Tag Archives: Benicia City Council

Meeting Reflections – August 25, 2022, Local candidate interviews & endorsements

MEETING REFLECTIONS
PDB MEMBERSHIP MEETING
AUGUST 25, 2022, 7:00 PM

Read summary reflections below.
Watch the Zoom recording here.  >Passcode: Gv^1g6=Z

Endorsement Interviews & Vote

Our Interim Chair moderated a forum for the three Democratic City of Benicia Council Candidates, Kari Birdseye, Terry Scott, and Christina Strawbridge. Our chair asked each of the candidates to share with the group of approximately 55 attendees 1) why they chose to run for office, 2) why the PDB members should vote to endorse them and 3) what they individually plan to accomplish if elected to serve on the Benicia City  Council.

Kari Birdseye believes that this is the time for a change in leadership on the Council.  As a member of two City commissions, previously the Human Services Board and currently as Chair of the Planning Commission, Kari has great working relationships with City staff, and she understands the challenges that the City faces.  She believes that she can make decisions in a transparent and empathetic manner.  Kari has three main priorities that she will address if elected:  1)  diversification of Benicia’s economic tax base; 2) the housing crisis in our city with an emphasis on senior housing; 3) transparent, friendly leadership – having an open relationship with all of Benicia including the business and neighborhood communities.

Terry Scott believes that over the last five election cycles, the top issues negatively affecting the City have remained the same: roads, cost of water, poor infrastructure,  polluted air and water, and public safety.  If elected, Terry will focus on financial management, a commitment to change in core values among City Council members, to open discussions for change, understand how open space is managed, respect and preserve Benicia’s historic heritage, and promote the reimagining of how things get done on an economic basis.  Terry’s list of accomplishments in Benicia includes Chair of the Arts and Culture Commission (promoting the painted piano, Shakespeare in the Park, signal boxes, BUSD collaboration on student murals, and working with the mayor to add diversity to the Arts and Culture Commission).  Terry was co-organizer of the first Benicia Diversity Festival and co-organizer of the recent March for Our Lives and Women’s March.  Terry is a businessman, futurist, and philanthropist who will use sound business sense and judgment to assess how to fix our current issues with a focus on the future, and how those fixes will affect our community members and our environment.

Christina Strawbridge is running on strength and experience.   She has been a Benicia City Council member for 9 years.  She stated that she was initially hesitant to run again due to the fact that she felt our 2020 election was a “blackeye” on Benicia, mainly due to Valero’s running of attack ads against her opponent, Steve Young.  Christina also stated that she was the recipient of a lot of social media attacks, most of which she stated were untrue.  Christina was very supportive and complimentary of Erik Upson, the current City Manager.  She praised the city staff and Council for their management and support of the citizens and businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Christina’s list of accomplishments for the City of Benicia includes working to revitalize Benicia since 1985.  She also worked to keep both of our state parks off the closure list in 2010.

Our chair asked a series of questions previously prepared by the PDB Steering Committee.  Each candidate was given 2 minutes to respond.  The question topics included:

  • Stance on Crude by Rail (should Valero attempt to push through this again)
  • An Industrial Safety Ordinance, and guaranteeing the safety of Benicia’s citizens from industrial accidents caused by Valero
  • Campaign finance restrictions
  • The Valero PAC
  • The Federal Inflation Reduction Act and the facilitation of mitigation and adaptation strategies for climate change
  • Housing in general and housing for seniors and low-income citizens
  • Racial equity and environmental justice
  • Benicia financial position and retention of city staff
  • Position on Measure R (increase the sales tax to improve infrastructure)

During the presentations, attendees entered questions into Chat.  PDB Secretary chose questions that had not previously been addressed and each candidate was given an opportunity to respond.

Candidates provided a one-minute wrap-up to state their reasons for seeking  PDB’s endorsement.

Members in good standing participated in the endorsement voting process which included the three City Council Candidates and Jose Altamirano for State Board of Equalization, as well as voting whether to provide funding for the endorsed candidates.   The results were not announced but were delivered to members by email the following day.  (See here on PDB website.)

PDB Business

The Treasurer’s report was delivered

Announcement and Action Items 

Cynthia Seguin – Asking for support of two congressional bills -repealing laws introduced in the Reagan Era – the Social Security Fairness Act (HR 82) and the Social Security 2100 Act (HR 572). Call congress to end the unfair tax on retired educators.  www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/action-center/take-action/repeal-gpo-wep?ms=daisychainconfirmation

Call Tim Grayson and Lori Wilson to support SB 1137 setbacks for oil wells. https://docs.google.com/document/d/18D_sFxXloOdxBbzda418MPqbo0Iw0bJRHS93-W1uELo/edit

Contact us to send out postcards and get yard signs for Benicians for Clean Elections.

Mayor Young – Addressed the City’s financial issues stating that the Council was not aware of these issues.  The Council was presented with what they believed were fair, accurate audits.  The Housing Element was passed by Council last week and will be submitted to the State by the end of the month.  A use permit was given to a cannabis distribution company:  Shryne Group is moving their No. Cal headquarters to Benicia and they will build a 40,000 sq. ft. warehouse.

