Chaffey College candidates take part in forum

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- More than 50 faculty, staff members and students gathered Wednesday for a forum to hear how five Chaffey College governing board candidates plan to deal with the issues concerning the college.

The candidates, vying for two seats in the Nov. 3 election, are Christopher Agrella, Irene Hernandez-Blair, Ontario-Montclair School District board member Paul Vincent Avila and Chaffey board incumbents Katie Roberts and Kathy Brugger. 

The candidates were given an opportunity to answer five forum questions plus questions from the audience.

"It was a lively discussion with different points of views," said Tom Dedobay, a Chaffey College faculty member. "The candidates were forthright and said what was on their mind -- it was an honest discussion."

One of the questions asked was if the candidates would use the position to help gain higher political office in the future.

Three candidates answered no, but Avila said yes.

Hernandez-Blair said she didn't have any plans to run for a higher position in the future "at this time," but she also didn't "want to commit to anything."

Candidates were also asked about their goals and vision for the college and students.

Brugger said she would like to continue working as a team, all the while retrieving Proposition 98 money for colleges, strengthening Chaffey's On-line to College program and working on the accreditation that is coming up in March. 

Agrella, a former construction superintendent in the educational field, said he wants to make sure the college gets "the most bang for its bucks."

Hernandez-Blair said she wants to create better outreach systems to schools and educate parents about the affordability of colleges.

Avila said he is "not a team player" because he likes to think outside the box.

Roberts said she wants to continue bringing quality education to students.

During the question and answer portion of the forum, members of the audience asked how the candidates would resolve the parking issue the campus is facing.

Both incumbents responded that there are enough parking spaces on the campus.

"Some of the spots are just far away and students don't want to walk," Roberts said. 

Avila recommended having students purchase limited parking permits that would restrict the numbers of hours they are allowed to park or be on the campus and use shuttle services.

Chaffey professor of English Jonathan Ausubel said it was interesting to hear what the candidates had to say.

"Avila said a few interesting things, the two incumbents know the district's workings a lot better than the other candidates, but Hernandez seems to be ignorant about the laws that govern colleges," he said.

The forum was hosted by the California School Employee Association, Classified Senate, Chaffey College Faculty Association and Faculty Senate.

Chaffey College, which has campuses in Rancho Cucamonga, Chino Hills and Fontana, has more than 20,000 students.