The Voice of Skyline College, San Bruno, Calif.
The Skyline View October 25, 2018
theskylineview.com
volume xliii-issue 5
Photo by Mark David Magat
The Staff Editor-In-Chief Simone Ledbetter Digital Editor Lauren Gozon News Editor Raymond Rapada Opinions Editor Mark David Magat FocalPoint Editor Maria Isabel Del Castillo Schmidhuber Sports Editor Diego Emilio Perez Chief Copy Editor Olivia Bowman Photo editor Mark David Magat editor-at-large Laurel b. lujan
At a glance
started. Of course candidates and supporters of certain measures have been raising awareness for their campaigns long before then, but on the 8th we, the people, can voice our opinions and put in our votes.
Address: 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, Ca 94402
How and when to register to vote:
Vote-By-Mail process
Voting ballot locations:
At the ballot location:
But not everyone who can vote is registered to do so. You can register to vote online or by postmark, but you must register by October 22nd to vote for any measures or candidates for this voting term. Keep in mind you can register on October 22nd, but it’s better if you get it done sooner.
Anytime between October 8th and Nov. 6 of 2018, you can mail in your ballots. But the mailed ballots need to be postmarked on or before November 6th and must be received by your county’s elections office no later than November 9th. There is a drop off point to apply to vote by mail ballot. The last day to apply for mail ballots is Oct. 30, 2018. Of course we highly recommend you apply sooner if you can’t physically be at the ballot locations on election day.
Of course Nov. 6 is the big day. Ballot locations in Daly City, San Bruno and Pacifica can vary, but a good place to start looking is your local town halls. Of course you don’t have to go to town hall to vote, but going to your city’s town hall will help point you in the right direction. But a great thing about Skyline is from Oct. 27 to actual election day, Nov. 6, a voting center will be open in building one.
Once at the ballot location, you are required to show identification if it’s your first time voting, if it’s not your first time voting, identification isn’t necessary in the state of California; do note, if you are planning to vote outside of California, laws will change. You will also need to have updated any outdated information, such as an address if you had a recent moved or if you change your legal name.
On Nov. 6, 2018, the San Mateo County, as the rest of the United States, will be holding elections for local government spots and new measures to be put in place or to be rejected.As of Oct. 8, 2018, voting season has officially
Staff writers Elvis Lopez Kylea pearson Gem Vem Pilon Faculty Adviser Nancy Kaplan-Biegel
San Mateo County Elections Office
Sample ballots: Sample ballots can be helpful to review before election day and to bring with you to the polls. In California, you can be mailed a sample ballot once you registered to vote and request one. These sample ballots may vary on how accurate they will be to the actual ballot, but they are usually very close, if not exact, to the actual ballots. This can be helpful to save time on both the voting process and the information you need to
provide. Do note, sample ballots that are not associated directly with the San Mateo County do exist. These ballots are usually from non-profit organizations and can vary more in their accuracy compared to an official San Mateo sample ballot. So if you’re interested in a sample ballot, try to request one from the county
Email: registrar@smcare.org Website: www.smcacre.org
Number to call: (650) 312-5222 Number to fax: (650) 312-5348 Hours: 8 am to 5 pm
Town hall locations: Daly City:
Pacifica:
333 90th St. Daly City, CA 94015
170 Santa Maria Ave, Pacifica, CA 94044
San Bruno: 567 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA 94066
Go V%&# Yourself
Want more news? www.theskylineview.com Or maybe you have news for us? (650) 738-4377 Want to yell at us? theskylineview@gmail.com Or use snail mail: The Skyline View c/o Language Arts Room 8-8110 Skyline College 3300 College Drive
San Bruno CA 94066
The Skyline View is a First Amendment Publication. The Skyline View is published bi-weekly during the spring and fall semesters by the journalism students at Skyline College. The Skyline View is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges. Opinions expressed in the paper are those of the writers and should not be interpreted as the views of Skyline College, SMCCCD, the faculty, administrators or the newspaper adviser. Additionally, the paper does not endorse any of the products or services advertised. The Skyline View welcomes Letters to the Editors; letters must include full name, address, and phone number for verification. The Skyline View reserves the right to edit letters for length, libel, clarity, and taste.
