Candidate for
Mayor; City of Riverbank

I have lived in Riverbank for 39 years. My husband is Art Benitez. We have two daughters and three grandchildren. Art was born and raised in Riverbank. He and our children and gandchildren have or will graduate from the Riverbank Unified School District. I attended schools in Modesto and graduated from Modesto High School. I also attended Modesto Junior College but have not yet graduated. Art and I will celebrate 39 years of marriage in Oct. 2004.

Because Riverbank is home to my family, I want to see it progress and grow in a beautiful and positive manner. Some wonderful people have picked Riverbank to buy a house and raise their children. I think each one of them feels the same way.

During the years my children attended school I helped with a Girl Scout Troup, served as a room-mother and a PTA member. I also have helped Art with his Little League Baseball Teams over the years as he has been coaching off and on since 1968. I have helped with school field trips, book sales and other school programs.

I have been involved in the Riverbank City government since 1992. I was elected as a Councilmember and then in 1996 I was elected Mayor. Again in 2002 I was elected as councilmember. I have been involved in helping to form the ROTA public transit system. I still serve on the board of directers. I have been the chairwoman of the committee that collected funds to rebuild our community swimming pool. I worked with our City Staff to bring Jacob Meyers back to the Riverbank families. I am the president of the Riverbank Federated Women's Club starting the fourth year. I am a member of the Riverbank Unified School District's Healthy Start Program collaborative board. I want to continue the work with this board to help our students and their families. I have been involved with this program since its beginning. I served on the committee that built the Community Gym on Cardozo Middle School grounds. I have attended council meetings and committee meetings on a regular basis, not just during election year. I am NOT a stranger to Riverbank. I am not afraid to say "I love Riverbank and I want to be your Mayor again." I feel I am the best candidate for the position and I hope you feel the same way and will vote for me on Nov. 2, 2004.