The following is a statement from the Progressive Democrats of Benicia regarding recent untrue allegations made against them:

An individual’s allegations that the Progressive Democrats as an organization had anything to do with their firing are untrue.  As an organization, we did not write any letters or contact their employer.  The letter that was written to a local paper was not written by a member.  A letter to their employer was written by a member, but under the member’s own name.  We do not require our members to seek club approval before exercising their free speech rights and we do not control our members’ activities.

This club was not consulted and did not approve of any letters regarding the person in question.  In short, the Progressive Democrats of Benicia had nothing to do with their being fired.

The Progressive Democrats of Benicia do firmly support LGBTQ+ rights and recently had a speaker about the current threats and attacks on that community.  The individual’s website promotes the views of the American College of Pediatrics, which has been labeled a fringe anti-LGBTQ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

As a club, we believe people need to know the truth, and the truth is we had nothing to do with their firing.  But we wish they would not promote hate groups on their website.

MEMBERSHIP MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
IMPORTANT CHANGE OF PLANS!!
WE ARE MEETING OVER ZOOM!!

Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at 7pm

By email, from Progressive Dems Steering Committee, April 10, 2023

This is the Progressive Democrats of Benicia’s final notice inviting our members, supporters and all interested Benicians to our Tuesday, April 11 meeting.

We were really looking forward to seeing everyone in person, but due to COVID and illness we are switching back to Zoom.  We look forward to seeing everyone in the future when we are all well.  Please see use the Zoom details below to sign in to our meeting.

TOPIC: PDB GENERAL MEMBERSHIP ZOOM MEETING
Time: Apr 11, 2023 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87967560168
Meeting ID: 879 6756 0168
One tap mobile: +16694449171

On Deck: Benicia’s Budget Crisis

As previously shared, the focus of the meeting will be “Benicia’s Budget Crisis: The Problem and Potential Solutions.”  Our city budget’s multimillion dollar shortfall stretches far beyond this year, into the indefinite future.  It forces all of us to confront some tough funding decisions:

• What City services are at risk?
• Is there a tax increase in the future?
• How can we increase the City’s revenues?
• What other solutions are available?

Mayor Steve Young, County Supervisor Monica Brown and Assistant City Manager Bret Prebula, who was Benicia’s Finance Director up until December 2022, will explain the nature and extent of this serious challenge and discuss potential approaches to generating revenue or cutting costs.  There will then be an opportunity for extended Q&A period.

See you on Tuesday, April 11, and remember: WE’RE MEETING OVER ZOOM.  Please invite your friends and anyone who is interested in keeping Benicia thriving.  We are really looking forward to seeing you all in person again one day soon in the future.

Kathy Kerridge
PDB Chair