Statement of Candidate for Member of City Council – City of Benicia
Dr. Tom Campbell (Incumbent)
Education: BS & MA Chemistry: UCSB, DDS: UCLA, MS & Orthodontics: Marquette University, MBA: UC Berkley, JD: Santa Clara University
Over the years, I’ve started or been involved in projects that preserve our open spaces north of town, improve open government, campaign reform and protect our climate. I’ve voted against water rate increases and oil trains. I’ve voted for helping small businesses, improving our deteriorated roads, increasing Benicia’s water supplies, protecting Benicia’s air quality and even facemasks. Thousands of votes, but for me it’s always been: Protect Benicia’s Finances. I helped keep our services intact and bring Benicia back from the dot.com bust, 9/11 and 2008 recessions. Because of those recessions I led Councils to set policies to double our reserves, update budgets quarterly (not yearly) and approach spending more cautiously. City staff and I identified an uncategorized account, $13.6 million dollars, that had never been included in any City fund. Now that additional money is available for today’s challenging times. That constant oversight and forward thinking made us better prepared for the Covid recession. I ask for your vote so I can finish bringing us back from the Covid recession
Statement of Candidate for Member of City Council – City of Benicia
Trevor Macenski
Occupation: Environmental Planner
Education and Qualifications:
I’m running for Benicia City Council to strengthen the economic future of our city while maintaining fiscal responsibility; preserve our historic roots and quality of life; and ensure community safety and education. I commit to representing Benicia residents with integrity, respect, and transparency that invites civic engagement.
As a City Commissioner, I’ve served our community in various roles: the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Review Commission, Soltrans Public Advisory Committee, and Refinery Community Advisory Panel. These roles have helped me develop extensive knowledge on important issues our City faces, and I work collaboratively with the public in order to foster their input and perspectives. I’m humbled by endorsements I’ve received so far from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, which include existing Council members, commissioners, local business owners, educators, and community leaders.
I’m a father, husband, coach, commissioner, planner, and collegiate educator running to be your voice at City Hall. Graduating from UC Davis with a B.S. in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning and a M.S. from The Johns Hopkins University in Environmental Policy. I’ve dedicated myself to solving California’s toughest challenges as an environmental and urban planner and I want to leverage that experience right here in Benicia. I hope to earn your vote. www.TrevorMac.com
Statement of Candidate for Member of City Council – City of Benicia
Terry Scott
Occupation: Chairman, Benicia Arts and Culture Commission
Education and Qualifications: Earned a B.S. degree from Kent State University; attended Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth for Executives Studies.
I can bring to Council a proven record of innovation, financial responsibility, wisdom and business experience. I have earned leadership. I’ve been an entrepreneur and a consultant. I’ve run family-owned businesses. I’ve spent decades in senior leadership roles in corporate America. I have succeeded and failed. I kept learning. Over the years, I have realized that listening is the greatest people-skill necessary to be successful. I will bring the vision, insight and creativity to help us understand our financial and quality of life issues. These are the needed qualities which an effective Council member must have.
If elected, I will help City Council maintain the small-town quality of life we expect, including effective police and fire departments; financial responsibility; fair water and sewer rates and improving deteriorating roads. In addition, we enjoy a strong artistic community. It’s one of our biggest resources. They should not be ignored, but encouraged. All while we navigate through the challenge of change in a post COVID-19 recovery.
Terryscottforbeniciacitycouncil.org.
Statement of Candidate for Mayor – City of Benicia
Jason Diavatis
Occupation: Small Business Owner
I am a second generation Benician who loves this city and has owned and operated several local businesses. I am running for Mayor because major issues have not been solved. As Mayor, I will focus on local issues that we can solve together for the benefit of all and not let national politics divide us.
Key Issues are: Reduce our water/sewer rates, which have doubled since 2016; prioritize the repair and improvement of our deteriorating roads; keep Benicia safe by investing in training and retention of our great community peace officers; improve access to our City Council meetings with live streaming on social media.
Of course there are many other important civic matters to address such as expanding public art, Benicia tourism, better transparency, supporting community events, budget management and economic development. Most importantly, my desire is to provide a Mayorship that will be readily accessible to you. I want to listen and act on your concerns so we can work together to solve the needs of our wonderful city by the Strait.
Statement of Candidate for Mayor – City of Benicia
Christina Strawbridge (Vice Mayor)
Occupation: Small Business Owner
Education and Qualifications:
It’s Time! Courage, compassion and collaboration will be my objectives as the new Mayor of Benicia. There is a lot of work before us and success will come with brave decisions based on listening and collaborating with the community, city staff and the rest of the council. As Mayor, my leadership and understanding of what it takes to run a full service city in the aftermath of an economic and health disaster combined with civil unrest is essential.
My diverse experience of serving on the Council from 2011-2016 and then being elected as Vice Mayor in 2018, coupled with owning two small businesses, gives me a unique perspective, vested interest and true passion for Benicia and its potential. I have been an advocate for small business and keeping Benicia’s small town charm for 35 years. My work on spearheading the City’s tourism program, helping to save the two Benicia State Parks from closure, as Benicia Main Street’s events coordinator and fundraising for a multitude of local nonprofits is proof of my commitment to our town.
On November 3, 2020 you will have an important choice on the leadership of our future. It’s Time!
christinastrawbridgeformayor.com
Statement of Candidate for Mayor – City of Benicia
Steve Young
I have a long history of public service. A graduate of UC Berkeley (BA) and San Francisco State University (MA), I spent my career in local government in the fields of Community Development, Affordable Housing, and Redevelopment. I retired in 2008 as Director of Community Development for the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, where I headed the redevelopment of Mather and McClellan Air Force Bases into commercial uses, managed neighborhood improvement programs in low income sections of Sacramento County, and helped finance thousands of units of affordable housing. After a four year period of living in Costa Rica, and giving my daughter the experience of living in a foreign culture, my family moved to Benicia in 2012. Shortly thereafter I was appointed to the Planning Commission, where I led the critical questioning of the Crude by Rail project that ultimately led to its unanimous rejection by the Commission and City Council. In 2016, I led all candidates and was elected to the City Council. In my time on the council, I have led the effort to secure the donation of the Neptune’s Daughter statue, advocated for downtown businesses with the Downtown Dollars program, and led the push for a mandatory mask ordinance which was first defeated, then ultimately approved.
