Candidate for
Board Member; Contra Costa Community College District; Ward 3

Political Philosophy

This section contains both my political philosophy and a more general philosophy of life. I believe that public servants should serve the public not private interests and especially should not believe that they are only acting on their own personal feelings and attitudes.

For convenience, I have listed my major qualifications for public office (specifically for the Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board Ward 3 but also those that reflect that I have been an elected park commissioner in my community) and then the goals I have when I am elected (which I have developed by taking at least one course at each college and by talking with both District staff and listening to the public including elected officials).

QUALIFICATIONS

17-years experience as a financial analyst: 3 years at a utility regulatory agency, 8 years on Wall Street at Merrill Lynch and Salomon Brothers, 6 years with my own firm.

10-years experience as a high school math teacher: 2 public high schools, 4 private high schools, and a private K-8 school.

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, University of Florida, 1975.

Master's degree in Economics, University of Florida, 1976.

Single Subject (Mathematics) Teaching Credential, California State University, East Bay, 2004.

Elected Member of the Ambrose Recreation and Park District Board 2002-2006.

5th District County Library Commissioner appointed by Supervisor Federal Glover 2004-present.

Member of Concord Naval Weapons Station reuse planning committee 2006-2008.

GOALS

Use my financial analysis skills to identify areas of College District operations which can be improved or have reduced costs to assure that enough courses are available for students to graduate or transfer to a university without long delays.

Create an easy-to-understand financial ranking for the College District, revised monthly and issued independently of the College District's administration to monitor the District's financial health.

Visit city councils and other elected or appointed bodies to increase awareness of the College District as well as increase the willingness of elected officials to support the District.

Visit high schools to meet with teachers to see what it would take for them to encourage their students to attend District colleges both before and after they graduate.

Work with District personnel to expand the successful program to connect District English faculty with high school English faculties to other subject areas.

Work with State Senator Mark DeSaulnier and likely Assemblymember Susan Bonilla to have the Legislature commit to adequate funding for community colleges.

Work with other Board members to create 3 new committees comprised of community volunteers including former and current CCCCD students: Course Enrollment Forecasting, Community Outreach, and Workplace Innovation to both increase revenues and reduce costs.

Work with District personnel to create a regular competitive situation report which would anticipate the planned actions of competitors such as Heald College, Silicon Valley College, Western Career College, etc. so that the District can be prepared rather than always being reactive.

Work with District personnel and Los Medanos College and Diablo Valley College personnel to see if, at some point in the future, it would be possible to establish a "Middle College High School" as has been in existence at Contra Costa College for 20 years. Students would be allowed to attend this high school at LMC or DVC rather than attend their local high school.

Continue visiting District college campuses. Ask students, faculty, and staff what improvements are needed at each campus (and center). Invite other elected officials to participate including Legislators, County Supervisors, City Councilmembers, School Board members, and others.

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