As we move forward from the election, I think it’s important to remember that most important of Benicia qualities: ‘Community’. With many challenges still looming before us, we need to redouble our efforts to look out for one another and find opportunities to reach out and lift each other up. The Mayor and Council recently approved support for both our community members who are in desperate need and our struggling business community. The community support will focus on keeping people housed and will be managed through Patti Baron and Kendal Lara in our amazing Family Resource Center (FRC). The FRC has reimagined itself since COVID-19 struck and has become the go-to City organization providing financial support to our community members in need. The FRC also recently was selected to manage a $350,000 grant from the Napa/Solano Area Agency on Aging, focusing on keeping seniors housed in the two counties. If you know of anyone who may be struggling, please reach out Kendall Lara at klara@ci.benicia.ca.us or 707.746.4352.

 

The assistance to our business community is being ably managed by our Economic Development team of Mario Giuliani and Teri Davena. They have been working hard to come up with creative and effective ways to keep our economy powering forward. They are currently working on two important initiatives. First, an effort to insure our restaurants, one of our hardest hit industries, are able to adapt a best as possible to the impending change in weather as well as supporting those restaurants still focusing solely on delivery and pick-up. Secondly, we’re starting to think now about how we can support those businesses who have made change and found it to be an effective business model by helping to streamline processes to make those changes permanent. As a part of that, we’re also make some important changes to our City’s way of handling permitting. More to come on that important topic in the near future!

 

What I would ask of all of our community is to look for ways you can help your neighbors and fellow community members who may be struggling. Whether that is helping to connect them with the FRC, reaching out to lift them up yourselves or simply by providing a meal or some help around the home. This is how communities come together it times of struggle, and what makes communities stronger for the next challenge that will inevitably present itself. Second, look for ways you can support our local businesses. Buy local when you can. Get takeout from a different restaurant in town once a week. Tip generously. One thing I have learned very clearly in my thirty years of service is that the love you show to your community will be reflected back upon you.

Thank you for your interest in the City of Benicia This Week!