Voter Guide 2001: Tax foe challenges 2 incumbents on college board Voter Guide 2001: Tax foe challenges 2 incumbents on college board (October 24, 2001)

By Marjorie Mader
Almanac Staff Writer

The last-minute filing of candidate John H. "Jack" Hickey, chair of the Libertarian Party of San Mateo County, who opposes all tax measures, forced an election November 6 for the two seats on the San Mateo County Community College Board.

Mr. Hickey, who signed the ballot argument against the community college's $207 million bond Measure C, challenges incumbents Helen Hausman of Atherton and Richard Holober of Millbrae.

Incumbents Hausman and Holober endorse Measure C. They say the 30- to 35-year-old facilities at the district's three campuses _ Canada in Woodside, College of San Mateo in San Mateo, and Skyline in San Bruno _ urgently need updating and repair. The state has provided very little funding for building maintenance or capital improvements over the past 15 years, said Mr. Holober.

While the district has increased its maintenance budget from $200,000 a year four years ago to $750,000, this is hardly enough to keep up with the district's needs for better facilities, such as new classrooms, laboratories and libraries, said Mr. Holober.

With enrollment in the community colleges increasing about 4 percent a year, there will be more pressure on facilities and a need to create more off-campus satellite centers such as the downtown Redwood City and South San Francisco centers.

Both he and Mrs. Hausman support the new University Center at Canada that will provide opportunities for county students to earn a four-year degree at the cost of $11 per semester. They also support better facilities for training the county's police and firefighters and providing better equipment in classrooms that train nurses and in computer labs that provide technical job training.

Mr. Hickey said funding for the district is "more than adequate," "proper management of assets is the key" and maintaining the current operations at three campuses is a "formula for failure." He proposes "transitioning to a connected future" by downsizing campuses and consolidating resources.

He recommends increasing distance learning (on-line) options and leasing campus facilities to private "for profit" operations in areas such as childcare. A continuing concern of Mr. Hickey is to see the district more visible on the Internet with open and timely posting of district finances and meeting information.

Since the community college district is dependent on state funding, Mrs. Hausman and Mr. Holober advocate being more pro-active in working with other districts to build a more effective presence in Sacramento. State legislators need to better understand the community college district needs and the extent to which they provide for community success in employment and lifelong learning, said Mrs. Hausman.

Helen Hausman
Profession: Incumbent, former teacher
Experience : Served on San Mateo County Community College District Board, including two terms as board president; former trustee of the Sequoia Union High School District for 13 years; past president of the San Mateo County School Boards Association and 17th District PTA; chairman of the Bay Area American Red Cross Association
Education : BA degree, George Washington University
Age : Did not state

Richard Holober
Profession : Incumbent, San Mateo County Community College District Board since 1997
Experience : Former trustee of the Millbrae School District; advocate for consumer and labor organizations
Education : BA degree from University of Rochester
Age : 49

John J. "Jack" Hickey
Profession : Retired research scientist, formerly chief engineer for Dalmo-Victor, now Optics Technology
Experience : High-tech background with both technical expertise and knowledge of government agency operation; attended first Fiber Optic Conference in New Orleans in 1983; taxpayer advocate, opposing tax measures and eminent domain
Education : Honorary BS in electrical engineering from Dalmo-Victor
Age : 67