Board fills three seats

Race for Seat 1 still undecided, too close to call

The Feminist Club will show the documentary film “Killing Us Softly 4,” which features Jean Kilbourne, in honor of Women’s History Month.

The film is about the media’s effect on women and society.

Instructor of History Sheryl Nomelli, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Sociology James McKeever, and the Feminist Club will host a discussion panel after the film.

“Killing Us Softly 4” will show on Wednesday, March 4, at 2:30 p.m. in the Great Hall.

Share your thoughts about the film and Women’s History Month on Facebook and Twitter with #Piercewomen

SHARLA SMITH Roundup Reporter @sharlamsmith

The Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees filled three seats in the Los Angeles city primary election March 3, with board Seat One still undeclared.

The race for Seat 1 was too close to call on election night. The Los Angeles City Clerk showed that Andra Hoffman led her opponent Francesca Vega by fewer than 600 votes, or 0.3 percent – well within the margin of error. The candidates must wait for mail-in ballots to be counted before a winner is announced.

“I’m not going to get any sleep. The reports are coming in really slow, and we may not know for days, maybe weeks,” Hoffman said.

Newcomers Sydney Kamlager and Mike Fong won their races for seats three and seven respectively, and incumbent Board President Scott Svonkin was re-elected to seat five.

“I’m thrilled that the voters believed in the work that I have done, and have trusted me to continue to serve for another four years,” Svonkin said.

The board consists of seven members. Though seat one is still undeclared, whoever wins will join Kamlager and Fong when they all begin their first terms in July.

Svonkin said he looks forward to his work with the fresh faces.

“I’m excited to work with Kamlager and Fong, they are both incredibly bright and talented people,” Svonkin said. “They are wholly committed to the agenda that this board has, which is to help students achieve their dreams.”

Steve Schulte was Svonkin’s opponent in the race. He said that Svonkin’s victory was due to his financial backing.

“He had over $500,000 to spend,” said Schulte. “I believe that was mostly about maintaining the status quo.”

Schulte, who lost in his race for seat five, said he supports Hoffman.

“I hope Andra wins. I think she’s very knowledgeable, very capable, and a very nice person,” Schulte said.

Denise Robb, chair of the Foundation for Pierce College, said the fate of the Farm Center should be a priority for the Board of Trustees.

“I can’t raise money for the college because everyone thinks our farm is about to be sold,” said Robb. “When I go to donors and ask them to donate money, the first thing they ask me is ‘what’s going on with your farm.’”

Charter Amendments 1 and 2 were approved, which means city, state, and LAUSD elections will be held on the same day. This could improve future voter turnout, which was estimated at 8 percent by the City Clerk.

“Nobody shows up for city elections. Nobody cares, and it’s pretty embarrassing,” said Robb. “The election was just plurality, it was not a majority.”

The Performing Arts Building will be home to “pungent” comedy “Cheese” from Friday, March 27 through Sunday, April 5.

“Cheese” is the PAB’s first show since the building reopened this semester after three years of renovations.

The Laurel Ollstein-directed comedy is about a cheese sculptor, his wife and a “wannabe Hollywood actress” in Tillamook, Oregon.

Tickets are $12 for teachers and students and $15 for general admission. Call (818) 719-6488 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com for tickets and more information.

Share your thoughts about “Cheese” and the reopening of PAB on Facebook and Twitter with #Piercetheater

Should taxes be raised to cover tuition for community colleges?

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