“Vote” is not a bad word. But you wouldn’t know that from the way that many millennials avoid it. Newsweek states that only 49 percent of eligible millennials voted in the 2016 election compared to 69 percent of baby boomers. But, it has never been more important to vote in an election than it is today. At stake is control of the state legislatures, House of Representatives, and the Senate. The entirety of the House of Representatives as well as a third of the Senate and many governorships are up for grabs. Getting millennials to vote is hard. It’s not something that many millennials are particularly interested in. Many young people are more interested in voting for the VMAs than in participating in an election. But actively participating in government has probably never been more important than it is today. The issues that are up include healthcare, voter restrictions, and possible investigations into President Trump and his administration as well as many others. Many millennials are not interested because it seems like the political offices being voted on are in a different universe and have no real effect on their daily lives. To those that think that participating in elections doesn’t matter: you’re not paying attention. A really important aspect of getting out to vote is taking control of your political future. It’s easy to complain about the way things are, but it takes effort and participation in order to change things. It can be frustrating when politically, things don’t always go your way. But that doesn’t mean that people should stop participating. It may be easier to think about voting in elections as being a loyal sports fan. Sports fans participate by representing their team. They support their team each game, and if a game doesn’t go their way, then they may feel sad or angry, but they don’t give up and decide to stop watching sports. They keep rooting for their team through thick and thin and their loyalty helps support their favorite team. This is similar to politics with one difference: participating in elections makes a difference. And yet, only 28 percent of young adults aged 18-29 said they were “absolutely certain” they were going to vote in the midterm elections compared to 74 percent of seniors in a poll by Public Religion Research Institute and the Atlantic. Younger voters should participate in elections since they will be around the longest to see the effects. By abstaining from voting, younger generations are allowing older generations to decide the course the country takes. Being vocal about politics on social media is not enough. Millennials need to put in the work to vote. It may seem tedious and inconvenient, but voting can help decide the direction of the country for years. That is a long-term commitment that all citizens are apart of anyway, so they may as well vote so that they have a say in what happens. By not turning out, they allow others to control the national narrative. Millennials are notoriously vocal about the issues they support. They would never allow others to speak for them. Which is why they should turn out and vote. The issues of today are too important and staying home is not an option.
“Only 49 percent of eligible millennials voted in the 2016 election.” -Newsweek
Among Millennials who were ages 25 to 29 at the time of midterm elections between 2002 and 2014, 26% turned out on average for midterm elections between 2006 and 2014. -Pew Research Center
Oct. 25, 2018
Where to vote
Daly City/Colma Vote Centers 1. Daly City City Hall Address: • 333 90th St. Daly City, CA 94015 Hours: • Oct. 27 - Nov. 2: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Nov. 3-5: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Nov. 6: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. 2. Hillside Clubhouse Address: • 222 Lausanne Ave. Daly City, CA 94015 Hours: • Nov. 3-5: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Nov. 6: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. 3. Emergency Operations Center Address: • 1199 El Camino Real Colma, CA 94014 Hours: • Nov. 3-5: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Nov. 6: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
You may go to any vote center in San Mateo County to vote. Remember that Nov. 6 is the last day to vote. Having any difficulty getting to a vote center? If yes, you’re in luck! Uber announced that it’s offering free rides to voting centers for individuals who say transportation barriers are preventing them from voting. Also, they added a function on the Uber app to help voters find voting centers more easily. Also, Lyft announced that it’s offering half-priced rides to all voters in the U.S. These offers are only available on Election Day Nov. 6. 2018. If you’re from an underserved community and have transportation barriers preventing you from voting, your Lyft ride may be free. Map by Raymond Rapada
4. Holy Child and St. Martin Episcopal Church Address: • 777 Southgate Ave. Daly City, CA 94015 Hours: • Nov. 3-5: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Nov. 6: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. 5. Jefferson Union High School District, Galleria Address: • 699 Serramonte Blvd. Daly City, CA 94015 Hours: • Nov. 3-5: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Nov. 6: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
6. Bayshore Community Center Address: • Room 125 450 Martin Street Daly City, CA 94014 Hours: • Nov. 3-5: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Nov. 6: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Pacifica Vote Centers 7. Pacifica School District Address: • Board Room 375 Reina Del Mar Ave. Pacifica, CA 94044 Hours: • Nov. 3-5: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Nov. 6: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. 8. St. Peter Catholic Church Address: • 700 Oddstad Blvd. Pacifica, CA 94044 Hours: • Nov. 3-5: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Nov. 6: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. San Bruno Vote Centers 9. Skyline College Address: • Building 19, Room 213 Gallery 3300 College Drive San Bruno, CA 94066 Hours: • Oct. 27 - Nov. 2: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Nov. 3-5: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Nov. 6: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. 10. San Bruno City Hall Address: • Conference Room 115 567 El Camino Real San Bruno, CA 94066 Hours: • Nov. 3-5: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Nov. 6: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
MEASURES AND PROPOSITIONS
MEASURE W Countrywide
San Mateo Transit District sales tax measure
If approved by voters would impose a half cent tax for qualified retail transactions in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the County for the next thirty years. The proceeds from this measure would be used to pay for transportation-related improvement projects throughout the County, as specified in the District’s Congestion Relief Plan. The complete Congestion Relief Plan, with a detailed description of the proposed projects and examples of such projects, can be found in the full text of the measure, but it provides that the proceeds must be invested in five identified transportation-related categories within the County, as follows: • 22.5% in highway projects throughout the County, including Highway 101 and 280; • 12.5% in major arterial and local roadway improvements in key congested areas throughout the County; • 5% in bicycle, pedestrian, and active transportation projects throughout the County; • 10% in infrastructure and services designed to improve transit connectivity between the County and the greater Bay Area region; and • 50% to support operations and capital needs of the County’s primary public transit services, including SamTrans bus and paratransit services and Caltrain. The State can not take away the approximately $80 million a year that the measure would provide.
