It is commendable that Andrew Kelly is a senior at Benicia High School and cares enough about the future curriculum planning to attend the recent school informational meetings on proposals for new graduation requirements. He and a group of students actually attended twice - in the a.m. only to find out the conference was actually in the p.m. But the real injustice is they weren't able to address their concerns about aligning all students to UC and CSU's requirements. It's unconscionable that only a few minutes were set aside for comments.
The BUSD missed a wonderful opportunity to find out what these students may have wanted to discuss. It seems to me that the very nature of their concern shows that they have reached a level of maturity where their input would have been invaluable.
Dona Rose,
Benicia
Remove Clocktower fence
What's up with the new cyclone fence on the front corner of the historic Clocktower fortress building? When I went out there last week and saw the fence, at first I thought that there was a construction project going on. Then, I looked more closely and could see that someone has installed a permanent modern shiny silver cyclone fence on the right front corner of the building. I couldn't believe it at first, since I know the city of Benicia has architectural and historical guidelines in place for any alterations to historic buildings and properties. The fence changes the entire historic facade and appearance when looking at the building.
If a fence is needed, it should be compatible to the historic architecture. This fence certainly is not, and would not pass muster on any commision's review. It ruins the historic aesthetic and viewing experience of that building, which by the way, is one of the top five most significant Gold Rush-era masonry structures in town, if not in the entire state of California. Please remove the fence ASAP.
Tom Quinn,
Benicia
Clearing up ACC inaccuracies
I am writing in response to a letter submitted by Donnell Rubay ("Support a local nonprofit," Jan. 14) to address some inaccuracies presented about the Arts and Culture Commission and the Film Festival it sponsors. As a former member and chair of the ACC (Arts and Culture Commission), I have firsthand knowledge that I would like to share.
The first ACC Film Festival was in 2014. Funds for this startup were not provided by the city of Benicia. The funds were garnered by commissioners pounding the pavement in search of donations from the community, and that provided just enough to get the Film Festival up and running. In addition, ad space was sold in the program, which also helped with the overhead. Every year the Film Festival has made a profit, and never has the city of Benicia_provided funding for it. The city gives the ACC a small yearly stipend to cover the cost of copy paper, stationery, and stamps.
Rubay insinuates that a staff person was wasting city resources in aiding the Film Festival Committee, a subcommittee of the ACC, when in fact every city commission has a staff person assigned as a liaison. The Film Festival Committee has the program well in place now, and, as mentioned previously, has made a profit every year. In fact, part of the revenue is put aside yearly to fund next year's festival, with any remaining profit going to the Public Art Fund.
Which brings me to my final point. The ACC sponsored a one-night screening of "Casablanca" at the Majestic as a fundraiser for public art in the city of Benicia. It had nothing to do with the ACC Film Festival. For someone to think that this was stealing the theme from the North Bay Festival is ludicrous.
Patty Gavin,
Benicia
AAUW says thanks
On behalf of the Benicia-Vallejo branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), I wish to thank the businesses whose generosity provided donations for the 24th annual AAUW Bunco fundraiser to help provide funds for educational programs, community projects and the Tech Trek scholarships for six 7th grade girls selected from Benicia and Vallejo middle schools to attend an exciting weeklong residential science, math, and technology summer camp which will be held in June at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park.
To learn more about joining American Association of University Women, please contact http://beniciavallejo-ca.aauw.
Thank you to the following merchants and businesses of Benicia, Vallejo and beyond:
* Pedrotti ACE Hardware
* Congressman Mike Thompson
* Costco Wholesale No. 132
* First Street Cafe
* Mozart, Einstein & Me
* Pups ‘n’ Purrz Studio
* Bookshop Benicia
* Griffin Fitness
* Studio 41
* Lindsay Art Glass
* Fantastic Sam’s Salon
* Arts Benicia
* Cameilla Tea Room
* Kinder’s Meat-Deli-BBQ
* Collektive
* Wholeself-Health
* Linda Cook, Remax Gold
* Carquinez Village
* SAC’s Hot Dogs
* Starbuck’s Coffee Solano Square
* Lucca Bar and Grill
* North Capital, Inc.
* Benicia Coffee Company
* Scandia Family Fun Center
* Roberto’s Fine Jewelry
Also, a special thanks to the members of AAUW who helped gather donations, organize baskets, wrap raffle gifts, provide appetizers, and all the other details that help to make our annual January BUNCO fundraiser a great success.
AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. We truly appreciate the community of Benicia and Vallejo and their support.
Mary Hammonds,
AAUW Benicia-Vallejo event chair
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