Category Archives: Meeting reflections

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Meeting reflections

Meeting Reflections – March 8, 2022, Perspectives on Diversity in Benicia

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
MARCH 8, 2022 at 7 pm
Perspectives on Diversity in Benicia–A Panel Discussion

PDB’s March 8th membership meeting was attended by over 40 members, friends and our guest panel.

The meeting focused on racial equity, diversity and inclusion in Benicia and featured a panel discussion with Dr. Maliika Chambers and Kashanna Harmon-Lee.

Dr. Maliika Chambers is the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager for the City of Benicia. Kashanna Harmon-Lee is a member of Benicia Black Lives Matter’s (BBLM) Leadership Team.  They shared their perspectives on the state of racial equity in our town, and alerted us to upcoming events and ways in which our club can help with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in Benicia.

Terry Mollica, Vice Chair of the City of Benicia Planning Commission, offered an update on the Benicia Housing Element, timetable, upcoming workshops and meetings:

    • City Council Study Session: March 22 at 6 p.m. | Meeting held via Zoom
    • Virtual Open House : March 31 at 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Meeting held via Zoom
    • In-Person Open House: April 6 at 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Location TBA
    • Planning Commission Study Session : April 7 at 7 p.m
    • More information: https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/housingelement

We also heard from Cheryl Sudduth, who is running in the June primary for the Democratic nomination for the US House to represent California’s 8th Congressional District.  She shared about her platform, life experiences and values. Ms. Sudduth is running against Congressman John Garamendi, who was recently featured at the PDB meeting in February, 2002.

Announcements

    • Kathy Kerridge: Call for volunteers for Women’s & Youth Caucus; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (Elizabeth Patterson is willing to spearhead and needs others to join in).  Contact Kathy if interested.
    • BAAQMD Hearing Board meeting March 15 starting at 9:30am.  Details and link here.
    • Lisa Reinertson: Encouraged attendees to email CA Fish and Game Commission ([email protected]) in support of Petition 2022-01.  The petition will be reviewed and discussed at the Fish and Game Commission meeting on April 20-21.  The petition can be reviewed at crowcanyon.info/petition-2022.1.pdf.
Biofuels, Meeting reflections, Renewable energy

Meeting Reflections – February 8, 2022

General Membership Meeting, Tuesday, February 8

Panel on Biofuels and Expanding PDB Membership

Our February monthly meeting was held on February 8th.

We learned a lot from our distinguished panelists, discussing biofuels, including two projects proposed by refineries in the Bay Area.

Two oil companies, Marathon and Phillips 66, propose to convert their refineries from processing crude oil to possibly vegetable oil, animal fats, or used cooking oil to create biofuels—what the industry refers to as renewable diesel. The proponents of the projects describe these projects as part of California’s plan to transition from fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But local activists and environmental organizations are voicing reservations as Contra Costa County officials consider whether they should grant permits in the coming months. In addition, a local Benicia company has partnered with a Wyoming-based renewable fuels company which converts organic waste to clean hydrogen and synthetic fuels.

Our panelists for this discussion, which was moderated by Kari Birdseye:

A Q&A session followed the presentation by our panelists.

In advance of the meeting, members were encouraged to read DEIR Comments by Jay Gunkelman, submitted for the Phillips 66 proposed biofuels conversion in Rodeo. Jay Gunkelman is our highly respected community expert on refineries and toxic emissions. Of note is Mr. Gunkelman’s second paragraph where he compares Phillips 66 to other refineries including Valero Benicia, with regard to required fence line detection limits to operate a 5 parts-per-billion. Note that Valero’s detection is significantly above that parameter for Xylene.

The second part of our program was open to PDB voting members only.  We concluded our previous discussions on expanding PDB membership, voting on two motions:

  • The first motion passed almost unanimously: to appoint an ad hoc committee to plan how to expand diversity within PDB and unite with other Democrats.
  • The second motion failed by a large  margin: to change the name of the club to “Benicia Democrats.”  We remain the Progressive Democrats of Benicia.
Meeting reflections

Meeting Reflections – January 11, 2022

General Membership Meeting
Tuesday, January 11th
7:00 pm

Featured Speaker:
Congressman John Garamendi, Congressional Dist. 8

Our January monthly meeting was held on Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 7:00.

U.S. Representative John Garamendi

Our program featured Congressman John Garamendi, who represents Congressional District 8, which now includes Benicia. Cong. Garamendi announced last month he is seeking reelection in 2022 and will introduce himself to Benicians, share with us his priorities for Congress this year, and let us know how we can support his efforts. The newly drawn lines for Cong. Dist. 8 now mean that all five oil refineries in the Bay Area are located in an area represented by one U.S. Representative, John Garamendi. Let’s have our questions ready for Cong. Garamendi!

We also continued discussion from our last meeting on possible changes to the Club and votes on any motions that may arise. We announced appointments to vacated Officer and Steering Committee positions, including a new Interim Chair, Kathy Kerridge, and Treasurer, Nathalie Christian – and two new Steering Committee members, Lisa Reinertson and Terry Mollica. But, we still need to fill the Vice-Chair position who will be assisting the new Chair in overall club responsibilities, and we need 2-3 additional members to join the Steering Committee to help lead the Club into 2022 in supporting candidates and actions at the local, state, and national levels. It’s time to step up!!!

Non-members were welcomed to participate in the discussion and Q&A with Cong. Garamendi. The remainder of the meeting on Club issues was open only to current and lapsed PDB members.