MEASURE BB Daly City
Business license tax measure
If approved by voters will increase the existing business license tax within Daly City. For businesses with annual gross receipts up to $100,000 from $100 to $110; For businesses with annual gross receipts greater than $100,000 from $100 plus .001 of one percent of gross receipts to $110 plus .0011 of one percent of gross receipts greater than $100,000 • For persons engaged in rental or leasing of buildings for dwelling, lodging or sleeping purposes, other than transient lodging, from .005 percent of gross receipts, but not less than $100, to .0055 of one percent of gross receipts, but not less than $110 Daly City public services/vital city services protection measure. To maintain police and fire protection, paramedics, 911 emergency response, address homelessness; cleaning and repairing streets and public areas; retain and attract jobs and businesses; maintain Daly City financial stability and other general services. If approved by voters, this will increase the City’s business license tax by up to 0.05%, with a minimum of $110 per business, providing $420,000 annually until ended by voters, requiring independent audits and oversight with all funds only for Daly City. • •
Cannabis business license tax measure
MEASURE LL South San Francisco
If approved by voters measure LL would authorize the City Council of South San Francisco to set a business license tax for all types of commercial cannabis operations permitted within the City at a minimum of 1 percent of gross receipts. Measure LL is an excise tax that would generate approximately $400,000 to $700,000 of additional annual revenue for unrestricted purposes. Measure LL is not a sales tax and it would not be imposed directly on consumers, but rather on commercial cannabis businesses. If approved by voters, the tax will be deposited into the City of South San Francisco’s General Fund and may be used to pay for and maintain parks and recreation facilities, transportation and infrastructure improvements, and public safety within the City.
Cannabis business tax measure
MEASURE UU Daly City
If approved by voters would authorize business license tax on all cannabis businesses of up to 10 percent of gross receipts. If approved by voters, this will authorize a tax on all cannabis businesses up to 10 percent of gross recipients. The tax is a gross receipts tax on cannabis businesses only, not a sales tax imposed on individuals purchasing cannabis. All revenues resulting from the adoption of a business license tax on all cannabis businesses would be unrestricted revenues allocated to the City’s general fund and can be used for any legitimate general governmental purpose.
MEASURE FF South San Francisco
Transient occupancy tax measure (TOT)
If approved by voters measure FF would authorize up to a four percent increase to the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) in the City of South San Francisco. The current TOT is 10 percent. A vote in favor of this measure would authorize an initial increase to the City’s TOT rate by two percent in 2019. The ballot measure would also authorize an additional 1 percent each year, up to a maximum TOT rate of 14 percent.
MEASURE II Millbrae
Bond measure to reconstruct the Millbrae Recreation Center
If approved by voters would issue $12 million of general obligation bonds to finance the reconstruction of the Millbrae Recreation Center which was destroyed by fire in 2016.
MEASURE PP Colma
Transient occupancy tax measure (TOT)
If approved by voters will amend the Municipal Code to establish a transient occupancy tax (“TOT”), also generally known as a “hotel” tax, at the maximum rate of twelve percent of rent paid by guests in order to occupy a room or space in a hotel or similar lodging (referred to herein as a “hotel”). This TOT would be imposed upon occupancy of a room or hotel space within the City, for dwelling, lodging, or sleeping purposes, for a period of 30 consecutive days or less.
