Where do we go from here?
It does appear this fine little town is approaching a critical time. There are financial and service issues at the top of the list, but guess what? We are still not taking any immediate action to resolve those very critical issue.
Yes, the Amports fees and the giveaway of the Yacht Club can be considered short-term fixes but what is short term? Is it two years? I think not, try more years than the mayor/council wish to talk about.
It is getting to the point that I think the Planning Commission and the Historical Society are running this town, not the mayor/council. I do know that the mayor/council would disagree with that. That may be the case, but resolution is the answer, not words.
First off, I would like to see a long-term economic plan, not a Wolf plan. That would put the needs of the city out front. It would also show the lack of revenue needed to keep this city on an even pace. Without a long-term economic plan, this city is in danger of losing services. As I have said before, we do look as if we will get barely by in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 budget years. But after that, watch out.
The 2018 council election is going to be a very important election. It will not be won on the back of crude by rail or a sanctuary city state rule. It will not be won punishing the local refineries either. It will be won on building relationships/partners with those that can take part in a very strong economic development plan. The Wolf $605,000 investment will not get it either. In the short term, the existing council/mayor must start putting the effort into short term fixes. It may mean not using Measure C money as intended but use it to shore up our city staff and keep our reserves at the desired 20 percent.
The former interim city manager left a very strong message on Jan. 9, which serves as a very good marketing outline that could very easily be accomplished for a good start. He did suggest a goal of maintaining a 25 percent reserve instead of the present 20 percent. There are many very good points in this executive summary. I urge all to get a copy and review it. This is your city. It is now going to be in the hands of a new very talented city manager. It will not be easy, but with strong guidance from the new city manager we may be able to turn the council/mayor attention to the financial shortfall this city will be facing.
I do trust that the new city manager will see that right away and suggest an action plan. I will be watching the action of the mayor/council very closely to see what goes on the council meeting agendas. That is where it starts. “The Owl” is always watching. Stay tuned.
Bob “The Owl” Livesay,
Benicia
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I have noticed that the City residents are making political issues about things that are not necessary. The Amports demo permit is one. Where were the residents when the train barges were ,shut down because of a new train bridge in 1930. The two barges were at the time the largest in the world. Moved up the delta to wrought away and disappear. In 1962 the ferry stopped operating because of a new Martinez/Benicia bridge. Both bridges were needed and progress moved forward. But at the same time both were very important historically to the City of Benicia and could have been utilized as very big tourist attraction at the end of First Street area. Barges as a pavilion with a train engine etc. Ferry docked as an attraction. You would have had history about Benicia as no other surrounding city has. It was a natural. Where were all the histerical save the history folks then ? No where to be found. But what are we doing now? Nothing. Spending meeting after meeting on two rotten buildings that should have attracted attention 20 years ago I challenge anyone to go find those buildings and take a look at them. Yes you can find them but it is a job.. Sorry hysterical fans you are wrong and it also appears anti big business. ,Let it go. The other big issue politically is Cannabis. Just ask Stan about that. Are we going to let small groups determine the financial outcome of this city? It sure appears that way. Time for the council/mayor to get down to business and save all the valuable services we all want and deserve. But they could also become a historical issue because we no longer will have them.
I suggest all City Residents read the article in the Bay Area News Group by Daniel Borenstein. It will tell you what the Mayor lead council is not telling you. The financial crisis of the City of Benicia is real. We are not alone. But the Social Progressive Mayor wants the refinery gone and all fossil fuel burning cars, trucks and buses gone. Just an attempt to control your life style. It is about time Mayor Patterson you address the financial crisis. But no all you want to do is worry about the Amports request to demo those unsalvageable buildings.. This is why we are in a financial crisis that is approaching very fast. Get with it Mayor Patterson. Do you care about this City?