Candidates Forum 2024

District 2 and District 4 races in Concord. Carlyn Obringer facing off against Eric Antonick. In District 4, with Edi Birsan seeking re-election alongside challengers Pablo Benevente, Myles Burks, and Matthew Dashner.

District 2:
Carlyn Obringer, an eight-year incumbent, former mayor, and current vice-mayor, has a yardstick-long list of activities she’s done both outside her job as a councilmember, and within. A health educator by day, as a councilmember Obringer takes pride in allocating more funding and resources for Concord police and public safety personnel, including two School Resource Officers at Concord high schools.

Eric Antonick is a local construction manager. He says he has “grown frustrated” with the overall performance of the city council, and “I believe that We need far more accountability; transparency; outreach to, and engagement with, the public; strategic and innovative thinking; and consistent drive towards executing on the myriad projects needing to be undertaken by the city.”

District 4:
Edi Birsan is hard to miss, in his telltale fedora as well as his appearances at most city and non-city events. Not to mention his “office hours” at the Oak Grove Peet’s. The Surveyor of Maritime Equipment and current mayor says he wants to continue on the council because, “I have put in motion substantial policy directions on homelessness, road plans, community unity, crime reduction and avoidance, that I want to follow through on, and have so much more that I can contribute to making Concord even better.”

Myles Burks is a familiar face behind the bar at The Concord Taproom, but sitting at a dais would be a different, if not appropriate, look for him. He took over the Taproom when his popular father passed away two years ago. “I was born and raised in Concord, and I grew up watching my father always giving back to the city and its people. I grew up watching my father feed the homeless, raise money and donations for the Monument Crisis center, and always lend a helping hand to those in need. So, when he died, I had to step up and take over the family business to help support my family. It was only then that I started realizing that something was wrong with the city I grew up in.” He says homeless wandering the streets, petty theft, shoplifting, robbery, auto break-ins with smash and grabs were driving away tourists and businesses. “So that’s when I decided that the best thing that I could do was to honor my father's memory and to follow his example.”

Pablo Benevente is an enthusiastic candidate who co-chaired the Measure V committee and served on the Parks and Recreation Commission. The tech manager says, “I’m deeply invested in shaping Concord’s future in a way that benefits all residents. Having lived in Concord since age 13, I’ve witnessed the city’s growth and the challenges it faces, from traffic safety concerns, fracturing infrastructure, to the need for more community resources like parks and libraries. I’m motivated by a strong commitment to making sure that our city continues to grow in a way that enhances the quality of life for all residents.

Matthew Dashner - Did not respond to request for information.