Viewers of Wednesday’s Candidate’s Night forum, sponsored by the Benicia Chamber of Commerce, had an opportunity to ask questions of the City Council candidates and learn their perspectives on hot-button issues facing the city. The forum was held in the Council Chambers of City Hall and moderated by James Cooper, the president of the Vallejo […]
Christina Strawbridge: The citizens are our customers
On Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, I appeared before the Benicia City Council for the third time concerning the new increases in water and sewer rates. Previously, I had asked that the rates be deferred from July to November with the reasoning that usage would be down in the winter months. This was not accepted. The […]
Letters: Regional Measure 3, Carquinez Village and Daryl Snedeker
Is the mayor losing her political grip? A couple of very interesting things have happened lately. One is the delay of the water increase and the other is Regional Measure 3, also known as the bridge toll increase measure. The vote on the water delay increase was a 2-2 tie, which means no action was […]
Throwback Thursday: Herald headlines from the week of May 20, 1943, 1968 and 1993
Compiled by Nick Sestanovich 75 years ago Benicia To Have New Telephone System (May 20, 1943) The best news of the week comes from the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company in an announcement that Benicia is to have better telephone service. The announcement follows: Replacement of the present magneto type telephone system in Benicia with […]
Council approves Fitzgerald Field renovations, discusses water rates
Fitzgerald Field took one more step to receiving much-needed updates at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The council approved renovations that would retain the current designs for the historic stadium with a smaller environmental footprint and includes seating for approximately 175. The total cost of this recommendation– including design, construction and contingency– is $1,153,500. The city […]
Fitzgerald Field, water updates on council agenda
The fate of updates to Fitzgerald Field may lie with the Benicia City Council at its Tuesday meeting. Since early 2017, the city has implemented plans to renovate the historic ballpark. These renovations would include the removal and replacement of the existing bleachers and restroom, and update structures for soil conditions, seismic requirements and Federal […]
Council approves ban on alcohol in parks sans permit
The Benicia City Council voted to approve adding an amendment to Benicia Municipal Code title 12, prohibiting the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in parks without a permit, at its Tuesday meeting. After several complaints of alcohol-related rudeness in parks, the Benicia Police Department submitted the amendment change to the Parks, Recreation & Cemetery […]
Alcohol in parks, water rates on council agenda
The Benicia City Council is poised to make a potential decision at its Tuesday meeting on whether alcohol should be allowed in Benicia parks without permits. The Benicia Police Department is asking the council to pass an amendment to Title 12 of the Benicia Municipal Code. The amendment is intended to remove the allowance of […]
Letter: Vallejo’s wastewater rates
Vallejo’s wastewater rates As a followup to my recent two-part article on water and wastewater rates, I learned today that Vallejo intends to start a wastewater rate increase this year of almost 50 percent over five years–about 10 percent per year for five years–, driving its rates up to $126 for two months. This is […]
Greg Gartrell: Understanding the water rate increases (Part 2)
(Part 1 of this article, published in Friday’s paper, focused on the reasons for Benicia’s water and sewer rate increases. Today’s article aims to explore solutions.) So what can be done about the cost of water and wastewater? I have heard many suggestions as to the causes of the rate increases and how to fix […]