(This is Part 1 of a 2-part article. For Part 2, go here.) Candidates for mayor and city council had an opportunity to answer questions on important issues Tuesday night at the Benicia Chamber of Commerce’s Candidates’ Night. The forum was held in the Council Chambers of City Hall and moderated by Peter Friesen. All […]
Candidate Spotlight: Councilmember Christina Strawbridge to seek re-election
City Council member Christina Strawbridge will be running for re-election in November, seeking to retain her seat on the council for an additional term. In an interview with the Herald Monday, Strawbridge said she feels confident that she has done a good job thus far and hopes all the people who have supported her during […]
League of Women Voters to host 3 separate candidate forums
Election Day is only 88 days away. As Benicia prepares to vote for a mayor, councilmembers, school board trustees, Solano County supervisors, state senators, a congressional representative, a senator and even a new president, expect to see a lot more yard signs and social media posts in the coming months. It would be an understatement […]
Candidate Spotlight: Second Planning Commissioner, George Oakes, files for Benicia City Council race
2 incumbents, 3 newcomers in race Planning Commissioner George Oakes filed papers in July to appear on the November ballot as a candidate for Benicia’s city council, the second planning commissioner to do so this year. Steve Young filed his intent to run just a few months earlier. In an interview at the Herald on […]
City Council considered Industrial Park, tax issues at Tuesday’s meeting
Note: This is the second part of a two-part report on last Tuesday’s City Council meeting. At its regular meeting Tuesday, the City Council considered an industrial park marketing contract with Chabin Concepts, heard a presentation on the state of child welfare in Benicia and Solano County with regard to a quarter -cent sales tax […]
City Council addressed multiple issues Tuesday
At its regular meeting Tuesday, the Benicia City Council heard an annual report from the Planning Commission; a monthly water update from multiple city department representatives; a request for approval of a marketing contract for Industrial Park business development; a proposed ¼-cent sales tax initiative for the November, 2016 ballot; and a request for amendments […]
Crude by rail, water service dominate city council meeting Tuesday
At its regular meeting Tuesday, the Benicia City Council heard from the public regarding Valero Benicia Refinery’s Crude-By-Rail Project and further advised city staff regarding proposed changes to water and wastewater treatment billing, among other items. The Council also took a few minutes to acknowledge and offer a formal farewell to City Manager Brad […]
Candidate Spotlight: Planning Commissioner Steve Young will make bid for City Council
Steve Young, a current member of Benicia’s Planning Commission, is looking to make the leap to the City Council. Young’s decision to run was partly influenced by the Council’s decision to delay Valero’s Crude-By-Rail Project rather than deny the refinery a permit to have its crude oil delivered by railroad rather than by boat. The […]
Council re-approves AMPORTS agreement, among other items
Proclamations On behalf of the city of Benicia, Mayor Patterson presented Fire Chief Jim Lydon with a proclamation declaring the week of May 15 to 21 as Emergency Medical Services Week. Lydon noted that many agencies are involved in providing these services, including ambulance, police and fire, and just as importantly, individual citizens. The chief […]
Economic Development Board vice chair, Lionel Largaespada, to run for Benicia City Council
Lionel Largaespada, the vice chair of Benicia’s Economic Development Board, recently announced his intention to run in the Benicia City Council’s November election. Largaespada graduated from Pinole Valley High School in 1989, majored in government and minored in philosophy at St. Mary’s College in Moraga and received his master’s in mass communication at Boston […]