Benicia
Along with economic vitality, Benicia's residents enjoy a quiet atmosphere of rolling hills and waterfront comfort. The downtown area sparkles with antique shops, retail stores, coffee houses and fine restaurants. Often referred to as the 'jewel of Solano County,' Benicia was ranked No. 1 of 98 Bay Area counties in a 1999 San Francisco Chronicle Survey of Bay Area Cities as the best place for family living. Benicia earned high marks for its schools, low crime rate, home prices still among the lowest in the Bay area, mild climate and close proximity to Bay Area and cultural centers. The Benicia Unified School District has received the prestigious California Department of Education Distinguished School Award several consecutive years, and SchoolMatch Inc., a national relocation package development firm for major corporations has twice named the BSUD in the top 15 percent of school districts for the nation. And, the Benicia work force is well educated, with 66 percent of residents having at lest some college level education. And, no matter the political issue, Benicia residents also show up at the polls at a consistently higher rate than any other Solano County community. The City is home to the 467-acre Benicia State Recreation Area on Southampton Bay, as well as more than 25 city parks totaling 695 acres of open space, and a 323-slip full service marina with direct access to the San Francisoc Bay and the Sacramento River Delta. The Benicia Industrial Park, next to Interstate 680, is Solano County's largest, with more than 3.000 acres of land and 6 million square feet of built space. A Look Back Benicia was founded in 1847, and named for the wife of General Mariano Vallejo. The city served as California's third capital in 1852, and boasts the original and oldest state capitaol building, which is open for public tours. Other historic attractions include the Fischer-Hanlon House (c. 1840s), St. Paul's Episcopal Church (c. 1860s), The Frisbee-Walsh House (c. 1850), the first California Masonic Temple (c. 1850) and the Clocktower Fortress (c. 1859) as well as the Camel Barn Museum, the former U.S. Army Bachelor Officer's Quarters and U.S. Army Guardhouse. At a Glance Population (2007 estimate by the California Department of Finance): 27,916 Race (Numbers provided by U.S. Census Bureau and because of overlapping categories do not reflect total population): White: 21,195 Hispanic or Latino: 2,424 Black or African American: 1,295 American Indian and Alaska Native: 162 Asian: 2,031 Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 78 Some other race: 712 Two or more races: 1,392 Age: Under 5 years: 1,510 18 and older: 19,582 65 years and over: 2,498 Median age: 38.9 Housing Units: 10,547 Median Household Income: $67,617 Crime (2007): Homicides: 0; Forcible Rape: 4; Robbery: 14; Aggravated Assault: 25; Burglary: 139; Larceny: 309; Stolen vehicles: 58; Arson: 10 Registered Voters: Total (as of Jan. 4, 2008): 15,221; Democrats: 7,277; Republicans: 4339; Non-partisan: 2,852 Top Employers* (2006): APS West Coast: 115; Aspen Timco, Inc.: 75; Benicia Fabrication and Machine, Inc.: 102; California Erectors Bay Area Inc.: 120; CE Toland & Son: 83; Coca-Cola: 142; Dorey Delta Constructors: 150; Henry Wine Group: 116; Institutional Financing Services: 173; Pepsi-Cola Bottling Group: 116; Phillip Environmental Services: 100; Underground Construction Co., Inc.: 80; Valero Refining Co.: 480; West Coast Beauty Systems: 258; Western Container Corp.: 40. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, *Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce, City of Benicia, Solano County Registrar of Voters. Chamber of Commerce Benicia Chamber of Commerce, 601 First St. No. 100, Benicia 94510; phone: 745-2120; fax: 745-2275 City of Benicia City Hall, 250 East L St., Benicia 94510: 746-4200 City Council Councilmembers meet at 7:00 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 250 East L St. Council agendas and minutes are available at the City Clerk's office on Wednesday afternoon before the meeting. The mayor and four council members are elected to four-year terms. Current council members are: • Mayor Elizabeth Patterson: 746-4212• Vice Mayor Tom Campbell: 746-4213
