Election race begins for Board of Trustee candidates

Four candidates for the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees shared ideas on serving students, weathering budget cuts and going green at a public forum in the Center for Innovation on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

The candidates are running to become the representatives for Area 1, which covers parts of Azusa, Covina, Glendora, and Irwindale, and Area 3, which covers parts of Duarte, Arcadia, Azusa, and Monrovia.

Both of the two available seats are currently filled by Gary Woods, of Area 1, and Edward Ortell, of Area 3, both of whom have served on the board for many years and are once again running for re-election.

The opponents are Richard Lugo, a retired aerospace employee who is running for the Area 1 seat, and David Hooper, a construction consultant and Citrus alumnus who is running for the Area 3 seat.

At the forum, candidates were asked both pre-issued and on-the-spot questions concerning their reasons for running, stances on issues, and what their plans are for the college's future.

Elections will be held on Nov. 3 for all registered voters living within the district boundaries.

                                         CANDIDATE PROFILES: AREA 1

                                                       GARY WOODS

Gary Woods has served the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees since 1982, and has been an advocate for education and California community colleges throughout his career.

Throughout his years as a member of the Citrus College BOT he has held all board offices as well as several presidential terms.

He has been instrumental in several major events in the history of Citrus College. For example, he supported the 2004 campaign for the Measure G bond, which provided the campus with $120 million to implement construction of new buildings and renovation of existing facilities.

He is also a full-time professor at Pasadena City College.

"I never intended to be a teacher, but education has been such a big part of my life that it just seemed like a natural fit," Woods said. "I have always liked teaching at a community college because I have taught such a wide variety of students.

"Students from 18 to even 90, a professor from Cal Tech to homeless people, my classes have always been diverse." 

Woods holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting and a master of science degree in education from the University of Southern California, a juris doctorate degree from Southwestern University School of Law, and a certificate from the Institute of International and Comparative Law at the University of San Diego School of Law.

He is also a practicing law attorney in Pasadena. However, teaching is what he said gets him up in the morning.

"Education has always been a priority in my personal life," Woods said. "Even though it was not my original profession, it has become a dominant part my life and the part I most enjoy."

Looking to the future, Woods sees hard times ahead for Citrus College.

"The big issue is the budget of 2010 because it is going to be a worse year than this is," Woods said. "The budget problems are not going away, and if I am re-elected I want to make sure we protect both the full-time and part-time faculty, as well as the students. "I see community colleges as a way to give everyone a chance to be successful. Education is extremely expensive for many students, and if I can help a student get an interest in their education and finish, I have done my job."

                                                    RICHARD LUGO

Richard James Lugo is a retired aerospace employee running for a position on the Board of Trustees that has been held by the same person for almost 30 years.

He is running for a spot as a representative for Area 1, which covers the cities of Azusa, Covina, Glendora, and Irwindale.

Lugo, a life-long resident of Azusa, graduated from Citrus College 20 years to the day of graduating from Azusa High School.

He has worked for a publishing company, coached Little League baseball, helped with youth football programs, and is currently owner of Azusa Youth Boxing Club.

Lugo is running against Gary Woods, an incumbent who has been on the board since 1982.

Lugo said he would like to "bring a fresh outlook to this campus and hopefully move things forward into the 21st Century," meaning he would like to see "more preparation for students in the growing green competitive sector."

A priority he believes the college should focus on is the abilities of counselors to educate students about tutors, libraries, and resources available to them on campus.

Looking to the future, Lugo said the main challenge facing Citrus is the cutbacks caused by the state's budget problems.

"We need to be progressive," Lugo said.

For example, he suggested a solution is to "seek funding by looking for stimulus dollars."

Although Lugo doesn't have the trustee experience of a 27-year board member, he said his involvement with the community and understanding of youth will help him as he learns how the board functions as a group.

                                         CANDIDATE PROFILES: AREA 3