Future Speakers for September – Erik Upson and Bob Berman.

Meeting Reflections – Tuesday, June 14th at 7 pm

THE PDB MEMBERSHIP MEETING JUNE 14, 2022,  introducing candidate Terry Scott, and hearing from climate change heroes Jim Thompson and Jack Ruszel
Terry Scott, 2022 candidate for Benicia City Council

A featured speaker at our June 14 meeting was candidate for Benicia City Council Terry Scott.  Terry Scott shared about his life and qualifications, his vision for the City of Benicia and his perspective on current Benicia issues.  Scott is running for one of two City Council seats up for election this November.

This! Is What We Did (thisiswhatwedid.org)

We continued our discussions about climate change, focusing this month on actions that can be taken to help make a difference.  Jim Thompson of This! Is What We Did discussed ways in which each person can help to address the challenge of climate change.

Ruszel Woodworks (ruszelwoodworks.com)

Local business owner Jack Ruszel described the many ways his Benicia company, Ruszel Woodworks, has taken to reduce its carbon footprint.

We closed with a short film presentation by Third Act on how we can encourage banks to stop investing in fossil fuels:

Finally, June Actions were presented, giving our members and the public a few simple and effective steps we can take today to combat climate change. (download June Actions here)

Announcements

  • Alicia Brewster thanked PDB for it’s backing and financial support of the June 11 Benicia March For Our Lives.
  • Our chair announced that Michelle Pellegrin is PDB’s newest member.
  • Michelle Pellegrin announced a Welcome/Goodbye party for our incoming and outgoing U.S. Representatives, John Garamendi and Mike Thompson. We keep both of them in Solano County — they are just switching which parts of the county they represent. Note: Proof of vaccination is required to attend. All welcome this Sunday, June 19, 2-4pm, Benicia Veterans Memorial Hall. Purchase tickets here by June 18 at $25 each (or pick a sponsorship level).
  • A member invited everyone to attend Benicia’s 2022 Juneteenth Celebration, this Sunday, June 19, 11am-5pm at Benicia Veterans Memorial Hall, hosted by Benicia Black Lives Matter. More on BBLM website. or at facebook.com/BeniciaBLM
  • Our chair reminded everyone about the Benicia Library’s Book to Action program, From Just Us to Justice: A Community Equity Challenge, benicialibrary.org/book-to-action
  • Our chair mentioned campaign volunteer opportunities for City Council candidate and PDB member Kari Birdseye: Sign up for emails and sign up to volunteer at karibirdseyeforbenicia.com/how-can-I-help
  • Mayor Steve Young alerted us to upcoming issues and events:
    • Next Tuesday, June 21, Council will examine the situation as Benicia enters into stage 2 of water conservation
    • On July 5, Council will
      • consider placing on the November ballot a 3/4 cent sales tax measure for roads
      • consider placing renewal of Measure K on the November ballot, Open Space
      • consider updating our ordinance governing temporary signs, which includes political signs
    • On Sunday July 3, the City will celebrate the traditional (6:30pm?)Torchlight Parade and a first time Drone Show, which will start at dark.  Fireworks will fill our skies on Monday, July 4.

Meeting Reflections – May 10, 2022, Key political campaigns, Endorsements

MEETING REFLECTIONS
THE PDB MEMBERSHIP MEETING
MAY 10, 2022, 7:00 PM
The May 10th general meeting focused on key political campaigns.
KariBirdseyeForBenicia.com

First off, PDB member Kari Birdseye invited all to attend on Sunday, May 22 when she announces her candidacy for Benicia City Council. You are invited to attend the Kickoff Rally on Sunday, May 22, 2-4pm at Benicia’s City Park Gazebo.  Kari presented her views about her campaign and local issues specific to Benicia.  She encouraged volunteers to sign up at her website, karibirdseyeforbenicia.com/.

Election next month – June 7

We also heard from several June 7 election candidates, and voted whether to offer endorsements:
  • Democratic Suisun City Councilwoman Wanda Williams discussed her candidacy for Solano County District 3 Supervisor.
  • Solano County Sheriff candidate Daryl Snedeker discussed his reasons for running.  (Snedeker is No-Party-Preference)
  • Two Democratic candidates for the State Board of Equalization, Braden Murphy and Jose Alatmirano shared with us why we should vote for them in the primary.
Progressive Democrats of Benicia proudly ENDORSE:
Progressive Democrats of Benicia RECOMMEND:

Also at our May 10 meeting:

Benicia Mayor Steve Young talked about the Valero-supported PAC and the expected negative ad campaign anticipated this election year.  Because the “independent expenditures” of PACs are not limited by Benicia’s Voluntary Code of Fair Campaign Practices or state law, the Valero-supported PAC is not limited in the amounts it can spend. In contrast, expenditures by candidates and their campaigns are limited. Learn more about this important dynamic of local politics.

Announcements