Since California voted to legalize recreational cannabis in November, cities all over the state have debated on what to do with the plant. Some have high ambitions of complete freedom to smoke wherever they want. Others want strict regulations on where smokers can light up. The Benicia City Council will discuss the results of an […]
Business owners circulate petition to protest BID renewal
Group: Not trying to ‘turn off the lights’ On Tuesday, the Benicia City Council will vote on a resolution to renew the Benicia Business Improvement District (BID), in which businesses in designated areas of a town are required to pay taxes to help fund projects within the district’s boundaries. In 2012, business owners on First […]
Mayor Patterson responds to concerns over water rates
Further discussion to be held at Sept. 5 council meeting Following a heated discussion over water and sewer rates at the Aug. 15 Benicia City Council meeting, where several residents took to the lectern to voice their concerns over paying higher bills for the above rates, Mayor Elizabeth Patterson responded to the issues that people […]
Letters: Incorrect statements and A Taste of First Street
Facts and credibility are very important Why would I go through the trouble of writing this letter? Very simple: it does involve facts, truth and credibility. At the City Council meeting on Aug. 15, I spoke during the water and sewer comment session. Some things happened after that. One is that the mayor answered an […]
Letters: Stained-glass Confederate flag and economic development
Temporary fix Once again, I was treated with courtesy and professional disregard when I protested the Union Hotel on Aug. 17. Sadly, I protest the symbol of the insurgent Confederate army. Its flag is shown crossed with the American flag in their stained glass window. Happily, within 7 minutes, a male employee handed tape to […]
Letters: Mayor’s tactics were not bullying
Not bullying I feel compelled to reply to the opinionated letter Sunday by Mr. Bob Livesay. Attacking the mayor has become his mantra, and it serves only to inflame not to inform. If he truly had issues with Ms. Patterson’s policies, he could politely and thoughtfully write a letter to her or to the editor– […]
Benicians vent frustration over water rates
The public comment portion of Tuesday’s Benicia City Council meeting drew a lot of impassioned remarks. What caused so much fervor among those in attendance was the council’s discussion of the water rates within the city. Since 2014, the City Council has received monthly staff reports about water regulation. Specifically in these reports were updates […]
Letters: Tuesday’s council meeting and Charlottesville
What about the residents? The mayor’s seat is empty and without leadership. It is occupied by an agenda-driven person who puts her personal ideals before the residents of this wonderful town. I’m talking about Mayor Patterson. That was on full display at Tuesday’s council meeting. I have been a very strong critic of the mayor […]
City Council amends animal control code at meeting
Following the deaths of several household pets and attacks on human, the Benicia City Council voted to approve an ordinance amending the animal control title of the Benicia Municipal Code of dangerous or potentially dangerous animals. The ordinance change would include improving the hearing procedures to determine if an animal is dangerous or potentially dangerous, […]
Throwback Thursday: Herald headlines from the week of Aug. 20, 1942, 1967 and 1992
Compiled by Nick Sestanovich 75 years ago New Road Is Graded Half Way To Vallejo, Work Being Pushed (Aug. 20, 1942) Grading of the new Benicia-Vallejo highway has been completed for a little more than half the 6.1 miles of the project. A Herald-New Era car was driven over the road this week a distance […]