Mayoral candidates offer their platforms

BENICIA >> The League of Women Voters Solano County hosted a mayoral candidate forum via YouTube/Zoom on Thursday. Participants included local business owner Jason Diavatis, Vice Mayor Christina Strawbridge, and Councilmember Steve Young.

The event was moderated by Niles Medders, league president and a resident of Vallejo.

Each candidate began with an opening statement. Strawbridge jumped right out of the gate and addressed what she called “negative campaigning” on behalf of her candidacy.

“I don’t need phone calls that pronounce my name wrong, or worse, our town’s name or ads that have unflattering pictures of my opponent,” she said. “What I do need is civility.”

She also asked for “her opponent” to disavow personal attacks lobbed at her, her family, and her

business as well.

Strawbridge outlined her main goals as mayor: “Compassion, collaboration, and cooperation.”

She asserted that she has never received funding from Valero, Seeno, or Amports — three big business powerhouses in town.

“I am running on a record that spans four decades as a business owner, Benicia Main Street (association) President, Economic Development Chair, tourism, state parks, and seven years on the council,” she said.

Diavatis touted his Benicia roots in his opening statement. He said he grew up in Benicia and has been a business owner there for 28 years

“There are major issues that have not been solved,” he said, “Let’s focus on the issues that we can solve together and not let the national issues divide us.”

Some issues he thinks are important include reducing water and sewer rates, fixing roads, and the training and retention of police officers. He also said that tourism, public transparency, and expanding public art are key issues, and that economic development is a “big thing” to him.

Finally, Young outlined his 30-year career in local government and its emphasis on affordable housing and community development. He mentioned being instrumental in stopping the Valero crude-by-rail initiative back in 2016 and suggested that by doing so, he hasn’t made many friends with the oil company.

“It might explain why Valero has decided that I’m not worthy of being mayor,” he said.

Focus on policing

After the introductions, each candidate was asked the same set of five questions (the bulk of which can be seen on the LWVSC YouTube page). One question involved the role of police in town and Benicia’s diversity issues.

Young praised the police for “doing a great job in shifting the culture,” but he mentioned a discussion he had with an African American resident who told him that he gets pulled over frequently and that the first question often asked of him is whether or not he has outstanding warrants.

“No white people would be asked that,” he said, emphasizing the need to combat implicit bias in policing. Young said he would like to see body cams used more often and more diversity among the ranks of officers.

Strawbridge said Benicia has the “best police department in the world,” and cheered community policing as well. She too said there is room for more diversity in the department and suggested working with Black Lives Matter and educating ourselves on how to better recruit and hire people of color.

For Diavatis, there is no systematic problem with the Benicia police.

“In the past, maybe a police officer has stepped over the line, but people have changed,” he said, though he pointed out that he is open to looking at any reports to the contrary. Having grown up in Benicia, he said he’d like to see the return of the youth and police picnic.

City finance

Medders also asked each candidate how they would improve the city’s financial situation while still maintaining its infrastructure. Both Diavatis and Young support diversifying the city’s revenue base. Diavatis suggested leasing the train depot for not only tax revenue but lease revenue to the city.

“We can help build up the economic footprint of the waterfront,” he said. “We barely utilize it.” He also wants to “finally” do something with the Seeno Property, something he says has been discussed over and over during campaign seasons then promptly abandoned.

For Young, revenue diversity starts with expanding the sales tax base. This can be done by expanding downtown, he said. Residential areas can be zoned for commercial development, for example. “The people who live in these houses (downtown) who are tired of the noise and traffic could get out and allow for more development,” he said. Young also said that the Seeno Property is “clearly where we need to look for extended growth opportunities.”

Strawbridge said that a priority for her would be removing the “rigmarole” of red tape needed to operate businesses in Benicia.

“I’ve had a store downtown for 15 years and I know what it’s like.” Making Benicia “open for business” and encouraging entrepreneurship are key, she said.

More topics explored explored

Candidates also answered questions about general diversity in town, including LGBTQ issues, the issue of cannabis dispensaries in town, the looming pension budget shortfall, COVID-19, and Benicia schools.

To view the entire discussion, go to https://my.lwv. org/ california/ sol a nocounty and click the YouTube link.