Steve Young and Tom Campbell leading in city council race As of Wednesday morning with all precincts reporting, Mayor Elizabeth Patterson has a slight lead over her opponent Mark Hughes. Patterson currently possesses 50.37 percent of the vote to Hughes’ 49.33 percent. The Solano County Registrar of Voters has identified one overvote and 528 undervotes. […]
Marilyn Bardet: Vote for Elizabeth and Steve
If you haven’t already voted, I hope you’ll join me on Oct. 8 to help re-elect Elizabeth Patterson for mayor. I’m especially appreciative of Elizabeth’s ethical, open approach to governance and her tireless efforts to champion the Benicia General Plan’s forward-looking vision for community sustainability. I know that Elizabeth is motivated to serve from 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 […]
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 […]
Will Gregory: Candidates in their own words
This is in regards to what was reported in the Sept. 15 Herald article “Office seekers/holders discuss goals, crude by rail at Candidate’s Night.” The Benicia Police Officers Association selected slate of candidates in their own words—-with my replies (as a concerned citizen-voter in an election campaign) following –marked with +++ Christina Strawbridge: “’I don’t think […]
Christina Strawbridge: To receive or not to receive an endorsement– that is the question
I am honored to have received the following endorsements and support for my City Council reelection: * Benicia Police Officers Association * Local 1186 Benicia Firefighters Association * Benicia Teachers’ Association * Solano Board of Realtors * Benicia Chamber of Commerce * Napa Solano Labor Council * Napa Solano Building Trades Council The Police and […]
Craig Snider: Questionable endorsement in Benicia politics
(This post has been updated from the print edition) My hat is off to the full slate of capable and qualified people vying for positions on our City Council. Anyone who follows the workings of this body knows well the time and commitment required in what’s too often a thankless job. Being a 13-year resident […]
Candidates address, mingle with residents at LWV meet and greet
Thursday evening was a night for Benicia residents to talk to their mayoral and City Council candidates as people, not as politicians, and also get them to answer their burning questions. Benicia’s League of Women Voters hosted a candidate meet and greet in the Dona Benicia Room of the Benicia Public Library, where citizens could […]
Council denies Valero Crude-By Rail Project
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News Gazette Benicia City Council has unanimously denied a use permit for the controversial Valero Crude-By-Rail project, citing a federal board decision as well as a June 3 derailment that spilled 42,000 gallons of crude oil and caused a fire that burned 14 hours. But the matter didn’t end Tuesday […]
Community, environmental groups react to crude-by-rail decision
Following the City Council’s unanimous decision to reject Valero’s proposed Crude-By-Rail Project, many of the supporters and opponents of the project issued statements regarding their response to the vote. Valero Benicia Refinery first announced the project, which would extend Union Pacific Railroad tracks to deliver barrels of crude oil by train onto its property in […]