Benicia Main Street events in coming weeks

Since 1987, Benicia has had the distinction of being one of a handful of certified Main Street Programs in California. In a community blessed with so much history, our Main Street has iconic status, literally, as the Seal of Benicia bears the image of our State Capitol (1853-54) which still resides on First Street. Over the next four weeks, there are a number of great reasons to travel downtown:

* Downtown Benicia Restaurant Week: Jan. 21 to 28
* Wine & Chocolate Walk: Feb. 4
* Pamper Me Week: Week of Feb. 18 to 25.

Our Main Street program was established to preserve our heritage, expand the “Benicia” brand and promote downtown businesses. The Main Street events are opportunities to support our friends and neighbors who own and/or manage these businesses. This is a call to our community to shop local – the revenue generated from supporting local businesses goes back into our community through the city’s General Fund to finance public safety, schools and roads, among other items.
In addition to First Street, don’t forget to patronize artists, retailers, merchants, restaurateurs and service providers in other areas of town including the Arsenal, Columbus Parkway, Davies Square, the Industrial Park, Solano Square and Southampton Shopping Center.
So the next time you head out with the intent of dining, drinking or shopping outside of Benicia…take a moment to ask yourself, “Can I find it in Benicia?”
I want to thank Benicia Main Street, its sponsors and the participating businesses for offering these upcoming events, and to remind our community that in order to keep our local merchants thriving, it takes our support. Shop local. Invite your friends. And spread the word: “Benicia, A Great Day by the Bay.”
For a list of businesses around town visit: beniciabusinessdirectory.com
For a list of events over the next 12 months visit: beniciamainstreet.org
Wishing everyone joy, health and good fortune in 2017.

Lionel Largaespada, Economic Development Board chair

When will the mayor start doing her job?

Mayor Patterson was elected mayor of Benicia three times. She will be mayor for 13 years or more.
When is the Mayor going to start worrying about Benicia? She was not elected on a national slate or as a party member. The elections are nonpartisan. Well, guess what? The mayor is starting to show her true socialist progressive leanings. She brings Councilmember Steve Young right along with her. I do hope the voters understand who you elected. It was not an anti-fossil fuel or crude-by-rail candidate. It was a very anti-big business socialist progressive that will make her own agenda. The heck with voters.
She is off to a fast start. She stated at the vigil held on Friday, Jan. 20 the following: “There’s concern that we may be making this a sanctuary city,” she said”Well, why not?” Her fellow councilmember Steve Young said suggested that if a national registry for Muslims is enacted, that each citizen should step up and register as a Muslim “no matter their religion or creed.”
Is this what you thought you were getting when you re-elected the mayor and elected Steve Young to the council? I sure hope not. The agenda for these two is not about Benicia but their own personal socialist progressive views. Remember Steve Young admitted he was a supporter of Bernie Sanders. They were elected to tend to the business of Benicia. We now have a mayor that wants this city to be a sanctuary city, at the same time controlling and leading newly elected Councilmember Steve Young right along.
Mayor Patterson, your concerns should be for this city and its needs. You apparently do not even understand that. Your agenda and views are personal and should not interfere with getting the financial situation of this city fixed. You apparently do not understand that. Your agenda, if followed, is leading this fine city down a very dangerous path. Stop it, Mayor Patterson, and get on with city business.
I also believe your re-use waste water issue is going down the drain. No contract from Valero and no financing. At this point, it is a dream, but we must not forget that Councilmember Young wants possibly for Valero to foot the entire bill. Valero is a very good neighbor and partner to this city, but with these two trying to serve this city with their own personal agenda it puts these two first and who knows where the city of Benicia sits? I would say lost in their personal ideals and agenda. Maybe Valero will be “No more Mr. Nice Guy.” The Texas headquarters may have some very big input on future issues.
It is time for Mayor Patterson and Councilmember Young to start remembering why they were elected and act like the city of Benicia is important. “The Owl” will be watching these two very closely. Believe me, I will write about their personal ideals and agenda. I love this city but do not like the direction these two are trying to take it. I do believe we have three councilmembers who hopefully will rein them in.

Bob “The Owl” Livesay,
Benicia

Comments are closed for letters posted online. If you would like to respond to a letter, send us an email at beniciaherald@gmail.com or by snail mail to Benicia Herald, 820 First St, Benicia CA, 94510.

Guidelines:

*Letters are asked to be no more than 500 words.
*Please leave your real name and city of residence. Anonymous letters will not be allowed.
*Please do not attack somebody based on their race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
*Namecalling and other personal attacks will not be allowed.
*Please cite all statistics.

Sharing is caring!