tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1620548019024415802024-03-05T06:37:29.352-08:00Save Our Southwestern CollegeA collective effort by concerned faculty, staff, students, and members of the Southwestern College community.Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-2680841268010954872013-03-02T11:45:00.003-08:002013-03-02T11:45:41.439-08:00SWC Union Message<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=162054801902441580" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">Southwestern College
Education Association</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 26.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWC Administrative
Mismanagement</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">No More Salary Cuts…No More Lay-offs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Spring 2013</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">1. Massive cuts to classes cause severe
disruption to student education.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">2. Cuts to salary and threats of
layoffs are destroying our workforce. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">3. Only college in CA threatening
lay-offs & only college in SD to take pay cuts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">4. Overreacts with budget despite
passage of Prop 30.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">5. Ignores obligation to make public
accurate and useful budget information.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">6. Endangers our Accreditation <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">AGAIN</b> by lack of transparency in budget
planning.</span></div>
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Students and Instruction First</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
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Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-18669126578108958862013-03-01T20:00:00.002-08:002013-03-01T20:00:47.630-08:00We Don't Get Fooled Again<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Rp6-wG5LLqE?rel=0" width="420"></iframe>
<p>Pick up your guitar and play. . . .Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-87333662740000092622013-03-01T19:52:00.000-08:002013-03-02T10:44:56.832-08:00SWC GB Board Member Bill Stewart Resigns in Protest
In an interview with the Southwestern College Sun, Stewart said, “It’s as if someone said ‘hey we’re going to go 65 miles-per-hour down the freeway and by the way the fog is so thick you can’t see more than 15 feet in front of you’. . . . So I have a choice. I either get out of the car or take a chance of there being lots of casualties along the way.”
Bill, we hear you. We're also really worried about who's driving the car now. . . .
<a href="http://www.theswcsun.com/sun-exclusive-governing-board-member-william-stewart-resigns-cites-lack-of-transparency-by-administration/">Read the whole story</a> Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-40901941071496963072012-05-08T22:37:00.001-07:002012-05-08T22:37:29.995-07:00The Cost of 5%<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dedicated to the ones we love.</div>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-44111298516722728292012-01-11T07:35:00.000-08:002012-01-11T08:32:22.409-08:00Credit Where Due<div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br />Below, we share a letter, posted on The Writer's Washroom by Nick Furr on 10 January 2012.</span><br style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">But first, we would like to point out that while we appreciate the credit, we don't entirely agree with Furr's sentiments. Yes, there were rumblings on the ground and a lot of hard work before the UT picked up the story. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">That is how it goes.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> </span><br style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">As far as we're concerned, events played out exactly as they should: People close to the situation realized there were problems. (Note that the Save Our SWC blog began in September 2009, before student protests, free speech issues, and suspended instructors made things interesting; the SWC Sun had been publishing articles questioning admin and board actions for months before that; the SWC Academic Senate, Classified Employees Association, and Council of Chairs had already voted No Confidence in Chopra; check our September and October 2009 posts for background).</span><br style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">That is how it goes. </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">People close to the situation start making noise. They begin to identify avenues for getting out their message. Some people hear it and start making noise too. People, many of whom have never been mentioned in a press piece or blog post, put their jobs on the line to help out. Meanwhile, if the problem is real, the bad guys keep messing up, people keep making noise, and the sound is heard farther away and higher up.</span><br style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">If social media has taught us anything, it's that effecting change isn't about individuals; it's about critical mass, people with shared concerns each providing a piece, passing it on, supporting each other to achieve a goal that transcends any one person's or organization's actions. That is how it goes, and it works.</span><br style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">We'd also like to point out that the San Diego UT (like SWC) is not a single mind. What an editorial board chooses to publish at one point and what Watchdog reporters do on the ground are very different. So thank you to the reporters there and to the other news outlets who contributed in bringing us to this point.</span><br style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Thank you, everyone. We did it.</span><br /><br />------------------<br /><br /></span><h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://anonymouse.org/cgi-bin/anon-www.cgi/http://thewriterswashroom.blogspot.com/2012/01/letter-to-district-attorney-bonnie.html"></a></h3></div><blockquote><div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://anonymouse.org/cgi-bin/anon-www.cgi/http://thewriterswashroom.blogspot.com/2012/01/letter-to-district-attorney-bonnie.html">A Letter to District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis: You Thanked the Wrong Folks</a> </h3><br /><span style="font-size:12pt;"><br />January 8, 2012<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div><span style="font-size:12pt;"></span><div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Ms. Dumanis:<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">It was with delight that I watched you stand tall with four other members of your department and announce a series of indictments against members of the Sweetwater Union High School District. Knowing that I would soon see the five of you stand together and announce indictments against members of the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1326295717_0">Southwestern College</span> District community made me even happier.<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Imagine my surprise when you went out of your way to thank the <i style="">Union-Tribune</i> for all their help in reporting these events, and specifically mentioned the Watchdog section for its work.<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Not to ameliorate the credit given to the Watchdog section – particularly the wonderful Tanya Sierra, whom I believe now works in your office as Public Affairs Officer – but to thank the <i style="">Union-Tribune</i> for their hard work while ignoring those who <b style="">actually</b> went out of their way to originally write about the mess that was both SWC and SUHSD is short-sighted and questionably honest at best.</span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style=""> </span>Months before the <i style="">Union-Tribune</i> even got involved, the <i style="">San Diego Reader</i>’s brilliant Susan Luzzaro wrote about pay-for-play corruption at both school districts – and was sourced by <b style="">everyone</b> who wrote about it later.<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">SWC’s own award-winning <i style="">Southwestern College Sun</i> got into the act, questioning the timing and bids of Nicholas Alioto’s Napa Valley trip – also long before the <i style="">U-T</i> got involved. After <i style="">Sun</i> articles which question Alioto’s actions were printed, the former Vice President of Business and Financial Affairs attempted to shut down the newspaper by forcibly ceasing printing, stripping the faculty advisor of the reassign time he received for his work (though he continued to work without receiving it), and threatening the arrest of numerous student journalists. Following this, the <i style="">Sun</i> editorial board opted to seek funding from outside the school and continue printing without Alioto’s permission. It was this action against a hostile administration that earned them the 2011 College Press Freedom Award, given out by the Associated Collegiate Press and the Student Press Law Center.<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">There were also three blogs active in the South Bay which continually disseminated information and opinion to the residents of the district. The first, “Save Our SWC,” uncovered and reported numerous problems with the school administration and did so in a tight, professional manner.<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Two of my own blogs, “The Writer’s Washroom” and “SWC Board Must Go!” took a less-neutral stance. I used my own sites to try and affect change, and did so by focusing frequently on the dishonest actions – including pay-for-play ones – of Nick Alioto.<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">I am willing to have my websites be ignored, but I am less willing to let Susan Luzzaro and the <i style="">Reader</i>, the editorial board and staff of the <i style="">Southwestern College Sun</i>, and the anonymous blogger behind “Save Our SWC” go unnoticed.<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">These people deserve most of the credit you believe the <i style="">Union-Tribune</i> earned. Every voter in the district with any knowledge of this is aware of these facts.</span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Allow me to point out that the <i style="">U-T</i>’s editorial board not only <b style="">ignored</b> the issues at Southwestern College, but instead of hearing the complaints of students and faculty, they chose to interview Dr. Raj K. Chopra, the superintendent/president at the time, and write about what a fine job he was doing. Of course, all this was going on while Henry Amigable was involved in nearly-constant pay-for-play actions on the campus.<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div id="yui_3_2_0_1_1326295720201177" class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1326295720201174" style="font-size:12pt;">In fact, when a group of faculty, students, campus employees, and citizens (of which I was a proud member) chose to unify and organize in order to vote out the members of the board – some of whom are already mentioned in your documents – who continued to support John Wilson, Henry Amigable, Nick Alioto, and Raj Chopra, the <i style="">U-T </i>strongly endorsed those same incumbents. When the election was over, and the voters had sent Yolanda Salcido and Jorge Dominguez packing, the <i style="">U-T</i>’s editorial board wrote a lengthy screed about what a terrible thing the voters of the district had done.