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California Forever – Solano Together Zoom Forum Recording

Meeting Recording

Below is a link to the video recording of the Progressive Democrats of Benicia’s meeting last Tuesday with California Forever and Solano Together.  The meeting was great with an interchange of ideas between both sides.

Our speakers were Gabriel Metcalf, Head of Planning for California Forever, Chris Rico, Solano County Economic Development President/CEO, Sadie Wilson, Solano Together/Director of Planning and Research for Greenbelt Alliance, and Bob Berman, Solano Together/Chair of Solano County Orderly Growth Committee.

The participants presented the problems that California Together may address and may create.  Christopher Cabaldon, who is running for State Senate in this district and was an audience member that night, also provided information about the problems of having an initiative also be a development agreement and how in his opinion that is not possible.

This is a timely topic since there was a signature gatherer yesterday at Safeway to get signatures for California Forever to change our current law prohibiting growth out of city boundaries, and that outlines their proposals to move forward. Please feel free to share this link widely.

Click the image to be redirected to the Zoom recording. You may have to enter the passcode, which is MR5b^@eF

Here is the link to the video recording of this important meeting! If asked, enter the passcode: MR5b^@eF

Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 9, 7:00 pm on Zoom

Don’t miss this important meeting!

 

Meeting notices

Our Next Meeting – Tuesday, March 12

MEMBER MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2024, 7:00 PM

ZOOM MEETING

___________________________________________________________________________

Dear members and supporters—

We are going to take a deep dive in our March meeting into a local issue that is making national news – California Forever.  There has been a lot of commentary about California Forever’s plans and ballot initiative. Here is your chance to see and hear for yourself what all the commotion is about, directly from some of those most involved.

Solano Together and California Forever

(Photo credits: Benicia Magazine, Greenbelt.org, CaliforniaForever.com, SolanoEDC.org.)

In order of appearance from left to right, our speakers from Solano Together will be Bob Berman, Chair of the Solano County Orderly Growth Committee, and Sadie Wilson, Director of Planning and Research at Greenbelt Alliance.

Our speaker from California Forever is Head of Planning Gabe Metcalf (read a recent interview with Metcalf here). Chris Rico, CEO/President of the Solano County Economic Development Corporation, will also be on hand to answer questions and provide economic insights.

This will be a rare opportunity to learn about this controversial proposal and the initiative that will be on the November ballot supporting it from all sides at once. 

Sheri Leigh will also share an announcement about Fiestas Primavera and other activities to stop the La Migra game that has become an unwelcome Benicia High School tradition.

Zoom Details

The link and sign-in information for most PDB membership meetings in 2024 is below. For the most part you can use this link, meeting ID, and passcode through 2024.  

Topic: PDB General Meeting
Time: Mar 12, 2024 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86273821941?pwd=WktDazJLaTJHVTBPNWd3dzlXaGd2Zz09

Meeting ID: 862 7382 1941
Passcode: 528756

One tap mobile
+16699006833,,86273821941#,,,,*528756# US (San Jose)
+16694449171,,86273821941#,,,,*528756# US

Please save the evening of March 12 for this important discussion. It has so far been rare to see both sides of this discussion in the same room, even if it will be a virtual room.  

2024 Election, Endorsements, Measure C, Meeting reflections, Solano County Board of Supervisors

Meeting Notes – February 13, 2024

MEETING NOTES
FEBRUARY 13, 2024

___________________________________________________________________________

Our January general membership meeting was held on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 7pm, via Zoom.

Agenda:

  • Call to Order
  • Quorum
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Acknowledgements/Announcements
  • Program
    • Measure C – Sheri Zada and Damon Wright
    • Update – Christopher Cabaldon campaign
    • Fiesta La Primavera – Sheri Leigh
    • Solano County Board of Supervisors District 1 Candidates Forum
      • Cassandra James
      • Michael Wilson
  • Wrap Up – Next Meeting March 12, 2024

Announcements

  • Feb. 24 – Cooking with Alice – NSDC fundraiser with Congressman Mike Thompson
  • Feb. 24 – Passion for Performance, Fundraiser
  • Feb. 29 – Making the Democratic Process Work for You – Kathy Kerridge & Mary Ruth Gross, 350 Bay Area – Better World Event on Zoom
  • March 5 – Vote for SCDCC Representatives
  • May 18 – PDB Fundraiser – Champagne Brunch – SAVE THE DATE and join the planning committee to help with the event!

MEASURE C

Measure C on the March 5th ballot will fund critical facilities improvements for our schools

  • Building repairs and improvements
  • Classroom renovation and upgrades
  • HVAC system
  • Science and technology lab construction
  • Student access to computer technology
  • Improves health, safety, student achievement and security

We heard from School Board President Sheri Zada and Superintendent Dr. Damon Wright in support of this important measure. Dr. Wright fielded questions.

Endorsed Candidate Update

Christopher Cabaldon updated us on his campaign.

Fiesta La Primavera

Sheri Leigh updated us on her advocacy to dismantle Benicia’s La Migra’ games, and announced an alternative Spring Break celebration event in collaboration with the Solano AIDS Coalition: Fiesta Primavera,   taking place on March 23 at Gazebo Park in Benicia.

Solano County Board of Supervisors District 1 Candidates Forum

We heard from the two candidates who are running for County Supervisor for District 1, and both candidates fielded questions.   The candidates (in alphabetical order) are Cassandra James, incumbent, and Michael Wilson. Both candidates fielded questions from members.

Membership Poll

We have offered members an opportunity to vote on which candidate to endorse via the PDB website.  The bylaws state “New Members shall be entitled to vote on all Club matters sixty (60) days after payment of dues. Existing members, upon payment of membership renewal dues, shall be eligible immediately to vote on all Club matters.”

Meeting Link

Here is a link to the video recording of this important meeting! If asked, enter the passcode: skMZ^h59

Next Meeting: Tuesday March 12, 7:00 pm on Zoom

Don’t miss this important meeting!