A Year Later, Industrial Safety Ordinance is on Council’s agenda
By Roger Straw, May 13, 2018
Almost exactly a year ago (on 05/23/17), Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson succeeded in requesting that Council direct staff to agendize future Council discussion of drafting and adopting a community Industrial Safety Ordinance. The Council voted 4-1 to approve and calendar further discussion.This was the first step in Benicia’s cumbersome 2-step process for a Councilmember or Mayor to agendize a new topic.
Well, it has taken a year, but the good news is that this item will finally come up on the June 19, 2018 Council agenda. Mark your calendar and plan to attend! And WRITE! (click here for info on where to write)
Benicia needs an ISO: three important points to be made
By Roger Straw
1. We don’t know what is in the air, and we have asthma rates three times the state average. We need air monitors NOW, and state/regional regulations will be slow in coming.
2. ISO is budget neutral for the City.
3. We need the experts that an ISO will provide, participating as equals at the table reviewing documents and regulations on our behalf.
Check out the Benicia Independent ISO page for way more information. And show up at City Council on June 19th! And please write to the news media, social media, and/or City Council members – (click here for info on where to write).
Vote YES on Proposition 68 – phone banking opportunity
By Ralph Dennis
During its April 10 meeting, Progressive Democrats of Benicia voted to endorse Proposition 68. We are posting the following information in support of Proposition 68 and to provide members with information to share with neighbors, friends, and fellow Benicians and Solano County residents.
We also want to invite you to attend a phone bank which will take place on May 22. Help get out the vote in support of Proposition 68! More info below…
Phone Bank for Prop 68! – Tuesday, May 22, 6-8pm
What: Phone banking for Proposition 68 – The California Clean Water and Safe Parks Act Where: Private residence in Benicia – for more information and to sign up, email Amy at [email protected] When: Tuesday, May 22nd from 6-8pm. Snacks and refreshments provided. More onFacebook: facebook.com/events/2536953163197388/
More information…
by Amy Hartman, Greenbelt Alliance, May 2, 2018
Greenbelt Alliance has endorsed Proposition 68—the California Clean Water and Safe Parks Act.
Prop. 68 is a general obligation bond that invests $4.1 billion in the coming years to address some of California’s most important water, park, and natural resource needs.
The state legislature passed the California Clean Water & Parks Act (SB5) that authorized this vote last year. Now, every Californian voter will have the opportunity to support Prop. 68 on Election Day: June 5, 2018. Here at Greenbelt Alliance, we urge you to VOTE YES on Prop. 68.
How Does Proposition 68 Help Solano County?
Each of the seven cities in Solano County—Vallejo, Benicia, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Dixon, and Vacaville—receives $200,000 to invest in water, park, and natural resource needs.
In Solano County Prop. 68 provides at least $400,000 for parks projects—guaranteed.
Solano County and each of the seven cities are eligible for over $1 billion in competitive grants for projects and organizations such as: urban greening and restoration projects, the Solano Land Trust, the Pacific Flyway Center, other nature centers in Solano County, a Solano County Regional Park and Open Space District, and safe parks for underserved communities.
Prop 68 will fuel economic development by creating an estimated 50,000 new labor jobs statewide for infrastructure projects.
Bob Berman, Benicia Resident and Supporter of Prop. 68:
“Of the $4.1 billion total, the bond provides $1.3 billion for parks and recreation projects, most of which would be used to build or improve local parks. Among the many provisions of Proposition 68 each Solano County city will receive a minimum of $200,000, and Solano County is guaranteed at least $400,000 for parks projects. This money can be used for deferred maintenance and/or new parks and water projects. Proposition 68 also designates $218 million to repair and improve State parks desperate for money to pay for deferred maintenance.” – Bob Berman, Benicia
How to Get Involved in the Prop. 68 Campaign?
In the days leading up to Election Day – June 5, 2018 – there are several ways that you can support the campaign.
Attend or host a phone bank or postcard writing get-together. Email Amy Hartman at [email protected] for more information.
