Category Archives: Benicia elections

Benicia elections, Benicia Mayor, Solano County Democratic Central Committee, Solano elections

Solano County Democrats Endorse Candidates

First round endorsements include Benicia Mayor Steve Young, more endorsements to come…

Fairfield, CA – August 30th – The Solano Democratic Party held endorsement interviews for candidates in 9 out of 24 races it will be endorsing for the 2024 General Election.

This first round of endorsements include:

Solano County Race
Endorsed Candidate
Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District – District 2 Audrey Jaques
Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District – District 6 Ana Petero
Vacaville Unified School District – District 4 Audra Orr
Vacaville Unified School District – District 7 Michael Kitzes
Board of Education, Solano County – District 2 Bonnie Hamilton
Mayor City of Benicia Steve Young
City Council, City of Fairfield – District 6 Manveer Sandhu
City Council, City of Vacaville – District 3 Michael “Mike” Silva
City Council, City of Vacaville – District 5 Jason Roberts

“I am pleased that so many qualified candidates have stepped forward to represent their fellow citizens this fall,” said Don Lowrie, Solano Democratic Party Chair. “The individuals who earned the central committee’s endorsement will serve the entire community. I am confident they will fight for our freedoms and provide a bright and prosperous future for all of Solano County’s residents.”

The committee will be hosting another round of Candidate interviews on September 7th. This will be live streamed to the committee’s YouTube and Facebook social media channels found @solanodems – Facebook, YouTube.

Candidates wanting to be endorsed, must be a registered Democrat, and complete the Committee’s Endorsement Questionnaire. This can be found on the Committee’s website at solanodemocrats.com/endorsements.

More information can be found at solanodemocrats.com.

Benicia City Council, Benicia elections, Benicia Mayor

Progressive Democrats of Benicia Announce City Council and Mayoral Endorsements

Dems endorse Christina Gilpin-Hayes and Trevor Macenski for Council, Mayor Steve Young for re-election

The Progressive Democrats of Benicia (PDB) are proud to announce their endorsements for the upcoming Benicia City Council and Mayoral elections. Following a thorough and engaging interview process with all candidates, the club’s voting membership has made their decisions.

Endorsements

After interviewing Democratic candidates for Benicia City Council Christina Gilpin-Hayes, Trevor Macenski, and Franz Rosenthal, the PDB membership has voted to endorse:

  • Christina Gilpin-Hayes
  • Trevor Macenski (Incumbent)

The club also interviewed Mayor Steve Young, who is seeking re-election. Members voted overwhelmingly to endorse Mayor Young for re-election.

(From left to right: Endorsed candidates for City Council Christina Gilpin-Hayes and Trevor Macenski, and endorsed candidate for Mayor, Steve Young. Photos supplied by candidates.)

The Progressive Democrats of Benicia congratulate the endorsed candidates and thank everyone who participated. Visit their websites at ChristinaForBenicia.com, TrevorMac.com, and ReElectYoungForBenicia.com to learn more about their campaigns, sign up to volunteer, and donate.

The Endorsement Process

The presentation started with the candidates sharing brief introductions before joining a wide-ranging discussion covering critical issues facing Benicia, including industrial health and safety, Benicia’s future as a refinery town, housing challenges, City budget shortfalls, and potential ways to address those shortfalls. After the candidates answered a few prepared questions, members, supporters, and viewers were able to engage in a lively Q&A.

“We’re incredibly proud of not just the program the club put on, and not just the candidates who all rose to the occasion, but also our members and supporters,” said Kathy Kerridge, Chair of the Progressive Democrats of Benicia. “It’s their commitment to the democratic process that brought us all together for a packed Zoom meeting on a Monday night, to learn more about the candidates and real Benicia issues.  More than sixty people showed up to take part, and the recording is now available on our website at progressivedemocratsofbenicia.org so even more undecided voters will have a chance to watch it.”

Thank You…and Don’t Forget to Vote!

The Progressive Democrats of Benicia wish to thank the candidates for the time they spent with us. As we look toward the future, the club encourages all Benicia residents to stay informed, get involved in local politics, and exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections. In preparation, don’t forget to check your voter registration at the Secretary of State website (voterstatus.sos.gov). There, you can verify your mailing address for mailed ballots, confirm your party registration, and more.

