Weidel Email Explains Blank Spot on Ballot

Benicia Patch received the following email from school trustee Bonnie Weidel explaining why there is no candidate’s statement next to her name on the sample ballot. 

Candidates running for the school board are required to pay for the printing costs of their candidate’s statements.  Candidates running for Benicia Mayor, City Council, Benicia Treasurer and Benicia City Clerk, have the fee paid by the city if they get at least 20 valid signatures on their nomination papers.

Weidel’s email:

The sample ballot page of candidate statements for Benicia School Board has a big white blank for Bonnie!  Shock!  What?

The answer is that they want $511 for a candidate’s statement and, not having $511 to spend, I said no.  

Well, is that another learning curve in the election process?????

So, for voter's information, here is the statement Weidel would have put on the ballot if she had the money.

THE $500 CANDIDATE'S STATEMENT

30 years classroom instuction in visual arts
25 years volunteer coordinator of Benicia's annual Festival of Arts in the Park
20 plus years volunteer CEO of Benicia Community Arts
32 year Benicia resident committed to community access to the arts and to education at all levels and ages.

An active participant in Coastal Cleanup at Willow Creek, Benicia Tree ordinance and Tree Foundation, early member of Benicia Education Foundation, Library Gallery Advisory Com, Mills Use Community Center Com, Chamber of Commerce Education Com, Solano County Arts Alliance, volunteer with Benicia Historical Museum, and more.

Goals for Benicia Unified?    parent and public educational forums; K-5 integrated art/science room at each elementary school; vocational and community orientations K-12; program led budget.

In fairness to the other candidates here are their ballot statements:

I am seeking your support to continue serving our community as a Trustee for the Benicia Unified School District.

I have had the pleasure of serving as a Benicia Unified School District Trustee since 2006. In that time I've focused upon: supporting Benicia’s excellent teachers, fiscal responsibility, listening to and assisting parents with their needs as well as seeking to make our policies as efficient and effective as possible.

During the next four years, I look forward to continuing to focus upon the establishment of a Pathway Program (vocational education), fiscal prudence, educational excellence as well as to continue the work to affect positive change within our schools.

I have two children who have received excellent educations from BUSD. My oldest, just completed 8^th grade at Benicia Middle School and my youngest just completed 4th Grade at Matthew Turner. There is no doubt in my mind that the essence of a community is seen in the value that it places on education.

I chose to make Benicia my home because this is a city which places a high value on education; because of this, I look forward to continuing to support this community’s commitment to our schools and our children.

I want to take an active role in the ongoing improvement of our local educational system. We have a strong school district with a mission to support our students, teachers and staff. I'm excited to offer my work experience and talents to help our schools adequately plan for the challenges of the future within the district's limited funding sources.

I have held many leadership roles over the years. I have served on the Benicia Youth Action Coalition for the past eleven years - as a member and Co-Chairman for the last 3 years. I am the Chairman of Benicia High / Liberty High School Every 15 Minutes program and committee chairman of Benicia Grad Night Security . I also support and volunteer with the Benicia Youth Commission, Benicia High School, Benicia Middle School and various local youth programs.

I enjoy community service. As a 25 year resident, I like knowing that I have helped improve the education and safety of the children in our schools. I have been an active and involved parent for both of my children, who attend Benicia public schools.

Thank You for your Support.

My passion is education and I am prepared to work tirelessly in support of BUSD students, staff, and community members.

I am currently earning my Elementary Teaching Credential from St. Mary's College after recently graduating from George Washington University. I grew up attending Joe Henderson Elementary, Benicia Middle School, and Benicia High School. I am truly a lifetime product of the Benicia school system.

At BHS, I served as Student Representative to the School Board and served on many BUSD committees. I continued to demonstrate my commitment to Benicia schools by developing art curriculum with BUSD teachers, co-organizing the Benicia Elementary Track Championship, and volunteering at the BHS Panther Camp for student leadership training.

I have always known that my passion rests with the education of children and well-being of families. Throughout my college career I explored these passions further by working as an Educational Case Manager at a nonprofit serving youth affected by HIV/AIDS and as a Volunteer Coordinator at a transitional housing center. In my roles at both organizations I worked with families, youth, and stakeholders to develop and manage programs, create systems to utilize volunteers and capture input, and raise money through grant writing and fundraising.