LETTER SERIES: Roger Straw – Mark Hughes’ voting record

[Editor: Benicians are expressing themselves in letters to the editor of our local print newspaper, the Benicia Herald. But the Herald doesn’t publish letters in its online editions – and many Benician’s don’t subscribe. We are posting certain letters here for wider distribution. – RS]

Mark Hughes’ voting record – an important factor for voters

By Roger Straw
October 27, 2016
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Roger Straw, Editor, The Benicia Independent

There has been something of a hue (or should I say Hughes) and cry about my letter comparing the virtues of mayoral candidates Mark Hughes and Elizabeth Patterson.

I certainly meant no disrespect in pointing out that Hughes is a Republican who has not led forthrightly in 2008-2009 battles over the Seeno project and on issues of climate change and air quality here in Benicia. He surely hasn’t (as far as I know) come right out and stated that he doesn’t accept the science of climate change. If I remember right, his comment was something to the effect that there is more to global warming than human causes. Well, of course! But that seems like a politician’s deft avoidance of the issue, sending signals to the climate change deniers, and clearly NOT a position of strong advocacy for measures to limit air pollution and move toward clean and renewable sources of energy.

Hughes has frequently – predictably – sided with those who oppose measures for sustainability in Benicia. In more recent times, he voted against voluntary green building standards. He voted to return $887 thousand of the City’s grant money to Valero for a project that Valero could easily have funded itself. That decision hobbled our Community Sustainability Commission’s ability to continue funding projects such as Benicia Makerspace, community gardens, solar and water conservation grants, etc. And Hughes voted against renewing the contract for our excellent Climate Action Plan Coordinator, Alex Portshawver.

I appreciate that Mark puts out a welcome mat for development on Seeno land in hopes of securing new tax revenues for the City. And it’s great to learn that he’s against 900 homes up there. But without firmly stating opposition to all housing above the Industrial Park we can only conclude that the developer will come back with a “compromise” that could compromise the future of Benicia. And how will Mark vote on that?

Elections too often cause enemies, and that’s really hard in a small town. I like Mark, and I find it difficult to bring forward his record as one good reason to vote for Elizabeth Patterson for Mayor. But these are necessary considerations in making a good decision for the future of Benicia. Unlike the Republican candidate for President, I hope we ALL will support whomever wins the election as our Mayor, no matter the outcome. Meanwhile, I’ll vote for Elizabeth and invite you to do so, too.

MORE:
Elizabeth’s website is ElizabethForMayor.org
Steve’s website is SteveYoungForCityCouncil.org

LETTER SERIES: Marilyn Bardet – Mike Ioakimedes for Solano County Supervisor

[Editor: Benicians are expressing themselves in letters to the editor of our local print newspaper, the Benicia Herald. But the Herald doesn’t publish letters in its online editions – and many Benician’s don’t subscribe. We are posting certain letters here for wider distribution. – RS]

A vote for Mike Ioakimedes for Solano County Supervisor

By Marilyn Bardet
October 25, 2016
Marilyn Bardet
Marilyn Bardet

As a Benicia resident since 1986, and with long experience engaged with planning issues in our city, I’m voting for Mike Ioakimedes for county supervisor. I’ve always appreciated Mike’s encouragement of public dialogue, not only for sake of hashing out contentious issues, but for results: toward resolute, evidence-based decision-making that has helped shape our community for the better.

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Mike Ioakimedes

Mike’s earnest, quiet diplomacy — much needed in a time of hardening ideological entrenchment — serves principled action.

On Benicia’s city council, Mike addressed a large-scale business park development proposal for the Seeno property, making clear that, as originally presented, it would violate mandates of AB32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act, since the plan not only did not reduce “vehicle miles traveled” that contribute to increases in GHG, but also ignored a 243% projected increase in traffic on East 2nd St, thus to further compromise air quality and public health, especially for children at Semple elementary, located along East 2nd, in close proximity to I-780 and the refinery.

Recently, Mike opposed Valero’s Crude By Rail Project citing the city’s land use authority to protect public health and safety.

For similar reasons, he’s concerned that the cement plant proposed in Vallejo would significantly increase daily truck traffic and impact air quality.

Mike’s advocacy for applying sustainability criteria when evaluating development plans is especially crucial for the county in light of future unprecedented costs of climate disruption — the hard reality our children will inherit.

Mike believes we can change the way we do business and move away from fossil fuel dependence, for example, by improving public transit options.

Through his experience in city government, his openness to the change we need and his commitment to the kind of decision-making we deserve, Mike will guide the county in ways that make economic, social and environmental sense for our whole region. Please join me and vote for Mike!

Marilyn Bardet
Member, ex officio, Benicia Community Sustainability Commission

LETTER SERIES: Kari Birdseye – Monica Brown for Solano County Supervisor

[Editor: Benicians are expressing themselves in letters to the editor of our local print newspaper, the Benicia Herald. But the Herald doesn’t publish letters in its online editions – and many Benician’s don’t subscribe. We are posting certain letters here for wider distribution. – RS]

Vote for Monica Brown

By Kari Birdseye
October 27, 2016
Kari Birdseye
Kari Birdseye

I am supporting Monica Brown for Supervisor.

Monica Brown spent 39 years as a classroom teacher, 30 years here in Solano County. If elected, Monica Brown will not accept a salary but will instead donate the salary to support local public schools and families.

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Monica Brown

Monica Brown will also work to eliminate longevity pay for the Supervisors. The Supervisors do not need more money for their time in office. They are rewarded every time the voters re-elect them.

As a Benicia Planning Commissioner who voted against the Crude-By-Rail project, I was thrilled with Monica Brown for being the first candidate for Supervisor to oppose the project.

I am also impressed with Monica Brown for being the only candidate for Supervisor opposed to the proposed waterfront cement factory in Vallejo. Monica Brown is and always will be a strong advocate for a clean environment.

On Tuesday, Nov. 8 — or earlier by mail — please vote for Monica Brown for Supervisor.

Kari Birdseye, Benicia

 

LETTER SERIES: Genevieve Giblin – Keep Elizabeth for Mayor

[Editor: Benicians are expressing themselves in letters to the editor of our local print newspaper, the Benicia Herald. But the Herald doesn’t publish letters in its online editions – and many Benician’s don’t subscribe. We are posting certain letters here for wider distribution. – RS]

Keep Elizabeth for Mayor

By Genevieve Giblin
October 27, 2016

Let’s keep Elizabeth Patterson as our mayor.

Because of Elizabeth’s hard work, she has provided us with a vision and leadership for how we see Benicia’s future.

Elizabeth has lived in Benicia for over 30 years and has been hard working on the Planning Commission, the City Council and as mayor.

She has provided leadership with the General Plan and insists that the plan be followed. (It’s the law.)

She has a good balance with both the business community and her love for the environment. She knows the businesses and understands the needs of the community.

She has provided leadership with assuring a safe and reliable water supply, protecting open space and her efforts to inform Benicians of the Crude-By-Rail project, which would have added not only more pollution but would have affected every town and river the tracks crossed on the way to the refinery. She was attacked by her opponent for bringing it to the attention of the public.

Elizabeth has shown a balance and loving concern for our Benicia, our businesses and our environment.

We can make a difference by supporting her as mayor, so she can continue along with us, to make a difference.

Genevieve Giblin, Benicia