Monterey Peninsula College

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Monterey Peninsula College

THE CANDIDATES

>>Two-year term, Vote for one

DIANE CORDERO DE NORIEGA

Age: 64

Occupation: Educator

Number of years in the district?

8 1/2

Why do you want this post?

I am committed to educational opportunity and MPC reflects the educational values I hold most dear.

What are the top two issues facing the college?

One is the issue of districting. While the incumbents made an effort to address the issue last year, the status quo is still in effect. I feel this issue will not go away and I will work with my colleagues to bring it to a resolution that will be responsive to the community MPC serves. The second issue is enrollment. MPC receives its funding based on enrollment. In order for MPC to grow and fund its programs, enrollment must grow. I also want to insure that the enrollment grows in a way that is balanced; i.e. credit and non-credit courses, transfer students and vocational students.

What issue flies under the radar of the current board or the public?

The current board may not fully appreciate that while MPC enjoys a reasonably good reputation, the general public is really not aware of MPC and its programs.

What will you accomplish that your opponents cannot?

I believe that I can bring a much broader perspective to the board than my opponent. I have more diverse experiences in education including administration, teaching and board experience. Because of my volunteer involvement with numerous boards and advisories across the peninsula I bring considerable experience to the position.

What endorsements have you received, if any?

The endorsements I have received to date include Ila Metee McCutchon, Mayor of Marina and John McCutchon, Chuck Della Sala, Mayor of Monterey, David Armanasco, Mike Mast, Esther Rodriguez, Debbie Anthony. I am still receiving endorsements as the campaign continues.

What is your education-related background (work, volunteerism, education)?

I hold a Ph.D as well as a masters degree and a B.A. I have 40 years experience in Education at every level; k-12, community college(Ventura and Oxnard), California State University (Sacramento and Monterey Bay) and University of California (Davis and Santa Barbara). I volunteer as a Board member for the Community Foundation of Monterey County, United Way of Monterey County, Monterey College of Law and the National Steinbeck Center.

What other civic experience do you have?

I also serve on the advisory committee for Leadership Monterey Peninsula and Marks Ranch.

What’s your favorite building on campus?

The Library, of course!

Would your college friends remember you as a nerd, a jock or a partier?

I would be surprised if my college friends would remember me at all. I was part nerd and part Joan Baez!

CARL POHLHAMMER

Age: 75.

Occupation: College Professor

Number of years in the district?

Why do you want this post?

After teaching at MPC for 44 years, it is time I went from the classroom to the boardroom. No faculty member has ever served on the board. I have something unique to offer.

What are the top two issues facing the college?

The two top issues for the board are: 1.) at-large versus district representation, and 2.) population growth in Marina and Seaside.

In the first instance, I will request that the issue of re-districting be re-opened. If it is re-opened, I will press for moving to a seven-district board.

Population growth, in the short run, can be met with a full-service campus on the former Fort Ord property in Marina. In the long term we must plan for expanding buildings and personnel to meet the needs of the new population.

What issue flies under the radar of the current board or the public?

In 2002 a study was done that projected an increase in population in Seaside and Marina of over 42,000 by the year 2020. That figure is equal to the current populations of Monterey and Pacific Grove combined. For MPC this means an increase in students from 7,000 full-time equivalent students to 11,000 full-time equivalent students. There is no way MPC can meet the needs of 4,000 more students without major expansion.

What will you accomplish that your opponents cannot?

I believe I am better placed to improve diversity and deal with community college problems because I bring many years of working with community college students and staff to the table. My opponent cannot match that. Her experience is in four-year college administration.

What endorsements have you received?

Monterey Bay Central Labor Council

Monterey/Santa Cruz Building and Construction Trades Council

Monterey County Democratic Central Committee

MPC-CSEA Staff Asociation

MPC Part-time Faculty Task Force

Many individual endorsements.

What is your education-related background (work, volunteerism, education)?

Background: BA (magna cum laude) San Jose State, 1954. MA, U.C. Berkeley, 1957.

Postgraduate work. Professor emeritus, MPC. Assistant Professor, USN Postgraduate School.

What other civic experience do you have?

Past President, Carmel Music Society. Board Member of Chamber Music, Monterey Bay. Chair, Democratic Central Committee for six years.

What’s your favorite building on campus?

The new library.

Would your college friends remember you as a nerd, a jock or a partier?

