The six-part Los Angeles Times articles that ran in late February and early March of this year highlighted how tens of millions of dollars of voter-approved bond money was lost due to bad workmanship, repairs of mistakes and poor planning in new construction around the nine community colleges that comprise the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD).
The Times’s articles revealed how the contractors were financing the campaigns of the LACCD Board Members, a clear case of conflict of interest.
Today we get the opportunity to choose the incumbent Lydia Gutierrez, a Long Beach school teacher who has not accepted any contributions from the contractors and unions. She also promises to put the interest of the students front and center. Her opponent is Scott Svonkin, who has accepted $299,000 in campaign funds from contractors and unions according to the May 14 L.A. Times.
There is still $3 billion of the $5.7 billion building project left to be spent. Let’s see it “done in a way that leaves students fulfilled and taxpayers assured.” Let’s vote for honesty, integrity and compassion for the students. Let’s vote for Lydia Gutierrez!
Mr. Bauer may be contacted at culvercity99@aol.com
