Keep your promise Now that Trump has been elected president of the United States according to its Constitution and laws, all those who threatened to leave the U.S. if Trump was elected apparently lied to us in nothing more than an attempt to influence the election. On the top of the list: Al Sharpton, Cher, […]
2016 Year in Review: City news characterized by election, City Hall changes and more
(Over the next few days, the Benicia Herald will close out 2016 by revisiting the big local news stories of the year. Today’s edition will focus on news that took place within the city.) The year 2016 is coming to a close. With the presidential election, big national and international stories, and long championship droughts […]
Dennis Lund: Trump victory resulted from failures at many levels
In the opening week of November, the nation was stunned by the remarkable and unexpected victory of President-elect Donald Trump. On election night, my wife and I left what was to be a celebration for a Trump victory with the full expectation that Hillary Clinton was on the verge of becoming president. We should have […]
Bob Livesay: Changes big and small
By Bob Livesay Special to the Herald It is a new beginning. The local election is over. There is not much change on that level. We have the same mayor and one new councilmember. The one big issue is who will be the new Planning Commission member. It is important because of the Seeno property […]
BREAKING: Elizabeth Patterson narrowly elected to third term as mayor of Benicia
Steve Young elected to council; Tom Campbell to serve fourth term; Christina Strawbridge defeated for re-election After what turned out to be a very tight race, mayoral candidate Mark Hughes conceded the election Wednesday to Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, who will serve her third term through 2020. Patterson said the call was very gracious, and “he […]
A Different Drummer: Coping with election angst
I really don’t want to face reality this week. I confess I want to hide away and pretend it’s not happening. I cast my vote; now I’d prefer to crawl into a cave, or drive off somewhere with no signal and no bars. Voting this year feels like the free-floating angst that comes after a […]
Will Gregory: Is realtor money the new union money?
“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” –Stewart Udall, “The Quiet Crisis” Fair question: Is realtor cash replacing Trade Union PAC money in our 2016 election cycle? Let’s […]
Mark Hughes: A candidate’s reflections
With the Nov. 8 election nearly upon us, I’d like to pause and reflect on this campaign and what it has meant to me. First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the citizens of Benicia for the privilege of serving you on the City Council these past 11 years, and […]
Candidates may have ‘final word’ in pre-Election Day forum (UPDATE)
(UPDATE 11/3/16: This event has been canceled by unanimous decision of the mayoral and city council candidates.) With Election Day being just a week from today, Benicia’s mayoral and City Council candidates are coming under heavy scrutiny. Information is constantly being circulated, primarily through campaign mailers, that may or may not be true. Benicia’s Open […]
Jon Van Landschoot: Actions speak louder than words or endorsements in Benicia mayoral race
The candidates who have shown they have positively advocated for Benicia citizens will always get my vote. Politicians always promise the moon, few actually deliver. In my 30-plus years living in our terrific town, I have not seen any elected official work as hard and get so many things done as our mayor, Elizabeth Patterson. […]