<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">These are hardly good reasons to thank the <i style="">Union-Tribune</i> for helping uncover these terrible things that happened on these campuses. Ms. Sierra, on the other hand, should still be commended for her stories, but I must again point out that what she wrote, she wrote after many others had already blazed the trail.<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div id="yui_3_2_0_1_1326295720201164" class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1326295720201161" style="font-size:12pt;">Lastly, though you did mention the “public,” as tipping your office about this, I must strongly state that the “public” is the <b style="">reason</b> investigations were done – at least on the campus of SWC. Were it not for the students of SWC who held rallies and demonstrations to attract attention and the faculty and classified employees that risked their jobs to get involved, the blogs, the <i style="">Sun</i>, and the <i style="">Reader</i> would never have researched and written about these criminal actions. Without that, conscientious politicians like Congressman Bob Filner wouldn’t have taken a stance against the corrupt administration. And without all the noise that this created, the <i style="">Union-Tribune</i> would never have gotten involved.<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Please remember that the next time you thank someone for all the hard work that they’ve done.<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Respectfully,<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Nickolas Furr<br /><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div><span style="font-size:12pt;"></span><div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">(Copies of this letter have been sent to the <i style="">San Diego Reader, San Diego Union-Tribune, Southwestern College Sun,</i> and the “Save Our SWC” blog.)</span></div></blockquote><div class="yiv1315469921MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"></span></div>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-73074899356708163392010-12-08T12:34:00.001-08:002010-12-08T14:46:15.723-08:00Tonight and Some Questions: New Board Members to Be Sworn-In, Followed by GB Meeting<a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpcMm7yv46kWEowHHL4ceUynalxc2WD6LwJKATlYGWF4yORvkzJiQSYLN1OLjNq_ATstZDb9wJROBj_niSc6xM5Bvgkywa0zFLRQnVjhS2uXKPk-7MoxzgUwzq_Traqt3svOCHUFe3IU/s1600/swearingreception.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpcMm7yv46kWEowHHL4ceUynalxc2WD6LwJKATlYGWF4yORvkzJiQSYLN1OLjNq_ATstZDb9wJROBj_niSc6xM5Bvgkywa0zFLRQnVjhS2uXKPk-7MoxzgUwzq_Traqt3svOCHUFe3IU/s320/swearingreception.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548412639614133762" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />New board members Norma L. Hernandez and Tim Nader and re-elected Terri Valladolid will be sworn-in tonight at 6:30 as part of a reception beginning at 6:00 p.m. </span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >The reception and ceremony will be held in Room L238 North and South (the "big room" opposite the library). All are welcome to attend.</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >The regularly scheduled board meeting will follow at 7:00 p.m. in Mayan Hall (which provides far more seating than the usual board room 214). So come on down!</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">On the swearing-in: Some observers have raised questions about the pre-meeting ceremony. Why, they ask, not have the swearing-in on the regular meeting agenda as has been done in the past? Isn't this required by Brown Act rules of public notification?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A search of California Government Code, Elections Code, Education Code, the Brown Act, and board policy suggests the answer is no. In fact, if the freshly-elected board members aren't sworn prior to the meeting, there's no quorum. The outgoing members would convene the meeting, and the new members wouldn't be seated until swearing in. Clearly, this could be awkward.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">(Relevant code sections: Ed Code sections 60, 5000, 5017, 5300, 72000; Elections Code 10554; Government Code 1302, 1360, 1362, 54952.2)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.swccd.edu/Pdfs/12-08-10_GB_Meeting_Agenda_with_Enclosures.pdf">agenda</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> items do warrant questions, however. Item 11D, page 6: Why does Alioto want to pay outside consultants over $4,000 for Opening Day presentations? Item 16C, pages 11-12: Why is Chopra requesting agreements with ten different law firms? (Hopefully, with his departure, this item will be tabled.)<br /><br /><br /></span>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-53352403400191634562010-11-30T14:09:00.000-08:002010-11-30T14:36:42.544-08:00SWC Superintendent/President Raj K. Chopra Resigns<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCjrkc89INDFZkxJFtUfdXWkShpSK93otpchpHxgJmoQqMu16Qm_mzP1GF0Lriw-2kWh2-CwzUOFuJ-DdTCnoGFXaTTgROYRIj-PizDoQ3sFaAFVWc30OA8J0Eqxb8lupYVz2-WuMMNI/s1600/thanksgiving.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCjrkc89INDFZkxJFtUfdXWkShpSK93otpchpHxgJmoQqMu16Qm_mzP1GF0Lriw-2kWh2-CwzUOFuJ-DdTCnoGFXaTTgROYRIj-PizDoQ3sFaAFVWc30OA8J0Eqxb8lupYVz2-WuMMNI/s320/thanksgiving.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545470247796219794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >A belated Happy Thanksgiving to everyone as we announce some more good news: Superintendent/President Raj K. Chopra has resigned from his position effective today.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chopra announced his resignation with a global email sent to the SWC campus community:</span><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 1:41 PM</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">College Community,</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Effective today, November 30, 2010, I will resign from my position as Superintendent/President.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Until the Board can meet to discuss this matter, the vice presidents will serve as administrators in charge on a rotating basis and will perform day-to-day duties on behalf of the District. Following is the schedule:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">· December 1-2 Vice President Suarez</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">· December 3 Vice President Kerns</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">· December 6 Vice President Alioto</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">· December 7-8 Vice President Meadows</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">It has been an honor to serve the students and community of Southwestern College. I wish you all a happy holiday season and all the best in the future.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Raj K. Chopra, Ph.D.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Superintendent/President</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Southwestern College</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">619.482.6301</span></blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Onward! </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-78395062544220994502010-11-03T12:19:00.000-07:002010-11-03T12:51:58.681-07:00Congratulations, and an Open Letter to Terri Valladolid<span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC7PB7A_dnayTwD5YqCUeq2GFtCYdZJDWY94nEhZ4_Pjfiukn333fkaaD6rmCPgPgswrnP8Lztl-hri9O6cZ7p6oJjmzLkMhdWVLWI-qBhnFvj9n_Kyd1Gw_jA-N6_0yZKPcXNZh4jWk/s1600/newstartcrop.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC7PB7A_dnayTwD5YqCUeq2GFtCYdZJDWY94nEhZ4_Pjfiukn333fkaaD6rmCPgPgswrnP8Lztl-hri9O6cZ7p6oJjmzLkMhdWVLWI-qBhnFvj9n_Kyd1Gw_jA-N6_0yZKPcXNZh4jWk/s400/newstartcrop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535405342090650802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br />First, let us congratulate the challengers: Norma Hernandez, Tim Nader, and Jesseca Saenz-Gonzalez. All three of you worked tirelessly to run solid, honest campaigns. The results showed at the polls with wins for Norma and Tim and a very close second for Jesseca.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Jesseca's loss may actually be the biggest win of the contest. Everyone said it couldn't be done. They said the Valladolid camp is too strong and well-connected. They said Terri was a slam-dunk with the Democratic endorsement. Well, Jesseca proved them wrong. Terri may have won by a couple percentage points, but Jesseca accomplished something even more important: she showed us that influence and money aren't everything and that voters really do want to hear the truth. She showed us that there are no more excuses for not getting involved. She showed us there is always hope. Thank you, Jesseca!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Of course, now the really hard work of getting the college back on track begins, and we couldn't be more excited to get started.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Toward that end, an open letter to Terri Valladolid:</span><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Terri,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Congratulations on your win. Despite all that has passed, we do value your intelligence, and we trust that you do have the best interests of the college at heart.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">This election process has been an education for all of us, and we're sure that is true of you as well. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">We hope that along the way, your eyes have been opened to the reality of issues plaguing district management. We hope that you have recognized the level of community dissatisfaction with recent college governance. And we hope this new perspective will enable us to work together to restore the college's vision, integrity, and excellence.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Terri, please join us and help Save Our Southwestern College.</span></blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead</span><br /></span><br /></span>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-47837318394669158692010-11-01T21:34:00.001-07:002010-11-01T22:03:19.697-07:00Election Eve<a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6MO2MpmpgeM219NjMv6xQpVCR4b2289rdAhZNTLE4V7NQRQAszYAj875uWyY8cKVP7P2bbx4USae2bGrtdk_YR5X8UihgKlKXZ2SURrxosnY7F7rZs5snteH5B7EY1w7I7XcsF3ghvA/s1600/voteobey.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6MO2MpmpgeM219NjMv6xQpVCR4b2289rdAhZNTLE4V7NQRQAszYAj875uWyY8cKVP7P2bbx4USae2bGrtdk_YR5X8UihgKlKXZ2SURrxosnY7F7rZs5snteH5B7EY1w7I7XcsF3ghvA/s320/voteobey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534807280347364482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br />Not that anyone needs reminding, but tomorrow's the day.</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Please remember to bring an i.d. and proof of address, just in case.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />If you aren't sure </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >where your polling place is, you can easily look it up at </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.smartvoter.org/">Smart Voter</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />If you go to your polling place, and you don't show up on the register, you are still entitled to cast a </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://cavotes.org/vote/in-person#prov">provisional ballot</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />Know your </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/voter-info/voter-bill-of-rights.htm">voting rights</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >. Seriously.