I was a nerd.

Four-year term, Vote for three

ALVIN EDWARDS

Age: 53 years

Occupation: Fire Captain Seaside Fire department

Number of years in the district?

27 years

Why do you want this post?

To bring diversity to the MPC Board. And to facilitate fair and equal representation throughout the entire community.

What are the top two issues facing the college, and if elected, how will you address them?

a.) Diversity on the MPC Board.

b.) Preparing the workforce for professional employment by way of our Police and Fire Academies.

First, I will address these by utilizing the citizen advisory board. Hire a consultant to look at the demographics of our area. And be prepared to go by the 2009 election for trustee by divisions. Second, I will utilize a citizen advisory and public safety professionals committee to assist in the building of the Police and Fire academies.

What issue flies under the radar of the current board or the public?

The potential impact of the growth of MPC on Fort Ord.The faculty future turnover which will be directly effected by the cost of living and housing on the peninsula for recruitment of replacement faculty.

What will you accomplish that your opponents cannot?

With my professional experience as a Captain in the Seaside Fire Department since 1989 and my strong environmental leadership on the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, I am best prepared to ensure that thePolice and Fire Fighting Academies are state of the art facilities and reflect the very best practices of environmental sustainability.

What endorsements have you received, if any?

Jane Parker, Helen Rucker, Bill Monning, Robert Allen, Mel Mason, Ken Gray, The Green Party, Chris Fitz, Rose Smith, George Riley, Phyllis Meurer, Don Jordan, Alice Jordan, Ruthie Watts, David Pendergrass, Mary Ellen Harris, Martha Edwards, Reuben Simpson, Billie DeBerry, Elsworth Glazier.

What is your education-related background (work, volunteerism, education)?

AA Degree Business General (MPC), AA Degree General Education (MPC),

AS Degree Fire Science (MPC), AS Degree Administration of Justice (MPC)

currently working on BS Fire Administration

US Army 1973-1983 Training Instructor

What other civic experience do you have?

Director Monterey Peninsula Water Management Board, Division one, 1997 to present.

What’s your favorite building on campus?

All of them!

Would your college friends remember you as a nerd, a jock or a partier?

Partier.

R. LYNN DAVIS

Age: 66

Occupation: Retired attorney/businessman.

Number of years in the district?

Born and raised in P.G.

Why do you want this post?

I would like to serve another term to complete a number of construction projects on the main campus as well as in Marina and Seaside.We have had major positive changes in morale on campus and I want to see that continued.

I was given the opportunity to attend MPC in 1959. The experience changed my life. I want to make sure this college remains a vital part of our community.

What are the top two issues facing the college?

(1) Enrollment Increase. Enrollment has declined for years. Our local high schools which feed into the college have had declining enrollment. This year MPC enrollment is up, especially among minority students. We need to retain these students by taking down barriers they may have in continuing their education (language, financial). Increased enrollment means more income for the college to improve programs.

(2) Financial stability. We have over $100 million in bond funds that must be carefully spent during this period of escalating costs. Plans made in 2004 must be revised to meet our present and future facility needs.

What issue flies under the radar of the current board or the public?

Not aware of issues under our radar.

What will you accomplish that your opponents cannot?

Positive leadership with 8 years of experience (4 years on the Board as Chair or Vice Chair, and 4 years on the MPC Foundation).

What endorsements have you received?

I have not sought any endorsements. I feel my record and that of the current board is our best endorsement.

What is your education-related background (work, volunteerism, education)?

MPC, AA

Lobo Hall of Fame, 2005

San Jose State, BS

Monterey College of Law, J.D.

Distinguished Alumnus Award, 1998

What other civic experience do you have?

Kiwanis Clubs of Pacific Grove and Monterey. Past President, and Lt. Governor.

Monterey College of Law Board President, 1993 and Interim Administrative Dean, 1994.

MPC Bond Steering Committee and Bond Oversight Committee 2002.

President of the MPC Foundation in 2003 raising $1.3 million for the college.

Co-Chair of the MPC Community Stadium Wall of Honor committee which has raised over $600,000 in 2007.

What’s your favorite building on campus?

Library Technology.

Would your college friends remember you as a nerd, a jock or a partier?

I was so busy with work, school and two babies there was little time for college friends!!

CHARLES H. PAGE

Age: 78

Occupation: Retired Lawyer

Number of years in the district?