More Exciting Endorsements Ahead

The Progressive Dems will next meet at 7pm on Wednesday, September 4, over Zoom, to interview Benicia School Board and Solano Community College Board candidates, and hear about the ballot measures Benicia will be voting on in November. This meeting is free and open to the public, regardless of party registration or city of residence, and a recording will be posted for this meeting as well.

Learn how to join the Sept. 4 endorsement meeting and find more information about the Progressive Democrats of Benicia at progressivedemocratsofbenicia.org. Dues are $30/year and you must be a registered Democrat to join as a full member. (Non-Democrats are welcome to attend public meetings.)

Benicia CA, Benicia City Council, Benicia city staff, Benicia elections

Bob Berman: I do not support the change to the time speakers have to address a City public body

[Note from BenIndy: Earlier today we posted a brief reminder of changes proposed to Benicia’s voluntary campaign ordinance and public engagement policies (after we posted a long-form description of changes last Thursday). Benicia resident and longtime activist Bob Berman has written Benicia City Council to protest the proposed changes, how they were presented in the agenda packet, and how they were noticed to the public. Folks who are struggling with what to write or call into the meeting tonight to say can use Bob’s letter as a launch-off point for their own public comment.]

Bob Berman.

By Bob Berman, May 3, 2024

Re: Council meeting agenda item 22.C – OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

Dear Mayor and Councilmembers:

I am writing to you regarding the proposal to decrease the amount of time public speakers may address a City public body (City Council, Planning Commission, etc.) from 5 minutes to 3 minutes on your May 7, 2024 agenda. I urge you to reject this proposal.

Among the various staff recommendations to the City Council is the following:

3. Decrease the amount of time public speakers may address a City public body in open session from 5 minutes to 3 minutes.

Earlier this year the City’s Open Government Commission (OGC) was asked to review several staff recommendations regarding changes to the City’s campaign ordinance.

It is unclear to me why the issue of reducing the time for public comments (from five minutes to three minutes) is incorporated into the update of the campaign ordinances. Nevertheless, at its April 23rd meeting the OGC decided not to recommend any change to the time limits for public speakers to address a City body.

As each of you are surely aware Benicia residents are very engaged in the City’s public participation process in each of the various commissions, boards, and the City Council. For one who has provided public comments during Benicia hearings for more than 40 years I can attest to the fact it is often difficult to say everything you want to say within five minutes, and it would be even more difficult if speakers were limited to three minutes.

I am disappointed that this proposal is buried in the staff report and that the City has not provided more public notice of this, plus other proposed changes, to the City’s campaign ordinance.

I do not support the change to the time speakers have to address a City public body and urge the City Council to not approve this proposal.

Yours Truly,

Bob Berman

How to write and email a public comment

If you would like to make your opinion on the topic of the proposed revisions known to City Council, members of the public may provide public comment via email to the City Clerk by email at lwolfe@ci.benicia.ca.us. Any comment submitted to the City Clerk should indicate to which item of the agenda the comment relates. (THE PROPOSED REVISIONS ARE IN AGENDA ITEM 22.C – OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL (City Attorney’s Office).)

– Comments received by 2:00 pm on the day of the meeting will be electronically forwarded to the City Council and posted on the City’s website.

– Comments received after 2:00 pm, but before the start time of the meeting will be electronically forwarded to the City Council but will not be posted on the City’s website.

In your email, put the item number in your subject line (e.g., “Public comment re. Item 22.C”).

In your email body, share why you support or oppose the changes.

How to view the meeting and/or make a live public comment

You can participate in the meeting in one of four ways: 

1) Attend in person at Council Chambers
2) Cable T.V. Broadcast – Check with your cable provider for your local government broadcast channel.
3) Livestream online at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/agendas
4) Zoom Meeting (link below)

The public may view and participate (via computer or phone) link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88508047557?pwd=cHRsZlBrYlphU3pkODcycytmcFR2UT09
  • If prompted for a password, enter 449303.
  • Use participant option to “raise hand” during the public comment period for the item you wish to speak on. Please note, your electronic device must have microphone capability. Once unmuted, you will have up to 5 minutes to speak.
  • Dial in with phone:
    Before the start of the item you wish to comment on, call any of the numbers below. If one is busy, try the next one.

