JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 1, 2020
BENICIA – Most of the Benicia City Council and mayoral candidates have confirmed they will be participating in a Zoom candidates’ forum hosted by the Benicia Good Neighbor Steering Committee (GNSC) on Monday.
The forum will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. as candidates will be asked questions about air quality and refinery concerns, according to a press release from the committee.
Candidates have been given a series of nine questions prior to their participation in the forum. The candidates will have three minutes to respond to each question.
The committee confirmed that as of Thursday all but mayoral candidate Jason Diavatis had confirmed they would be participating.
Vice Mayor Christina Strawbridge, along with Councilman Steve Young, are also vying for the mayor’s chair.
In late July, Mayor Elizbeth Patterson confirmed she would not be seeking a fourth term as the city’s mayor. Patterson told the Fairfield Daily Republic that she wanted to dedicate more time to the issue of climate change.
Councilman Tom Campbell is seeking re-election to the council, while being challenged by Planning Commissioner Trevor Macenski, amd Benicia Arts and Culture Commission member Terry Scott.
There are two council seats up for election, set for Nov. 3.
The GNSC, touted as a refinery and community watch dog on community environmental health and safety issues, is composed of Marilyn Bardet, Mary Frances Kelly Poh, Nancy Lund, Kathy Kerridge and Constance Beutel.
To watch the meeting, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88625849949?pwd=Uk5EU09wRll0NlpGTFlRSEUrL2ZzQT09
The meeting ID: 886 2584 9949, and the passcode is Local.
JohnGlidden.com 
Elizabeth Patterson is arguably one of the best mayors Benicia has ever had in its history. However, we all fully understand her reason for not wishing to continue for yet another term. Indeed, Benicia should carefully consider term limits in the future.
That said, however, Elizabeth has been fantastic for this city and I believe that the current mayoral candidate Steve Young aligns with her philosophy too. We do know that Young, like Patterson, won’t be bought and will not be bullied by heavy handed manipulation such as one finds in big oil. We can only hope that voters understand that big money politics usually means that special interests will be yanking the tail of those whom they buy.
People of Benicia should think very carefully about voting for Steve Young for the next mayor of Benicia. It would be a chance to stay on the right path; the path of improving the environment and working for the best interest of the people – all of the people.
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