A fresh path forward for our town – huge supporters of the arts
By Susan Street, August 4, 2022
Susan Street, Benicia
At last, we have two great choices in candidates for the Benicia City Council. We could not be luckier to have Terry Scott and Kari Birdseye running.
Both of these professionals bring the kinds of backgrounds we need to set a fresh path forward for our town. Both have been involved in various local boards and commissions and have worked hard to make Benicia the city it can be. Both Kari Birdseye and Terry Scott are huge supporters of the arts, which is part of why Benicia is such a great destination town. Kari and Terry listen and care what you have to say about Benicia.
I am proud to endorse these fine candidates for the Benicia City Council.
Valero Political Action Committee files financial statement with City of Benicia on Aug 1, 2022
By Roger Straw, August 2, 2022
BENICIA > Jan 1 to June 30 this year, Valero’s PAC received $0 and spent $7,064, all expenditures for legal and accounting services with Nielsen Merksamer et al.
Their report at this time in our 2020 elections was the same. We won’t get any more information as to the PAC’s intentions until the next report is released, after due date of August 29.
Full Committee Name: Working Families for a Strong Benicia, a Coalition of Labor and Industrial Services Companies, Committee Major Funding by Top Contributors Valero and International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers Local 549 PAC
Total Contributions:
This period: $0
Year Total to Date: $0
Total Expenditures:
This period: $7,064.31
Year Total to Date: $7,064.31
Detail: 8 payments to Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni, all for Professional Services (legal, accounting)
Terry Scott, candidate for Benicia City Council, swearing in with Benicia City Clerk Lisa Wolfe
BENICIA — Local philanthropist, retired business executive and futurist, Terry Scott, filed his nomination packet with Benicia City Clerk Lisa Wolfe on Friday morning, solidifying his official bid for Benicia City Council.
“It’s time for a change,” said Mr. Scott. “I’ve lived in Benicia for five election cycles. As residents and voters, we’ve listened, we voted and then we waited. Have we seen the results we were all promised?
As your next Benicia City Council representative, I’ll look for new solutions that build a better future, not just patch problems of the present,” he added.
Mr. Scott went on to say, “My nomination papers include a wide range of community leaders that have helped build the unique fabric of Benicia and represent a wide range of political views.
“I’m the only candidate to have three of the five sitting council members represented on my nomination forms, including Mayor Young, Vice Mayor Campbell and Councilmember Trevor Macenski.
“I’m proud to say that the following signatories have both nominated me, and endorsed my campaign. Thank you to Mayor Steve Young, Vice Mayor Tom Campbell, Benicia Unified School District (BUSD) Trustee President Sheri Zada, current BUSD Trustees Mark Maselli and Dr. Gethsemane Moss, former Benicia Mayors Jerry Hayes and Elizabeth Patterson, and former Councilmember Pepe Arteaga and County Supervisor Monica Brown for your ongoing enthusiasm and support,” he added.
Terry Scott Supports the Arts
Terry Scott has served as Chair of the Benicia Arts and Culture Commission and the Benicia Public Art Committee, and is a founding member and former Executive Director of the Benicia Community Foundation. Mr. Scott has maintained a consistent level of community service, helping form and fund several philanthropic and local civic groups.
“My vision for Benicia is to be a financially secure, economically vibrant community while at the same time preserving our friendly, small-town atmosphere. Benicia is a special place, rich with history.” Mr. Scott added.
“I’m passionate about contributing to a city government that delivers quality public safety, clean air and water and stable infrastructure including safe roads.
“It’s essential to champion our First St. by supporting our entertainment, restaurants, art galleries and small businesses, deal with parking and look for ways to improve the growth of our Industrial Park.
We must be prepared to face the challenge of change and find ways to thrive. Benicia is a multi-generational community. Whether you choose to live here in retirement, raise a family or start one, we have a shared value to experience the quality of life unique to our amazing town.”
Mr. Scott earned a B.S. Degree from Kent State University and attended the Executive Studies Program at Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College.
Terry Scott concluded with, “I’m asking for your trust and your vote on November 8th.”
I support Kari Birdseye for Benicia City Council. She will be an excellent member of our city’s leadership team. She will bring a vision for Benicia that balances economic growth and the health and safety of our citizens, with a commitment to preserve Benicia’s small-town appeal, our unique place in California’s history, and our reputation as an arts destination.
I know Kari as a highly professional woman of principle, a believer in Benicia, and as someone who has stepped up again and again to help our community reach its full potential.
I’ve seen this soft-spoken woman in action and recognize that beneath her calm words and quiet demeanor lies a core of strength and commitment, a passionate determination to make life better for everyone in Benicia.
I have found her to be truly unique. She actually listens to what you say. She looks you in the eye as you speak. She listens and she connects with what you are saying. No interruptions, no side glances. She is with you in that moment.
And she doesn’t forget what you have said. Because she is also a woman of action. She has served for more than 10 years on the Benicia Planning Commission which has given her the ability to see and act on the critical issues facing our city. She withstood the attacks by various PACs in the previous election. A strong woman indeed.
As a former communications professional myself, I appreciate Kari’s skill as a seasoned communicator, especially on environmental issues. After an 11-year career with CNN as Executive News Producer (and winning an Emmy as part of the frontline production team for the coverage of the Olympic Park bombing), Kari turned her skills to helping non-profit groups including her work with Earthjustice’s inaugural Healthy Communities campaign goals of lessening harmful pesticide impacts on farmworkers. She currently is Senior Strategic Communications Director of the Natural Defense Resources Council whose work on environmental issues has made it a critical resource for all who work to preserve our earth.
But today I am a one of Benicia’s many working artists. And I also know Kari as a lover of the arts, a collector of local art and a supporter and promoter of our strong arts community. Kari understands the economic impact the arts and the artists have on Benicia and is committed to supporting and expanding the arts community.
Kari will bring all her professional experience, volunteer efforts, her commitment to Benicia, and her unique manner of listening to the critical job of Benicia City Council member. And she will be terrific. I am proud to vote for Kari Birdseye, and I hope you will join with me in supporting and voting for her.
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