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Finally, look around you (and we're including cyberspace here). Look at the connections and support that has been generated. Look at the selfless work so many people--including you!--have done. Thank them (and yourself!). Thank the candidates.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >And remember . . . </span></span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"></span></span></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead</span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ></span></blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqRlpgPCLnsJmdbKCukwqv0HVaHtwz8gAlQbT9Rk5WK-eYwLzs7B_iJuEc6RgwuC66cJ-OR0VVjlyyWsitchZkTKbpDYyi3QtsxfbA3mUW89SFhl-anx8MwXx1C72RB5Yx2ghLpeKDQE/s1600/vote.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqRlpgPCLnsJmdbKCukwqv0HVaHtwz8gAlQbT9Rk5WK-eYwLzs7B_iJuEc6RgwuC66cJ-OR0VVjlyyWsitchZkTKbpDYyi3QtsxfbA3mUW89SFhl-anx8MwXx1C72RB5Yx2ghLpeKDQE/s320/vote.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534812282716372130" border="0" /></a></span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Pg0i2FKg__w9hpna0W9ioGXHntDUJShReUMphNx7-RzlGc7Jc4lsfNhjBzspOVjOgR80ns1-WYI-lhRhhHJccEZ_Q_6aX8RgcmTR7L-FGHxzH9PkF6061d96VIpcse_RZ0INRC-HZGM/s1600/vote.jpg"><br /></a>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-9193775326288960552010-10-31T12:23:00.000-07:002010-10-31T14:39:42.808-07:00Trick and Treat: More Admin Wheeling and Dealing with Construction<a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8mhK7wHbnE9uIBRGKJ47OVtDHvjc2pOqpjndrq-up7FS4OOhKpz2QmOQa1a85kYIz9cloRAkyNt2G7iFmvNx-KCmMPmb5p68ICrjQO72aXAA11dh-wwKPnqPSVgDml283mS5_jx-zcc/s1600/stop.gif"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8mhK7wHbnE9uIBRGKJ47OVtDHvjc2pOqpjndrq-up7FS4OOhKpz2QmOQa1a85kYIz9cloRAkyNt2G7iFmvNx-KCmMPmb5p68ICrjQO72aXAA11dh-wwKPnqPSVgDml283mS5_jx-zcc/s320/stop.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534293293585675234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/oct/29/gala-prize-was-weekend-with-official/">A recent article in the San Diego Union-Tribune</a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> by watchdog reporter Tanya Sierra reveals another layer of madness in the college's mismanagement: posh vacations for administrators and construction companies paid out of SWC Foundation funds.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Echo Pacific Construction "won" a silent auction prize, which included spending the weekend with Nick Alioto, SWC Vice President of Business and Financial Affairs. Alioto plays a key role in determining who gets construction contracts.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">And guess what? Three weeks later, Echo Pacific did get a contract--for 4 million dollars.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">There's more, much more, so please read </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/oct/29/gala-prize-was-weekend-with-official/">the full article</a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">As November 2 approaches, it's as important as ever to get the word out and make sure voters are informed of the truth!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">How can you help?</span><br /><ul style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><li>Contact everyone you know in the SWC district--an email, a quick phone call, a Facebook post, a tweet--and ask them to contact three other people they know, etc.</li></ul><ul style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><li>Participate in one or both literature drops organized by candidate Tim Nader:</li></ul><blockquote style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Late-night Literature Drop to Get Out the Vote<br />Tomorrow (Monday) at 7:30 p.m.<br />Meet at 7 Kingswood Dr., Chula Vista, CA 91911<br /></blockquote><blockquote style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Early Morning Election Day Literature Drop<br />Tuesday at 4:00 a.m.<br />Meet at 7 Kingswood Dr., Chula Vista, CA 91911<br /></blockquote><ul style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><li>Help out with sign-waving Monday morning or evening and/or Tuesday morning . Contact Veronica Burton at vburton6@cox.net or just show up at one of the following intersections (7:00-8:30 am; 4:30-6:00 p.m.):</li></ul><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Bonita Road and Otay Lakes Road</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">East H Street and Otay Lakes Road</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Terra Nova Plaza<br /><br />E Street and 805<br /><br />L Street and 805<br /></span></blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Governing Board incumbents and upper administration seem to think the C in SWC stands for "Construction." Let's set 'em straight.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Let's Save Our Southwestern College.<br /><br /></span></span>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-79813186746107169952010-10-25T16:18:00.001-07:002010-10-25T18:42:12.076-07:00When Is News not News? When It's Business as Usual<a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWX5WiKhUTebBb07YQpNQJKJ6-VOCbgy2Ot5c0P0kcp5GgQ5Ggwkk5fzAkTy5Bd9as3hUwUUJrKJpzdfWbk_8TgZaCSH4hfBNwXEVAaYZAmUZh2Jtww_J4cM3QazN8VAl_MUROFHyFFCs/s1600/SWCmailer2logcr.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 66px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWX5WiKhUTebBb07YQpNQJKJ6-VOCbgy2Ot5c0P0kcp5GgQ5Ggwkk5fzAkTy5Bd9as3hUwUUJrKJpzdfWbk_8TgZaCSH4hfBNwXEVAaYZAmUZh2Jtww_J4cM3QazN8VAl_MUROFHyFFCs/s320/SWCmailer2logcr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532127217969461730" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">In our last post, we told you about some shady dealings on the part of Governing Board incumbents. Now there's more.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">We've just learned that the Southwestern College district itself sent out a mailer promoting the Board and downplaying accreditation problems.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did they do this? By packaging the propaganda as "news."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">8 1/2 X 11 inch mailer on glossy card stock</span> pretends to be "News from Southwestern College," but its timing--right before the election--couldn't be more transparent. (Besides, honestly, if you wanted to send apolitical information to the community, would you choose to do so at the very moment people's mailboxes are overflowing with campaign literature? We think not.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">While not mentioning candidates by name, the mailer refers glowingly to the current Governing Board <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">no fewer than eight times</span>, once in <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >bold red font</span>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Twice (once on each side), the mailer claims that accreditation problems date from 1996 and 2003 ("Southwestern College is currently resolving issues from previous WASC reports in 1996 and 2003")--<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">a story the incumbents have been promoting throughout their campaigns</span>, especially as a way to discredit former Superintendent/President Norma Hernandez, who is running against Yolanda Salcido for Seat #4.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">The truth, of course, is that this Board and Superintendent/President Raj Chopra are responsible for the college's probationary accreditation status, as we've been documenting on this blog for over a year.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7eoEg8n1Kba3wZMo6jwabH9jL0BG11_3OkwDabhYPZ-QVD808sEgV_daSf60QFNFMOPfRKpi1gwzyP3ouygviWDkozbVuJyplSkHxtxjy6VtQsWRBbtbAz31lulJ0uL2HubOsGCoSMQ/s1600/SWCmailer1lab.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 103px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7eoEg8n1Kba3wZMo6jwabH9jL0BG11_3OkwDabhYPZ-QVD808sEgV_daSf60QFNFMOPfRKpi1gwzyP3ouygviWDkozbVuJyplSkHxtxjy6VtQsWRBbtbAz31lulJ0uL2HubOsGCoSMQ/s320/SWCmailer1lab.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532127282852800274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">So what does it cost to manufacture this kind of spin? According to the label, these mailers went out E</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">CRWSS (Enhanced Carrier Route Walking Sequence Saturation), which in US Postal Service lingo means the mailing had to go to every address on the route.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Assuming the district sent only to addresses in Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach, Bonita, and Coronado (skipping outlying areas like San Ysidro and Otay Mesa), that amounts to at least 100,000 households (and we're not even counting the business addresses on those routes). At the non-profit ECRWSS mailing rate of 11 cents per, the mailing cost alone comes to <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">$11,000</span>. And we haven't even included the cost of the mailer itself yet!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Even if we assume an incredibly modest 10 cents for each mailer, that brings the grand total to<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> over $20,000</span>. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And guess who paid for it, folks. Yep, that would be <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">you, the taxpayer</span>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">In case you didn't receive a copy in the mail, you can see the scanned mailer here:</span><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://saveourswc.org/images/SWCmailer1.jpg">Side 1</a><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://saveourswc.org/images/SWCmailer2.jpg">Side 2</a>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-65337118845516210262010-10-18T16:57:00.000-07:002010-10-20T16:01:26.980-07:00False Advertising and Deals vs. The Truth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip80Pit8KBKHyjgu0lluY1nHPMAO9RIxWkdUVTK11C58EFIaZh9vKU9wtR6cUuSO67CR_NhlUE2cfgBT8moqX_KQpaB6icMpeswd35zn91mpH_yKd-oIeMXYxex_kk_0LLPV878SgYGA0/s1600/finaldeal.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 159px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip80Pit8KBKHyjgu0lluY1nHPMAO9RIxWkdUVTK11C58EFIaZh9vKU9wtR6cUuSO67CR_NhlUE2cfgBT8moqX_KQpaB6icMpeswd35zn91mpH_yKd-oIeMXYxex_kk_0LLPV878SgYGA0/s320/finaldeal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529615109614116962" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Like it or not, campaigns and election outcomes largely depend on money. Yard signs, commercials, banners, mailers, and other forms of getting the word out require cash. Lots of cash. We know this, and--grudgingly or not--accept it as the way business is done.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">What some of us are not so ready to accept is bad business, deceptive business: candidates who misrepresent themselves and their supporters, figuring that no one will notice, and if they do, oh well, the lie got out there anyway.