Incident handled well

The Valero flareup was handled very well by both Valero and the city of Benicia. We all should be giving them a standing ovation for their very fine job. That does not seem to be how the mayor looks at it. I understand her concerns, but to get answers as fast as she wants them is very surprising. There will be a very in-depth investigation, and it will be complete. All questions will be answered in-depth.
The usual suspects got right on it. Why did very anti-Valero/CBR/fossil fuel people not hear the alert? I heard it very clearly and live about 2 miles from the refinery. All my windows and doors were shut. I drove up Second Street to Rose Drive and did see the smoke and flaring. I have seen that before. No one up Second Street seemed to be in a panic mode.
I am every bit as concerned for health and safety as the mayor and all the residents, but the difference is I know the residents are in good hands with the city of Benicia and a very responsible Valero. Let the experts handle it, and quit trying to point fingers which means you want to blame Valero or PG&E. They both have something in common: they are big busineses. That does not sit well with our very far left-leaning socialist progressive residents.
Just watch how the mayor will handle this. I predict she will make a big deal out of it even before all the facts are in and waste valuable council and city staff time with unnecessary reports before this issue has been completely evaluated. When that is done, all necessary steps can be done to make necessary policy decisions, not before but after the facts are all in. We will get a very comprehensive report.
Nit-picking and scare tactics are coming. I expect guest articles and many letters about this issue coming very soon from the usual suspects. I expect some may have already been submitted, just waiting for publication. I could name them all but I will not. I will not be surprised on who responds. It will be negative. I hope I am wrong on that, and all responses are very positive.
Well I am not wrong. One of the usual suspects did respond negatively in the East Bay Times on Tuesday, May 9. The organization Communities for a Better Environment was “criticizing the city for waiting 45 minutes to issue the evacuation and shelter-in-place orders.”Andres Soto, a community organizer for the group, criticized the fire department and said it should have done more to have its own independent experts at or near the refinery to assess the risk. I did not know Andres Soto was an expert.
I do not believe these usual suspects do not care about the city of Benicia. Their only concern is their agenda-driven personal ideals being pushed forward. They use the city of Benicia as their launching pad.
Now let’s talk about a positive event. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District announced a significant air quality milestone, successfully attaining the fine particulate matter standard by the federal government’s December 2015 deadline. Now that is positive news. We are in good hands with Valero and our very fine city employees, which also means I have very high regard for Fire Chief Jim Lydon. I have the utmost respect for our new city manager. She will handle it appropriately. We are very fortunate to have her. You will be impressed.
“The Owl” will be watching how this plays out. I already know what most of the moves will be. Stay tuned.

Bob “The Owl” Livesay,
Benicia

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