A record number of Benicians applied for Boards and Commissions this year with some 70 people seeking 32 positions. Many were current Commissioners or Board members seeking reappointment, but the majority were new faces wishing to serve their community by volunteering their expertise and energy for the betterment of Benicia. The new Industrial Safety Oversight drew in nearly a dozen doctors, engineers, and additional experts, while the Planning Commission was also a popular choice. The diversity of the candidate pool was impressive, from people who just moved to Benicia and wanted to learn more about their new city through service – to long time volunteers, who have found serving the City enriching and useful. 

Councilmember Terry Scott and I serve on the nomination subcommittee, where we hold the first conversation with each candidate. From there, Mayor Steve Young speaks individually with each candidate. The nomination subcommittee submits its recommendations to the City Council, and the Mayor ultimately decides on the official nominees. This year, he fully agreed on the final slate of nominees, which then went to the full City Council for a vote, which was unanimous.

Over the years, this system has been refined, and judging by the expertise that was seated, it works. Talking with Benicians about why they want to serve on a Board or Commission is one of my favorite responsibilities as a City Councilmember. Their dedication and civic mindedness is truly inspiring, and the wealth of smart, kind people who want to step up gives me hope for not only Benicia, but democracy itself. 

My journey in volunteering for the City started in 2012 with the Benicia Human Services Board, a terrific introduction to being on a Board. Mike Caplan was our kind and thoughtful Chair, ensuring that Benicia issued grant funding to nonprofit groups serving the most vulnerable folks in our community.

I joined the Planning Commission two years later, when coincidentally a few months in, Valero proposed the Crude by Rail expansion project. Under Donald Dean’s expert leadership as Chair, I learned the responsibilities of the Commission. When he stepped down, my fellow Commissioners elected me to serve as Chair, a position I held for the next five years until getting elected to the City Council. 

The experience of my prior service to the community has provided the insights needed to understand how the business of the City happens, how the work of each Commission, Board and department is uniquely important and how these efforts are often interrelated. Our civic-minded volunteers make our community rich, diverse and, despite what some may think, as efficient as possible, resulting in a safe and thriving place to live, work and visit.

To those who applied to a Board or Commission this year, Benicia thanks you for your service. And for those who were not placed on a Board, please consider applying again in the future. We need each of you. Our Boards and Commissions are a terrific way to give back to your community while learning so much about our great City.  

If you aren’t serving on a Board or Commission, there are still many ways to stay engaged in our city government. You can attend or watch City Council and Commission meetings, offer public comments during meetings, or write to Councilmembers about issues that matter to you. These are just a few powerful ways to have your voice heard.