Good community relations

Reading Super Bowl Sunday’s Benicia Herald, I was stunned. Why? Mayor Patterson’s 2016 Year in Review comment about Valero. I thought it was a threat.
She said, “I look forward to the promise of the good community relations–mentioned by Valero in its announcement– now that we can put this project (crude by rail) behind us.” I thought the Valero announcement was in respect to the city of Benicia, no hard feelings and let’s just move forward. I do believe the mayor took it as a deep pockets investment announcement in the city by Valero. No, Mayor Patterson, it was not. But she seems to think that Valero is the Bank of Benicia. Now all of a sudden the mayor takes a comment and turns it to her own liking. Has the mayor talked to Valero about these investment opportunities she is talking about? If so, tell the residents all about it.
The mayor goes on to say more.This is why I think she is threatening Valero.She states, “There are many opportunities for us (meaning Valero) to work together on air quality and sustainable development issues and community participation (meaning Valero) in city needs such as an affordable, high speed internet projects to add incentives to the Benicia Business and Industrial Park for new expanding businesses that contribute to the sales tax. To serve Valero’s needs (She did not define Valero’s needs), the city must move forward on infrastructure issues (No mention of what infrastructure issues). Working together we can grow a sustainable and thriving Benicia”
At whose expense, mayor? Your views appear to have a very left-leaning socialist progressive view. You claim you have leadership skills. Where are they? Where is your economic development plan? Your attempt to drive a wedge between Valero and the City of Benicia is way below the belt. It is a pure ego-driven statement of “I will show you.”Be careful, those type of comments could come back to hurt the city. There will be no one to blame but Mayor Patterson.
As I have said in the past, The Owl will be watching Mayor Patterson. I will write as I see her actions.

Bob “The Owl” Livesay,
Benicia

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