MEASURE VV Daly City
Transient occupancy tax measure (TOT)
If approved by voters, this will increase the local hotel tax on hotel guests from 10 percent to 12 percent in 2019 and from 12 percent to 13 percent in 2020. The tax is paid only by persons, primarily visitors, who rent a hotel room in Daly City from 30 days or less. All revenues resulting from the increase in transient occupancy tax would be unrestricted revenues allocated to the City’s general fund and can be used for any legitimate general governmental purpose. Source: Ballotpedia.org
PROP 1
Authorizes bonds to fund specified housing assistance programs. (Put on the ballot by the Legislature) If approved by voters authorizes $4 billion in general obligation bonds for existing affordable housing programs for low-income residents, veterans, farmworkers, manufactured and mobile homes, infill, and transit-oriented housing. Fiscal Impact: “Increased state costs to repay bonds averaging about $170 million annually over the next 35 years.”
Authorizes bonds to fund existing housing programs for individuals with mental illness. (Put on the ballot by the Legislature) Amends the Mental Health Services Act to fund No Place Like Home Program, which finances housing for individuals with mental illness. Ratifies existing law establishing the No Place Like Home Program. Fiscal Impact: “Allows the state to use up to $140 million per year of county mental health funds to repay up to $2 billion in bonds. These bonds would fund housing for those with mental illness who are homeless.” Authorizes bonds to fund projects for water supply and quality, watershed, fish, wildlife, water conveyance, and groundwater sustainability and storage. (Put on the ballot by petition signatures) Authorizes $8.877 billion in state general obligation bonds for various infrastructure projects. Fiscal Impact: “Increased state costs to repay bonds averaging $430 million per year over 40 years. Local government savings for water-related projects, likely averaging a couple hundred million dollars annually over the next few decades.”
PROP 2
PROP 3
Authorizes bonds funding construction at hospitals providing children’s health care. (Put on the ballot by petition signatures) Authorizes $1.5 billion in bonds, to be repaid from state’s General Fund, to fund grants for construction, expansion, renovation, and equipping of qualifying children’s hospitals. Fiscal Impact: “Increased state costs to repay bonds averaging about $80 million annually over the next 35 years.”
PROP 5
PROP 4
Changes requirements for certain property owners to transfer their property tax base to replacement property. (Put on the ballot by petition signatures) Removes certain transfer requirements for homeowners over 55, severely disabled homeowners, and contaminated or disaster-destroyed property. Fiscal Impact: “Schools and local governments each would lose over $100 million in annual property taxes early on, growing to about $1 billion per year. Similar increase in state costs to backfill school property tax losses.”
Eliminates certain road repair and transportation funding. Requires certain fuel taxes and vehicle fees be approved by the electorate. (Put on the ballot by petition signatures) Repeals a 2017 transportation law’s taxes and fees designated for road repairs and public transportation. Fiscal Impact: “Reduced ongoing revenues of $5.1 billion from state fuel and vehicle taxes that mainly would have paid for highway and road maintenance and repairs, as well as transit programs.”
PROP 7
PROP 6
Conforms California daylight saving time to Federal Law. Allows legislature to change daylight saving time period. (Put on ballot by the Legislature) Gives Legislature ability to change daylight saving time period by two-thirds vote, if changes are consistent with federal law. Fiscal Impact: “This measure has no direct fiscal effect because changes to daylight saving time would depend on future actions by the Legislature and potentially the federal government.”
Regulates amounts outpatient kidney dialysis clinics charge for dialysis treatment. (Put on the ballot by petition signatures) Requires rebates and penalties if charges exceed limit. Requires annual reporting to the state. Prohibits clinics from refusing to treat patients based on payment source. Fiscal Impact: “Overall annual effect on state and local governments ranging from net positive impact in the low tens of millions of dollars to net negative impact in the tens of millions of dollars.”
PROP 8
Prop 9 was removed from the ballot by order of the California Supreme Court on July 18, 2018.
PROP 10
Expands local governments’ authority to enact rent control on residential property. (Put on the ballot by petition signatures) Repeals state law that currently restricts the scope of rent control policies that cities and other local jurisdictions may impose on residential property. Fiscal Impact: “Potential net reduction in state and local revenues of tens of millions of dollars per year in the long term. Depending on actions by local communities, revenue losses could be less or considerably more.”
Requires private-sector emergency ambulance employees to remain on-call during work breaks. Eliminates certain employer liability. (Put on the ballot by petition signatures) Law entitling hourly employees to breaks without being on-call would not apply to private-sector ambulance employees. Fiscal Impact: “Likely fiscal benefit to local governments (in the form of lower costs and higher revenues), potentially in the tens of millions of dollars each year.”
