Category Archives: Local elections

LETTER SERIES: Susan Lynn – Steve Young for City Council

[Editor: Benicians are expressing themselves in letters to the editor of our local print newspaper, the Benicia Herald.  But the Herald doesn’t publish letters in its online editions – and many Benician’s don’t subscribe.  We are posting certain letters here for wider distribution.  – RS]

Steve Young – good choice for City Council

As the election fast approaches and my mailbox is flooded with campaign literature I want to encourage everyone to vote for Steve Young for the Benicia City Council.  Since I first became aware of him, at the Planning Commission’s public hearings on the Crude by Rail project, to the recent candidates forum, I have been impressed by how carefully he does his homework… asking important questions, researching the issues from all sides and conveying the information the public needs in order to understand the impact of these issues on our quality of life. Yes, it is true that now “everyone” is against Crude by Rail but I believe it was Steve’s courageous leadership that brought the Commission and the Council to take this stand.

Steve was able to influence our elected official’s opinions because he understands the language used in EIRs and because he has worked in and with government agencies for the past 30 years. His extensive, valuable experience with community and economic development promises to be crucial to the items that are going to affect the future well-being of our town… How do we insure that we have enough clean drinking water? What kind of development do we want out on East 2nd Street?  How can the Industrial Park be made more appealing to potential businesses?   Not anti-growth as some would want you to believe, Steve recently said, “There are ways to explore how land is developed. You don’t just have to just react to whatever plans the owners presents. You need to engage the public and make sure that what gets built truly fits the needs of the town.”

With a graduate degree in Urban Planning, years of experience as the Director of Community Development for the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency and a true passion for doing what is best for Benicia, he is positioned to be an excellent member of the Benicia City Council. For the future of our children and grandchildren, I hope that you will join me and vote for Steve Young.

LETTER SERIES: Dr. Constance Beutel – Elizabeth Patterson for Mayor

[Editor: Benicians are expressing themselves in letters to the editor of our local print newspaper, the Benicia Herald.  But the Herald doesn’t publish letters in its online editions – and many Benician’s don’t subscribe.  We are posting certain letters here for wider distribution.  – RS]

Vote for Elizabeth Patterson for Benicia Mayor

By Constance Beutel, Benicia
October 7, 2016
Constance Beutel
Constance Beutel

I look at three criteria for a candidate: qualifications, commitment and performance.

Which candidate has a track record demonstrating a depth and breadth of knowledge: in their profession and for the office they seek or hold? As I’m voting in Benicia, does the candidate really know our city . . . it’s history, demographics, economic base, and it’s anticipated future concerns and potential?

Which candidate ‘shows up?’ Are they committed? There are people who are physically present but who haven’t shown up to contribute and engage. In our city, Benicia, which candidate has put in the hours of community participation by attending a wide and diverse spectrum of events and training? Does the candidate hold open office hours and makes themselves available and reachable to the community?

Finally, what is the candidate’s track record for taking action and actually performing? Can a list of accomplishments and contributions be named? Can the candidate bring something to the office they are seeking? Can they facilitate meetings, assist the city staff in networking, inform the community of important issues and events and invite their participation?

In Benicia, Mayor Elizabeth Patterson meets each one of my criteria. I have watched her conduct and performance for over ten years. I met her first as a neighbor, then as a Councilwoman and later as Mayor. She has a depth of knowledge as a City Planner in the Bay Area and as an environmental scientist for California. Her knowledge of water issues is extensive along with knowing how government works. Her knowledge and support of Benicia’s faceted community is substantive. Under her leadership, two commissions were launched. The Community Sustainability Commission (CSC) and the Arts and Culture Commission. Each commission has contributed significantly to Benicia. The CSC initiated and oversaw the allocation of over $2million in grants to the community that supported residents, commercial and industrial efforts. During the drought, thanks to the CSC, Benicia was among the top California cities to conserve 50% of its typical water consumption. Further, it’s efforts, fully supported by Mayor Patterson, saw a return of nearly $5million in City of Benicia energy savings and rebates with a bonus check of $113,000 from our Marin Clean Energy provider for excess energy production from its solar installations. The other committee Mayor Paterson helped to launch was the Arts and Culture Commission which has continually provided significant contributions to our City. Elizabeth Patterson was there at the critical junctures to help each of the City’s commissions, boards and committees achieve their objectives. Beyond her own involvement, she tirelessly encouraged and recruited talented Benicians to serve the City on these Commissions, Boards and Committees.

