Category Archives: Benicia Mayor Steve Young

Benicia Mayor Steve Young, Christina Gilpin-Hayes, Solano County CA, Solano County Orderly Growth Committee, Solano Sierra Club

Solano County Orderly Growth Committee and Sierra Club Endorse Young, Gilpin-Hayes, and Other Local Candidates

Solano County Orderly Growth Committee and Sierra Club Endorse Local Candidates

Steve Young, Incumbent Mayoral Candidate
Christina Gilpin-Hayes, Benicia City Council Candidate

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by Marilyn Farley and and Princess Washington for the Solano County Orderly Growth Committee and Solano Group of the Redwood Chapter of the Sierra Club, on October 2, 2024

The Solano County Orderly Growth Committee (SCOGC) and the Solano Group of the Redwood Chapter of the Sierra Club recently completed a joint endorsement process and are now recommending candidates for Mayor and Council positions in Solano’s Cities.

For Mayor, we endorse Steve Young, running for re-election as Mayor of Benicia and Steve Bird, running for re-election as Mayor of Dixon. We also endorse for Edwin Okamura, a sitting council member, for Mayor of Rio Vista, and Andrea Sorce, a newcomer to electoral politics, for Mayor of Vallejo.

For City Council, we endorse: Christina Gilpin-Hayes, Benicia; Mike Silva, a Vacaville incumbent from District 3; and Vallejo candidates incumbent Christina Arriola (District 6), Alexander Matias (District 1), and Tonia Lediju (District 3, no opposition).

Since 1984, SCOGC has advocated for protecting our farmlands and open spaces in Solano County. Sierra Club is one of the pre-eminent environmental groups in America and has many Solano members. Both were leaders in the fight against the California Forever aka East Solano Plan.

We support candidates who we believe will act positively to protect the environment and best represent their constituents.

Benicia Mayor Steve Young brings strong environmental credentials to his re-election bid. As a planning commissioner, he led the review of Valero’s Crude by Rail project. He opposed the California Forever project citing the deceptive tactics used and their reliance on groundwater. He supports growth in our cities, not on farmland and open space. He will continue his efforts to improve air quality in Benicia. He supports passage of Measures F, G and H to ensure Benicia’s financial well-being.

In terms of environmental issues, Dixon Mayor Steve Bird told us he will protect Dixon’s water and open space. He said he believes in keeping northeastern Solano County from blending into neighboring cities by protecting agriculture and farmland. He also supports more parks and outdoor recreation spaces within his community and region.

Rio Vista Mayor candidate Edwin Okamura became Vice Mayor earlier this year and serves on the Solano Land Trust Climate Committee. Regarding California Forever, he told us, “A new city in unincorporated areas would be economically devastating to surrounding cities and would have significant environmental impacts.”

Vallejo Mayor candidate Andrea Sorce will bring new insights and energy to Vallejo. While her key campaign issues are fiscal responsibility, public safety, economic development, housing justice and open government, we believe she will approach them through an environmental lens. For example, she opposes California Forever and told us she has a strong preference to see investment and development in our existing cities.

Benicia Council candidate Christina Gilpin-Hayes has an impressive resume, endorsements, and record of community service to bring to her campaign. It addresses Benicia’s budget crisis, growth that preserves Benicia’s character, support for local businesses and encouraging transparency and community involvement. We liked her overall philosophy and approach to avoiding sprawl and her support for Benicia’s Industrial Safety Ordinance.

Vacaville incumbent Councilmember Mike Silva deserves our continued support. His Council votes have supported clean energy, water conservation, and infill development. He told us, “I plan to provide the leadership to ensure we continue to focus on sustainable growth.” We also applaud is untiring advocacy for his low-income neighborhood and a new neighborhood park.

In Vallejo, likewise, incumbent Tina (Christinia) Arriola has done a yeowoman job of representing her low-income district 6. She opposes proposed tolls on highway 37, the commute for many of her low-income constituents. She also wants a long-term solution to the Mare Island Preserve and opposes “…dictates from the Mare Island Co. which hasn’t provided any good faith efforts to show their commitment to open space, recreation and local participation.”

Vallejo district 1 candidate Alex Matias has a long record of community service as the Chair of the Vallejo Economic Vitality Commission and is on the board of Fresh Air Vallejo. We liked his advocacy on issues important to Vallejoans, including the hiring of police officers and public safety, solving homelessness, creating jobs, and supporting transparent and inclusive government.

Last, but not least, we endorse powerhouse Tonia Lediju for district 3. A 15-year Vallejo resident, she was the City of San Francisco’s chief auditor and brought in by Mayor London Breed to clean up a failing housing authority. For the past five years, she has been the Chief Executive Officer of the S.F. Housing Authority. As a council member, she plans to focus on safety issues for Vallejoans, affordable, equitable and inclusive housing, a bustling downtown, and economic opportunity for residents. We were impressed by her commitment to sustainable development and her support for city-centered growth. Like many other endorsed candidates, she opposes the California Forever project.