PROP 12
PROP 11
Establishes new standards for confinement of specified farm animals; bans sale of non-complying products. (Put on ballot by petition signatures) Establishes minimum requirements for confining certain farm animals. Prohibits sales of meat and egg products from animals confined in non-complying manner. Fiscal Impact: “Potential decrease in state income tax revenues from farm businesses, likely not more than several million dollars annually. State costs up to $10 million annually to enforce the measure.” By Diego Perez and Lauren Gozon
October 25, 2018
STATE AND FEDERAL: CANDIDATES AND POSITIONS
Midterm elections are on Nov. 6 which is just around the corner; here is a run down of who is running for the state. United States Senator:
The senator will represent the people living in their state in the United States Senate. They will also vote on national laws, confirm federal judges and U.S. Supreme Court Justices. Dianne Feinstein, a Democratic candidate, began her political career back in 1969 while serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. She served as mayor of San Francisco in 1978 and later was elected to the Senate in 1992. Feinstein is also on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Kevin de León is a Democratic candidate who is currently serving in the State Senate. He is the son of an immigrant and was the first in his family to graduate from high school. Before politics, he taught English as a Second Language and advocated for public schools. He fought for additional funding for “high priority schools” in low-income neighborhoods during his five years at the California Teachers Association. California House of Representatives 14th Congressional District: House representatives are elected to a two-year term and introduce bills and serve on committees. Cristina Osmeña is a Republican candidate who attended UC Berkeley and worked for 20 years in the financial industry. Most recently, Osmeña worked in the solar industry. Jackie Speier is a Democratic candidate who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2008. Her previous experience includes serving 18 years in the California State Legislature. Governor: The governor leads the executive branch in their state and they will appoint officials, propose new laws, and help mobilize state resources in case of an emergency. A Democrat and the current governor, Gavin Newsom, a former San Francisco mayor, is running for re-election. He ran for mayor in 2003 and ensured that San Francisco issued same-sex marriage licenses in 2004. John Cox is a Republican businessman, accountant and attorney. He believes that California relies too much on tax paid by the wealthy and
wants to see the income tax significantly reduced along with matching reductions in spending. Lieutenant Governor:
The executive officer of a state, the lieutenant governor takes the governor’s place in case of resignation, disability, death or absence from office. This position includes a seat on the University of California Board of Regents and California State University Board of Trustees. The lieutenant governor serves as president of the State Senate. Eleni Kounalakis, a former Ambassador to Hungary and senior advisor to the Albright Stonebridge Group, a global business strategy firm, is a Democrat running for the position. She is a businesswoman, diplomat and politician. Ed Hernandez, a Democratic candidate, is a member of several Senate Committees: Business; Professions; and Economic Development; Health; and Insurance. Hernandez was elected into the State Assembly in 2006 and the Senate in 2010, having been re-elected in each position. He is currently an optometrist and adjunct professor of optometry at Southern California College of optometry. Secretary of State: They must keep the state’s key documents, including state archives and are responsible for registering businesses in the state and managing state ballot initiatives. Alex Padilla, the current Secretary of State, and a Democratic candidate is running for re-election. When obesity and diabetes were rising he authorized a law that made California the first state to require chain restaurants to post calorie count information on menus which was later added to Affordable Care Act and is now a national policy. He also created a law that would prohibit and criminalize the transfer, sale or possession of illicit cell phones after learning of direct criminal gang activity from within jails. Padilla previously served in the California State Senate from 2006 to 2014 where he chaired the Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Communications. Mark Meuser, small business advocate and Republican candidate is also running for the Secretary of State position. He opened The Meuser Law Group to help California’s complex regulatory environment. He operated with a diverse civil firm when taking action representing individuals and small businesses. Controller: This position is also known as comptroller and is a state-level position in 14 states where all controllers share duties. This position involves budgeting and management. Betty T. Yee is a Democratic candidate and the current controller. In 2006 she was elected to the Board of Equalization, which administrates California’s property tax, alcoholic beverage tax and tax on insurance programs and where she served for two terms. As a Board member, she represented 21 counties in Northern and Central California. Yee also chairs the Franchise Tax Board. She serves as a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) Boards. Konstantinos Roditis, is a Republican candidate born in Canada to immigrant parents. He wants to change the way California spends their money. After growing up around the taxicab business, Roditis started his own taxicab company in Anaheim after college. His experience,
