Tag Archives: meeting reflections

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

Climate action, Climate change, Endorsements, Meeting reflections, Solano County District Attorney

Meeting Reflections – April 12, 2022, Climate Change and D.A. candidate Sharon Henry

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
APRIL 12, 2022
Climate Change: what we can be doing…
Also: District Attorney candidate Sharon Henry

PDB’s April 12th membership meeting was attended by 39 members, friends and our guest speakers.

Program

First we heard from Sharon Henry, candidate for Solano County District Attorney.  Because there are only two candidates in the race for DA, it is likely to be decided at the June 7 primary election, rather than on November 8th.  Ms. Henry shared her background and values and explained her platform. She has been endorsed by the Solano County Democratic Central Committee and Mayor Steve Young.  After questions and answers, we held an endorsement vote.  PDB members voted almost unanimously to endorse Ms. Henry.

The remainder of the meeting focused on Climate change and action-based solutions presented by local climate activists:

  • Lindsay Wray, Chair, Benicia Community Sustainability Commission – described the commission and outlined action items for 2022.
  • Ben Keller – Co-chair, Legislative Committee 350 Bay Area Action – described 350BAA and explained the role of the Legislative Committee – Work on Legislation, Building Relationships with Legislators and Education and Mobilizing Public and Partners. Outlined priority bills for 2022-AB 2419; SB 917; SB 1482, SB 1010.
  • Nik Evasco, Youth Climate Organizer and Program Manager, 350 Bay Area – described his role as an organizer and profiled recent actions taken by 350BA. Expressed need for a Solano County 350 faction.
Club Actions:

Interim Chair Kathy Kerridge presented a spreadsheet and web addresses for members to take a few minutes and either commit to taking climate action or perform actions in real time.  Tap here to view the suggested action items.

Elected Officials

Elected officials present: Solano County Supervisor Monica Brown and Benicia Mayor Steve Young.

Mayor Young provided an update on City of Benicia events and issues:

    • Update on the recent weekend fire at Amports and the status of the pier, which was built and maintained by Amports.
    • Update on the Mayor’s first meeting as a BAAQMD member. Discussed the status of fine for Valero’s 15-year emissions cover-up. The Mayor is open for suggestions on how the settlement funds are to be spent.
    • Goal setting meeting: City Council – Saturday, April 23, 8:30am to 6:30pm at the Community Center. Open for public comment, most likely in the morning.
    • Diversity Festival: April 23 beginning at noon on the Marina Green.
    • Council Meeting, 4/19/22 – Financial Forecast is the topic.
Announcements
  • Saturday, April 30, 1-3pm Candidate Fundraiser – for Sharon Henry, hosted by Terry Mollica at his home
  • ACLU – Virtual Forums ([email protected])
    • Monday, May 2, 6pm Board of Supervisors Candidate Forum
    • Tuesday, May 3, 3pm District Attorney Candidate Forum
  • Sunday, June 26, 2-4pm Welcome / Au revoir party for US Representatives Garamendi and Thompson, Benicia Vets Hall – Fundraiser for United Dems – details to follow
  • Benicia Library – Book Action Program – From Just Us to Justice: A Community Equity Challenge https://benicialibrary.org/rsvp-book-action-programs
Recording

The meeting was held on Zoom.  A full recording of the meeting can be viewed here.

Meeting reflections, Progressive Democrats of Benicia

Meeting of November 2020 – our post-election gathering

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7pm
Election Results,
and thinking about PDB 2021 Goals

Post-Election Sharing – and What’s Next

We planned ahead for a post election gathering, not knowing the results.  Whatever the outcome, we wanted to come be with our friends!!! 

So… at our meeting on Nov. 10 we briefly shared the results of the Nov. 3 elections, local and national.  We celebrated and held our breath over Joe Biden’s slim lead, and worried over the composition of the House and Senate…  AND we celebrated our new Mayor Steve Young!  Terry Scott’s race for the second Council seat was too close to call at the time (and he later lost by the narrowest of margins).

At the outset of our meeting, we surprised our friend and PDB member, outgoing Mayor Elizabeth Patterson with a time of recognition and honors.  We read a Proclamation “Recognizing Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson and Honoring her Decades of Rich and Enduring Service.”  This was followed by a delightful video collage by Constance Beutel celebrating Elizabeth’s many years of service and accomplishments.  Finally, Elizabeth responded and many of our members zoomed in their thanks and well wishes.

We had planned to include Zoom “breakout rooms” for smaller groups of people to 1) talk freely about the election results and what it means for us and for Benicia and 2) to think about possible goals and focus for PDB in 2021.  But we ran out of time, so we plan to do this at our January, 12 2021 meeting.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Election of PDB officers in Jan. ’21. Terms of our current officers expire soon.  During the Jan. 2021 General Membership meeting members will elect a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Each officer serves a two-year term. We are seeking nominations for these positions which will be accepted beginning now and through the discussion prior to the vote at our Jan. ’21 meeting.

  • Our current officers are: Ralph Dennis, Chair; Craig Snider, Vice-Chair; Maggie Kolk, Secretary; and, Kathy Kerridge, Treasurer.
  • Eligible members may nominate and vote in the election of officers. (An “eligible” member is one who is either new and a member for at least 60 days, or a past member who has renewed dues to become current. Dues are due on January 1 and payable by January 31 of each calendar year.  Dues are only $20/year, payable on our website.)  Nominations can be submitted through the Contact button on the PDB website.  You can also let us know if you have questions about the status of your membership.