Tag Archives: Benicia elections

2024 Election, Benicia Resiliency Plan, Endorsements, Solano County Board of Supervisors

Meeting Notes – January 9, 2024

MEETING NOTES
JANUARY 9, 2024

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Our January general membership meeting was held on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 7pm, via Zoom.

Agenda:

  • Call to Order
  • Quorum
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Acknowledgements/Announcements
  • Mayor Steve Young
    • Measure A – Hotel Tax (Transient Occupancy Tax)
    • Measure B – Public Safety and Essential Services Measure
  • Nathalie Christian – Online Endorsement Poll explained
  • Solano County Board of Supervisors District 2 Candidates Forum
    • Monica Brown, Incumbant
    • Rochelle Sherlock
  • Wrap Up – Next Meeting February 13, 2024

Announcements

  • Welcome New Members
  • Renew your dues!
  • Believe In Benicia Events www.believeinbenicia.org
    • January 15-26 – Community Survey
    • January 17 – 6pm Virtual Workshop
    • January 18 – 6-8pm In Person Workshop (Benicia Library)
    • January 24 – 6pm Virtual Workshop
    • January 25 – 6-8pm In Person Workshop (Community Center)
  • Solano County Democratic Central Committee Awards Dinner
    • January 27 at 5-8pm – County Event Center, 601 Texas St., Fairfield. PDB has reserved a table.
  • Passion for Performance – fundraiser for local performing arts organizations
    • February 24, Clock Tower: VIP Artist Reception – 4:30-5:30pm; Doors open 5:30 pm; Performances: 6-9pm; Tickets: www.beniciaperformingarts.org – Concerts
  • Christopher Cabaldon (PDB endorsed candidate for State Senate) needs hosts for meet and greets. Contact Kathy Kerridge.
  • Democratic Central Committee Candidates for District 2: Kathy Kerridge, Pat Toth-Smith, Paula Bauer, and Monica Brown. Vote March 5.
  • Consider volunteering to work the poll on March 5

Mayor Steve Young and Ballot Measures

Mayor Young discussed the ballot measures and the importance of their passing, described the upcoming events, and fielded questions.

Solano County Board of Supervisors District 2 Candidates Forum

We heard from the two candidates who are running for County Supervisor for District 2, and both candidates fielded questions.   The candidates (in alphabetical order) are Monica Brown, incumbent, and Rochelle Sherlock, entrepreneur, community advocate, and small business owner.

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.”

The membership voted to endorse Monica Brown for Solano County Board of Supervisors. The members also voted to endorse Ballot Measures A and B.

Meeting Link

Here is a link to the video recording of this important meeting! If asked, enter the passcode: 4S*V+ap=

Next Meeting: Tuesday February 13, 7:00 pm on Zoom

Don’t miss this important meeting!

 

Benicia City Council, Benicia elections, Benicia Mayor, Climate change, Meeting reflections

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.
Benicia City Council, Benicia elections, Endorsements, Meeting reflections, Solano County Board of Supervisors, Solano County Sheriff

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