Mayor Patterson is the only elected official who holds regular and publicized open office hours weekly! She is approachable, interested and listens! She keeps anyone who subscribes to her “E-alerts” updated on issues of concern and relevance to Benicia.

I fully support Mayor Elizabeth Patterson for re-election. She is the only one who meets and exceeds my criteria. Truly she has a proven record of “Experience you can trust.”

Constance M. Beutel, EdD
Benicia

LETTER SERIES: Nancy Lund – Elizabeth Patterson for Mayor

[Editor: Benicians are expressing themselves in letters to the editor of our local print newspaper, the Benicia Herald.  But the Herald doesn’t publish letters in its online editions – and many Benician’s don’t subscribe.  We are posting certain letters here for wider distribution.  – RS]

Mayor Patterson’s committment

By Nancy Lund, Benicia
October 7, 2016

Dr. David Schultz wrote on Facebook: “Her (Elizabeth Patterson’s) re-election TRANSCENDS everyday politics.  She places the common good above all.”

This election presents an opportunity for you to choose a person who has been steadfast on environmental issues (crude by rail), as well as future development of open spaces (Seeno and Arsenal properties).

These are just two examples of her commitment to preserving the small town feel of Benicia while encouraging diverse development that contributes to our financial stability.  She has clearly stated her goals for the next four years, in contrast to her opponent whose goals are woefully missing from public review.

You have my vote, Elizabeth, as I know I can trust your commitment to the welfare of Benicia now, and in the future.

Nancy Lund, Benicia

LETTER SERIES: Steve Young on Seeno land use

[Editor: Benicians are expressing themselves in letters to the editor of our local print newspaper, the Benicia Herald.  But the Herald doesn’t publish letters in its online editions – and many Benician’s don’t subscribe.  We are posting certain letters here for wider distribution.  – RS]

Development of the Seeno Property

By Steve Young, Benicia Planning Commission
October 6, 2016

Recently, a land use application has been submitted for development of the Seeno property, the 526 acre site located at East 2nd Street and Lake Herman Road.

The latest version of this development proposal, now called the Northern Gateway, also has a new lead developer (Schwartz Development) who has done projects with the Seeno family before.

This proposal, as described to me by the developer, calls for the construction of up to 900 single family homes along with some limited commercial and industrial parcels.

There are several problems that I see with this proposal.

First, although they insist there is adequate water for 900 homes, the City is in the middle of an extended drought and we are being asked to save water wherever we can.

Second, the developer has no intention of building either a school or a firehouse. If they don’t build these facilities, the obligation would fall upon the rest of us for those necessary amenities. Students would have to be transported to either Robert Semple elementary school (which is among the oldest properties in the District and is lacking in many amenities) or Benicia Middle School or Benicia High School, both of which are overcrowded.

Finally, the developer bragged that the homes would sell very fast, as they would be priced between $400-415,000. This price range is well below the Benicia median home price, and the addition of that many homes at that price level would not improve the property values of the rest of Benicia homes.

By contrast, at a recent candidates forum, Mark Hughes and Lionel Largaspaeda spoke in very positive tones about the possibility of the growth this project would bring.

I am not reflexively anti-growth, but object to this reactive form of planning.

This parcel will eventually be developed. But it is the City which should decide what type of development will ultimately go there, rather than simply reacting to a developer’s proposal, which is more focused on maximizing profit than in developing the last significant parcel in the City in a way that best serves the community.