State Senate Candidate Christopher Cabaldon. | Kevin Fiscus / CabaldonforSenate.com.
By Andrew Smith, February 6, 2024
Dear Editor,
Christopher Cabaldon is running to become the next state senator to represent us in District 3 (D3).* He has been endorsed by the Democratic Clubs within this district including the United Democrats of Southern Solano County, Northern Solano Democratic Club, Progressive Democrats of Benicia, Rio Vista Democratic Club, West Sacramento Democrats, Woodland Democratic Club, and Sacramento Stonewall Democrats. Besides this impressive list he has also received the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Northern California Action Fund, Reproductive Freedom for All California, Sierra Club, and Equality California. With the current threats to reproductive freedom, LGBTQ rights and climate change, he is needed to keep California’s laws strong.
But part of what makes Cabaldon an impressive candidate is his history of being the longest serving mayor of West Sacramento. During his long tenure the city received an award for “America’s most livable small city,” and was cited as “America’s most interesting small city” and one of the world’s “21 Smart Cities to Watch.”
Under Cabaldon’s leadership many innovative initiatives were started including guaranteed universal access to preschool, urban farms, free college for local students, sustainable land use, and building market and affordable housing at one of the fastest rates in California—while shrinking the housing footprint and protecting even more habitat and agricultural land.
He also served as the chair of the Jobs, Education and Workforce Committee at the US Conference of Mayors. President Obama appointed Cabaldon to the National Advisory Board for America’s College Promise, chaired by Dr. Jill Biden. All this experience makes him a great choice for the next State Senator and worthy of your consideration.
Andrew Smith, Benicia Resident
*Senate District 3 includes the counties of Solano, Napa, and Yolo as well as portions of the counties of Sonoma, Contra Costa and Sacramento.
Note from BenIndy: The race to become the state senator for District 3 is heating up, and we are interested in hearing from you! To submit your recommendations for this or any other office, or ballot measure, please email us. Publication is subject to factchecking and, ultimately, the BenIndy’s discretion.
[Note from BenIndy: Now that Solano Together has officially launched, sign up to support or learn more about the organization and is mission HERE. Some images shown below are not original to the Solano Together news release and were added by BenIndy.]
From left to right: Fairfield resident Mario Cisneros, Rio Vista resident Aiden Mayhood, Suisun City Mayor Pro-Tem and Sierra Club of Solano County Chair Princess Washington, Representative John Garamendi, Solano Farm Bureau President William Brazelton, Vallejo Councilmember Charles Palmares, Representative Mike Thompson, and Solano County Supervisor Mitch Mashburn. | Solano Together.
SUISUN CITY – A diverse group of organizations, residents, and local leaders came together to celebrate the launch of the Solano Together coalition, rally for a community-driven vision for the future of Solano County, and speak against Flannery Associates’ planned sprawl development California Forever, on Sunday, February 4.
Not even the storm deterred over 200 people from packing the room at the Nelson Center in Suisun City, greeting old friends and meeting new ones. And those who could not join in person were able to participate via the livestream. Watch the full recording for complete speeches.
A powerful line-up of speakers—representing diverse voices throughout the County—and local residents denounced the vague and deceptive language of California Forever’s ballot initiative, the drain that the development will cause on much needed public resources for existing cities, the crushing threat to the livelihood of farmers, and the importance of an alternative community-driven and inclusive vision for the County’s future.
They shared a clear message: Solano stands together for these values—open spaces, agricultural lands, and investing in existing cities. With the anticipated ballot initiative proposed by California Forever for the upcoming November elections, the Solano Together coalition will continue to inform the public about potential impacts of the project.
Highlights from the speakers:
Suisun City Mayor Pro-Tem Robinson at a November 2023 event. | Robinson Kuntz / Daily Republic.
“Picture, if you will, Solano County stripped of its open spaces, devoid of its precious agricultural lands. What would remain of our beloved County without its marshlands and delicate delta ecosystems? Our very identity is intertwined with these natural landscapes, and their preservation is non-negotiable.” — Princess Washington, Mayor Pro-Tem of Suisun City & Chair of the Sierra Club of Solano County.
“Farmland is not just a commodity. It is a finite resource that sustains our local economy, provides jobs, and ensures food security. There is something fundamentally wrong with our society if our farmers have to fight for the land they steward.”— William Brazelton, Solano Farm Bureau.
“You build communities where the people are. You build cities where the economy is. California Forever has neither. I’ll say this to the developers and investors who are paying attention. Build in Solano County cities. Build in Suisun City. Build in Rio Vista. Build in Fairfield and build in Vallejo.” — Charles Palmares, Vallejo Councilmember.
