The following is a transcription of the answers to the first question in the Antioch school board candidates debate on Aug. 25. Eight candidates are running for two seats on the school board. They are Joy Motts, Gary Hack, Angel Luevano, Debra Vinson, Teri Lynn Shaw, David Pfeiffer, John “Jack” Yeager and Vincent Manuel. All of the candidates except Manuel participated in the debate.

Question: The district faces another $6.4 million in cuts to avoid insolvency. It’s already cut 107 teaching positions. What steps would you take to keep the district financially afloat?

Joy Motts: It’s a huge challenge. With the budget not settled at the state level there’s still more information to come. So I believe it’s going to take all stakeholders. We’re going to need to get our teachers and our parents, our administrators, our community involved in determining how we are going to go forward in funding public education. Truly we need some new outside of the box, innovative thinking in order to try to take on these troubling times and these challenges we have fiscally. I’m prepared to take on that challenge. I’ve worked with the school for many years. I’ve been out in the community and have relationships with many in the community, business partners and all. I think that strength I can bring that to the table in making determinations in how we can go forward in funding public education.

I think it’s only fair that we involve everybody in the community. It’s a huge challenge – at the state level and federal level too. We have got to take into consideration how this affects what we are going to do at the administrative level, at the classified level with teachers, get parents involved to determine priorities there. It’s only fair that we get everybody involved in making those choices in how we go forward. What programs we are going to be able to continue with and how we are going to be able to take on being fiscally responsible and still meeting the needs of all our children. (more…)

City Council candidates, from left, Arne Simonsen, Wade Harper and Gary Agopian at a candidates forum in September that Council members Reggie Moore and Martha Parsons did not attend.

Wade Harper: I agree with a half-cent sales tax. I agree with raising taxes only as a last resort. People are paying Mello-Roos tax, water and garbage rates have increased. We always have to look at it as a last resort and not always go into the pockets of the taxpayers. I do realize that there was a survey done to ask if they would agree with a half-cent sales tax and there is evidence that the community would agree with that. The City Council is going before the  community and saying, “Give us some direction. We are at a fork in the road. Do we maintain our current level of service, or do you want us to start decreasing service?”

I believe that public safety is one of the most important things. We need to properly fund public safety, properly staff our police department, our fire department. If you ask people in the community they will say our number one concern is public safety. If you ask any one of these candidates, at the top of their list is going to be public safety. So we have to properly staff our police department, our fire department. We also need to make sure we can improve the roads. It means that I’m going to vote yes because I want our police department properly staffed, and I want to maintain this level of service to the community. (more…)

Ruehlig was misrepresented by CCT

I haven’t written heretofore about my wife’s Area 5 County Board of Education campaign precisely because Cynthia Ruehlig is a resolutely independent personality standing on her own merits. I am compelled, though, to answer a denigrating misfact. Cynthia was accused in an October 20^th Times editorial of “misrepresenting” herself as a “Nonprofit Administrator.” Cynthia’s designation is transparent. She completed a two-year study in Nonprofit Management at the California State University East Bay and filed her credential with the County Elections Office.

My wife proudly acknowledged herself as a due diligence clerk (County Child Protective Services) in a June, 2010 letter to the editor; as a working class employee on her website, www.cynthiaruehlig.com, and as a clerk in her Times recorded interview. Why tabloid journalism?

The editorial conveniently ignores the election manual, which states a candidate may elect occupation or vocation. Webster defines vocation as a calling, pursuit, passion. Cynthia pointedly defines her vocation. Former computer teacher, businesswoman, church webmaster, five-time foster parent and co-founder of the Antioch Music Foundation, Cynthia writes grants resulting in thousands of dollars for school instruments, field trips and community concerts.

Unfazed by neither fear nor favor, Cynthia is owed an apology by the Times interviewer, Daniel Borenstein.

Walter Ruehlig

We need Parsons

We have always shown a deep love for our city and for the direction that it has been going in. Times are tough, money is short and many difficult decisions have been made concerning downsizing and change. We have voiced our opinions about our concerns to Martha Parsons via the e-mail. We can honestly say that she is the only council member to write us back with full explanations of the whys and wherefores and to also let us know that if she has any other information she will get back to us. And she has done that also! That to me, speaks highly of her dedication and tenacity. That is what this city needs: a voice! that listens to the people and works for them.

Being born in Antioch with all her children living here as well, she understands how important the vitality of our community is to the residents and business men and women who work here. Martha has served the City Council well for the past 22 months and she will continue to work and serve the best interests of all of Antioch, while working to improve the quality of life for all of our families.

Martha is a determined, hard working woman who is able to be a full time representative for her community. She has proven to us that she has excellent open communication skills and is diligent, honest, professional, and direct when is comes to responding back. She listens, evaluates, discusses, then makes decisions based on what is reasonable. This is what sound government is all about.

