TRUSTEE, TRITON COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT 504
2 Year Term,(Unexpired Term), Vote For 1
Lisa Bickel (incumbent)
Carolyn R. Wilhight
Norma Hernandez
TRUSTEE, TRITON COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT 504
6 Year Term, Vote For 2
Tracy Jennings
Luke Casson (incumbent)
Mark R. Stephens (incumbent - board chair since 1992)
Andrew Charles Kopinski
Mark R. Stephens (incumbent - board chair since 1992)
Andrew Charles Kopinski
*************************************
There were several more board positions up for election here -- but all the other positions were uncontested - which reminds us that these are mostly thankless, unpaid jobs. (unless you're a crook)
The Activist Tool Kit offers a helpful website for knowing local candidates - located here
Regretfully, however, only two candidates, Carolyn Wilhight and Norma Hernandez, responded to the probing questions - and they are running against each other.
So far, the only political mailer that I have received was from Ms. Hernandez. Everything about her looks good: she's a social worker, a graduate from Triton, and might represent the Hispanic community out here which provides 45% of the student body.
However -- she accuses the current board of corruption - while offering no specifics, much less corroborating evidence - in the flyer - on her website - or in response to my query by email.
The Wednesday Journal presents another candidate profile and questionnaire located here to which all of the candidates replied. (except for Andrew Charles Kopinski - so why is he running ??)
Here is an interesting investigation of Mark Stephens from 15 years ago. The son of the long time mayor of Rosemont, at that time his business had the contract to clean Rosemont's Allstate Arena. He has raised and spent significant sums on his political campaigns to be on the board. Public education may be more of a business than a public service for him.
So I'd be inclined to end his dynasty and vote against the incumbents. The problem is that Kopinski refuses to communicate while Hernandez communicates rather poorly and seems more interested in ethnic politics than in education.
And speaking of education — both of the questionnaires cited above treat higher education as if it were a public utility like water or gas or garbage collection. And none of the respondents objected to that.
Are Triton’s graduates well prepared for whatever career they are aiming for? Are they well prepared for a lifelong engagement with ideas? Which Triton departments are the best? Which need to play catch up? What can administration do to help?
Just because someone does not have the finances or high school grades to attend four-year universities -- does than mean that the quality of their education at a community college is superfluous?
My good friend, former director of Physical Therapy at the county hospital, got an Associates Degree from De Anza community college in California - and more recently took several computer, medical billing, Spanish, and Government classes at Triton. Mostly he calls Triton a joke in comparison.
I'm not inspired to vote for anyone here -- so I'll stick with incumbents. At least they have kept the place open and scandal free.
But then I saw this sign at the corner of Madison and Harlem. Apparently the three incumbents are running as a team -no doubt funded by the Chairman of the Board, Stephens - who wants to remain the chair for another six years - and who probably selected the two other candidates to be his side kicks.
No - I will not vote for any of them -- which is basically just to vote for him.
I will vote for challengers in the hope that at least one of them will provide an independent voice and critical eye on the board.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The results are in: Lisa Bickel squeaked out a 300 vote victory over Norma Hernandez -- while Tracy Jennings overwhelmed both Mark Stephens and Luke Casson -- probably because her name was first on the ballot. Stephens beat out Casson by 230 votes, so his dynasty will continue.