Collect endorsements from your local environmental or conservation group, a neighborhood or community group, your local elected officials, local labor unions, or any other group or community leader that supports investing in safe parks, clean water and funding for projects to address climate change in the Bay Region. Get the endorsement form here
Tell your friends, neighbors, and colleagues about Prop. 68 and encourage them to vote Yes on 68 on June 5th.
Write a letter to your local newspaper encouraging fellow residents to vote YES on 68. Email Amy for assistance.
Put up a Yes on 68 Yard Sign – email Amy for a yard sign.
Repost from the Benicia Herald [NOTE: The Progressive Democrats of Benicia have not yet endorsed any candidate for Benicia City Council. Posting of this article does not constitute endorsement.]
By Katy St. Clair,
Local business owner and active community member Christina Strawbridge will try to win back her seat on the Benicia City Council in November.
BENICIA >> Former council member Christina Strawbridge might have lost her bid for re-election last time, but she said she knew one thing immediately — she was going to run again.
“I wasn’t finished,” Strawbridge said.
So now she’s thrown her proverbial hat in the ring again and will be on the ballot again in November.
“I’m still very involved with the community,” she said. “I’m really looking at the future of Benicia and the next generation and how we can make Benicia better for them.”
Strawbridge hopes that what she calls her “common sense” approach to city government will be the key that puts her back in city chambers.
She sees the city’s budget as the most pressing issue facing local government, especially how to remain a full-service city in the wake of possible cuts. Strawbridge said that the city needs to find new revenue sources.
As a business owner and former member of the Economic Development Board, Strawbridge said she sees the Industrial Park as a Benicia priority. It must be as attractive as possible to new businesses and be up-to-date with wifi access, among other things.
Strawbridge said she has been engaged with the council’s activity since she left, especially regarding water rate issues and the decision to allow legalized cannabis in town.
She’s coming from an interesting perspective, because she was one of the councilmembers that approved the water rate hikes.
“I felt strongly about it at the time, but things have changed since then,” she said.
Had she been on the council this year, Strawbridge said she would have voted to delay the increases due to the jump in bills due to more accurate meter readings. The fact that the staff that recommended the rate increases have all been replaced, as well as the easing of water conservation rules.
At the very least, she said, the rate increases should not begin in July, when more water is used.
As for marijuana, Strawbridge said that she voted for legalization in the state and approves it for adult use. However, she was a vocal opponent about allowing dispensaries and other businesses on First Street.
“As a business owner who has been involved in the downtown for 30 years, I thought it was sending out the wrong signal,” she said. “This is a location where families gather.”
The decision to allow cannabis business elsewhere in the town felt “rushed” to her, she said.
“Why were we in such a big hurry? It would have been more prudent to wait and see how other communities were embracing this,” she said.
Asked what she was most proud of during her time as a council member, Strawbridge pointed to her decision in the crude-by-rail case which would have brought crude oil into Benicia by train. It was ultimately voted down unanimously by the council due to safety issues, but Strawbridge initially voted to allow the Transportation Board to rule on it before she made her final decision. To her, it was important to get all the facts and as much information as possible, she said.
“It divided the town and there was a lot of pressure out there about making this decision,” she said. “As a council member, you need to be able to listen to the constituents and be objective, listen to what the constituents are saying and do your own research, too.”
Strawbridge owns Christina S Fashion Destination on First Street and has served on the Economic Development Board from 2006 to 2011 where she served as chair and led the Tourism Program, and City Council from 2011 to 2016. Currently she is treasurer for the Benicia Old Town Theatre Group, a board member of Benicia Main Street and a member of its design committee, and a board member for the Benicia Parks Association and a representative on the Solano State Parks Committee.
She is being endorsed by State Senator Bill Dodd, Assembly member Timothy Grayson, and Supervisor Erin Hannigan.
Almost exactly a year ago (on 05/23/17), Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson succeeded in requesting that Council direct staff to agendize future Council discussion of drafting and adopting a community Industrial Safety Ordinance. The Council voted 4-1 to approve and calendar further discussion.This was the first step in Benicia’s cumbersome 2-step process for a Councilmember or Mayor to agendize a new topic.