Roditis says, helped him see the state’s punishing regulatory environment and the need for his taxation plan. Roditis was the City Commissioner of Anaheim from 2011 to 2017. Treasurer: The treasurer will act as the chief investment officer banker and financier of the state’s government and be responsible for managing the pooled money investment. Greg Conlon, a businessman from the Republican Party. He has served as commissioner on the California Transportation Commission and was the president of the California Public Utilities Commission. Fiona Ma, a Democratic candidate, is a member of the California State Board of Equalization representing District 2 which covers 23 counties. She served in the California State Assembly representing District 12 from 2006-2012 as well as on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Attorney General: An executive office that serves as the chief legal advisor and chief law enforcement officer for the state government and prosecutes violations of state law and issues legal advice to state agencies. Xavier Becerra, the current attorney general, is running for re-election. He is a Democratic politician who was formerly a member of the United States House of Representatives for California’s 34th congressional district and served in the California State Assembly from 1990-1992. Becerra was also Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. Steven C. Bailey is a Republican candidate who retired as a judge from the Superior Court of the County of El Dorado in 2017. Before that, he had a private practice where he specialized in criminal and administrative law for 19 years. Insurance Commissioner:
The Insurance Commissioner is responsible for licensing, regulating, and examining insurance companies as well as answers questions about the insurance industry. Ricardo Lara, a Democratic candidate, is currently a California senator serving as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. He served on the California State Assembly representing District 50 from 2010-2012. Steve Poizner was elected as Insurance Commissioner as a Republic and served in that position from 2007 and 2011. This year, he is running as an independent candidate. Before his position as Insurance Commissioner, Poizner was a tech entrepreneur. Superintendent of Public Institutions: The Superintendent of Public Insitutions oversees the California Department of Education and, by extension, all of California’s public schools. Tony Thurmond, a second term state assemblyman, is running as a nonpartisan candidate. He had a career in social work and founded several nonprofit organizations before becoming an assemblyman. Thurmond also served on the Richmond City Council from 20052008. Marshall Tuck is a non-partisan candidate that spent about 20 years as a school administrator. He was president in Green Dot Public Schools, a network of charter high schools in low income neighborhoods of Los Angeles. He then became CEO of the Non-Profit Partnership for Los Angeles Schools which worked to goal was to help Los Angeles Unified’s schools with the highest dropout rates.
By Maria Isabel Del Castillo Schmidhuber
October 25, 2018
LOCAL CANDIDATES
For this year’s local elections, most of the candidates running are parents, former school district faculty members, educators.
School District since 2009. In an article published by Patch.com, Sanchez strives to seek a third term because he wants to:
SMCCCD GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS
.“Continue contributing strong leadership to the Board in the adoption of progressive and effective district budgets to support increased student educational achievement” .“Strong commitment to the rebuilding and remodeling of our current schools (I support Measure X)” .“Continue to attract and retain teachers and staff, and support the transformational work of our current superintendent and her team”
Tom Mohr is running as trustee in Area 4 has been a board member of the SMCCCD Governing Board for five years. He is also the only member on the board with prior experience in teaching and has spent 50 years teaching chemistry and math to high school students. After, Mohr then served as a principal for three different high schools and shortly thereafter was elected as the superintendent for the San Mateo Union High School District. When he retired from his superintendent position, he served six years as the President of Caada College and as the President of the SMCCCD in 2017. According to VotersEdge.org, Mohr’s top three priorities are:
.“To ensure our community colleges prepare students, including our veterans, to the best 21st century educational opportunities available” .“To continue our community college district’s participation in the national .“College Promise” program of making a college education affordable for all” .“To ensure the Community College Board works collaboratively with faculty and staff to offer students a quality educational experience at all of our campuses” Richard Holober was elected to serve on the board in 1997 and has served asas the Board President and has held the title in 2002, 2008, and in 2011. Holober’s experience includes three decades as a consumer and labor advocate, trustee member for four years at the Millbrae School Board and served as President for a term. He also served as the Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California for 17 years. As a labor advocate, he played a role in the passage of the first parental leave act and laws that protect women and LGBTQ individuals in the workplace. One of Holober’s greatest accomplishments includes the creation of the textbook rental program across all three campuses in the district. According to VotersEdge.org, his top three priorities include:
