Endorsements: Howland, Griffin, Anderson for CLC board
For a brief time in early 2014, it looked as though some loose controls on travel spending by board members could overshadow the many very good things going on at the College of Lake County - programs as major as a four-pronged $163 million construction schedule, for instance, or as routine as the addition of new offerings like an HVAC technician certificate. But board members, largely of their own volition and led by board President Amanda Howland, acted quickly and assertively to revise travel policies by board members and reinforce the maxim that, wherever they are going and whatever they are doing at the college's expense, they are going there and doing it at the taxpayer's expense. With that philosophy reasserted and a host of innovative and responsive ideas in the works, the CLC board is well-positioned to continue to lead the college to new levels of excellence. Thus, we endorse incumbents Howland, William Griffin and Richard Anderson for re-election to the three spots available on the CLC board in the April 7 election.
All three are active and engaged trustees with an obvious passion for the college and its mission. They have interesting, yet independent ideas on such timely topics as free community college tuition and the opportunity to offer some four-year degrees, and they universally emphasize the importance of sound financial stewardship.
Just completing her first term on the board, Howland notes that she has hit her stride as a trustee and wants to use the experience she's gained to help steer the school's construction projects and lobby Springfield in an era of uncertain funding.
Griffin, seeking his fourth term on the board, speaks with the assurance and knowledge that identifies a veteran trustee and still expresses an admirable balance between the interests of students and the value of the taxpayer's dollar.
Anderson, too, has a clear vision for the school and what it takes to maintain its excellent reputation, and he professes an impressive, student-focused affection for CLC.
The two challengers for board seats bring individual strengths to the race. Among all candidates, businessman Phillip DeRuntz is most critical of some of the board's past practices, though he emphasizes that he's willing and able to work collaboratively to help achieve board goals. Timothy Powell, a retired Lake County sheriff's deputy, boasts a variety of leadership positions with municipal and school panels.
But neither challenger makes a strong case for change or for choosing their particular strengths over the passion, experience and knowledge displayed among the incumbents. We endorse Howland, Griffin and Anderson.