Candidates Vie for Sierra Madre Rep on PCC Board

Today the race for a seat on the Governing Body of the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees will come to an end as incumbent Jeanette W. Mann and contestant Brian M. Fuller face off at the polls.

Mann and Fuller are vying for a spot that will represent Area No. 2, which includes Sierra Madre, as well as East Altadena, Upper Hasting Ranch, Lower Hasting Ranch, Daisy-Willa, Eaton Blanche, East Eaton Wash, East Orange Grove, Fox Ridge, Sierra Madre Villa, North Pasadena Heights, Highlands, Bungalow Heaven and Brigden Ranch.

It is hard to believe that a vibrant liberal and a demanding conservative have faced off for positions in the state's largest and arguably most important community college in California without much more than a yawn. To this Sierra Madre resident, the race seems to have sparked nothing more than a ho-hum attitude locally as no one seems interested.

Still, today is voting day and there is still an opportunity for Sierra Madre citizens to state their preference for two politically differing candidates.

Incumbent Mann has been a member of the PCC board for seven terms. She cites her experience as a holder of a doctorate in English, mother of three former PCC students, and her results in providing leadership in administrative cost reductions. She seems most proud of accepting the resignation of the PCC president.

Fuller, on the other hand, is a strict conservative who points to what he says are PCC's failures: inadequately assessing student learning, inadequate ethics guidelines and a poor record of the number of PCC students transferring to four-year universities.

Mann says, "PCC has one of California's highest rates for degrees awarded and university transfers.”

Fuller says he will work to increase that number.

Fuller claims PCC is in trouble. "The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges found that Pasadena City College was failing to adequately assess student learning, failed to develop adequate ethics guidelines and failed to regularly evaluate its 'governance and decision making structures,’” says Fuller.

Mann says that she has "concentrated on strengthening academic programs, cutting administrative waste and keeping PCC financially sound.” She cites a growing financial reserve and expanded class offerings among her successes.

The Pasadena Star-News recently ran a story about Fuller's complaint to County election officials alleging voter fraud within Mann’s family.