</span> </span></span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br />We've already addressed </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://saveourswc.blogspot.com/2010/10/governing-board-meeting-wednesday-and.html">Yolanda Salcido's I'm-an-honorable-judge</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> early Halloween costume. Now, a </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.southwesterncollegesun.com/news/student-leaders-deny-endorsing-salcido-1.1711683">recent article in the <span style="font-style: italic;">Southwestern Sun</span></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> [link updated Oct. 20] reveals that Salcido used Associated Student Organization (ASO) officer photos and a fake quote in her publicity materials.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">According to </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">The Sun</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">, ASO President Manuel Lopez and Vice President of Public Relations Nick Serrano both "feverently denied supporting Salcido and demanded that she remove their photos and false endorsements from her campaign website and all printed campaign materials."</span></span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />As they say in TV-land, though, that's not all! What many voters don't realize is that <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">space on a lot of slate mailers is bought</span>: despite the appearance of organization endorsement, all that's being endorsed is a fat check.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />According to the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sdvote.net/CampaignDocs_Web_Public_Access/">San Diego County Registrar of Voters Campaign Finance Disclosure Public Site</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, both Yolanda Salcido and Terri Valladolid have so far spent $15,311 each to appear on these mailers:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />California Democratic Voter Guide: $4,500</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />California Latino Voter Guide: $3,811</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />California Voter Guide: $7,000</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />--------------------------------------</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Total: $15,311 X 2 = <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">$30,622</span> to buy two candidates the appearance of widespread support.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">And where did all this money come from? Construction interests, of course!</span></span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Check it out for yourself by looking at their </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="searchlabel">460 Recipient Committee Campaign Statements</span>:<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sdvote.net/CFD_Web_Images/2010%5C029%5C00002920100802F12.pdf">Salcido's 460 Jan to June 2010</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (shows early donations)</span><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sdvote.net/CFD_Web_Images/2010%5C029%5C00002920101006F12.pdf">Salcido's 460</a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sdvote.net/CFD_Web_Images/2010%5C029%5C00002920101006F12.pdf"> July to Sept 2010</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (shows additional donations and expenditures)<br /><br /></span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sdvote.net/CFD_Web_Images/2010%5C027%5C00002720100802F12.pdf">Valladolid's 460 Jan to June</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (shows early donations)</span><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sdvote.net/CFD_Web_Images/2010%5C027%5C00002720101006F12.pdf">Valladolid's 460 July to Sept</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (shows additional donations and expenditures)</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />(The third incumbent running for election, Jorge Dominguez, has raised and spent very little money, so we're not covering him here.)</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />For a comparison, look at Norma L. Hernandez's </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sdvote.net/CFD_Web_Images/2010%5C028%5C00002820101004F12.pdf">latest 460</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">. <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">In contrast to Salcido's and Valladolid's big bucks construction money, Hernandez's donations are almost all from individuals and in the amount of $100-$200.</span></span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />To be fair, Hernandez's campaign has also invested in some slate mailers, but on a much smaller scale, spending less than a third ($4889) what Salcido and Valladolid each have thrown around.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />So how do you get a fair election when big money perpetuates itself by supporting candidates that will later reward it with contracts? <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">You </span></span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://www.swcboardmustgo.com/2010/10/fight-incumbent-political-machine-do.html">fight the incumbent political machine</a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> any way you can: by donating, by volunteering, by painting your car window, by doing anything and everything you can to tell the truth.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Campaign contacts:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jesseca Saenz-Gonzalez – </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.jesseca4swc.com/">www.jesseca4swc.com</a></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Norma Hernandez – </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.hernandez4swc.com/">www.hernandez4swc.com</a></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tim Nader – </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://timnader.com/">timnader.com </a></li></ul> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Volunteer contacts:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Campus outreach: Patti Flores-Charter ccnado@san.rr.com</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Phone banking: Veronica Burton vburton6@cox.net</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Precinct walking: Diane Gustafon diangus15@aol.com</span></li></ul><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tell the truth. Save Our Southwestern College.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Update: Here are a couple more articles from <span style="font-style: italic;">The Sun</span> that you shouldn't miss:<br /></span></span></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.southwesterncollegesun.com/viewpoints/unsigned-1.1711680?pagereq=2"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Disingenuous Incumbents Need to Go</span></span></a></span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.southwesterncollegesun.com/viewpoints/southwestern-represented-by-a-truth-bender-1.1711689">Southwestern Represented by a Truth-Bender</a></span><br /></span></span></span></li></ul><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><br /><br /></span></span>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-34329854492516615142010-10-17T14:10:00.000-07:002010-10-17T14:24:31.548-07:00Street Talkin': Some Examples<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa1PbZVwhg-hxIg5kvGw9kk7xi1Gd56UmO9tlX4BtlzTgFBnC-vRnrnr811kX0FK3Xg20AhrxbXGHSDAiQ-KhPwmSQ6TjyQXdlg3rIY_nS5NaNk-v42GDN1tQEoHPljh5Uk3FRlYX0pM/s1600/windowpen2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa1PbZVwhg-hxIg5kvGw9kk7xi1Gd56UmO9tlX4BtlzTgFBnC-vRnrnr811kX0FK3Xg20AhrxbXGHSDAiQ-KhPwmSQ6TjyQXdlg3rIY_nS5NaNk-v42GDN1tQEoHPljh5Uk3FRlYX0pM/s320/windowpen2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529128165242428738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >We've been talking about using our cars' rear windows to get the message out, and here are a couple more examples.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />For both, a "glass pen" (available at KMart in the stationery section) was used on the outside of the window.</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >The results will be water resistant but still washable.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioqiuvOO3ECU18zmGWXk50TmEMgHPhpnMRO8i72juoDgqMJ-LQKxHKLy9X7Y8rv5u7qtAMhnq3_r_101JNhARCzfXv_7ZZX5sckL7zc5LHflsPSHrh1d-aJS4-GyQpcVVJ92b73HwWaQ/s1600/windowpen.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioqiuvOO3ECU18zmGWXk50TmEMgHPhpnMRO8i72juoDgqMJ-LQKxHKLy9X7Y8rv5u7qtAMhnq3_r_101JNhARCzfXv_7ZZX5sckL7zc5LHflsPSHrh1d-aJS4-GyQpcVVJ92b73HwWaQ/s400/windowpen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529127314338056770" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">In case you missed our previous updates, you can also look for glass pens (or "glass chalk") at auto stores, hobby shops, and craft supplies.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Also, if you're going old school per our </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://saveourswc.blogspot.com/2010/10/takin-it-to-street.html">original instructions</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">, a couple of suggestions are 1) add a small amount of liquid dish soap to the tempera to prevent flaking and 2) apply a light coat of hair spray to the window before and after painting.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Please send your photos to saveourswc@yahoo.com, and we'll post them with our next update!</span><br /><br /></span>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-28772723992481213352010-10-14T14:14:00.000-07:002010-10-14T17:39:59.526-07:00Takin' It to the Street, Part 2: Free Speech on Wheels!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTIzQrbI5VpHp4LcCMSB5Vxr9rH0ZFNroRZ0-kLDmURp7e6ZEx6Qy4BP3dNH1JRYXgp8JenXeblbi-pgGFwu5BMJFVj6kF2svYV9N6R-KqKZ4Ltg9RpMaTnM5fFlvyuBsbsAMI9klyWc/s1600/window2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTIzQrbI5VpHp4LcCMSB5Vxr9rH0ZFNroRZ0-kLDmURp7e6ZEx6Qy4BP3dNH1JRYXgp8JenXeblbi-pgGFwu5BMJFVj6kF2svYV9N6R-KqKZ4Ltg9RpMaTnM5fFlvyuBsbsAMI9klyWc/s320/window2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528014320807630722" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Last night, we gave you some info about how you can help spread the word about the election by painting on your car rear window.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here's an update with some additional tips:</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">If you use tempera according to <a href="http://saveourswc.blogspot.com/2010/10/takin-it-to-street.html">our previous directions</a>, <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">try lightly spraying the inside of the rear window with hair spray first</span>. (If it runs, just smooth out with a paper towel.) The hair spray will dry clear (more or less) and help act as a primer: your paint will go on more smoothly and stick better. Let the hair spray dry thoroughly before you paint. After the paint is completely dry, you can apply another very light coat of hair spray.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOe2nJcWF9XlRJ9YgAkRQtviPqqkggmO1dBi3UmSa8-otmJz0xYAQQOb0sTyf7YXFTC1zNu06gqpjUGJUoksa2eiz9o4-Pp-JhoofbV5sMAuZOOLKWP2WIX5QXTwNduxMkOSZRcxfRnmU/s1600/glasschalk.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOe2nJcWF9XlRJ9YgAkRQtviPqqkggmO1dBi3UmSa8-otmJz0xYAQQOb0sTyf7YXFTC1zNu06gqpjUGJUoksa2eiz9o4-Pp-JhoofbV5sMAuZOOLKWP2WIX5QXTwNduxMkOSZRcxfRnmU/s200/glasschalk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528017546060166258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">An easy (though slightly more expensive) alternative to tempera is <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">glass chalk</span>, which can be used on the outside of the windows. Supposedly, it will hold up in the rain yet comes off easily when scrubbed with water. Check at auto supply stores and hardware stores for this one.