Why do you want this post?

Monterey Peninsula College is the Greater Peninsula’s most important learning center, serving college entry students, vocational students, re-entry students, nursing students and those of all ages who want to continue their education and learning. My extensive involvement in the community and with MPC enabled me to work effectively with the other Trustees and the College Community to bring about a much-needed change in the leadership at the college without turmoil.

I tell people that I learned law at Stanford but I received my education at MPC! I have been a student, a member of the Board and Vice President of the Gentrain Society and worked with my late wife Caroline Page, who served three terms on the MPC Board. She and I started the MPC Foundation and funded its start up with a major contribution. I am one of the largest contributors to the Foundation.

I grew up as a poor kid and have greatly benefited from our Country’s public education system. In my opinion our public education system is our greatest national resource. It needs nourishment and financial support. I have been fortunate to be financially successful and able to make major financial contribution to our educational system as well as devoting a great deal of time and energy to MPUSD, York School and MPC.

What are the top two issues facing the college?

The top two issues are:

1. Recruiting replacements for a number of our great teachers who will be retiring and attracting other wonderful teachers that will enable us to maintain our historic great faculty, but realizing that the cost of living here is a significant barrier to such recruitment.

2. Increasing enrollment from all segments of the community. The College is such a great resource but manyindividuals who can benefit from its programs arenot awareof the programs, the scholarships etc from which they would benefit. So we need to do a better job of marketing and this is underway. At my suggestion the College now has a Spanish Language line.

What issue flies under the radar of the current board or the public?

All public institutions and private companies are facing serious problems resulting from the significant increase in medical costs. This is a big problem for the College because of the very large number of employees we have.

What is your education-related background (work, volunteerism, education)?

I have had so much experience and involvement in the community and the College I can bring talented and experienced peopleto help the College as my late wife and I did in starting the MPC Foundation and attracting some very key community leaders to serve on and contribute to the Foundation.

What endorsements have you received?

http://www.smartvoter.org/2007/11/06/ca/mnt/vote/page_c/endorse.html10. Graduate of Stanford University and Stanford Law School. Practiced law on the Monterey Peninsula for thirty four years.Was one of six individuals who formed Monterey College of Law, served on itsBoard and as a teacher at the school. Was one of the founders of, and served on the board of Pioneer House, the first Head Start Program in Monterey County.

What is your education-related background (work, volunteerism, education)?

Former Board member of the MPC Foundation

Member of Monterey City Council, 1962-63 and 1975-79

Former TrusteeYork School

Former Board Member and President ofThe Big Sur Land Trust

Foreman of the 1996 Grand Jury

Former Board Member and President of AMBAG

What other civic experience do you have?

Recipient of the 1992Justice GibsonAward which is presented annually to the attorney who has been selected for best representing the commitment to community service and the high ethical standards set by the late Presiding Justice of the California Supreme Court, the Honorable Phil Gibson.

What’s your favorite building on campus?

The wonderful new library and the new Child Development Center.

Would your college friends remember you as a nerd, a jock or a partier?

During my first two years it was party time. Then I spent 4 years in the Air Force, got married andhad a child. Then it was time toget my act together and I suppose I became a nerd out of necessity and It worked. I was admitted to StanfordLaw School without an undergraduate degree and received a degree at the end of my first year of Law School. I did well at Stanford Law and was Managing Editor of the Stanford Law Review.

LOREN STECK

Age: 54

Occupation: Psychologist, and President of Loren Steck & Associates. My firm consults with clients in the entertainment industry, using public opinion research to help improve television programming. I also teach at UC Santa Cruz.

Number of years in district?

Why do you want this post?

MPC is a wonderful community asset, one that needed a bit of nurturing four years ago. My expertise is in higher education, and I felt I could help. I bring a unique set of skills to MPC: I have been a member of the faculty at UC Santa Cruz for the past 10 years, I serve on the Executive Committee and chair the Finance Committee of the UCSC Foundation, and over the years I have served on numerous other UC committees and task forces, ranging from Chancellor searches to careful examinations of the academic structure of UCSC.

In these past four years, MPC has made a remarkable turnaround. Enrollment is up and more reflective of our community, faculty and staff morale are high, and the entire campus is working together to plan for the future. Although I can’t take complete credit for that turnaround–the credit goes to the faculty, staff, administrators and students who continue to work hard to improve the college–I have been heavily involved in each of those areas, providing leadership and experience wherever needed. I love being involved with MPC, and I’d like to continue.

