Vol. 85 No. 9-Oct. 28, 2016

Singers wow audience

Soccer shows potential

Courts available for use

Gallant and opener Eryn Allen Kane perform in San Francisco Saturday, Oct. 22 — page 3

LMC’s soccer team has had it rough lately, but is currently showing improvement — page 5

The reconstruction of the tennis courts is now complete and they are available for use — page 5

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Chancellor finalists chosen

By TYLER MORTIMORE

tmortimore@lmcexperience.com

The students, staff and faculty who make up the Contra Costa Community College District will have the opportunity to get to know the three finalists for the district’s chancellor seat Monday, Oct. 31.

The trio of candidates — Dr. Kindred Murillo, Dr. Fred Wood and Eugene Huff — will each be on a forum circuit around the three colleges and district office. Los Medanos College will be hosting their forum in the Library, Room L-109, kicking off with Huff

at 8:30 a.m., Murillo at 10:30 a.m. and Wood at 1 p.m.

For those who are unable to attend, Contra Costa College’s forums will be streamed live and recordings will be available on the district website, 4cd.edu. Online comments on the candidates will be accepted through Nov. 1.

Following the forums, each candidate will have an interview with the governing board Nov. 1, according to board president Vicki GENE HUFF Gordon, who will make a selection announce- Executive Vice ment in the coming weeks.

Chancellor, See FINAL, page 4

Last day to withdraw from full-term classes with a “W”

Administrative

FRED WOOD

Chancellor at the University of Minnesota

Election 2016

Pre-health society at LMC

For people interested in a health career, one of LMC’s newest clubs the Pre-Health Society, will be meeting Fridays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in CC3-365.

All health-related majors are welcolme to join.

Ward 5 election update

AMSA needs your help AMSA’s team Caduceus raised $1,000 in donations last year for the Light the Night Walk in Walnut Creek and has the same goal this year.

The Light the Night walks are the primary fundraising support for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. For additional information visit amsalosmedanoscollege.weebly. com/ or donate at pages. lightthenight.org/gba/ EastBay16/Caduceus

Trustee race to the ballot

By ADRIA WATSON

awatson@lmcexperience.com

Experience • Adria Watson

Students explore their options during Transfer Day Tuesday, Oct. 25 in the indoor quad.

It was a day of enlightenment Halloween 5k run under way It’s that time of year again. Pittsburg is hosting another Fun Run Saturday, Oct. 29. if you’ve missed early registration, there is still time to sign up. The event kicks off at at 8:30 a.m. at Old Town Plaza. For additional information on registration dates and prices, go to ci.pittsburg.ca.us.

Transfer information provided to LMC students

By ANDREW GONZALEZ and BROOKE SAMSON Staff Writers

Conversations about the next step in the transfer process filled Level Three of the College Complex as Transfer Day unfolded at Los Medanos College Tuesday, Oct. 25. More than 50 colleges attended, including those from the University of California and California State University systems, as well as private colleges, both in state and out of state, all providing students the chance to weigh their options for

where they may want to continue their education after LMC. Representatives from each college participated in an effort to educate LMC students about the process of transferring and the benefits of each institution.

Students were also able to get specific questions answered on the spot, which at times can be difficult in an online search for transfer information.

“It’s good to get face-to-face communication,” said LMC student Michael Mustafa. “I gained a lot of info based

on unique questions, which makes the prospect of transferring more manageable.”

With all of the colleges on deck, many students realized they are not limited to just a few transfer possibilities.

LMC student Genaro Mauricio said the abundance of schools tabling at the event helped everyone in attendance “visualize the opportunities available to them.”

In fact, many students were seen lingering at the event, wandering by See DAY, page 4

Gallo talks about communication

By BEATRIZ HERNANDEZ

Blood Drive on campus Student Life & Blood Centers of the Pacific will be hosting another blood drive on campus.

The drive will be held Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the L-109. For more information contact the Office of Student Life at 473-7554 or to schedule your donation appointment visit www.bloodheroes.com and enter sponsor code losMC.

KINDRED MURILLO

President of Lake Tahoe Community College

bhernandez@lmcexperience. com

The husband and wife duo Carmine and Vanessa Gallo, gave a guest speech covering the topics of effective verbal and nonverbal communication expressed in his book “Talk like TED” Wednesday, Oct. 26 in L-109.

The Los Medanos College department of communications, LMC Innovations Grant

and the honors program put on this event.

Assistant Professor of Speech Communication Marie Arcidiacono began the event by welcoming ever yone to the event.

“To say that we are blown away by the turnout would be an understatement,” said Arcidiacono, gesturing to the Experience • Beatriz Hernandez people standing at the back of Speaker Carmine Gallo talks to students about the the room and those sitting on See GALLO, page 5

importance of communication.

