Compiled by Nick Sestanovich

75 years ago

John J. O’Grady Tosses Hat in The Ring (July 23, 1942)

The other day John O’Grady came into the Herald-New Era office and said, “Boys, you know I like this town and I want to stay here, so do me a favor, will you? Tell my fellow citizens that I am going to run for the office of of Supervisor of the Third District of Solano County.”
“You know, of course, that I was born and raised here in the city of Benicia, and am a resident of the third district of Solano County.”
He went on to say: “I have announced my candidacy at the request of many of my friends and supporters and have no motive other than to give the people of my district an honest, efficient administration.”
“It is my aim to see that the taxpayers of this district get one hundred cents on the dollar for the money spent in the county.
“Roads are one of the main interests of the supervisor and I believe that many roads and drainage problems of the third district can be corrected with little cost to my people, if proper study and attention are given to the problem.
“I have served the City of Benicia and am familiar with tax matters and official procedure, which will be of assistance to me in a supervisorial office.
“The interest of my own constituents shall be paramount and I promise to give all groups and all parts of my district fair and equal representation.
“I am offering the people of my district my services as supervisor with a promise of fair, courteous, honest and efficient administration and solicit your support on that basis.
“Thanks, boys, I’ll see you at the polls.”
With that he went merrily on his way.

50 years ago

Terry Abreu Going to Scout Jamboree (July 20, 1967)

One Benicia and two Vallejo Eagles Boy Scouts will leave Sunday, July 23, en route to the 12th annual World Jamboree to be held at Farragut State Park, Idaho.
There they will join approximately 10,000 other Scouts from 90 different countries for the eight-day Jamboree which is the first of its type ever to be held in the United States.
Scouts and Explorers selected to represent the local area include Robert Vogel, Troop 32; and Ken deVries of Troop 12; from Vallejo; and Terry Abreu from Troop 8, Benicia. These Scouts were selected from a group of 30 that applied for the Jamboree.

25 years ago

Adobe named ‘Point of Light’ (July 19, 1992)

By Tim Hearden

McCall’s Adobe Inc. has been selected by the Bush administration as the 829th “Daily Point of Light.”
Adobe received a personalized letter Friday from President Bush, recognizing the drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for its “generosity and willingness to serve others.”
Given to volunteers nationwide who are selected personally by the president, the Point of Light award is by far the most prestigious honor Adobe has received in its 19-year existence.
Miah Homstad, Daily Point of Light coordinator at the White House, said Adobe was chosen for its unique blend of community service.
“The residents involved at Adobe are alcoholics and other recovering substance abusers who are committed to being clean and sober,” Homstad said. “Part of their rehabilitation is that they go out in the community, and that’s a unique twist.”.

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

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