After the shock of the “Ghostship” warehouse fire in Oakland and some time to reflect has passed it occurred to me that Benicia is facing many of these same issues. Our artist community, like those in Oakland, face economic hardships, escalating rents and a strong desire to be an artist. The recent Great Recession impacted […]
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 […]
With all precincts reporting, Elizabeth Patterson maintains slight lead in mayoral race
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. […]
Planning Commission hears Industrial Park update
At its regular meeting Thursday, the Benicia Planning Commission heard a report back from the subcommittee charged with evaluating personal service uses in the industrial park. The commission also acknowledged the addition of one new commission member, Daina Dravieks Apple, and two additions to city staff, namely Assistant Planner Adrian Lopez and Interim Principal Planner […]
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 […]
Mixed-use development, historic preservation discussed at Candidates’ Night
(This is the second of a two-part series. For Part 1, go here.) Northern Gateway Project Following discussion of Valero’s Crude-By-Rail Project at Tuesday’s Candidates’ Night forum, moderator Peter Friesen then turned the discussion to another controversial proposal for Benicia: the Northern Gateway development. The project, brought forth by the Orinda-based company Schwartz Land Development, […]
Office seekers/holders discuss goals, crude by rail at Candidates’ Night
(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: 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 […]