What are the top two issues facing the college?

1. Impending retirements. A large number of our best faculty and staff are approaching retirement age. We will need to work hard to replace them. MPC is now an attractive place to work but the Monterey Peninsula remains a very expensive place to live. Unless we do something about it, that expense will deter the best people from coming here and working for MPC. To that end, I am now leading an exploration into the creation of affordable housing for new faculty and staff. The goal is to provide below-market rental housing to our employees for a set period of time, coupled with savings and educational programs to help them enter the housing market on their own. The College of San Mateo has pioneered just such a program and they have been sharing information with us about how to do it. There are still many hurdles to cross, but I think we can accomplish this goal in the relatively near future.

2. Bond Issue planning. Six years ago, the voters passed a $145 million bond issue for MPC. The amount was the maximum we could get, as determined by a formula and based on property values in our District. However, at that time our own assessment was that we needed over $200 million in repairs and new facilities. With the escalation in construction costs over the past few years, that amount has now ballooned to over $300 million. We won’t be able to do everything we wanted to do with our bond issue, and many tough decisions lie ahead. Over the past two years, I have worked hard to create a process to help the campus prioritize our needs and lead us to informed, appropriate decisions. The process is working so far, but it will take ongoing and sensitive oversight to ensure that it continues to do so. As an architect of the process, I believe I can provide that oversight.

What issue flies under the radar of the current board or the public?

An important issue that few know about has to do with land conveyance at the former Fort Ord. This land is central to many of MPC’s plans for the future. Some has already been conveyed to MPC, but much of it has not. This includes land that we would like to use for our housing project, as well as land for our police and fire training facilities. I have actively lobbied our Congressman to make sure that he keeps the land transfer as a high priority. I know the staff at the Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA) and will continue to work cooperatively with them on this process.

What will you accomplish that your opponents cannot?

What I bring to the table is a lifetime of involvement in higher education. The knowledge and experience I have gained over the years allows me to help MPC in unique ways. For example, a few years ago I was involved in a UC Chancellor search that had a very positive outcome. It was because of that experience that my fellow MPC Trustees asked me to create the process to search for our new President, and to then chair the Search Committees that brought us Doug Garrison (our current President) and Carl Ehmann (our interim President two years ago). I am proud of those appointments and of my part in the process.

What endorsements have I received?

Here are nine, all people with a strong history at the college as well as a commitment to public service. For a more complete list, please visit my site at www.smartvoter.org.

Bob Infelise

Karin Strasser Kauffman

Jack Bessire

Rich Kezirian

Marianne Ide

Ken White

Jane Parker

Malcolm Weintraub

Jim Philpot

What is your education-related background (work, volunteerism, education)?

I have a Ph.D. in psychology from UCLA, and have been associated with UC Santa Cruz for over 30 years in numerous capacities. In addition to my faculty appointment and Foundation involvement, I helped establish the UC Santa Cruz Alumni Association, and served as its President. My family has endowed a scholarship program for students in financial need because we believe that everyone should have an opportunity to attend college; and each spring UCSC presents the Steck Award to the student completing the most outstanding senior thesis of the year.

At MPC, I serve on the Foundation Board as the representative of the Trustees, where I have again used my UC experience to help streamline its operations. And for the past three years, I have also served as a trainer for the Community College League of California, helping prepare new trustees throughout the state to serve their districts the most effectively.

What other civic experience do you have?

In our community, I serve on the Board of Directors of Community Human Services, a local nonprofit organization that provides social services to people in need throughout Monterey county. I am an assistant scoutmaster in my son’s Boy Scout troop. I am also a long-term board member of the Carmel Valley Association.

What’s your favorite building on campus?

I have several: One is the College Center, which houses many student-oriented activities. I enjoy playing table tennis, and one of these days I’ll work up enough courage to challenge some of the great players I see there. Another is the Arts Dimensional building, where I am taking a sculpture class and which to me holds the promise of great works to come, if only I can develop the skill. And a third is the Physical Sciences building, because I am fascinated by the disciplines taught in its environs.

Would your college friends remember you as a nerd, a jock or a partier?

You would have to ask them, but I think I was a little of all three.