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Finally, once you've done your window, please send us a photo of the job at saveourswc@yahoo.com, and we'll post it on the blog!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And keep those tips coming. Let's do this!<br /><br /></span>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-28586047665325951522010-10-13T19:39:00.000-07:002010-10-14T15:05:26.391-07:00Takin' It to the Street!<a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBik-AOre53RNZ-KHukvGWNxiNX3vgBYdBUfl8Exz2uvAiZfzwDcZFvj-VK0vElNO6_4dSKAOZPKe1ELyngzppYUcQyH9UJv5wkQ_HxgxS-L-NPImBew8elHxkWqRRnjC8xb96N8tABPDI/s1600/windowimage.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBik-AOre53RNZ-KHukvGWNxiNX3vgBYdBUfl8Exz2uvAiZfzwDcZFvj-VK0vElNO6_4dSKAOZPKe1ELyngzppYUcQyH9UJv5wkQ_HxgxS-L-NPImBew8elHxkWqRRnjC8xb96N8tABPDI/s400/windowimage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527716454665033138" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">With less than three weeks to the election (and absentee ballots already coming in), there is a quick, easy way that everyone can help get the word out: let your car's rear window do the talking.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's a simple matter of buying some very inexpensive supplies, printing the template (provided here), and doing the painting.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Read on for more detailed instructions:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Supplies:</span> You will need to purchase a bottle of white or yellow tempera paint (around $2) and some small brushes (around $2-4, depending on what you get).</span><br /><ul style="font-weight: bold;"><li>Make sure you buy <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">tempera </span>paint (not latex or acrylic). Even when dry, tempera dissolves in water and is easy to remove.</li><li>Get smaller brushes than you think you'll need--the bristles will spread as you apply the paint. We used a 1/8" and a 1/4" brush.</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Local sources for the paint and brushes:</span><br /><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aCs6wXl-490tZJyc0XUyZWzIzdPBurf7J8jJtmfdWLvaO3ny-g4zL9qvT5_AV2shGBcmMGwV2-qGacYMjyYXKcXYD_vyfXkFMXwNBeRKkViTLElxPJh0lOsG5BNECrP8zc2VFVNR7C9Z/s1600/tempera.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aCs6wXl-490tZJyc0XUyZWzIzdPBurf7J8jJtmfdWLvaO3ny-g4zL9qvT5_AV2shGBcmMGwV2-qGacYMjyYXKcXYD_vyfXkFMXwNBeRKkViTLElxPJh0lOsG5BNECrP8zc2VFVNR7C9Z/s320/tempera.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527720429807716818" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" > 1410 East Plaza Blvd </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" > National City CA 91950</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><br />(619) 477-2230</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >Michaels Arts & Crafts<br />1242 Broadway<br />Chula Vista CA 91911</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" > (619) 425-0209<br /><br />and Walmart. (Note: Target does not carry tempera)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">We splurged and bought a four-pack of brushes for $3.99 (at right). Keep in mind that one bottle of paint can do a lot of windows: share with your friends! For around $6 (paint and brushes), you can easily paint ten cars--a cost of 60 cents per car.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Templates:</span> Because tempera dissolves in water (and also provides a tempting surface for initial-carving), you want to paint your sign on the <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">inside </span>of your back window. As a result, you'll be writing your message backwards from the inside so that it appears correctly from the outside. Using a template makes this task much easier.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Your end result will look like this (but window-sized):</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94G-PpI9a1Rgh3cl0DfHLcq9g6b-4ayUXh7mdfRje6AuZzLsXbIIrGZvgf8ZPymq6AUQqwJjvWQqBWaGtKXyHOT6-AqaViUJmXSGIqF0NeLAhx7IUTXpxxsmigzgZ-hG9Ij0lNHdvU_E/s1600/windowsignteachersinvert.gif"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94G-PpI9a1Rgh3cl0DfHLcq9g6b-4ayUXh7mdfRje6AuZzLsXbIIrGZvgf8ZPymq6AUQqwJjvWQqBWaGtKXyHOT6-AqaViUJmXSGIqF0NeLAhx7IUTXpxxsmigzgZ-hG9Ij0lNHdvU_E/s320/windowsignteachersinvert.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527729135602104674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When you print out the templates, they'll look weird! Text will be backward and cut off at strange places. That's okay! Once you cut out the lines of text and tape them together, you'll end up with something like this (but window-sized):</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplFk8yzfgkZjhn6t4cf9cXSIcw-g7JVS0qB1sB4cej89s2f4YpZNZEzSPkWkm3s3Y1BzMhYwAL-67vP9-LPIsiUPi8yacMpsVikEn7mkYfEuTkK4_lNDTDeSgPDBa9sGGeGfTN2I7ftQ/s1600/windowsignteachersrev.gif"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplFk8yzfgkZjhn6t4cf9cXSIcw-g7JVS0qB1sB4cej89s2f4YpZNZEzSPkWkm3s3Y1BzMhYwAL-67vP9-LPIsiUPi8yacMpsVikEn7mkYfEuTkK4_lNDTDeSgPDBa9sGGeGfTN2I7ftQ/s320/windowsignteachersrev.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527729864052730002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">There are four different templates </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(ignore the "parent directory" link but click the others)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">:<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://saveourswc.org/windowteachers/">one for teachers</a><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://saveourswc.org/windowstudents/">one for students</a></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://saveourswc.org/windowstaff/">one for staff</a></span></li><li><a href="http://saveourswc.org/windowcommunity/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">one for community members</span></a></li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Each template consists of four different files: one for the top line (broken into two-three pieces for that file); two for the candidates' names (split down the middle); and one for the closing line (split into three pieces).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">With files 1 and 4, cut out each piece. (Leave the lines in files 2 and 3 intact.) To match up lines, refer to the image above, and cut white space as needed. As you tape the parts together, you'll end up with three different chunks (lead line, candidates' names, and closing line). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Application of template: </span>First, clean the back window inside and out! Some window cleaner, or even just plain water, will do the job fine.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To use the template, you will tape each "chunk" <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">face down</span> on the rear window <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">from the outside</span>. (As you do this, the strategy will make more sense: through the paper, you'll see how the print will appear for viewers.) Since there are three different "chunks," you can adjust spacing as needed. (The original template is based on an average rear window size of about 40" X 20".)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Painting:</span> Now all you have to do is follow the template. Climb into the back of the car, and using a small brush with paint (you can work from the container or a small cup), trace the letters. Don't worry about getting everything perfect! Remember, drivers will be seeing your sign on the run; they won't be scrutinizing details. The message is the important part!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tips:</span><br /><ul style="font-weight: bold;"><li>Trace the letters from top to bottom. If you are right-handed, work from left to right to avoid smudging paint. If you are left-handed, work from right to left.</li><li>Don't worry about little mistakes. Big ones can easily be cleaned up with a moistened paper towel.</li><li>As you move down the window, painting may become more difficult. Again, remember it's the message that's important; don't sweat the small stuff.<br /></li><li>Depending on the quality of your paint, you may want to do a second coat. The image at the beginning of this post shows a one-coat job with cheap paint. Still, the message would be readily visible to other drivers. We'll do a touch-up tomorrow and post new pics. Note: let the first coat dry (might take an hour) before attempting a second.</li><li>Remember to wash your brushes with some warm water and a little dish soap afterward. In the meantime, you can let them soak in a cup of water.<br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >This is an easy way to contribute to SWC; reading the directions will probably take you more time than to do the job. Speak up. Be heard. Make a difference.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">Save Our Southwestern College!<br /></span><br /></span>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-72301694112259187542010-10-11T21:25:00.001-07:002010-10-11T22:40:52.901-07:00Governing Board Meeting Wednesday! and other news . . .<a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7WIqae92UM-VxELP7TrB96SJQuUVPr4gLyIKpfyIrRxbblfQ6r7fsgeaf914asnkGyI8WSZBCPHdkqoCDvGkiVU1cE4uSDrbyCloJ-gQoPFKba2kJ9Vb3qP6NLy6dZW9HnJlTMK6EYQ/s1600/gavelnot.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7WIqae92UM-VxELP7TrB96SJQuUVPr4gLyIKpfyIrRxbblfQ6r7fsgeaf914asnkGyI8WSZBCPHdkqoCDvGkiVU1cE4uSDrbyCloJ-gQoPFKba2kJ9Vb3qP6NLy6dZW9HnJlTMK6EYQ/s320/gavelnot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527025662464293186" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday, October 13, is the last regularly scheduled Board meeting before the November 2 election.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The meeting will be held in Room 214 on the main campus and begins at 7:00 pm.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">On the agenda will be approval of the college's first accreditation progress report (due October 15). Also planned is an Academic Senate resolution protesting the administration's multiple delays in securing an SLO coordinator--one of the conditions of accreditation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more details and reasons why YOU should attend, please see </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.swcboardmustgo.com/2010/10/i-want-you-to-come-to-october-governing.html">this post at SWC Board Must Go!</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> As that blog states, "You want to address them about their attack on the </span><em style="font-weight: bold;">Southwestern College Sun</em><span style="font-weight: bold;">? You want to know why your children can’t get into classes? You want your chance to speak your mind and make them listen? This is it."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Perhaps, too, someone can ask Yolanda Salcido why her campaign web site refers to her as "The Honorable Yolanda Salcido" (plug for meet and greet event). Salcido is a not a judge; never has been. In fact, according to a search of the State Bar of California, she is not a licensed attorney and <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >never has been</span>. Perhaps she's confused her gavel at Board meetings with that of a judge? Or maybe she's taking cues from <a href="http://saveourswc.blogspot.com/2010/09/plot-thickens.html">Nicholas Alioto, Not-a-CPA</a> in bogus self-promotion? Either way, the college deserves far better governance--ethical, experienced, and not beholden to countywide construction interests.