We need a Martha Parsons downtown. Her love of our community and her passion for service during her short  tenure has brought a positive influence to our city. This has become  evident with her involvement in such projects as Keep Antioch Beautiful, which she started and had over 900 volunteers help clean up our community by coming together around Earth Day 2010. The volunteer Graffiti Abatement Program was created and implemented with Martha as Co-Chair. She assisted the Delta Blues Festival and Hapgood Theatre in remaining viable by procuring sponsorship monies. She co-chaired the 4th of July Parade, which became an all-volunteer endeavor.

Her heart is definitely in our community. Vote for Martha Parsons this November. She will serve us well and prove to be a positive change in the city of Antioch.

Sandra and Edwin Stokes

Vote for experienced educator

My name is Richard Asadoorian and I am one of two candidates for the Contra Costa Board of Education Trustee Area 4. This area covers a great portion of Antioch (where I live), Pittsburg, San Ramon (where my opponent resides), Danville, parts of Walnut Creek and Clayton.

I am a retired school administrator. My experience in education includes teaching in elementary, middle and high school.  I have been a middle and high school counselor, a high school activities director and an alternative high school principal. Upon retirement, I was a director for two years of a summer youth employment program and served on two school board finance committees. Serving my country, I hold an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard. For three years I was a domestic violence counselor. My wife is a elementary school teacher.

If elected, my priorities are student and parent needs, fiscal oversight and protection of the music and arts programs. I also believe that Special Education, Court Schools and Regional Occupation Programs are vital to our support.

Richard Asadoorian
County Board of Education, Area 4 candidate

Antioch is making progress

While Antioch has some great challenges, we live in a wonderful city and there are bright spots! One I am most proud of is the ferry. Because of my regional contacts, I was able to restart the ferry project this past spring. I see the ferry service as a catalyst to the redevelopment of our unique Rivertown District!

I believe the strength of a city is in the spirit of its citizens. Antioch’s spirit shined earlier this year with my “Keep Antioch Beautiful,” a volunteer event which many said would never happen. It not only happened, but over 900 volunteers joined me that day to help our city be cleaner and thus safer!

Another project I believe in is “Shop Antioch,” a way to help stabilize our budget and positively influence our quality of life by spending our dollars at our own Antioch businesses, thus adding to our revenue for police and city services and helping our local businesses prosper.

Antioch can overcome challenges if we work together to keep Antioch a city to be proud of. As a voice for all Antioch and your full-time representative, I am asking for your vote for Antioch City Council!

Martha Parsons

Reform, not band-aids, needed in Sacramento

Enough is enough, California. Career politicians have brought us financial shortfalls with their poor planning, entitlements, and mismanaged funds. It’s time we had business-minded professionals who can lead our state to stability and prosperity.

I’m not a career politician, but instead of pontificating from the sidelines, I chose to run for office and make a difference. I’m not beholden to the unions; I’m free to think and act objectively. I believe we need reform in Sacramento, and that band-aids WILL NOT fix this state. We need principled leaders with common sense and a plan.

I’m running for State Assembly to serve and represent each one of you. I’ll do this by utilizing my business background, coupled with my passion for what is right, and my frustrations with what is wrong. I’ve been laid off. I know what losing a job does to an individual and a family, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help those without jobs, and work to secure the jobs we

already have.

I’m eager to do my part to bring relief and prosperity to District 11. Together, we can make that happen. Thank you, neighbors and communities of Antioch.

Julie Craven
cravenforassembly2010.com

Committed to education, community

Dear voter,

I am a lifelong resident of Antioch, a parent volunteer, community liaison coordinator at Antioch Senior High, the daughter of a former four-term school board member and a parent to an Antioch High School graduate. I have the experience to serve as a trustee for Antioch Unified School District Board.

My commitment to education and my community has spanned 30 years. I have successfully forged strong relationships with parents, business partners and service organizations to bring resources and funding to improve our district. I have had the unique opportunity to see what works and doesn’t work for children and students in Antioch.

Our oldest schools have been in serious need of restoration for many years, so I volunteered to be the chairperson of our successful $61 million School Improvement Bond in 2008. These bonds will restore and provide new infrastructure, technology and opportunity for our kids. Additionally, I was able to fund-raise over $60,000 from local businesses and service organizations for new scoreboards, campus murals, beautification projects and monies to celebrate academic improvement.

Strong parent involvement is absolutely necessary for our children’s success. My vision is for teachers, families and administrators working together to provide new and innovative ideas to tackle the challenges we face in these financially difficult times. I am ready and able to make the tough decisions to provide the very best in education for all of Antioch’s children. They deserve no less. If you would like more information please visit my website, www.joymotts.com.

I would appreciate your vote on November 2, 2010.

Thank you.

Joy Motts
Candidate for Trustee Antioch Unified School District