Voter Guide: Community colleges -- Incumbents face tax-foe, newcomer Voter Guide: Community colleges -- Incumbents face tax-foe, newcomer (October 26, 2005)

By Marjorie Mader

Almanac Staff Writer

The elections in the San Mateo County Community College District November 8 appear to be almost a rerun of the district's board and bond election four years ago.

Incumbents Helen Hausman of Atherton and Richard Holober of Millbrae again face perennial challenger and tax foe Jack Hickey of Emerald Hills.

A newcomer and the fourth candidate for the two board seats is Maurice Dupra Goodman of South San Francisco, a Skyline College graduate and a community activist.

Both Ms. Hausman and Mr. Holober strongly support Measure A, which would authorize raising $468 million in bond issues to repair and modernize classrooms on the district's three campuses -- Canada in Woodside, College of San Mateo and Skyline College in San Bruno.

Mr. Hickey not only opposes the bond measure, but as chair of the Libertarian Party of San Mateo County has signed the argument against it. His approach, he said, is to "emphasize telecommunications and not brick and mortar." In 2001, he signed the argument against the district's $207 million bond measure that voters approved.

Mr. Goodman said his top priorities are to make college more accessible to disenfranchised members of the community by promoting more community-based centers, with the passage of Measure A. He also said he generally supports the jobs the incumbents are doing.

Ms. Hausman and Mr. Holober have worked with the board and administration to extend the range of services to include the first district partnership with San Francisco State University, enabling students to earn baccalaureate degrees while taking classes at Canada. The district's highly regarded nursing program at College of San Mateo now is available to students at Canada.

"San Mateo County's three community colleges are the best bargain in higher education," and "open doors to a brighter tomorrow for the 40,000 students we serve each year," said Mr. Holober.

The colleges train residents for the work force and have expanded their capacity to train registered nurses, health technicians, firefighters, law enforcement officers and technical workers.

Only Ms. Hausman and Mr. Holober submitted and paid for candidates' statements in the county's official election guide, mailed to voters. All four candidates have responded to the League of Women Voters' request for information that is posted on smartvoter.org.

Richard Holober

Profession: Incumbent.

Experience: Former trustee and president, Millbrae School District board; executive director, Consumer Federation of California; wrote Proposition 210 to raise state minimum wage; founded Californians for Privacy Now, which backed California Financial Privacy Law (SB 1).

Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Rochester; graduate school, Cornell University.

Age: 53

Jack Hickey

Profession: Board member, Sequoia Healthcare District.

Experience: U.S. Navy veteran (1957-63); inventor with 28 patents (lasers, electronics, electro-optics); taxpayers advocate.

Education: Graduate, Navy Electronics Technician School, Great Lakes, Illinois.

Age: 71

Maurice Dupra Goodman

Profession: Probate paralegal, San Mateo County.

Experience: Former regional and state chair of Black Caucus, California Student Association of Community Colleges; former student body president, Skyline College; founding member and program development chair of nonprofit Bayview MAGIC; vice president, Youth Football & Cheer Association; former CEO of small clothing company.

Education: Bachelor's degree, criminal justice, California State University, Hayward; associate's degrees, administration of justice and paralegal studies, Skyline College.

Age: 33

Helen Hausman

Profession: Incumbent, former public school teacher.

Experience: Trustee, Sequoia Union High School District Board, 1976-1989; past president of San Mateo County School Boards Association; leader, American Red Cross; named to San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame; recognized in Who's Who of American Women.

Education: Bachelor's degree, George Washington University.

Age: Did not state

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