[Brief] Benicia commission hosting candidates’ forum regarding any last minute hit pieces

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 29, 2020 BENICIA – The city’s Open Government Commission is hosting a candidates’ forum at 10 a.m. on Saturday, providing an opportunity for candidates to address any last minute attacks, officials said. All Benicia City Council and mayoral candidates have been invited to attend the forum, which will be broadcasted liveContinue reading “[Brief] Benicia commission hosting candidates’ forum regarding any last minute hit pieces”

Nebb expected to receive total compensation package of $358,000 per year as Vallejo’s new city attorney

by John Glidden | Oct. 21, 2020 VALLEJO – The hunt for Vallejo’s next city attorney is over as the Vallejo City Council is expected to approve a five-year contract on Tuesday with Veronica Nebb to serve as city attorney. Nebb will earn a starting salary of $219,760.85 annually, plus receive a $6,000 annual automobile allowance,Continue reading “Nebb expected to receive total compensation package of $358,000 per year as Vallejo’s new city attorney”

Tentative settlement reached in Vallejo excessive force case

by John Glidden | Oct. 21, 2020 VALLEJO – A tentative settlement has been reached in a federal lawsuit against four Vallejo police officers accused of using excessive force against a man as he worked on his fence during a July 2017 incident, court records show. Details of the agreement have yet to be madeContinue reading “Tentative settlement reached in Vallejo excessive force case”

[Brief] Vallejo experiences 24th homicide of 2020

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 18, 2020 VALLEJO – The city recorded its 24th homicide of 2020 after a 28-year-old Vallejo man was found shot to death early Sunday morning. Vallejo police said at about 3:52 a.m. officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 1900 block of Ascot Parkway. Arriving officers found theContinue reading “[Brief] Vallejo experiences 24th homicide of 2020”

Grayson, Dew rescind endorsements of Brown’s mayoral campaign

by John Glidden | Oct. 18, 2020 VALLEJO – Councilman Hakeem Brown received more bad news over the weekend as both Assemblyman Tim Grayson, and Vallejo Councilwoman Pippin Dew pulled their support for Brown’s mayoral run after news about his criminal past surfaced this week. The San Francisco Chronicle and the independent newsroom Open Vallejo released separate articlesContinue reading “Grayson, Dew rescind endorsements of Brown’s mayoral campaign”

Vallejo Chamber of Commerce pulls support of Brown’s mayoral campaign

by John Glidden | Oct. 16, 2020 VALLEJO –The fallout from a recent report outlining Vallejo Councilman Hakeem Brown’s troubles with domestic violence continued Friday when ValPAC, the political arm of the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce, pulled its endorsement of Brown’s mayoral campaign. “As a public official, a candidate’s past conduct matters. Our city deserves andContinue reading “Vallejo Chamber of Commerce pulls support of Brown’s mayoral campaign”

Vallejo committee fined for campaign disclosure violations

by John Glidden | Oct. 15, 2020 VALLEJO –A committee opened to support passage of a Vallejo school bond has been fined $6,500 by the state’s election watchdog after two committee officials failed to disclose campaign information in a timely manner. The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) issued the fine on Thursday against the Committee forContinue reading “Vallejo committee fined for campaign disclosure violations”

Brown still running for mayor amid fallout about criminal past

by John Glidden | Oct. 15, 2020 VALLEJO – Days after a scathing report was released detailing a history of alleged domestic abuse, Vallejo Councilman Hakeem Brown issued a statement on Thursday addressing his past transgressions and to confirm he wouldn’t be dropping out as a mayoral candidate. The independent newsroom Open Vallejo reported Tuesday thatContinue reading “Brown still running for mayor amid fallout about criminal past”

City staff pushes back council vote on stingray policy

by John Glidden | Oct. 14, 2020 VALLEJO – The Vallejo City Council agreed Tuesday night to delay a highly anticipated vote on a policy regarding the city’s use of a cell-site simulator following concerns the public didn’t have enough time to review the policy. Councilors were originally scheduled to review the usage and privacy policyContinue reading “City staff pushes back council vote on stingray policy”

[Brief] Benicia official says ballot boxes are only located in two places across town

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 14, 2020 BENICIA – With less than three weeks before the Nov. 3 election, there have been reports of unauthorized ballot boxes popping up across the state. Benicia City Clerk Lisa Wolfe took to social media this week to remind locals that there are only two official ballot boxes in theContinue reading “[Brief] Benicia official says ballot boxes are only located in two places across town”

