Candidate Calls For Series of Open, Public Debates and Forums

By John Whitaker Betances

As early as late August of the year, I challenged my opponents to a series of open, unscripted and public debates on the issues...with a notable lack of success and response. It is my contention that such full, public disclosure and discussion of the issues...with the chance for full and unrestricted questioning of the candidates by the public audience...will best serve to reveal to the voters the most worthy candidate for their selection!

20 September 2001

By an action that is sure to generate renewed interest in an otherwise quiet campaign environment, John Whitaker Betances, candidate forthe P.C.C. Trustees Board seat for Area # 3, issued a written challenge to his opponents for a series of debates or forums.

In a letter sent to Connie Rey-Castro and Luther Renfroe, Whitaker Betances called for:

"an open, unscripted, and frank discussion of the issues vital to the community, students and staff of our college. The discussion should (1) take place in various locations around the

community,

League of Women Voters),

candidates, and

This last requirement will demonstrate that the sole purpose is informing the community, not belittling one's opposition by introducing `negative campaign tactics' intended to turn public attention away from the many real problems of the college's current operation."

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Press Release (John Whitaker Betances)......continued

The "Trustee Area #3" seat is currently held by Luther Renfroe, who was appointed to complete the term of long-time member Walter Shatford. Mr. Renfroe is also the current President of the Board, whose seven members are chosen from district-wide "Areas" made up from the City of Pasadena and other San Gabriel Valley communities.

Whitaker Betances is a new-comer to area politics, and flatly denies that he has any interest in "becoming a politician." In his letter to the opposing candidates, he declared:

"I am not a professional politician, nor am I
interested in further office. I was
literally `drafted' to run for this office, and
participate in this political process solely
because it is the only way I can be in the
position to serve our community. To paraphrase
from Area #1 Candidate Robert L. Cody, I intend
to help put `the "community" [back] in Pasadena
Community College.' "

Whitaker Betances describes himself as

"a working-class, widely experienced Latino
/African American man. I have the perception,
knowledge and `people skills' necessary to
become an excellent, community-oriented policy-
maker who will help guide the Board into this new
millennium. I'm fully dedicated, loyal, and a
tenacious worker, with a large dose of common
sense (learned from living and working with
people from just about every where). I understand
people! In fact, I'm often spoken of as (or being
called) `the unity candidate'...perceived as

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Press Release (John Whitaker Betances)......continued

"the one most capable of serving as `a bridge' to
unified understanding and action between the
majority Latino and African American populations
of PCC Trustee Area # 3.

And, if there is any question of what my `level
of dedication' is to the concept of 'putting
the "community" back into Pasadena City
college,' let me be perfectly clear. When I am
elected to the Board of Trustees, I will work
tirelessly for every student and every part of
the district's community. This candidacy is about
inclusion! Every one of our young people, and
our older, more mature, `returning students'
(like myself)...is an invaluable community
resource. And I will not be `captive' to any
narrow interests or particular ethnic group's
agendas!"

While not a professional teacher, Whitaker Betances has extensive experience in training and teaching, in both civilian and military environments. During a long career in the U.S. Army, he was often responsible for training, leading and managing highly skilled "Special Operations" soldiers. He has been a short-term Lecturer, seminar and workshop instructor for several colleges and corporations, in the areas of "personnel management," "Human Resources Management" and "motivation." Employed as the Welding Division Manager for a Fontana, California structural steel contractor, he is a frequent P.C.C. student who has also completed P.C.C.'s Commercial Welding program with highest honors.

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Press Release (John Whitaker Betances)......continued

Whitaker Betances is well known among the students and staff at P.C.C., and is endorsed by campus unions C.S.E.A. (California School Employees Association, bargaining agent for the college's non-administrative/non-teaching staff) and the teaching faculty's C.T.A. (California Teachers Association)chapter.

Uniquely, Whitaker Betances declares:

"Everyone has to learn a new job, no matter what
his or her previous experience and training.
Thus, I am making a commitment to the people of
this community that, when I am elected as their
Area Trustee # 3, I shall take a one year leave
of absence from my work. During that time, I
will dedicate myself to helping the college's
administration, staff and Board develop and
implement new goals and policies. In that
way, I will best serve all the communities of
this college district.
I will be available to my employer only on an `as
needed' basis.
If I fail to satisfactorily serve, during that
one year as Board Trustee # 3, I will promptly
resign the office. This is my commitment to
deliver the service this community has the right
to demand of its representatives."

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Press Release (John Whitaker Betances)......continued

For further information...

Committee Contact: "Elect Whitaker Betances PCC Trustee # 3"

532 East Washington Blvd. (# 2)
Pasadena, California 91104-2213

Phone: 626-794-8189

909-208-0614 (cell)

E-mail: JwhitakerBetances4PCCTrustee@Hotmail.Com

or

Col. J.L.Whitaker_USA@TROAmail.Org

For further candidate information, endorsements, policy statements, or to just send the candidate a message, also contact:

http://www.SmartVoter.org

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