• Councilmember Mark Hughes: 746-4213
• Councilmember Mike Ioakimedes: 746-4213
• Councilmember Alan Schwartzman: 746-4213 For a complete listing of state and regional elected officials, see Elected Officials City Departments • City Manager Jim Erickson: 746-4210
• Interim Human Resources Manager Dan Pincetich: 746-4208
• Economic Development Manager Amalia Lorentz: 746-4202
• City Attorney Heather McLauglin: 746-4216
• Clerk Lisa Wolfe: 746-4200
• Finance Director Rob Sousa: 746-4225
• Parks and Community Services Director Mike Alvarez: 746-4285
• Public Works Director Dan Schiada: 746-4240
• Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli: 746-4264
• Fire Chief Ken Hanley: 746-4275 Library The Benicia Library is located at 150 East L St. in Benicia. The Library is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 5 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday: 746-4343. Utilities • Pacific Gas and Electric: 1-800-743-5000
• SBC Telephone Customer Service: 1-800-2355 Post office • 290 East L St., Benicia 94510 Recycling • Pleasant Hill Bayshore: 747-0608 Animal control • Animal Control: 745-3412 Elected Commissions Planning Commission The Benicia Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month in the Council Chamber. Commission Members are: • Chair Fred Railsback, term expires in 2008
• Brad Thomas, term expires in 2011
• Daniel Healy, term expires in 2010
• Lee Syracuse, term expires 2008
• Fred Railsback, term expires in 2009 delete this listing
• Richard Bortolazzo, term expires in 2010
• Rick Ernst, term expires in 2011
• Rod Sherry, term expires in 2011 The Historic Preservation Review Commission The Historic Preservation Review Review Commission meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. To contact the commissioners, call Community Development Department at 746-4280. Police Department The Benicia Police Department is led by Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli. The department has 36 sworn officers, several non-sworn employees, and a number of volunteers which includes cadets, reserves and other citizens. • Emergency: 911
• Nonemergency: 745-3412
• Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli: 746-4264
• Investigations, Cptn. Ken Davena: 746-4262
• Operations Division Commander Mike Daley: 746-4260
• Public Information Officer Lt. Mike Daley: 746-4259 Fire Department Benicia Fire Department, led by Chief Ken Hanley, has 36 members of the fire suppression and administration staff. There also are about 40 volunteers, which includes 20 suppression members. • Emergency: 911
• Nonemergency calls, Station 11: 746-4275
• Fire Chief Ken Hanley: 746-4275 Benicia Unified School District Offices for Benicia Unified School District are at 350 West K St., Benicia 94510: 747-8300 (phone), 746-6152 (fax), www.benicia.k12.ca.us. The Governing Board usually meets at 7:00 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month at district headquarters. Trustees • Andre Stewart: 745-2501
• Jeanne Steinmann, president : 747-8300
• Rosie Switzer: 747-8300
• Bonnie Weidel: 747-8300
• Dana Dean: 747-8300
• Superintendent Janice Adams: 747-8300 Schools and principals • Joe Henderson Elementary, 650 Hastings Drive, Bobbi Horack: 747-8370
• Mary Farmar Elementary, 901 Military West, Susan Sullivan: 747-8350
• Matthew Turner Elementary, 540 Rose Drive, Barbara Sanders: 747-8390
• Robert Semple Elementary, 2015 E. Third St., Gary Dias: 747-8360
• Benicia Middle School, 1100 Southampton Road, Sue Hutchinson: 747-8340
• Benicia High School, 1101 Military West, Patrick Holland: 747-8325
