Four Peralta trustees up for re-election
Only one contested, three run unopposed
Semaj D. La Niger
Issue date: 9/4/08 Last update: 9/4/08 at 12:18 AM PST
Section: News
Four years ago there was a major shift on the Peralta Colleges Board of Trustees. With no incumbents seeking re-election for four of the board's seven seats, new candidates ran on reform platforms for the purpose of creating a "new majority."
Four years later, with the new majority established, and it appears that the either the new leadership is heralded by the community or that the status quo will continue. Of the four incumbents up for re-election, only one is being contested.
In what was one of the most anticipated races of the year within Alameda County, Alameda County Department of Social Services Civil Rights Coordinator, sister of Oakland City Councilmember Desley Brooks, will not be challenging Peralta Area 2 Trustee Marcie Hodge.
Hodge was elected to the Peralta board in 2004, and was the only candidate who was elected that the SEIU local 790 didn't endorse, according to smartvoter.org.
Ironically, two years Hodge later ran against Desley Brooks for the District 6 seat on the City Council. Although part two of this political saga on the East side of the Oaktown won't go down, Hodge is not without competition for her seat.
Marlon McWilson, an educational consultant has thrown his hat into the ring for and already has the backing of the Brooks sisters and at least one other Peralta Trustee.
Peralta Board President Cy Gulassa, who represents Area Six (Rockridge) and Vice-President Nicky Gonzalez Yuen of Area Four (Berkeley) are running unopposed. Area one Trustee Bill Withrow (Alameda), who won in 2004 by the smallest margin, is also unopposed.
The Board is the governing body of the four district Peralta Colleges. The seven publicly elected members of the board each represent different geographical areas of North Alameda County. There are also two student members of the Board.
Four years later, with the new majority established, and it appears that the either the new leadership is heralded by the community or that the status quo will continue. Of the four incumbents up for re-election, only one is being contested.
In what was one of the most anticipated races of the year within Alameda County, Alameda County Department of Social Services Civil Rights Coordinator, sister of Oakland City Councilmember Desley Brooks, will not be challenging Peralta Area 2 Trustee Marcie Hodge.
Hodge was elected to the Peralta board in 2004, and was the only candidate who was elected that the SEIU local 790 didn't endorse, according to smartvoter.org.
Ironically, two years Hodge later ran against Desley Brooks for the District 6 seat on the City Council. Although part two of this political saga on the East side of the Oaktown won't go down, Hodge is not without competition for her seat.
Marlon McWilson, an educational consultant has thrown his hat into the ring for and already has the backing of the Brooks sisters and at least one other Peralta Trustee.
Peralta Board President Cy Gulassa, who represents Area Six (Rockridge) and Vice-President Nicky Gonzalez Yuen of Area Four (Berkeley) are running unopposed. Area one Trustee Bill Withrow (Alameda), who won in 2004 by the smallest margin, is also unopposed.
The Board is the governing body of the four district Peralta Colleges. The seven publicly elected members of the board each represent different geographical areas of North Alameda County. There are also two student members of the Board.
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