Promises Kept

  • Protected Benicia
  • Insisted that Seeno abide by our General Plan
  • Campaigned to protect historic districts in the Arsenal and downtown
  • Opposed outside funding for local elections
  • Promoted community participation
  • Encouraged open government
  • Established new Arts and Cultural and Community Sustainability commissions
  • Encouraged solutions for school district support
  • Shared field maintenance
  • Full cooperation with the school board
  • Created an atmosphere of respect and cooperation on the Council and in the community
  • Kept open office hours
  • Stood for maintaining our high public safety standards for police and fire

Hard Budget Decisions

These decisions are grounded in the Council’s policy to maintain a balanced budget, to avoid service cuts and to maintain fair and competitive salaries. To quote our 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Our city employees have been inventive, creative and frugal in finding ways to reduce costs and maintain our parks as the jewels of Benicia; our police deparment’s vigilant effectiveness; our fire department’s dependable and responsible emergency response; our water quality for drinking; our wastewater treatment to avoid polluting the Carquinez Strait; and other everyday public safety and administrative needs.

What People are Saying:

Andre Stewart
Elizabeth is just the kind of Mayor we need. With her planning background she took the lead in insisting that the Seeno Corporation provide an A-plus project that adhered to the General Plan. And she is an ardent supporter of Benicia’s schools.

Marion McKown
I have always admired Elizabeth’s support of the many facets of city government; the Arts, all the public safety volunteer groups (including BERT), the many challenges that face public servants these days. What energy and dedication! My hat is in her ring.

Bonnie Weidel
Thank you, Elizabeth, as Mayor and as a person, for caring to keep quality experiences in the lives of our community.

Lois Requist
Even though I don't always agree with Mayor Patterson, she is knowledgeable, smart, experienced in planning, honest, and cares about Benicia. Our town is in good hands with Elizabeth as Mayor.

Councilman Tom Campbell, in The Benicia Herald
“It’s the best Council we’ve ever had.”