        • 1 669 900 9128
        • 1 346 248 7799
        • 1 253 215 8782
        • 1 646 558 8656
        • 1 301 715 8592
        • 1 312 626 6799

•  Enter the meeting ID number: 885 0804 7557 (*please note this is an updated ID number*.)

Say the item you wish to speak on. (AGAIN, THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE IN ITEM 22.C.)

Once unmuted, you will have up to 5 minutes to speak.

Enter password: 449303

When prompted for a Participant ID, press #.

Press *9 on your phone to “raise your hand” when the Mayor calls for public comment.

Any member of the public who needs accommodations should email City Clerk Lisa Wolfe at lwolfe@ci.benicia.ca.us, who will use her best efforts to provide as much accessibility as possible while also maintaining public safety.

Benicia CA, Benicia City Council, Benicia city staff, Benicia elections

Tonight at 6pm: Be Heard on Public Participation in Benicia

[Note from BenIndy: Last Thursday we posted a long-form description of changes proposed to Benicia’s voluntary campaign limits cost and public participation policies. Here is a brief reminder of the details and the same information for how to show your support or opposition to the changes, should you wish to do so.]

BenIndy Editorial, May 7, 2024

Tonight at 6pm, the Benicia City Council will vote on proposed revisions to the city’s campaign ordinances and public engagement policies.

Some community members support these changes, particularly those that close loopholes in political practices. However, other revisions have been criticized for potentially restricting public involvement in governance.

Key contested proposals from city staff, opposed by Benicia’s Open Government Commission (OGC), include aligning the city’s response time for public records requests with state law, and reducing public speaking time at meetings from 5 minutes to 3 minutes.

The OGC, established in 2005 to improve government transparency and public participation, reviewed these proposals but declined to recommend the reduction in public speaking time, citing lack of evidence that it would enhance meeting efficiency.

Tonight’s Council meeting will be crucial in determining the balance between reducing staff burdens and maintaining robust public participation.

How to write and email a public comment

If you would like to make your opinion on the topic of the proposed revisions known to City Council, members of the public may provide public comment via email to the City Clerk by email at lwolfe@ci.benicia.ca.us. Any comment submitted to the City Clerk should indicate to which item of the agenda the comment relates. (THE PROPOSED REVISIONS ARE IN AGENDA ITEM 22.C – OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL (City Attorney’s Office).)

– Comments received by 2:00 pm on the day of the meeting will be electronically forwarded to the City Council and posted on the City’s website.

– Comments received after 2:00 pm, but before the start time of the meeting will be electronically forwarded to the City Council but will not be posted on the City’s website.

In your email, put the item number in your subject line (e.g., “Public comment re. Item 22.C”).

In your email body, share why you support or oppose the changes.

How to view the meeting and/or make a live public comment

You can participate in the meeting in one of four ways: 

1) Attend in person at Council Chambers
2) Cable T.V. Broadcast – Check with your cable provider for your local government broadcast channel.
3) Livestream online at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/agendas
4) Zoom Meeting (link below)

The public may view and participate (via computer or phone) link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88508047557?pwd=cHRsZlBrYlphU3pkODcycytmcFR2UT09
  • If prompted for a password, enter 449303.
  • Use participant option to “raise hand” during the public comment period for the item you wish to speak on. Please note, your electronic device must have microphone capability. Once unmuted, you will have up to 5 minutes to speak.
  • Dial in with phone:
    Before the start of the item you wish to comment on, call any of the numbers below. If one is busy, try the next one.

        • 1 669 900 9128
        • 1 346 248 7799
        • 1 253 215 8782
        • 1 646 558 8656
        • 1 301 715 8592
        • 1 312 626 6799

•  Enter the meeting ID number: 885 0804 7557 (*please note this is an updated ID number*.)

Say the item you wish to speak on. (AGAIN, THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE IN ITEM 22.C.)

Once unmuted, you will have up to 5 minutes to speak.

Enter password: 449303

When prompted for a Participant ID, press #.

Press *9 on your phone to “raise your hand” when the Mayor calls for public comment.

Any member of the public who needs accommodations should email City Clerk Lisa Wolfe at lwolfe@ci.benicia.ca.us, who will use her best efforts to provide as much accessibility as possible while also maintaining public safety.