LWV event to include City Council members, supervisor, others

For the 10th year, the Benicia chapter of the League of Women Voters is welcoming the public to its “Meet Your Local Officials” event that gives constituents a chance to talk with government representatives in a social setting.

This year, the event will be in the Commanding Officer’s Quarters, the historical building owned by the city of Benicia that is being readied for operation by Carter Rankin as Carter’s Biz Café, program chairperson Susan Street said.

Carter’s Biz Café, expected to open later this year, is a business hub site that gives private, home-based entrepreneurs a place to meet with clients and have access to upscale office amenities, Street said.

Rankin’s caterer, Valley Catering, will be providing the hors d’oeuvres for the LWV event. League members will be serving wine and soft drinks, too, Street said.

She said the League started the event focusing on city officials a decade ago so residents would have a chance to chat with them in a more casual setting than at panel meetings.

“We wanted to do something that would involve a lot of the public,” she said. The inaugural event achieved the group’s goal, attracting both governmental officials and their constituents: “It was successful,” she said.
Since then, the event has been set at a variety of community and commercial sites, and attendance has grown, Street said.

It’s not that residents don’t have access to those who govern them. Under open government laws, anyone can address the City Council and Benicia’s advisory panels, as well as other local assemblies like the Solano County Board of Supervisors.

At each of those meetings, public comment is taken both on matters outside the meeting agenda as well as on topics slated for discussion.

But those are formal situations, Street said. The LWV event has a completely different ambiance.

“This is an opportunity for the public to meet local officials in a relaxed, informal atmosphere, and for the local officials to introduce themselves to their constituents,” she said. “The League is providing the event in an effort to give the citizens a chance to ask questions, make suggestions or just meet the leaders and representatives of Benicia, Solano County and the state.”

Invitations have been sent to the City Council, city advisories, department heads and other employees, Street said. Also invited are county supervisors as well as Asm. Susan Bonilla and state Sen. Lois Wolk, and federal-level officials, U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson and California’s U.S. senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer.

Not only is Street excited about Meet Your Local Officials marking its 10th anniversary, she also is looking forward to having this edition in the Commanding Officer’s Quarters.

“It is perfect timing,” she said. Residents will get a preview of how Rankin will use the building that was renovated under the supervision of Superintendent Rick Knight.

“This also keeps the mission of the League in front of the public, to educate and encourage participation by the public in government,” Street said.

“I have encouraged the city’s people to invite anyone who works in the city to come. It’s nice to put the face to the voice.” To that end, the League will provide officials with name tags that also explain each person’s position.

“It’s an event that served the public beautifully. It gives the public a chance to speak to officials.

“This is a social conversation, not a lecture — not a phone call, not limited, not formal. If you have the opportunity to socialize with a city, county or state official, it makes a difference,” Street said.

“You feel different when you have a conversation face to face. It makes the city and local officials more human … a human being who has other interestings thing to say. It doesn’t mean you can’t ask them about the city or local happening, but I think it is just a different vibe.”

The 10th annual League of Women Voters, Benicia, Meet Your Local Officials event will take place from 5-7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27. Admission is free and the public is welcome.