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jesseca Saenz-Gonzalez is one of those contenders. Going up against what SWC Board Must Go! calls "a has-been opponent who couldn't be bothered to show up at an impartial candidate forum at Southwestern College," Jesseca has a new commercial coming out.<br /><br /><object height="390" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/K2LCyEuqJ2o&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/K2LCyEuqJ2o&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="390" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br />The ad will be airing on Animal Planet, FX, Lifetime, MTV2, SyFy, TLC, Travel Channel, Tru TV, The Weather Channel, and VH1. Watch for it!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Finally, if you want to revisit some of the issues that brought us to this point, Katherine Sweetman's mini-doc, <a href="http://saveourswc.blogspot.com/search/label/Katherine%20Sweetman">Trouble at Southwestern College</a> is a good starting point. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">By the way, as part of the current art exhibition: CONTROverse: Contemporary Visions of the US-Mexico Border, Sweetman's latest microdoc, <span style="font-style: italic;">Living in Tijuana</span>, along with Gustavo Vazquez's <span style="font-style: italic;">Que Viva la Lucha</span>, will be shown on campus this coming Thursday, 6-8 pm, in Room 750. These are perfect examples of what is right with the college. Please help us fix what's wrong.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please help us Save Our Southwestern College.<br /><br /><br /></span>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-11410939427492778282010-10-07T10:44:00.001-07:002010-10-07T10:57:16.820-07:00TONIGHT: Student-hosted Governing Board Candidate Forum<a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAo3Cmz6P4_TqJFEe7mokh3AO3rriHZiJHq6ZepcBgp5XOlY2cWapc5a0JvNDCnbM2dfoOLi9usGtt4thL09nYbaQQzo597Qld3DFBx0lIR453jQzxg0-KSt0qTPkxD340oVOU0ejRLZQ/s1600/aso.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAo3Cmz6P4_TqJFEe7mokh3AO3rriHZiJHq6ZepcBgp5XOlY2cWapc5a0JvNDCnbM2dfoOLi9usGtt4thL09nYbaQQzo597Qld3DFBx0lIR453jQzxg0-KSt0qTPkxD340oVOU0ejRLZQ/s320/aso.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525361694031782322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">In light of the upcoming Governing Board elections, Southwestern College's Associated Student Organization will be hosting a “</span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Student Candidate Forum</i><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">” this </span><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Thursday, October 7</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">, from </span><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">6:30 P.M. to 8 P.M.</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> in </span><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Student Union East</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">. </span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This event has been designed for the student body to ask their own personal questions of the Governing Board candidates pertaining to their education at SWC, and in turn, allow them to formulate their own opinions about who they vote for on November 2. </span><b style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Please note</b><span style="font-weight: bold;">: Only currently registered Southwestern College students will be permitted to submit questions at this event. </span><i style="font-weight: bold;">However,</i><b style="font-weight: bold;"> </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">co</i><i style="font-weight: bold;">llege staff and the public are welcome to attend</i><i style="font-weight: bold;">. </i><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://saveourswc.org/studentforum.pdf">Event flyer</a>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-30992168045926695032010-09-30T11:22:00.000-07:002010-09-30T11:57:42.868-07:00Thunder, Lightning, and the Sun Is Out!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzkn-P8H9u5mG_9HwKYolytMm6zW7LvwzhdFRrOTx-yye4ltzNo7bEac-Z5B9dVK4FNI4b1SpB4s76AjiV50TylNgHE4d5z7z-CUM0tr5BtivivUADUDYJTxkcRR_wKqzXfB0QkMqvAU/s1600/sunclouds.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzkn-P8H9u5mG_9HwKYolytMm6zW7LvwzhdFRrOTx-yye4ltzNo7bEac-Z5B9dVK4FNI4b1SpB4s76AjiV50TylNgHE4d5z7z-CUM0tr5BtivivUADUDYJTxkcRR_wKqzXfB0QkMqvAU/s320/sunclouds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522779408365623554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Not to be silenced by an oppressive administration, </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">The Southwestern College Sun</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> releases an independent issue of the newspaper today. Read more at </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://www.swcboardmustgo.com/node/36">The Sun Goes to Press</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Also on the illumination menu today is the Governing Board Candidate Forum, on campus tonight. See our </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://saveourswc.blogspot.com/2010/09/swc-governing-board-candidate-forum.html">previous post</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> <span style="font-size:130%;">for details.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br />Come out of the dark; see the light. Save Our Southwestern College.<br /><br /><br /></span>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-79251230955224075462010-09-28T09:51:00.000-07:002010-09-28T10:19:58.580-07:00SWC Governing Board Candidate Forum This Thursday!<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >R<span style="font-weight: bold;">EMINDER: This Thursday, CSEA and SCEA (classified and faculty unions) are sponsoring an open forum for all SWC Governing Board candidates on the November 2 ballot.</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Invited candidates, listed in ballot order<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZUKQv7Z7aL_SdRAOBlKPx2PrTHqUrEyhmgUQG5Y-uTF82j7RVT9-CCtL3UAjceQUvJAgqxLXR4zIQGJ5NIGueP6GyV8jm-o7RnxKK9mqXXY8dET2nhR47zk5lG7OQvDdG-suOHKn80k/s1600/jsaenzlogo.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 56px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZUKQv7Z7aL_SdRAOBlKPx2PrTHqUrEyhmgUQG5Y-uTF82j7RVT9-CCtL3UAjceQUvJAgqxLXR4zIQGJ5NIGueP6GyV8jm-o7RnxKK9mqXXY8dET2nhR47zk5lG7OQvDdG-suOHKn80k/s320/jsaenzlogo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522008450144790962" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Seat #2</span><br />Terri Valladolid<br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://www.jesseca4swc.com/">Jesseca Saenz-Gonzalez</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_5MxlMcv1QAp1VlbzlvAKCBKVKkj2D-j9f4wnlSzprfz_QQc2bxTr8u1M4YqSfE-2AJsgyo9q8taom8-RwthpQf4z4iDBGQe2McX4VAKXkit5gXp0xj4C9hRnTdCYAO0clSxR-D_a0U/s1600/nhernandezlogo.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 61px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_5MxlMcv1QAp1VlbzlvAKCBKVKkj2D-j9f4wnlSzprfz_QQc2bxTr8u1M4YqSfE-2AJsgyo9q8taom8-RwthpQf4z4iDBGQe2McX4VAKXkit5gXp0xj4C9hRnTdCYAO0clSxR-D_a0U/s320/nhernandezlogo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522008274104738354" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Seat #4</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Yolanda Salcido<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> <a href="http://www.norma4swc.com/">Norma L. Hernandez</a></span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvT_BMq4HJaMi_d7AUaObOHJQ1y6hFpLmw9mM-b2RLPN4mgRyfg8pGH9F7bjJHtlQh5cdJVu6to8lVODm1GXHWaoFbTRUU4Pb1_zqbmsVdosQq-aiYt2A0s9mxXfze68orQMBf5p6V7o/s1600/tnaderlogo.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 90px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvT_BMq4HJaMi_d7AUaObOHJQ1y6hFpLmw9mM-b2RLPN4mgRyfg8pGH9F7bjJHtlQh5cdJVu6to8lVODm1GXHWaoFbTRUU4Pb1_zqbmsVdosQq-aiYt2A0s9mxXfze68orQMBf5p6V7o/s320/tnaderlogo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522008158011502706" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Seat #5</span><br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="https://timnader.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tim Nader</span></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">William “Bud” McLeroy</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jaime Mercado</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jorge Dominguez</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Where:</span> Southwestern College, main campus, Room 751<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">When:</span> 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:45 p.m.)<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Cost:</span> FREE; free parking available in Lot J<br /><a href="http://www.swccd.edu/Pdfs/SWC_MainCampus_map2010.pdf">Campus Map</a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Format: </span>The format will include a short statement from each of the candidates present and then questions from the public. Questions must be submitted in writing and be directed to the entire panel. Jordan Mills, SWC Speech and Debate coach, will moderate.<br /><br />Also keep in mind these upcoming opportunities to meet, greet, and support our candidates: <a href="http://www.swcboardmustgo.com/node/34">Have You Met These Candidates Yet?</a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /></div>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-53427774905919767142010-09-26T21:22:00.000-07:002010-09-26T21:44:02.691-07:00All Are Invited: Meet and Greet for Norma L. Hernandez This Friday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSOzhePpyGIaQo6gCgDdhl1triEq3g85vmS39ODrEj8mD5wI5btKEpgXg7-PF3F5gMNVrV6Jnh4tpahuo71aauivmAfnSqhXR25beAgEcSbYOi6x6R9yExfM06pW2OCcJrYorM5_UpDA/s1600/image002.gif"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSOzhePpyGIaQo6gCgDdhl1triEq3g85vmS39ODrEj8mD5wI5btKEpgXg7-PF3F5gMNVrV6Jnh4tpahuo71aauivmAfnSqhXR25beAgEcSbYOi6x6R9yExfM06pW2OCcJrYorM5_UpDA/s320/image002.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521444271419249250" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">As many of you know, Norma Hernandez, former Superintendent/President of Southwestern College, is running in the current SWC Governing Board election.</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here is another opportunity to meet her in person, ask questions, and gather with like-minded folks who are seriously concerned about the future of our college!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The event will be held on Friday, October 1, 5:00-8:00 pm, at the home of Chuck and Patti Charter in Coronado. The address is 442 I Avenue.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wine and cheese are on the menu, and I know that Patti and Chuck have been cooking up other tasty delights as well.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step up and eat the hors d'oeuvres. Talk, make friends. Sounds silly, and yet, ultimately, that's the only thing that works when it comes to real change. . . . </span><br /><a href="http://saveourswc.org/normaevent101.pdf"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">More info on the event.