents
By Bob Livesay Special to the Herald Mayor Patterson must be in shock. Why would I say that? The mayor and her gang of 12 just got the shock of their life. Their attempt to hijack the City Council meeting went down in a big defeat, that being the Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO). Backed by […]
Letters: Religious views on family separations at border
Religious community HAS condemned family separations at border This is in response to the paid advertisement from Lawrence Dutch saying that he’s heard “nothing from the religious community” regarding the separation of children from their families and keeping them in detention centers Huh? All you need to do is Google “religious leaders’ statements on detention […]
Christina Strawbridge: Another late night spent at the City Council Chambers
Several important issues have been voted on by the Benicia City Council in the wee hours of the morning as of late. This past Tuesday was no exception. The packed Chamber was full of those who wanted to speak on the noise ordinance, and the rest of the attendees were there for the Industrial Safety […]
Letter: Grateful to citizen who returned cane
Grateful to citizen who returned cane A few days ago, a lovely lady– so my neighbor told me– brought my lost cane right to my door. I had left it somewhere one day last week, but I couldn’t remember where. Losing ym cane was one thing but not remembering where was worse. I rationalized that […]
Letter: Who pays taxes
Who pays taxes Every California taxpayer should know who really pays taxes. Corporations do not pay taxes, fees and other government charges. Taxpayers pay. Think of it this way: you have a small business. The city charges you a new fee which takes most of your profit. You have to decide whether to go out […]
A Vibrant Faith for the 21st Century: The treatment of immigrants in the Bible
I have to preface this column with two confessions. First, my heart aches that I even have to discuss, as calmly and theologically as I can, the immorality of separating immigrant children from their families at the border. Second, due to the circumstances of this column, and in particular how quickly this abominable situation developed, […]
ISO Working Group: Benicia Deserves a Local Industrial Safety Ordinance (Part 3)
Benicia ISO Working Group In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, we examined the health effects and costs of particulates and other air pollutants and pointed out the inadequacies of Valero’ proposed air monitoring plan, now under review at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). Today we will look at other statewide […]
Letter: Stand for Benicia
Stand for Benicia On Tuesday, the Benicia City Council will hear from a Citizen Group requesting that a draft Industrial Safety Ordinance be referred to city staff for review. This is a signature moment for Benicia, as it will signal whether the City Council puts the health and safety of Benicia, its citizens and community […]
ISO Working Group: The rest of the story on air monitoring in Benicia (Part 2)
The rest of the story on air monitoring in Benicia In Part 1 of this series, we explored the many health risks and costs of air pollution in Benicia, including premature deaths, hospitalizations and respiratory symptoms including asthma in adults and children. Today we will take a look at air monitoring – and the lack […]