• Liberty High School, 350 E. K St., Jane Abelee: 747-8300 Colleges For a complete listing of colleges, see Colleges Churches • Benicia Fellowship Church, 935 W 2nd St., meets at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday; the Rev.Michael Mau: 746-5673. • Benicia Lutheran Church, 201 Raymond Drive, meets at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday; the Rev.Gary A. Bell: pastor@benicialutheran.org or www.benicialutheran.org or 746-0201. • Calvary Community Church, 1315 Military West; Pastor Jerry Pollard: 745-5683. • Church of Christ, 430 East N St., meets at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday; Minister A.E. Swims: 745-0869. • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Benicia Ward, 1125 Southampton Road, meets at 11 a.m. Sunday; Bishop Bruce Bartholomew: 745-8483. • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Lake Herman Ward, 1125 Southampton Road, meets at 9 a.m. Sunday; Bishop Darin Judd: 746-5560. • Community Congregational United Church of Christ, 1305 West 2nd St., meets at 10 a.m.Sunday; the Rev. Roger D. Straw: 745-0674, ccchurch@cccucc.org or www.cccucc.org. • First Baptist Church of Benicia, 1055 Southampton Road, meets at 7 p.m. Saturday and 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday; Pastor Scott Henning:745-3877, info@fbcbenicia.org or www.fbcbenicia.org. • Heritage Presbyterian Church, 1400 E. Second St., meets at 10 a.m. Sunday; the Rev. Beverly White: 745-6650 or hpc@pcusa.org. • King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church, Military West and West 11th St., meets at 11 a.m. Sunday; 745-3764. • Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness, 1845 East Third St., 745-0846 or 745-5191. • Lighthouse Covenant Fellowship, 1175 Church St., meets at 10 a.m. Sunday; Pastor E. Philip Green: lcfoffice@lighthousebenicia.org or www.lighthousebenicia.org or 745-5040. • New Harbor Community Church, 4858 E. Second St., meets at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday; Pastor Kelly Patchin: www.newharborchurch.org, office@newharborchurch.com or 745-4448. • Northgate Christian Fellowship, 6014 Egret Court., meets at 6 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday; Pastor Ken Jensen: 747-5855, office@ngate.org or www.ngate.org. • St Dominic's Catholic Church, 475 East I St., meets at Sundays at 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in English and at 12:30 p.m. in Spanish and English; the Rev. David Farrugia: www.saintdominicsbenicia.org or 747-7220. • St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 120 East J St., meets at 7:30, 8:45 and 11 a.m. Sunday; The Rev. Wendy Watson, interim pastor: 745-0307, secretary@stpaulsbenicia.org or www.stpaulsbenicia.org. • The Bridge - Eastgate Christian Church, P.O. Box 1635, Benicia 94510, meets at 10 a.m.Sunday at Matthew Turner Auditorium, 540 Rose Drive; Pastor Flint Christensen: info@eastgatechurch.com, www.eastgatechurch.co or 747-5522. Seniors Benicia Senior Center, 187 East L St. Benicia, 94510: 745-1202 Senior Services • NorthBay Alzheimer's Resource Center provides information and assistance to Alzheimer's Disease patients and their families. The center is at 1000 Nut Tree Road, Vacaville 95687: 454-3006 or 1-800-922-9922. • Meals on Wheels of Solano County Inc. is a nonprofit agency which serves meals to homebound seniors covering all of Solano County with the exception of Benicia. Meals on Wheels is at 95 Marina Center, Suisun City 94585: 426-3079 or 1-800-434-0222. • Solano/Napa Area Agency on Aging offers senior information and assistance: 643-1797. • Long-Term Care Ombudsman investigates and resolves complaints concerning nursing home care: 644-4194, or 1-800-231-4024. • Social Security and Medicare Eligibility Information: 1-800-772-1213, or 424-9532. • Solano County Adult Protective Services receives reports of elder abuse and offers information and referral and in-home support: 421-7514 or 1-800-850-0012. • Elder Care Locator offers a nationwide service to help families and friends find information about community services for seniors: 1-800-677-1116. • Solano Employment Connection provides job-search assistance for mature workers: Main county office is at 320 Campus Lane Fairfield 94534: 864-3370; South-county office is at 1440 Marin St., Vallejo 94590: 649-3604. delete this item.
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