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 a common battery system equipped with switchboard of greater capacity was announced today by F.H. Lake manager of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company.
The telephone company has had under study here for some time every possible means of keeping pace with Benicia’s rapidly growing telephone service requirements brought about by war conditions, Lake said.
By taking advantage of rearrangements that are being made in telephone facilities in other cities, the Company has been able to obtain some relatively new switchboards, together with cable and other material which makes it possible to replace the magneto system here with common battery facilities that will eliminate the use of the crank on the telephone.
Installation of the equipment is now in progress and the new system is scheduled to be ready for operation some time this fall.

50 years ago

Ricky Olson Student Head (May 16, 1968)

Rick Olson has been elected president of the Benicia High School Student Association. He defeated rival Debbie Creekmore and Donald Pruitt for the top student post.
Other officers selected for the 1968-69 school year included Tim Vogelpohl, vice president; Hope Segle, secretary-treasurer, and Kathleen Smith, business manager.
Lynn Fugate was named head varsity cheer leader and Gloria Lewis and Lynn Olson were elected as assistants. Sharon Nelson, Stacey Von Tellrop and Glenda Smith was chosen junior varsity cheer leaders. Nadine Archuleta and Brenda Lanier were named mascots.
The new student body officers will be officially introduced at the Inaugural Ball to be held in the high school cafetorium on Friday, May 24.

25 years ago

As deadline nears, city officials consider extending water charge indefinitely (May 16, 1993)

The $4.25 water surcharge imposed on Benicia residents because of the drought– which is set to expire at the end of the month– may be continued indefinitely while city officials review the state of their finances. There is disagreement among city officials about exactly how long the charge should be leveled, but they do agree that a temporary extension is needed beyond the May expiration date.
The city imposed the $4.25 charge in 1991 to pay for an emergency water supply, which cost the city $1.8 million.
But within the last year, the city has purchased more water as a backup, a supply equal to slightly less than the amount Benicia residents consume in an average year.
To date, the city has spent $620,000 for this reserve supply of water, and some city officials believe they need to recover that cost by continuing the drought surcharge.
Finance Department director Alan Nadritch said he would extend the surcharge until at least the end of 1993, and perhaps longer.
City Manager Mike Warren has taken a more conservative line by suggesting the council review the water fund during the next 45 days to determine how long the surcharge will continue to be necessary.
Amid the sixth year of drought in California, the city’s only water source, the State Water Project, cut its deliveries by 90 percent in 1991, leaving Benicia no choice but to pay for more at a premium price.
Rationing was imposed later in the year, with additional charges assessed against residents who exceeded their monthly allotment.

The full articles of these and other stories are available on microfilm at the Benicia Public Library.

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