Princess Washington, Chair, Solano Group, Sierra Club, Suisun City
Marilyn Farley, Political Director, SCOGC, Fairfield

Images and emphasis added by BenIndy.

Benicia Mayor, Benicia Mayor Steve Young, Benicia Measure F, Benicia Measure G, Benicia Measure H, Local elections

Mayor Steve Young: Why I am Supporting Measures F, G, and H

Click the image to visit www.reelectyoungforbenicia.com.

From the Campaign to Re-Elect Mayor Steve Young, received September 5, 2024

Benicia Mayor Steve Young

First let me say I am actively running for reelection as the Mayor of Benicia. 

I firmly believe that an effective Mayor’s role is to inform and educate the community, guiding us towards a shared vision of the future.

The three Measures on the November’s ballot are crucial for our progress and future. Because they are so important, I am dedicating my reelection campaign to advocating for their passage.

It’s important to note that the Solano County Association of Realtors, all of Public Safety Unions , (Police, Fire and Dispatch), the Napa-Solano Labor Council and the Solano County Democratic Central Committee have all endorsed passage of each of the three measures.  

The City of Benicia faces complex financial challenges. Our primary revenue sources are property taxes (from which we receive only 26 cents per dollar) and sales tax.

Unfortunately, sales tax revenue has remained flat due to our limited retail base. While property values have surged, property tax revenue hasn’t kept pace because new assessments only occur upon sales.

With minimal new construction and limited home sales (likely because residents enjoy living here), property tax growth has been constrained.

A significant factor in our slow property tax revenue growth is that 42% % of Benicia properties haven’t changed hands since the 1990’s. These homes are taxed based on 1978-1990’s property tax values.

Consequently, these properties pay much lower taxes compared to neighbors who bought more recently.

This situation forces the City to cover 2024 expenses with much of our revenue based on property tax assessments prior to 2000—which is unsustainable.

Measure F

This measure, brought to the ballot by a Citizen’s initiative with 2,000 signatures, proposes a 1/2 cent sales tax increase dedicated SOLELY to road repairs. It is expected to generate $4-4.5 million annually. Combined with gas tax and some General Fund money, this will enable the City to repair all streets over a 15-year period.

Measures G and H

 These measures are interconnected. Measure G would convert Benicia to a “limited” charter city, allowing us to impose real estate transfer taxes. This change is restricted by the language in Measure G to only affect Real Property Transfers—nothing else- and can only be modified by the voters.

Measure H

This measure proposes a Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT) of 0.4% (or $4 per $1,000) for sales under $2 million.

Sales over $2 million would be taxed at 0.6%, and properties over $10 million at 0.8%. This tax applies only to real estate sales, not affecting renters or those passing properties to heirs, even if the heirs rent them out.

Both measures G and H must pass for the RPTT to be implemented.

Let’s look at an example of how this would affect the average home sale in Benicia: the RPTT  on a $850,000 home would be $3,400.

For many long-time Benicia homeowners, this amount would be a very small percentage of the accumulated increase in equity. And that equity increased, in large part, to the improvements the City (and its taxpayers) have made over the decades.

In conclusion, this additional funding from Measure F would solely support fixing our deteriorating roads.  Measure G and H will be used to repair many old and deteriorating City facilities including City Hall, the Police Department, the Clocktower, the SP Depot, the Marina, the Senior Center, the pool, the library, the gym, and the Camel Barns.

We cannot achieve fiscal sustainability through staff cuts alone. Slashing the city payroll would necessitate closing many programs that Benicians have repeatedly expressed they want, expect, and deserve.

I am calling on my fellow Benicians to continue the progress the City has made to get its financial house in order  and agree that we  need to look at new revenue sources that will help Benicia continue towards a solid fiscal future.

Please join me, the Benicia City Council and many community groups and vote yes on Measures F, G and H in November.

Steve Young
Mayor, City of Benicia

2024 General Election, Benicia City Council Member Trevor Macenski, Benicia Mayor Steve Young, Christina Gilpin-Hayes, Endorsements

Mon. at 7pm: Free, Open Candidate Forum for Democratic Benicia City Council Candidates

From the Progressive Democrats of Benicia: 

The Progressive Democrats of Benicia (PDB) will host a candidate forum on Monday, August 26, at 7pm via Zoom (sign-in details are below and on our website).  This virtual event, which is free and open to all regardless of city of residence or political party, will feature interviews with four Democratic candidates vying for local office.

This is YOUR opportunity to engage with local Democratic candidates and gain insights into their positions on key issues affecting Benicia.  We ask that you share this notice to your family, friends and network so you can all hear directly from the candidates as you make up your minds for the November ballot.  Everyone is welcome. No registration is required.