Veronica Nebb expected to be named new city attorney

by John Glidden | Oct. 13, 2020 Veronica Nebb is expected to be named as the new Vallejo city attorney, multiple sources have confirmed to JohnGlidden.com. Nebb is currently employed with the law firm Walter & Pistole, serving as senior assistant city attorney for the cities of Novato and Martinez, according to her bio onContinue reading “Veronica Nebb expected to be named new city attorney”

Council asked to approve cell-site simulator usage and privacy policy

by John Glidden | Oct. 12, 2020 A privacy and usage policy regarding a controversial piece of technology will go before the Vallejo City Council on Tuesday. The seven-person council will be asked to consider adopting the policy on use of a cellular-site simulator, also known as a stingray, two weeks after a Solano CountyContinue reading “Council asked to approve cell-site simulator usage and privacy policy”

[Brief] Vallejo playgrounds reopen under new state guidelines

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 12, 2020 Kids rejoice as the Greater Vallejo Recreation District has reopened the city’s playgrounds under new health guidelines. On Sept. 28, the California Department of Public Health issued guidance outlining how outdoor playgrounds and other recreational facilities can be used amid COVID-19. Under the new rules, everyone 2 yearsContinue reading “[Brief] Vallejo playgrounds reopen under new state guidelines”

[Brief] Congressman Thompson to hold virtual town hall meeting on election security

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 9, 2020 NAPA – Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, is scheduled to host a virtual town hall meeting about election security, from 7 to 8p.m. PST on Tuesday, his office announced in a press release. Thompson will be joined by Napa County Registrar of Voters John Tuteur. All constituents of California’sContinue reading “[Brief] Congressman Thompson to hold virtual town hall meeting on election security”

William Spalding named new Vallejo school district superintendent

by John Glidden | Oct. 7, 2020 A familiar face is returning to the Vallejo City Unified School District. On Wednesday, the Vallejo school board officially hired William Spalding as district superintendent – more than 20 years after he was part of the district staff to open Jesse Bethel High School. “Coming to Vallejo isn’tContinue reading “William Spalding named new Vallejo school district superintendent”

[Brief] Solano County voter guide mishap impacts Benicia and Vallejo

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 7, 2020 October hasn’t been kind to the Solano County Registrar of Voters as the department announced that for the second time this month candidate information was omitted from the voter guide. Election officials discovered that about 70,600 guides were impacted when candidate statements from either Tim Grayson, or JanellContinue reading “[Brief] Solano County voter guide mishap impacts Benicia and Vallejo”

[Brief] Vallejo Education Association endorses Gardner and Young for school board

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 7, 2020 The 600-member Vallejo Education Association (VEA) announced recently that it has endorsed incumbent Christy Gardner and long time educator Latyna Young for Vallejo school board. “This was not an easy decision,” said Steven Quinlan, political action chair of the VEA, in a statement released by the union. “OurContinue reading “[Brief] Vallejo Education Association endorses Gardner and Young for school board”

Allio out as interim assistant police chief

by John Glidden | Oct. 6, 2020 Nearly three months after he was re-hired to serve as the city’s interim assistant police chief, Joseph Allio has resigned, the city announced Tuesday night. Through multiple sources, JohnGlidden.com learned Allio had left the city. When asked for comment Tuesday morning, Vallejo police spokeswoman Brittany K. Jackson saidContinue reading “Allio out as interim assistant police chief”

Vallejo police union calls proposed public safety emergency an ‘illegal power grab’

by John Glidden | Oct. 5, 2020 The Vallejo Police Officers’ Association (VPOA) is calling a proposed move by the city of Vallejo to declare a local public safety emergency as an “illegal power grab,” according to a statement issued by the union on Monday. The seven-person Vallejo City Council will be asked Tuesday toContinue reading “Vallejo police union calls proposed public safety emergency an ‘illegal power grab’”

Vallejo school board to name new superintendent on Wednesday

by John Glidden | Oct. 3, 2020 Three months after superintendent Adam Clark left the Vallejo school district to take a similar position in a nearby school district, the Vallejo school board is poised to appoint a new superintendent. The board is expected to name the new superintendent and approve a contract with the individualContinue reading “Vallejo school board to name new superintendent on Wednesday”