.“Advancing student success, graduation and transfer rates” .“Expanding job training careers for good 21st century careers” .“Focus spending time on classrooms and students, cut bureaucratic waste” SAN BRUNO PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS Andrew T. Mason has served as a board member for the San Bruno Park School District Governing Board since October 2017. Mason is a Compliance Manager for the Commercial Funding Programs Operation department at Genentech Inc. Mason finds student achievement, teachers and staff important and believes that all three are important to keep in mind when making decisions on the board. If Mason wins the election, he envisions the expansion of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs and ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency to the public. He also aims to work with fellow trustee members to build a positive and effective governance team. Henry Charles Sanchez became a clinical instructor at UCSF in 1992 after interning and completing residencies at UCLA and UCSF. Sanchez is currently a Clinical Professor of Pathology at UCSF. Sanchez has experience in counseling and teaching during his profession at UCSF and is extremely passionate about supporting and being the voice for struggling and underrepresented health students. Sanchez has been a member of the San Bruno Park
Charles “Chuck” Zelnik, Jr. served as San Bruno Park School District trustee from 2001 to 2006. In that time, Zelnik worked towards raising the quality of education in the school district. While on the board, Zelnik also worked to modernize all school sites, rebuild Belle Air School and worked with other board members to sell the Carl Sandburg site for $30 million. Zelnik also worked as an automotive mechanic, an automotive service manager, parts manager and body shop manager, using his education from the General Motors University of Automotive Management. Teri L. Chavez is a financial analyst at Pacific Gas and Electric Company and seeks to take a look at the district’s goals and visions through the lens of a parent and someone who works in the finance industry. Chavez believes that every student in the district deserves to be successful and achieve their potential in a safe and inclusive environment. She has also been involved in school-parent activities such as being the PTA Treasurer for three years and serves in several different district committees. According to VotersEdge.org, her top three priorities include:
.“Providing a quality education for every
child within our District” .“Advocate for fiscal responsibility and transparency” .“Promote collaborative and cohesive Board interaction” DALY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Pamela DiGiovanni currently serves as Chair of Daly City’s Planning Commission and an appointed member of the Jefferson Elementary School District Citizens Oversight Committee. DiGiovanni’s previous experience include being a business owner with knowledge of finances. As a citizen of Daly City for over 12 years, she has goals to keep Seton Hospital open and wants to,“Support, retain and attract local businesses and increase affordable housing,” according to VotersEdge.org. Rod Daus-Magbual has worked as a faculty adjunct at multiple colleges while also working at his non-profit company. He is Vice Chair of the Planning Commission and is an adjunct professor at Skyline College. Daus-Magbual says that he wants to create a community where people feel safe, raise youth engagment, and provide more options to low-income residents to stay in Daly City. Ray Buenaventura is a former law professor and a founding director of the Peer Court Program which gives youth offenders a second chance. His previous experience includes being the Mayor of Daly City in 2013 and 2015, and serving as Daly City’s Library Commissioner in 2006 to 2011. He currently works as an attorney. He strives to keep Seton Hospital open and create affordable housing for longtime Daly City residents. Gabriella Makstman is currently a member of the Daly City Bike and Pedestrian Committee as well as VicePresident of the Hilldale School Family Association. She has experience in
financial planning and analysis and worked for several non-profit organizations. If Makstman is elected, she wants to focus on economic growth in Daly City, restoring library services, and vocational training opportunities. PACIFICA COUNCIL MEMBERS John Keener is a Pacifica council member and a retired biochemist and geneticist researcher. Keener is interested in protecting Pacifica’s homes and businesses “from the effects of bluff erosion and sea level rise”, according to votersedge.org. He is interested in preserving the environment in Pacifica and wants to focus on fiscal moderation. Mike O’Neill has been a bus driver for the Jefferson Union High School District for the past 10 years. He wants to build a firmer economic base for Pacifica to maintain fiscal sustainability. O’Neill has served both on the Pacifica School Board and the Pacifica City Council. Adonica Shaw Porter is a commissioner with the Healthcare for the Homeless and Farmworkers Board of San Mateo County. She has several years of experience in public relations and brand management. Currently, she is working as an Associate Marketing Director for the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine. Porter would like to see an economic development plan for Pacifica so its residents, businesses, and potential developers can figure out what is being done and what needs to be done. Mary K. Bier is a lifelong resident of Pacifica and was drawn to community work after a family member passed away due to an alcohol-related accident. Since then, she’s served as the director of the Pacifica Prevention Partnership to implement substance abuse prevention strategies. She is a commissioner of the Pacifica Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission and wants to keep Pacifica housing affordable. Vickie Flores is a business owner and has lived in Pacifica for over 50 years. Flores would like to curate and put a plan into effect