City Council Candidate Profile: Rick Ernst

Benicia Patch has asked each City Council, school board and mayoral candidate to fill out a questionnaire to give residents information about his or her background. We will feature the answers from one City Council candidate and one school board candidate each day. The mayoral candidates will both be featured Friday, Sept. 16. Next week we will feature answers to reader-generated questions.

Basic Background

What is your full legal name?
James Frederick Ernst

Where do you work and what is your job title?
American Income Life, benefits coordinator

When and where were you born?
Dallas, Texas

Spouse or domestic partner?
Donna

Children
Elizabeth 31, architect
David, 30, Oakland police officer

Education
Bachelor's of science, JFK University, 1984

Military Service
None

Have you or a business you owned or had a principal interest in ever filed bankruptcy?
Yes.

How long have you lived in Benicia?
Since 1988.

As an adult, have you been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation?  If so, please explain and include dates and locations.
No

Campaign information:
beniciaernst.com

Previous Elected Office
None

Unsuccessful campaigns for public office:
State Board of Equalization, 1980

This Campaign:

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?
Get the budget under control. The city is not going to see any influx of revenues anywhere close to what we saw in the first five years of this decade. We will have to deal with flat, or decreasing revenues. The current city council and city manager seem to think we are going to get additional revenues. Actually, we might and should with appropriate treatment of business in our Industrial Park and downtown. 

They are not doing well managing what revenues we have and have created a financial disaster for this city.   

What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why?

1. Budget
2. Economic Development
3. Get offices off First Street and limit First Street to retail and restaurants.
   
   

What sets you apart from other candidates?
Willingness to act and not treat city staff with kid gloves! Also, I am not accepting any support or money from any political parties, unions or special interests.

About how much money do you expect your campaign to raise?
No more than $28,000

About how much money do you expect your campaign to spend?
No more than $28,000

Will you adhere to the voluntary spending limits outlined in the Benicia Municipal Code?
Yes