Los Angeles Times

Mark Z. Barabak: A small-city mayor takes on big money and political propaganda

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BENICIA, Calif. — Steve Young could have enjoyed a nice, quiet retirement in this charming waterfront community in the northern part of the Bay Area.

But Young is a sociable type and was eager to make new acquaintances after he and his wife moved here in 2012. He's not the kind to hang out in bars, the 70-year-old Young said, and he doesn't play any competitive sports. So one way to meet folks, he figured, was to serve on a local board or commission.

After several interviews, Young landed a spot on Benicia's Planning Commission; it helped that he had spent

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