Zoom Details

The link and sign-in information for most PDB membership meetings in 2024 is below. 

Topic: PDB General Meeting
Time: August 26, 2024 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86273821941?pwd=WktDazJLaTJHVTBPNWd3dzlXaGd2Zz09

Meeting ID: 862 7382 1941
Passcode: 528756

One tap mobile
+16699006833,,86273821941#,,,,*528756# US (San Jose)
+16694449171,,86273821941#,,,,*528756# US

We look forward to seeing you Monday, August 26 at 7:00 pm via Zoom!

Get to Know the Candidates!

The Democratic candidates for Benicia City Council (in alphabetical order) are Christina Gilpin-Hayes, Trevor Macenski (Incumbent), and Franz Rosenthal (website coming soon to franzforbenicia.com).

Benicia’s incumbent Mayor Steve Young), who is seeking reelection, will also be requesting PDB’s endorsement.

The forum will include a series of prepared questions for the candidates, followed by an opportunity for attendees to participate in a Q&A session.  Learn more about the candidates before the forum by clicking their names or images to visit their websites.  PDB is a chartered Democratic club and may only endorse Democratic candidates, per our by-laws.

Why Endorse?

Democratic club endorsements like these matter in local elections because they provide the candidates and causes we believe in most with crucial grassroots support. Clubs like PDB often promote their endorsed candidates and help them build name recognition, connect to important volunteer and professional networks, and access Party resources that can elevate campaigns to the next level. Additionally, voters often use club endorsements to help them select candidates. An endorsement from a PDB is a strategic asset for any Democratic candidate–led campaign, even if the candidate doesn’t identify as progressive. Ours is a big tent – all registered Democrats are invited and welcome to seek endorsement from the club.

Benicia Mayor, Benicia Mayor Steve Young, Local elections

Mayor Steve Young Announces for Re-Election, Promises Four More Years of Proven Leadership

Click the image to visit www.reelectyoungforbenicia.com.

From the Campaign to Re-Elect Mayor Steve Young, received July 10, 2024

Benicia, CA – Mayor Steve Young today announced his campaign for re-election with a pledge to continue the work he started in his first term. “This is a critical election,” Young said. “We are not just deciding on a city leader for the next four years; we are at a crucial juncture that will define the future of Benicia.”

Young, who was elected to his first term as mayor in 2020, has led the City through some of its toughest times. He led the City Council and City government staff in crafting a strong and responsible response to the global pandemic. He has worked to build a solid financial foundation for Benicia, overseeing the rezoning of land to encourage more housing while promoting the City’s vibrant downtown, art community and business park. He also championed the simplification of City processes to make it easier for residents and business to access City services, including by limiting the scope of the Housing Preservation Review Commission.

“I have made transparency and communication the core mission of my service to Benicia residents,” Mayor Young said. “I am the first Mayor to regularly monitor, engage and communicate with constituents on social media, and I consistently respond to direct and public questions.”

“But the job is not done,” Young continued. “More challenges remain as we continue to shape the vision of Benicia’s identity, aspiring to create a community that embodies resilience, prosperity and a balance between smart progress, historic preservation and continued sustainability.”

 

Young was raised in Burbank, California, where he graduated from Burbank High School in 1969. He earned a BA in Political Science from UC Berkeley in 1973 and went on to earn his MA in Urban Policy and Administration from San Francisco State University in 1975.

He spent his entire career focusing on the challenges cities face. For 28 years, he worked with cities in California and Virginia, overseeing various projects in the fields of community development, re-development, affordable housing, neighborhood preservation and economic development. In 1999, he was named Community Development Director of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA).

 After retiring from SHRA, Young and his wife Marty moved to Costa Rico for four years to allow their daughter to have the experience of attending high school internationally. Following her graduation, the family returned to the US and moved to Benicia in 2012 where he quickly put his career experience to use.

Click the image to be redirected to the 2022 LA Times column featuring Mayor Steve Young.

He was appointed to Benicia’s Planning Commission in 2013, just as the Crude by Rail proposal began working its way through the City approval process. With his expertise, he was able to guide the Commission through the complicated process that helped lead to the Planning Commission’s unanimous rejection of a project that could have put Benicia residents’ safety and health at risk. The Planning Commission decision was ultimately upheld by the City Council.

Young was elected to the Benicia City Council in November 2016 in his first attempt at elected office. He was elected Mayor in November of 2020.

 “I love our City, its beauty, strong culture of arts and history, its friendly small town sense of community,” he said. “But to continue to survive, we must grow, and to grow successfully while keeping what makes Benicia special is the challenge before us all. I am asking Benicians to re-elect me so I can continue the work that we’ve started in shaping Benicia’s future.”

To learn more about Mayor Young’s re-election campaign, donate, or volunteer, visit his website at www.reelectyoungforbenicia.com.