</span></a>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-33576039832042800072010-09-25T09:56:00.000-07:002010-09-25T10:07:37.412-07:00Meet Candidate Norma Hernandez at Bonitafest!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkbIIn7M1hkmBR2MPxH4_wjboMrNCwcv62e3yvCjT_-HXFXxw2N2GRk3llBcRhXbMwtuDsMgvFKRGozg0_wuDAivj2tYdrCbO2iqvOgRlpJxeGqYlVUVJyhvvcao3uRlfqTPLW1D35hM/s1600/bonitafest.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 159px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkbIIn7M1hkmBR2MPxH4_wjboMrNCwcv62e3yvCjT_-HXFXxw2N2GRk3llBcRhXbMwtuDsMgvFKRGozg0_wuDAivj2tYdrCbO2iqvOgRlpJxeGqYlVUVJyhvvcao3uRlfqTPLW1D35hM/s320/bonitafest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520896075502655202" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today only, the annual <a href="http://www.bonitacalifornia.org/bonitafest.html">Bonitafest</a>: food, crafts, and fun!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://norma4swc.com/">Norma Hernandez</a>, running for Seat #4 on the SWC Governing Board, will be there from 10 am to 4 pm. Look for the </span><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><em>Hernandez for Southwestern College Board</em></strong><span style="font-weight: bold;"> booth on Bonita Road, and stop by and say hi!</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bonitafest takes place along Bonita Road, approximately two miles east of the 805 Freeway, between Willow Street and Otay Lakes Road. The booths are located in the Bonita Village Shopping Center, McMillin Realty parking lot, and the Bonita Plaza Shopping Center. Bonita Road will be open all day. Parking: Kaiser Permanente (Bonita Road & Willow Street) and Bonita Valley Community Church (4744 Bonita Road).<br /><br /></span>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-8732281858917609432010-09-24T18:02:00.000-07:002010-09-24T19:07:26.136-07:00Award-winning SWC Sun Shut Down<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ibyL-I3WGf-4MElPsVOsDoOa_XGmTLnjsgJ0u4iciyi91dz2-NpImLd_yY5sTwSwFbfzmkzIOzdgy315V9sbZDI94aMPkhJfWM1m7fqSBhYE0hrcOY4b7xsV2Y30eqvZ4YwqOP1MvYc/s1600/unbelievable.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ibyL-I3WGf-4MElPsVOsDoOa_XGmTLnjsgJ0u4iciyi91dz2-NpImLd_yY5sTwSwFbfzmkzIOzdgy315V9sbZDI94aMPkhJfWM1m7fqSBhYE0hrcOY4b7xsV2Y30eqvZ4YwqOP1MvYc/s320/unbelievable.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520650403862452034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Twenty-six press awards, and what does the college do to the <span style="font-style: italic;">Southwestern College Sun</span>? Cancel the first issue.</span></span><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">As reported in </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.swcboardmustgo.com/node/33">Southwestern Board Must Go!</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, twenty-six reporters just received <a href="http://www.sdpressclub.org/Awards.html">San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards</a>. The administration has responded . . . well, it hasn't responded. Nothing. No press release. No "way to go." Nada.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">(And given that faculty union president Andrew MacNeill sent an email informing SWC Superintendent/President Raj Chopra and PR man Chris Bender at 6:40 this morning, there's really no excuse.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Shortly afterward, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The SWC Sun</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> released the statement, "</span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://media.www.southwesterncollegesun.com/news/publishing-crisis-update-issue-1-cancelled-1.1646509">Publishing Crisis Update: Issue #1 Canceled</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">." The statement points out that district PR claims that they were working to quickly resolve the crisis were "misleading or false."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Also revealed in the statement are four areas of concern:</span><br /><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">(1) Suspension of the printing of the Sun. <p> </p><p> (2) The threatened arrest of Branscomb [faculty adviser to <span style="font-style: italic;">The Sun</span>] and three students who were stopped by campus police for removing a journalism computer from the journalism lab.</p> <p> </p><p> (3) The district's plan to remove the Sun's link from the home page of the college's website.</p> <p> </p><p> (4) An administrative prohibition of campus employees from talking to Sun journalists without the permission of district spokesperson Christopher Bender.</p></blockquote><p style="font-weight: bold;"></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"></p><span style="font-weight: bold;">By now, the first three are still shocking but familiar to most. The fourth is downright flabbergasting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How many times does the administration and Board of Southwestern College have to be taken to task for First Amendment violations? And how can they be stopped?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 1: VOTE IN A NEW BOARD THIS NOVEMBER! </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Watch for mailers that should be arriving soon, and please share and display. Let's Save Our Southwestern College!<br /><br /><br /></span>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-87801137994240609222010-09-19T16:57:00.000-07:002010-09-19T18:52:47.463-07:00Context, Convenience, and Controversy<a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1wYGCIa8dwdmFjueH3B7XuUO9JA0DPLjsdIY_nAkRhNPXLiWn1stwUMOaKkU-fT2MefwaOPR0wYYnls4bZj2jXDBGzFvLI9ezr1P5-S8Zif-fh2J_7o-xkqCEiRpU9eyhpmxg1Emrhg/s1600/taxalicontradiction.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 328px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1wYGCIa8dwdmFjueH3B7XuUO9JA0DPLjsdIY_nAkRhNPXLiWn1stwUMOaKkU-fT2MefwaOPR0wYYnls4bZj2jXDBGzFvLI9ezr1P5-S8Zif-fh2J_7o-xkqCEiRpU9eyhpmxg1Emrhg/s320/taxalicontradiction.jpg" alt="image copyright Gary Taxali" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518778251039169938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">As we pointed out in our last post, controversial events easily capture the community's attention--for the moment. A more complete understanding of an issue's scope, its causes and possible solutions, however, requires a fuller grasp of context: what led us to here? how have similar events been handled? how does the current situation compare to those that occurred in the past?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Obviously, the answers to these questions can't be found in PR hack sound-bites. In fact, it's part of the PR hack's job to place a small frame around complex issues, cutting out the context so that only one interpretation is possible: theirs. </span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a href="http://garytaxali.com/works/port2.php?16"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Contradiction</span></a></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" > used by permission<br />© Gary Taxali</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Here, then, to hack the hack are two pieces submitted for your consideration:</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">1. How (In)Convenient</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Citing a policy that hasn't been applied in over fifteen years, SWC administration has halted the publication of the number one college newspaper in the country because the contract ( for a measly $3,000) between the Sun and the company that prints it hasn't been approved by the Governing Board.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How convenient.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The District has stopped the presses just a few weeks before elections involving a majority of Governing Board members will take place. And this decision is even more convenient considering that the Sun has been critical of administration, particularly Superintendent/President Raj Chopra, and the Board.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The District has some funny ideas about what is convenient. Last summer, when the faculty union learned that some teachers had not been paid for their work in June, union leaders took this issue to the District. "It would be inconvenient to pay them for just a few days," the District responded. " We'll make up the difference in their next paycheck."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Convenience is not the issue, the union informed the District. The California Education Code--the law, in other words--requires that faculty be paid on time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Ed Code also requires that all District employees be informed of the amount of sick leave they have accrued on their monthly paystubs. This does not happen at SWC, even though the union has been raising this issue with the District for years.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When it is convenient, administration and the Board will dig out a decades-old "policy," which does not have the force of law. But if a law is inconvenient, the same people will simply ignore it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How hypocritical.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">2. (As of Yet) Unpublished Letter to the Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune:</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">RE: College newspaper threatened with publishing roadblock</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Taken out of context, the decision by Southwestern College administrators to halt the publication of our award-winning student newspaper because a contract with a printer hasn't gone out to bid might seem a reasonable, responsible protection of taxpayer money. But the big picture reveals something much different.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">First, the shenanigans and dubious ethics involved in awarding multimillion dollar construction contracts to firms who later kick back thousands of dollars to re-elect incumbent Governing Board members shows that District officials aren't particularly concerned about protecting taxpayer money. Giving a $100,000 contract to a public relations firm whose job is to "isolate extremists" reveals the mindset of the SWC Governing Board and administration: Anyone with a differing opinion must be silenced.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This latest attempt to retaliate against the Sun is simply part of a long pattern of retaliation. The faculty adviser, who last year received the most prestigious national award possible for college and university journalism instructors, had his reassigned time eliminated. Just a few days ago, student journalists were threatened with criminal charges because they were taking school-owned laptop computers off campus to do their work.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Criminal charges are not laughable, but administrators' logic is. Laptop computers are designed to be portable. Student journalists routinely cover stories outside the boundaries of the campus, and laptop computers--and school-owned digital cameras, as well--are the tools they use to do their jobs. If all students were forbidden from using school-owned equipment for off-campus school activities, then the the football team would have to leave its helmets and pads behind when it traveled on the road.