Endorsement: Four for Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees
The Los Angeles Community College District board of trustees endorsed four candidates for the board in the May 18 election, with two incumbents and two newcomers.
The incumbents are John A. Viescas Jr. (who has served on the board for 22 years) and Thomas P. O’Hara Jr. (who has served on the board for 18 years). Viescas is running for reelection for his second term, O’Hara is running for reelection for his first, and Scott M. Smith Jr. is running for reelection for his second.
Incoming trustees are Jo-Ann Wiehe (who has served on the board for 16 years) and Jennifer LeClaire (who has served on the board for six years).
Wiehe’s first term on the board began on April 20 and ended on April 20, 2010. She said she decided to run for reelection because the board needs to get rid of a growing backlog of projects that are behind schedule and cost more than they are worth. Wiehe said the board was not effective in its performance, and she wants to ensure that a board is able to get projects done for the students, libraries, and staff at all times.
“I believe the board needs to be a more effective instrument of governance in helping the district to achieve its mission,” said Wiehe.
LeClaire said she was running for the board because she believes the board is the only part of the staff working diligently to complete the work. She would like to see the board bring more diversity to its meetings because at times the board tends to be dominated by people of color, which she says does not create a welcoming environment. She said she would like to see the board reach out to minority students and other groups to learn more about their needs and their viewpoints. She would like to see the board improve its
