By Brian Hews
Candidates for five individual district elections to the Cerritos College Board of Trustees continue to file the necessary paper work that will land them a slot on the upcoming November 6th ballot that will mark a new chapter in how trustees are chosen by the electorate.
Last year, Cerritos College officials were besieged with legal challenges and lawsuits by a group of community activists who sought to have elections changed from “at-large” into seven smaller area elections.
This November, only the names of individual candidates running in a specific “trustee area” will appear on the ballot in five areas. Deadline to run for Cerritos College Board of Trustees is Friday, August 10 at 5 p.m. and filing is conducted at the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters Office located at 12400 Imperial Highway in Norwalk.
Here is a list of candidates as of Tuesday at 3 p.m.
Area One: Incumbent Robert “Bob” Arthur and challenger Leonard Zuniga of Downey.
Area Two: Incumbent Tom Jackson, and challenger Carmen Avalos, City Clerk of South Gate.
Area Three: Appointed Incumbent Jeanne McHatton of Cerritos and Educator John Paul Drayer of Bellflower.
Area Four: Incumbent Ted Edmiston is the only candidate thus far.
Area Six: Incumbent Tina Cho of Cerritos is facing a challenge from Dr. Sandra Salazar of Norwalk.
Los Cerritos Community Newspaper will have regular updates at www.loscerritosnews.net.
Dear Family & Friends, of the First District,
Now, more than ever, we are facing critical decisions regarding the “Reduction of Quality Education and Services” that our community does not deserve any longer:
* Almost 10 years of “unfairness” to our Students, their family, and our community:
This affected a population of over 433,000 citizens..
We can start by voting for Leonard Zuniga: District #1
Leonard has already proven to be an Effective Educational Leader at Cerritos Community College to the staff, student and our community.
Vote “New Leadership, and Fiscal Accountability”
Leonard Zuniga has already demonstrated his commitment to work in a positive constructive manner with Students, Staff, Administration, and Board of Trustees to make “Historical Changes”, to our community.
Leonard genuinely understands the commitment to Cerritos Community College students and our future Leaders and is committed to the need for even HIGHER- QUALITY EDUCATION.
Leonard Zuniga helped bring Cerritos College Board of Trustees into compliance with the Federal/State of California Voter Rights Act of 2002. That will finally take effective in November of 2012.
Leonard Zuniga has been a Downey homeowner for over 17 years. Married to Valerie, a Public Elementary Teacher of 22 years in the public school system, and he has over 25 years of active involvement with community organizations, (presently active in the Downey American Legion and Coordinating Council)
Leonard comes from a low-income Hispanic family, he over-came hardships and was able to reach goals. He earned a Bachelor-Of-Arts Degree with graduate studies in Social Work and is a U.S. Navy Veteran: Honorable Discharge with distinctions.
In short, I understand what it takes to work hard for what you deserve and committed to:
• Preparing our students with the core competencies and skills to meet the future business needs of the United States of America
• Open-door policy
• Research streamlining of College business
• Upgrade safety- procedures to protect students and staff while on/off campus
• Increase graduation rates and students acceptance to universities
• Active involvement with business communities
• Expand military and veterans educational opportunities and counseling
Vote/Support. Vote for Leonard Zuniga.
Please see my Website for more info: zuniga2012.webstarts.com
Respectfully,Leonard Zuniga, Candidate