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Finally, the timing of this latest move against the Sun is curious. The student paper--containing articles critical of administration and the Governing Board--will not go to press just a few weeks before elections involving a majority of Governing Board members take place. Dusting off a decades-old policy, one which has never been enforced, to justify this action is simply another way of silencing dissent.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Philip Lopez</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Former President, current Secretary, of SCEA faculty union<br /><br /><br /></span>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-3618133961203264492010-09-17T19:36:00.000-07:002010-09-18T10:19:00.028-07:00Feels Like Old Times<a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvM9mxpfMkIrCGpQH98a1J1c0P5VosErkeLuyveVSK56B_9EQcx6pswsuqO2CU74CDb5CgsW9rTAhfQDVD87Nrdsv-TwnHmRr2ZHbzaTLEjyzVFSwbl2pH11VQJ-KgnV4Bza3i_PgND4U/s1600/type.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvM9mxpfMkIrCGpQH98a1J1c0P5VosErkeLuyveVSK56B_9EQcx6pswsuqO2CU74CDb5CgsW9rTAhfQDVD87Nrdsv-TwnHmRr2ZHbzaTLEjyzVFSwbl2pH11VQJ-KgnV4Bza3i_PgND4U/s320/type.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518077072648706594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">It was just one year ago that the Save Our Southwestern College blog got its start. The issues at the time: ham-handed administration, threats to freedom of speech, accreditation headed for the rocks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">My, how things haven't changed.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of our </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://saveourswc.blogspot.com/2009/09/channel-10-steps-up.html">first posts</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> linked to a News 10 story:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.10news.com/news/20450857/detail.html">College President Accused Of Targeting School Paper</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sounds familiar, don't it?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Posted the same day was a set of links to coverage from </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Sun</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> documenting problems with Raj Chopra's management going back to March of 2009:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://saveourswc.blogspot.com/2009/09/if-no-news-is-good-news.html">If No News Is Good News . . .</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />After that came a series of posts documenting the efforts of people on the ground--faculty, staff, and students--to get the college back on track. In </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://saveourswc.blogspot.com/2009/10/no-confidence-in-chopra-cover-letter.html">October 2009</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, nine documents were posted, including a copy of the Academic Senate's Vote of No Confidence in Raj Chopra and materials explaining the importance of Shared Governance (a key area that the Accrediting Commission later found lacking).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Also posted in October '09 were </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://saveourswc.blogspot.com/2009/10/25-class-cuts-or.html">alternatives to the 25% class cuts</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, a </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://saveourswc.blogspot.com/2009/10/what-led-us-to-here.html">timeline</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> documenting issues with adversarial leadership, other cost-saving suggestions, and the first </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://saveourswc.blogspot.com/2009/10/swc-governing-board-meeting-protest.html">Governing Board meeting protest</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, including </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://saveourswc.blogspot.com/2009/10/governing-board-meeting-contd.html">transcripts </a><span style="font-weight: bold;">of some of the speeches.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">But wait! There's more--much more, and if you care to take a deja vu walk down memory lane, just start back in September 2009 and work your way forward. It's a lot of reading, but a lot has been going on for quite some time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Southwestern's issues (and this blog) didn't start with the teachers' suspensions. That event merely put both the college and the blog on the map. The people who care, the people who know, the people who work in the midst of mismanagement, greed, ignorance, ineptitude, and spite (to name just a few oughta-be deadly sins) have been trying to spread the word, trying to Save Our Southwestern College.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Will you help them? More importantly, will you help the thousands of students who depend on SWC for their education?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please visit the sites of the candidates currently running against Board incumbents. Please contribute. (See left sidebar.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Meanwhile, here's the roll call of press pieces on the most recent free speech mess at SWC:</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://media.www.southwesterncollegesun.com/news/sun-under-attack-1.1604608">Sun Under Attack</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (from the SWC Sun)</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.southwesterncollegesun.com/columns/unsigned/building-a-legacy-crippling-a-college-1.1540045?pagereq=2"></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/17/southwestern-college-bars_n_720944.html">Southwestern College Bars Student Paper from Printing</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (from the Huffington Post)</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/sep/16/college-newspaper-publication-threatened-by/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">College Newspaper Threatened by Contract Policy</span></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (from SignonSanDiego)</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.10news.com/news/25045090/detail.html">Students Claim Administrators Looking to Shut Down Newspaper</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (from 10 News)</span><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://chronicle.com/article/Southwestern-College-Halts-/124509/"><br />Southwestern College Halts Publication of Student Newspaper</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (from The Chronicle of Higher Education)</span><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/09/17/qt#238441"><br />Student Journalists Say College Trying to Squelch Them</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (from Inside Higher Education)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Now is the time for change. Es tiempo de cambiar. What will you do to make it happen?<br /><br /><br /></span>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162054801902441580.post-34899343399113156322010-09-16T11:10:00.000-07:002010-09-16T12:24:28.786-07:00The Plot Thickens<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhW3X8cO3YsQ4oPzga__ToW8pt5HCPhhmr_Xp9wBUKnAdcL1iH4s0Oethvz2gV0VCv2zNLbKsrbxTViwXAAPzmCdZB8fEtJFjISESewFRTGpcpA7bq4Bn1YO2gDzNiRT-rB45Mx8WxH34/s1600/frack.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhW3X8cO3YsQ4oPzga__ToW8pt5HCPhhmr_Xp9wBUKnAdcL1iH4s0Oethvz2gV0VCv2zNLbKsrbxTViwXAAPzmCdZB8fEtJFjISESewFRTGpcpA7bq4Bn1YO2gDzNiRT-rB45Mx8WxH34/s320/frack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517586055982423202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">While the SWC administration puts school newspaper <span style="font-style: italic;">The Sun</span> on hold, SWC Vice President of Business Nicholas Alioto spams faculty at their private email addresses. Meanwhile, students rally to raise funds for independent publication of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Sun</span>.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's official: SWC admins have issued a "cease and desist" order, halting publication of the school newspaper, which is ready to go to press.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Senior staff writer Lyndsay Winkley will be speaking <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">tonight at 7:00 pm at the Eastlake Bonita Democratic Club Meeting at the Bonita library</span> (4375 Bonita Rd, Bonita). She "will be requesting the support, both financial and ethical, of the citizens in our community to help us, as student journalists, fully employ our constitutional rights." You can read more on this issue, including Lyndsay's full email, at </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.swcboardmustgo.com/node/28">Southwestern College Board Must Go!</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">As the news of this latest act of free speech suppression broke, many faculty were also shocked to find an email from Vice President of Business Nick Alioto in their </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">private home email inboxes</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">. At this point, no one knows how Alioto obtained these private addresses, but suffice it to say that faculty feel concerned and violated.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The email, which makes spurious, unsubstantiated claims about a candidate running against an incumbent in the upcoming Governing Board election, was sent from Nick Alioto's private account at </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.pbcg.biz/">http://www.pbcg.biz</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, site of the Public Business Consulting Group, Inc., headquartered in Wisconsin. (According to the site, Nick Alioto is or was--it's not clear when the site was last updated--the president/CEO of that company.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is this the same company that caused so much trouble for Wisconsin school districts, bilking the public of hundreds of thousands of dollars, with the result that Alioto was effectively run out of town? Why, yes it is! And, unlike Alioto's own specious claims about a candidate, this story is fully documented over at </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://thewriterswashroom.blogspot.com/2009/11/is-southwestern-colleges-nick-alioto.html">The Writer's Washroom</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Of further interest is Alioto misrepresenting himself as a licensed CPA. Typically signing emails, Nicholas C. A. Alioto, CPA, he implies that he is licensed in the state of California. However, a check at the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/lookup.shtml">California Board of Accountancy</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> shows no Nick Alioto, Nicholas Alioto, Nicholas C. A. Alioto, or any other combination we could think of as licensed in the state. According to the California Board, "</span><em style="font-weight: bold;">Only persons who are licensed by the CBA may call themselves a Certified Public Accountant or Public Accountant.</em><span style="font-weight: bold;">"</span> (Incidentally, Alioto is not licensed in Wisconsin either; <a href="http://online.drl.wi.gov/LicenseLookup/IndividualCredentialSearch.aspx">his license expired in 2009</a>.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">The election is just weeks away. Please help Save Our Southwestern College!<br /><br /><br /></span>Save Our Southwesternhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04930973414239423599noreply@blogger.com9