Repost from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat [Editor: note some of the same unfriendly giants as in Benicia: Valero Energy of course, and the law firm Nielsen Merksamer (“Bay Area-based law and lobbying firm that specializes in political and public-sector cases”). – R.S.] Oil and real estate interests pour money into Petaluma and Santa Rosa races … Continue reading Benicia isn’t the only one – big oil money inserts itself in Petaluma & Santa Rosa races →

Benicia Open Government Commission, Final Word Forum, Kari Birdseye, Negative ads, Negative campaigning, Organized labor, Valero Benicia Refinery, Valero Services Inc.

City decides NOT to post Final Word forum video- last rebroadcast Monday night 7pm

November 5, 2018 Roger Straw

By Roger Straw, November 5, 2018 [Editor: At around 6pm tonight, City Manager Lorie Tinfow responded to urgent citizen requests to air the video. She wrote, “We are treating the video of the Candidates Forum on Saturday in the same way we have treated previous videos of this forum when held. We are showing it … Continue reading City decides NOT to post Final Word forum video- last rebroadcast Monday night 7pm →

Benicia City Council, Christina Strawbridge, Corporate influence, Kari Birdseye, Lionel Largaespada, Local elections, Negative campaigning, Valero Benicia Refinery, Valero Services Inc.

City records show Valero, others have pooled $104,200 (LATER: $154,200) to oppose Kari Birdseye with negative ads & phone calls

October 13, 2018 Roger Straw

Shocking documentation of outside money plans to influence Benicia election By Roger Straw, October 13, 2018 [See Oct. 18 update – total now at $154,200! – R.S.] Get ready! If you think the Benicia City Council race has been nasty so far, with negative campaigning through secretive push polls and negative phone calls, just wait… … Continue reading City records show Valero, others have pooled $104,200 (LATER: $154,200) to oppose Kari Birdseye with negative ads & phone calls →