that would protect homes, businesses, and infrastructure against sea level rise. She’d also like to keep revenue in Pacifica by bringing certain areas back to life in order to drive money back into the city. Flores is in favor of the Beach Boulevard project and doesn’t want to limit the revamp to just a hotel, but also include small shops and cafes to bring money to Pacifica. Another focus of hers is to create affordable housing options for residents who wish to stay in Pacifica. Sue Beckmeyer has been a Pacifica resident for 25 years and has raised funds for music education in Pacifica’s underfunded public schools. Beckmeyer supports the Beach Boulevard project to drive income to the city and wants to see it become a destination for the residents of the West Sharp Park neighborhood, as well as the rest of Pacifica. Since there are legal marijuana storefronts in Pacifica, Beckmeyer aims to research and implement strategies to work with cannabis merchants in order to make sure that they are participating in prevention work and can maintain a healthy business, much like Washington and Colorado have been able to do with the legalization of cannabis. Bridget Duffy wants to establish an ordinance that will protect people from being displaced from their homes. She is in favor of creating a Oceanic Discovery Center. She is looking at it more as a resource for Peninsula residents, more specifically, Skyline students, who could use the lab for studies since the college is getting a new Environmental Sciences building. While Pacifica is exploring options to tear down existing libraries to create new ones, she’s opposed to the idea and would rather see the money funded go towards the renovation and improving already existing libraries instead of creating new ones. Similarly, Duffy believes that Pacifica should focus less on attracting new businesses and instead make sure that the existing businesses are successful. By Shamal Prasad
The Voice of the Voters
Adam Reilly-Amtoft is a second-year Skyline student who resides in South San Francisco, CA. While he has yet to decide on a major, he is passionate about all things creative, ranging from drawing to theater. Reilly-Amtoft is a registered voter and cares deeply about civil rights. His worry is that in our political climate we may succumb to an appeal to authority, a logical fallacy that argues a claim must be true because someone of authority says so without any additional evidence to support it. “I’m worried we’ll get more people who are just following what the White House is doing,” Reilly-Amtoft said. “I’m not saying that it has to be Democrat, Republican, Independent or what have you; I’m just worried that they’re not going to find the best interest for the people because that’s who they’re supposed to be for.” Reilly-Amtoft is also concerned about women’s rights and gay rights. Specifically, he is worried about health care, women’s right to choose, and making sure gay marriage is protected.
SKYLINE COLLEGE achieve.
October 25, 2018
Mustafa Popal, a Skyline College history professor, lives in San Francisco, CA and is passionate about music.
He clarifies that the act of voting is not enough to make a democracy. There is more people must do to make things happen.
As a history teacher, he understands the patterns that produce absent flows in the types of policies that we see. In the current political climate, he believes the fear and anxiety people feel about the election is not necessarily new.
“A democracy is a way of life. Democratic behavior is process. It’s not one moment.’ said Popal. “That’s why the weight of every election is so big. Not to minimize the importance of voting, but we place so much weight on the process because we stop doing anything else remotely democratic after and before the election.”
“Do I think this election has historical importance in larger ways than more recent ones? Potentially.” said Popal. “Am I concerned? I always am.” Popal sees that we have an opportunity at all times to stop and slow down things we don’t like, but also believes we need to embrace the chance to create the world we want: not exclusively out of fear but out of a desire. He says this can be accomplished through engaging in conversations as well as actively mobilizing and organizing to oppose what we disagree with and bring out things we want.
For Popal, it is important to think about what we are doing to shape the people we would want to vote for through a combination of educating ourselves and others and mobilizing the knowledge we have learned effectively. “Voting is an opportunity to select candidates but that’s the extent of what it does,” Popal said. “The quality of candidates and the quality of legislation we vote on are dependent on how hard we work before and after elections.”
Jesmond Bautista is a performing arts major living in South San Francisco, CA. Although he describes himself as being very jaded and not very political, he admits the effect a populace can have on the bigger picture. “The vote may be small but as a collective whole, everyone’s voice will be large,” Bautista said. “Every voice does count in the scheme of things.”
Spring 2019 classes begin January 14
webschedule.smccd.edu
SPRING 2019 PRIORITY REGISTRATION
OCT. 31- NOV. 5, 2018
OPEN REGISTRATION
NOV. 6, 2018 - JAN. 13, 2019
LATE REGISTRATION
JAN. 14 - 28, 2019
REGISTRATION FEES DUE
JAN. 3, 2019 at 9:00 p.m.
Check your registration date on WebSMART on October 27, 2018.
Amber Steele, an associate professor at Skyline College lives on the peninsula of King’s Mountain, between San Mateo and Half Moon Bay, CA. Steele teaches dance, pilates and yoga full time. As a teacher, she cares a lot for her work and feels its important to sett an example for her students. She feels passionately about “inspiring [her] students to stand up for themselves, think for themselves, and work hard for what they really want”.