Star Sports

Star Sports Ready for Beyond COVID-19

Scott Strawbridge Long time Benicia business Star Sports is ready and able to serve all our sporting goods needs when the schools reopen and youth sports begin again. Owners Carl and Janice Webster are more than ready to go! The couple bought Star Sports in 1987 when it was located at the corner of Military and West 7th Street (across from Taco Bell). They moved to their new facility at 5474 Gateway Plaza in 2007. Before COVID-19, about 50% of their business was supplying uniforms and equipment to schools and colleges, while the remaining 50% was youth sports leagues. High School clients include Benicia, Rio Vista, Armijo, Campolindo, Vanden, Liberty-Brentwood and Rodriguez High Schools. Colleges they serve are Contra Costa, Laney, and Los Medanos. On a personal note, the Strawbridge family have been customers since 1987. My son Andrew served as the Athletic Director at both St. Patrick St. Vincent High School (SPSV) and Albany High School and was a loyal customer. Andrew's direct contact with Star Sports was long time friend Roger Kesteloot. Andrew had coached all of Roger's sons’ basketball teams while at SPSV. The Kestleloot sons, Evan, Kyle and Ryan, all worked for Star Sports while growing up, and Roger continues on a part time basis even though he now lives in Sacramento. Obviously, the majority of their business and store foot traffi c is dependent on the COVID-19 guidelines being lifted and schools getting back in session. Carl and Janice have been married for 40 years and have 3 lovely daughters, Hollie, Hilary, and Heather. They are also the proud grandparents of 10 children. As a 33 year old business in Benicia, they are anxiously waiting to return to pre-pandemic business. I think we all can agree with them.

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Meet Your Local Candidates

Statement of Candidate for Member of City Council — City of Benicia Dr. Tom Campbell (Incumbent) Education: BS & MA Chemistry: UCSB, 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 familyowned 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.

Meet Your Local Candidates

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.

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THE BIRTH OF FASHION RUN WAY

Christina Strawbridge An idea was born in the fall of 2009 to promote fashion and beauty in Benicia. This came after the Great Recession and cities around the globe were acknowledging that the fashion industry needed a boost. Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue Magazine, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, along with a range of big name fashion elites organized the fi rst "Fashion's Night Out" on September 10, 2009 in NYC.

FASHION RUN WAY

Timed to coincide with New York Fashion Week, it followed a year of a historic fi nancial meltdown and was considered by some as a fashion stimulus package. 2008 had marked the lowest retail sales in 35 years as store fronts became papered up as people had lost the urge to shop. The one day event "Fashion's Night Out" included 800 stores throughout the city that stayed open late off ering food, celebrity sightings and lots of fashion. The Olsen twins, Mary Kate and Ashley, served drinks at Bergdorf Goodman while Wintour appeared with Michael Kors in Queens and later were joined by Gwen Stefani and Victoria Beckham as they circled the City. So, how do you translate a fashion event like that to Benicia? In 2009 there were 6 women's clothing stores and 30 plus hair salons on First Street. The concept was to bring the businesses together for a week of events with fashion and beauty themes, culminating with a night of shopping and a runway show. The fi rst runway show took place at the Inn at Benicia Bay and featured designs from each store along with Bay Area talent. Benicia Main Street helped coordinate the stores and publicity the fi rst 2 years because of the positive impact to Downtown. The concept breathed some life into the retail economy and as the event grew up, it changed venues, store involvement and in the last few years it attracted up to 500 attendees. By 2014, there were only 2 boutiques left and by the next year only 1 remained. First Street had changed from retail boutiques, antique and gift stores, to restaurant row. Benicia Fashion Runway became broader in its appeal, with the help of Richard Hallmarq, a Sacramento designer and contestant on Season 11 of Project Runway. The event has hosted 18 designers from the popular reality fashion show, along with established couture designers and, in one case, a fashion legend. Patricia Field, who won several Emmys as the costume designer for the HBO series Sex and the City and was nominated for an Oscar for her work on the movie Devil Wears Prada, brought her collection to Benicia directly from New York Fashion Week. After 11 years, this two day established fashion event has become known throughout the Bay Area for attracting a collection of the best of international fashion, including professional models, some of which appeared on America's Top Model. A highlight of the show in 2019 was famed designer Richie Rich, of Heatherette, bringing down the house by roller skating the runway, introducing his collection and the show’s fi nale. Fast forward to 2020 and the year of COVID-19. Fashion doesn't seem to be a priority as we deal with a health crisis, the likes of which we haven’t seen for over a century. What is interesting is that Benicia's Downtown has started a renaissance when it comes to retail. There are more women's boutiques that have opened and are succeeding during the uncertainty of the pandemic. They bring a diff erent vibe with a cool merchandise mix and have an online presence as part of their business model; something that has become more important than ever. Perhaps with this new energy, Benicia Fashion Runway can go back to its roots of showcasing the best of fashion in Benicia on the catwalk. Stay tuned!

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