Aiden Mayhood at a November 2023 town hall. | Chris Riley / The Reporter
“It’s telling when one of the most vocal opponents of California Forever is a young person, a member of a generation set to reap the supposed benefits of the project. (…) Young people like me will watch as the cost of living skyrockets if California Forever is approved. Ultimately, young people like me will bear the true costs and burdens of the project.” — Aiden Mayhood, Rio Vista resident.
“Why did they choose Solano County? Is it because they saw a low income community of Black and Brown residents? Because they think we’re the path of least resistance? That’s a colonialist mentality.” — Maria Cisneros, Fairfield resident.
“This initiative is shockingly light on real details. Should the initiative qualify for a November Ballot, our community will be asked to provide an up or a down on the project. We’d be asked to make this choice without the basic facts needed to make an informed decision. That should make everyone concerned.” — Mitch Mashburn, Chair of the Solano County Supervisors.
“The citizens of Solano County will not stand for what is proposed. Flannery Associates have set about putting a dagger in the heart of Travis Air Force Base. We cannot let that happen. This plan is a disaster for this entire region.” — John Garamendi, Congressman (D-CA 8th District)
“No one who got on this stage has anything to gain from this. But we all believe in the planning process and the need for orderly and safe growth. And all of us have been misled by (Flannery Associates) who want to take over our County. Trust is something you can’t buy, with money or false promises.”— Mike Thompson, Congressman (D-CA 4th District)
About Solano Together:
A group of concerned residents, leaders, and organizations who came together to form a coalition that envisions a better future for Solano County, focuses development into existing cities, and strengthens our agricultural industry. Our work is driven by an alternative vision for Solano in the face of Flannery Associates’ claims about California Forever’s benefits—our vision is guided by local voices and perspectives. Learn more at solanotogether.org
[Note from BenIndy: Did you know that the Benicia Arsenal employed many women during WWII (and the Korean War)? We could still have some WWII Rosies here in town, and it’s a near certainty that we have several Rosie descendants residing in Benicia today. If you know anyone who is a WWII Rosie, related to one, or otherwise connected to one, check out this event. Only four hundred tickets will be issued and it looks like Rosies, their friends and their families will get priority.]
Click the image to be redirected to the event’s webpage on the Rosie the Riveter Trust website.
RICHMOND, CA – A Congressional Gold Medal will be awarded collectively to women referred to as “Rosie the Riveter” (those who joined the workforce during World War II manufacturing the aircraft, vehicles, weaponry, ammunition and other necessary materials and services to win the war) in recognition of their contributions to the United States and the inspiration they have provided to ensuing generations.
Rosie the Riveter Trust, in collaboration with prominent organizations dedicated to honoring the Rosie the Riveter legacy, has a call to action to invite as many Rosies to Washington, DC for the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal on April 10, 2024 at the United States Capitol.
If you know a Rosie the Riveter who is interested in traveling to Washington DC for the presentation, please fill out a registration request at rosietheriveter.org. Here, you can also find more information on Rosie the Riveter Trust and their mission to raise funds to support a contingent of Rosie Ambassadors and Trust staff to take part in this monumental occasion.
These women, since represented by the famous “We Can Do It!” poster that personifies female empowerment, strength, resilience, and contributions to the workforce and the nation, can now rally around this award, knowing their contributions have been honored and that “They Did It!”
[Note from BenIndy: Registration appears to be required for this event, and it looks like tickets are going quickly. Sign up now if you’d like to join. After you sign up to join the exciting launch of Solano Together, check out its first response to California Forever’s 83-page initiative HERE (the initiative text itself is HERE). Sign up to support or learn more about Solano Together HERE. Some images shown below are not original to the Solano Together news release and were added by BenIndy.]
Clicking the image will redirect you to the page for this event where you can register. Another link to the registration page is below.
Bringing Solano Together – Coalition Launch
Join us in celebrating the official launch of the Solano Together Coalition, on February 4, at 12:00 pm. The event will be held at the Joseph A. Nelson Community Center located on Village Drive in Suisun City.
Come meet the coalition, break bread with neighbors, and hear from local leaders about why NOW is the time to bring Solano Together to fight for our collective future. We welcome all people from all backgrounds—whether you’re already part of the coalition, or still trying to figure out what’s going on, this is a perfect opportunity to find out more, connect with our member organizations, and at the very least, have a fun-filled afternoon!
Coalition supporters such as the Mayor Pro-Tem of Suisun City, Princess Washington, Congressman John Garamendi, Solano Farm Bureau President Will Brazelton, and more will address the audience and share their concerns about California Forever’s sprawl development plans and their vision for Solano County.
This event event is FREE and open to the public but capacity is limited. Registration is required.
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