Category Archives: Benicia elections

2020 elections, Benicia City Council, Benicia elections, Terry Scott

Terry Scott: Change is coming to Benicia

To:  My fellow Benicians
From: Terry Scott, Candidate for City Council

Now that the campaign is coming to a close, I thought I’d share my perspective on the campaign and our future:

Change is coming to Benicia as we prepare for a new Council and a new Mayor.  The process of running for office will be instantly changed to the business of running a city.

The challenges of talking about policy and acting on policy move from the philosophical and theoretical to the practical and implementable.

COVID-19 changed all the traditional ways of campaigning. Face to face became Zoom to Zoom.  Social Media became extremely fractured and reflected narrower and narrower bases and voices.

Through this unique, and mostly virtual campaign, I have been so encouraged by the engagement, spirit, and commitment of our community in the political process—for the most part.

I’m sure my fellow candidates would agree, we heard what our citizens want; we all believe in a brighter future; and, we all share a commitment of making Benicia a better, safer, welcoming place for all.

Obviously, the paths to getting there may be different.  But in reality,  when you look at the big picture,  the small town, core values of this community are our greatest strength as a City.

While we have very difficult and demanding challenges ahead of us, I believe our community will prosper and sustain itself during and after the pandemic because we are a community that shares the desire to be better.

Perhaps that’s naïve.  But for me, the campaign reaffirmed my belief that our community is solid, strong and willing to meet the challenges ahead.

I’m proud to call Benicia my home.  I’m honored and humbled by those who support me.  I respect those that don’t.

Thanks, Benicia, for your engagement in the political process.

Perhaps the legendary author on urban development and change, Jane Jacobs, said it best:

“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”

VOTE FOR TERRY SCOTT
Terryscottforbeniciacitycouncil.org

#VOTE, 2020 elections, Benicia elections, Benicia Mayor, Steve Young

Steve Young: It is time to make a Choice

Email from Steve Young, October 26, 2020

Dear (Name);

As this campaign draws to a close, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to those who have stood with me and supported me through what has been a very difficult period.

No one likes to be attacked so mercilessly. It bothered me to be accused of “living off the taxpayers” because I have a pension; or to have my $379 monthly stipend and health care benefits described as “taking thousands of dollars a month from the City” in an effort to attack my integrity and character. But, I realize that seeking elected office in a small community means having to put myself out there and expose myself to all forms of public scrutiny, real or imagined.

As challenging as running for office can be, the real work begins when I take office, assuming I win on November 3rd.  In order to accomplish the things that need to be done, there will need to be compromises on the part of the Council. The Mayor’s powers are limited and it will still take three votes for us to effect change or enact solutions. I commit to work with the entire Council regardless of past disagreements or oppositions in order to move our City forward.

Throughout my campaign, I’ve made a variety of pledges to the people of Benicia. I will carry those pledges with me into the Mayor’s office. To recap, I pledge to:

    • Maintain as much transparency as possible.
    • Stay active on social media as a means to stay in touch with my constituents.
    • Respect the outcome of Measure D and honor the people’s vote
    • Refuse to accept corporate or union contributions.

I intend to be a conscientious Mayor for all Benicians; representing seniors, families, youth, longtime residents, and new arrivals. And in spite of their determination to defeat me, I will do my part to repair the discord with Valero and request their leadership meet with me on a monthly basis to improve our understanding and communication.

We have many challenges in front of us: economic recovery from the pandemic for both businesses and residents; improving efficiencies at City Hall; and dealing with our underfunded pensions, roads and utility infrastructure.

None of this will be easy. But all of it is necessary.

I ask for your vote and help, elect me as your next mayor on or before November 3rd.

Stay healthy, Benicia.

Steve Young for Mayor of Benicia
Website SteveYoungforMayor.org
Facebook @SteveYoungforMayor2020
YouTube @SteveYoungforMayor2020
Instagram SteveYoungforMayor

#VOTE, 2020 elections, 2020 Presidential campaigns, Benicia, Benicia elections, Solano County CA, Solano County Registrar of Voters

In Benicia and Solano County new voters can REGISTER TO VOTE now or anytime, even at your polling place on Nov. 3

From “City of Benicia This Week” newsletter, October 26, 2020

Latest info from Solano County Registrar of Voters

The Solano County Registrar of Voters (ROV) is reminding residents that Tuesday, October 27 is the last day the ROV can mail ballots to voters for the November 3 General Election. Voters who have not yet received a ballot for this election should contact the ROV by or before Tuesday.

“Starting back on Monday, October 5, we’ve been busy mailing out ballots to the more than 258,000 registered voters here in Solano County,” said Tim Flanagan, Solano County Chief Information Officer and Registrar of Voters. “I want to remind everyone that after next Tuesday, October 27, all ballots must be picked up in-person at the Registrar of Voters Office or at a polling place on Election Day.”

The ROV has extended its office hours on Saturday, October 24 and Saturday, October 31 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. to give voters additional time to register to vote. Voters who are still not registered by Election Day can visit any polling location for same-day registration, giving them the option to participate in the General Election.

The ROV encourages voters to take advantage of NO-CONTACT VOTING OPTIONS by using one of 16 secure ballot boxes located throughout the County. Starting on Thursday, October 29, an additional 10 curbside ballot drop-off locations will open, allowing voters a convenient and safe way to drop off their ballots. For more information, including ballot box and curbside drop-off locations, visit the ROV website at www.SolanoCounty.com/Elections and click the “Ballot Drop-Off Sites” and Curbside Drop-Off Sites links.

Early Voting is available at the Registrar of Voter’s Office, located at the Solano County Administration Center, 675 Texas St, Suite 2600, in Fairfield.

Details on voting options, polling locations and key election dates are all available on the Registrar of Voter’s website, www.SolanoCounty.com/Elections, by email at Elections@SolanoCounty.com and by phone at 707.784.6675.

2020 elections, Benicia City Council, Benicia elections, Benicia Mayor, Benicia Open Government Commission, Local elections, Negative ads, Negative campaigning, Take Action, Valero Benicia Refinery, Valero PAC

Benicia Final Forum – Candidates to discuss negative campaigning on Saturday, Oct. 31, 10am

By Roger Straw, October 25, 2020

Send your questions to the candidates now!

Important for readers of the Benicia Independent: The deadline to submit your questions to candidates on the Valero PAC’s attempt to buy our Mayor’s seat and other “hit pieces” is close of business (5pm) on Thursday, October 29.  Send by email to Benicia’s City Attorney Benjamin Stock, at bstock@ci.benicia.ca.us.
City of Benicia announcement on Nextdoor, October 24, 2020
City of Benicia Communications
Office of Economic Development, Teri Davena

Candidates’ Forum Scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m.

Candidates for the Benicia City Council will have the opportunity to participate in a Candidates’ Forum on Saturday, October 31 at 10 a.m.

All candidates running for Council Member and Mayor in the November 3 election have been invited to attend.

The forum, sponsored by the City of Benicia Open Government Commission, will be broadcasted live on Zoom and on local government Channel 27.

At the forum, voters will have an opportunity to hear candidates discuss any ‘hit pieces’ distributed before the election.

Members of the public are encouraged to send questions relating to ‘hit pieces’ for candidates to answer at the forum to the City Attorney Benjamin Stock, at bstock@ci.benicia.ca.us by close of business on Thursday, October 29.

Please note that the candidates’ forum may be canceled by unanimous decision of the candidates.