[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 Elizabeth Patterson for Benicia Mayor

I look at three criteria for a candidate: qualifications, commitment and performance.

Which candidate has a track record demonstrating a depth and breadth of knowledge: in their profession and for the office they seek or hold? As I’m voting in Benicia, does the candidate really know our city . . . it’s history, demographics, economic base, and it’s anticipated future concerns and potential?

Which candidate ‘shows up?’ Are they committed? There are people who are physically present but who haven’t shown up to contribute and engage. In our city, Benicia, which candidate has put in the hours of community participation by attending a wide and diverse spectrum of events and training? Does the candidate hold open office hours and makes themselves available and reachable to the community?

Finally, what is the candidate’s track record for taking action and actually performing? Can a list of accomplishments and contributions be named? Can the candidate bring something to the office they are seeking? Can they facilitate meetings, assist the city staff in networking, inform the community of important issues and events and invite their participation?

In Benicia, Mayor Elizabeth Patterson meets each one of my criteria. I have watched her conduct and performance for over ten years. I met her first as a neighbor, then as a Councilwoman and later as Mayor. She has a depth of knowledge as a City Planner in the Bay Area and as an environmental scientist for California. Her knowledge of water issues is extensive along with knowing how government works. Her knowledge and support of Benicia’s faceted community is substantive. Under her leadership, two commissions were launched. The Community Sustainability Commission (CSC) and the Arts and Culture Commission. Each commission has contributed significantly to Benicia. The CSC initiated and oversaw the allocation of over $2million in grants to the community that supported residents, commercial and industrial efforts. During the drought, thanks to the CSC, Benicia was among the top California cities to conserve 50% of its typical water consumption. Further, it’s efforts, fully supported by Mayor Patterson, saw a return of nearly $5million in City of Benicia energy savings and rebates with a bonus check of $113,000 from our Marin Clean Energy provider for excess energy production from its solar installations. The other committee Mayor Paterson helped to launch was the Arts and Culture Commission which has continually provided significant contributions to our City. Elizabeth Patterson was there at the critical junctures to help each of the City’s commissions, boards and committees achieve their objectives. Beyond her own involvement, she tirelessly encouraged and recruited talented Benicians to serve the City on these Commissions, Boards and Committees.

Mayor Patterson is the only elected official who holds regular and publicized open office hours weekly! She is approachable, interested and listens! She keeps anyone who subscribes to her “E-alerts” updated on issues of concern and relevance to Benicia.

I fully support Mayor Elizabeth Patterson for re-election. She is the only one who meets and exceeds my criteria. Truly she has a proven record of “Experience you can trust.”

[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]

Mayor Patterson’s committment

Dr. David Schultz wrote on Facebook: “Her (Elizabeth Patterson’s) re-election TRANSCENDS everyday politics.  She places the common good above all.”

This election presents an opportunity for you to choose a person who has been steadfast on environmental issues (crude by rail), as well as future development of open spaces (Seeno and Arsenal properties).

These are just two examples of her commitment to preserving the small town feel of Benicia while encouraging diverse development that contributes to our financial stability.  She has clearly stated her goals for the next four years, in contrast to her opponent whose goals are woefully missing from public review.

You have my vote, Elizabeth, as I know I can trust your commitment to the welfare of Benicia now, and in the future.

Re-elect Elizabeth Patterson

As a public servant for over 40 years, I’ve had the privilege of working at the federal, state, regional and local levels of government
from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. to San Diego, and for the last 22 years here in Northern California. Over the decades, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and interact with literally hundreds of public officials from the east coast to the west coast, and up-and-down the State of California, during some of our country’s best times as well as some of our worst.

So when I say that Benicia is very fortunate to have Mayor Elizabeth Patterson at the helm of the city, I believe I have credible comparative evidence on which to make this claim.

Elizabeth is both smart and knowledgeable, characteristics highly desirable in a leader. At the same time, when she doesn’t know about a particular topic (which I have found to be rare), she seeks to learn all she can, and does so quickly, asking all the right questions. Elizabeth is energetic and hardworking, sets high standards for herself, and expects the same from others, especially those who also serve her Benicia constituents.  I know, because while representing Benicia in the California State Assembly for four years, Mayor Patterson was as cordial as she was clear and exacting about the needs of her city — and those needs always came first.

What I admire most about Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson are her courage, her integrity and her values, particularly around issues of the environment. Her work to address the hazardous materials left behind at the Benicia Arsenal and her leadership in the fight against the Valero expansion are testimony to her consistent leadership in protecting public safety and public health.

Sadly today, political valor is becoming rarer and rarer in the public domain. Honesty, doing what you say you’re going to do, and upholding the public trust in the face of unrelenting pressure isn’t “rewarded” with large political donations or being part of the “in-crowd”. Yet, Elizabeth Patterson has demonstrated, time and again, that her background, experience and temperament resonate with the voters. She is tenacious, authentic, and highly principled – and the only woman mayor in Solano County.

Benicia has been the beneficiary of Elizabeth Patterson’s many years of unselfish public service. She is poised and ready to continue her work on your behalf, and deserves your votes to return as your mayor for four more years.  Please join me in supporting Elizabeth Patterson for mayor of Benicia.

Mariko Yamada,
Assemblymember, 4th Assembly District (Ret.)
Candidate, 3rd Senate District