Tag Archives: Benicia City Council

Benicia City Council, Kari Birdseye, Terry Scott

Marilyn Bardet: Tough Development Issues

Kari Birdseye and Terry Scott, both proven community leaders

By Marilyn Bardet, October 23, 2022

Marilyn Bardet, Benicia CA

Over my 35 years as a resident in Benicia, I’ve addressed many city councils on tough development issues, and I know it’s time for real change.

For Benicia, persistent issues of sustainability haunt my thoughts about the future and fate of the quality of life in our historic town. This year, in keeping with community values enshrined in our city’s forward-looking general plan, I will be voting for Kari Birdseye and Terry Scott, both proven community leaders, whose distinct experiences and and fresh ideas will inform and invigorate council debates, inspire public involvement, and lead toward decision-making that fairly and transparently aims for “the good of the whole”, not least, the environment.

Right now, owing to state laws and regional requirements, more and more housing development is being called for.

But will such housing be affordable? Who will really benefit? Who will pay the price? Where is new housing most appropriate to be located? How much more housing is sustainable, all things considered?

So much hangs on getting things right, proactively, anticipating a different future, since there’s no more time to waste preparing our city for predicted basic changes — owing to climate impacts and persistent drought— which conjure the urgent need for workable, feasible solutions with public understanding and buy-in.

I trust Kari and Terry to each be thoughtful leaders who will take reasoned, evidence-based action:

    • to improve air quality by reckoning with sources of pollution;
    • ensure water-saving and eco-friendly conservation;
    • preserve our precious historic resources as our legacy;
    • and seek diverse opportunities for economic development with attention to reducing our carbon footprint.

For all these reasons and more, please join me in voting for Kari Birdseye and Terry Scott!

Marilyn Bardet
Benicia, CA

More letters, news & links about Kari here on the BenIndy

And best of all – Kari’s website!

Benicia City Council, Kari Birdseye

Ralph Dennis: Support for Benicia Seniors and Clean Air and Water

Birdseye for City Council

By Ralph Dennis, October 23, 2022

Ralph Dennis, Benicia CA

I support Kari Birdseye for City Council and urge all Benicia voters to do so as well. Kari has the knowledge and experience to help lead Benicia and our City Council as our community faces many difficult issues ahead.

One of Kari’s greatest strengths is her willingness to seek input from others. She has demonstrated this important trait while volunteering in the community over many years and especially as a member of Benicia’s Planning Commission which she has chaired the past 7 years. Most importantly, she seeks this input to learn while forming her opinions on issues, not to validate her own thoughts or respond only after the community asks to be heard – a trait lacking in the incumbent candidates running for re-election.

As Planning Commissioner since 2015, Kari has demonstrated careful consideration of the projects and issues that have come before the Commission, which has prepared her well to serve as a Councilmember. Her skills were especially evident during discussions on the proposed Crude by Rail Project and currently in addressing Benicia’s compliance with its state-mandated Housing Element report.

I am especially supportive of two of Kari’s campaign priorities –

    • creating a Benicia Senior Citizens Commission
    • and Clean Air and Clean Water for Benicia.

During a Candidate’s Forum at Rancho Benicia, Kari suggested a Senior Commission to address Seniors’ concerns and “could include representatives from Rancho Benicia, Senior Center, Carquinez Village, Casa de Vilarrasa, and others,” and a Councilmember as advocate from Council.

Kari also pledges to expand air monitoring in Benicia to be more effective and placed strategically to fill loopholes in the existing local air monitor program. Fines that Valero will be paying for 17 years-worth of failure to report emissions would fund the additional monitoring.

I urge all Benicia voters to elect Kari Birdseye for Benicia City Council.

Ralph Dennis
Benicia, CA

More letters, news & links about Kari here on the BenIndy

And best of all – Kari’s website!

Benicia City Council, Kari Birdseye, Terry Scott

Susan Street: A Breath of Fresh Air

New Possibilities…

By Susan Street, October 21, 2022

Susan Street, Benicia CA

A breath of fresh air.

New ideas.

A new approach.

Happily, the voters are in charge with an opportunity to have two positive, up-to-date replacements for Benicia City Council.

Solid environmental concerns, experience in city business, both exceptional supporters of the arts.

Let’s elect Terry Scott and Kari Birdseye.

New eyes on Valero, our city budget, new possibilities and solutions.

Susan Street
Benicia, CA

More letters, news & links about Kari here on the BenIndy

And best of all – Kari’s website!

Benicia elections, Kari Birdseye, Valero, Valero PAC

KQED: In Benicia’s City Council Race, the Valero Refinery is on People’s Minds

Now, Benicia doesn’t get a ton of media attention…

Smokestacks and machinery are visible at Valero’s Benicia Refinery, in February 2022. The Bay area plant processes crude oil. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

KQED News, by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, Oct 19, 2022

The politics of fossil fuels in Benicia’s City Council race

Benicia is home to an oil refinery operated by Valero, which employs hundreds of people and contributes tax revenue totaling an estimated 20% of the city’s general budget.

The company has also played a very active role in local elections. Valero’s political action committee spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in 2018 and 2020.

Now, with this year’s city council race underway — and residents frustrated over recent controversies at the refinery — Valero’s role in Benicia looms large once again.

Guest: Scott Morris, reporter for the Vallejo Sun