As Election Day get’s closer, the decision of who will be the Ward 5 Trustee is closing in on voters in the area. Whether it be incumbent Greg Enholm or challenger Fernando Sandoval, both candidates want to provide the best viable option for community members.

Enholm holds prior- n A public ity in rais- debate on Prop. ing aware- 58 will be held Wednesday, n e s s f o r Nov. 2 at 6:30 the CCAP p.m. in L-109 ( C o l l e g e n Editorial on in the and Career politics classroom, A c c e s s page 2 Pathways) n Experience picks, p r o g r a m election page 6 that was signed by the governor of California October 2015. The program would allow high school students to take transferable college units starting their sophomore year.

The incumbent said there has been a lot of good feedback regarding CCAP and that he’s hoping there will be as many high school students as possible participating.

“To me, the most important aspect of this is parents and their students need to tell their high schools this is what we want, let’s do it,” said Enholm.

Along with CCAP, Enholm explained continuing improvement of facilities for Los Medanos College and Brentwood Center students has been a priority, adding that he was out campaigning for Measure E in 2014 –– which, after being voted yes on, is allowing LMC to build a Student Union –– and thinks it will be a major improvement in terms of giving students a soft space to congregate and engage in campus activities and student government.

See WARD, page 4

Nejedly police report released

By CASSIE DICKMAN

cdickman@lmcexperience.com

JOHN T. NEJEDLY

While the New Orleans Police Department’s incident report has shed some light on what officers discovered the night Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board Trustee John Nejedly’s body was found in his Louisiana hotel room, it has also raised more questions regarding how he actually died

-- which is still unknown at this time.

According to the report, Nejedly was lying in bed shirtless and had “blood and other bodily fluids visibly running down his mouth and chin” on Sunday evening Oct. 9. Among other personal effects collected at the scene was a clear plastic bag containing a white powdered substance found on the bathroom sink.

Although the coroner has released

the body to the family for burial, Orleans Parish Coroner’s spokesman Jason Melancon reiterated earlier statements that there is nothing new yet to report.

“We won’t have a final cause of death for Mr. Nejedly until toxicology testing is completed,” said Melancon. “That may take several weeks.”

While District Governing Board See JOHN, page 4

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“Objectivity... means different things to different people.”

— Peter Jennings

Megan McCann

Kimberly Stelly

GUEST COLUMNIST

MY TWO CENTS

The women who defend Trump

Solidarity is key for real freedom

Dear Kayleigh McEnany: If, one day, I am lucky enough to be blessed with a daughter of my own, I would want her to share many of your qualities. Your education pedigree speaks volumes for your work ethic — Georgetown, Harvard, and Cambridge are universities I have never even dreamed of attending.

You have managed to elevate yourself and become a voice in many of today’s political forums.

Almost every day, I watch you stand up for your opinion and speak your mind, even if it goes against popular opinion, even if it earns you ridicule or negative feedback on the internet. For these qualities, I do feel like you are a very admirable person.

However, that is where I draw the line.

Kayleigh, you — and women like you — shake me to my very core.

The more I watch you explain away and defend Donald Trump’s actions, the more you become distorted in my eyes. You twist yourself into a lesser version of a Stepford Wife, unrecognizable as an educated or empowered woman.

Recently, former New York Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey equated Beyonce lyrics to Trump’s horrifying “locker room talk” on the Access Hollywood bus.

It seems that she has misunderstood the qualms people have with Trump’s comments.

It is not the language he used. We are all adults here — we have all heard these words before. It is the fact that Donald Trump openly bragged about sexually assaulting women and getting away with it because he is rich and famous.

I watched you try to smooth this over on “Anderson Cooper 360°” on Oct. 12..

“Look, when you go back and watch it, it says ‘…women let you do this when you are a star.’ There are despicable comments… I don’t think he was condoning sexual assault.

He said he starts to kiss a woman and then they let him do X, Y or Z. That implies consent, first of all,” you said. “I don’t think he was advocating sexual assault. You might think he’s gone around assaulting women, I don’t think that’s the case. I think… voters will make up their own mind.”

I am wondering what it will take for you to admit that what he was doing was bragging about getting away with sexual assault. I am wondering how you can be a woman and hear his lewd comments and still attempt to explain them away. I am wondering why you think it’s okay for a woman to be intimidated into silence by his wealth and status and justify it by saying that they have given him consent. This is disgusting and alarming, especially coming from another woman.

I know you are a smart woman, but I would not claim to know anything beyond that.

You are a mystery. Maybe you are simply using the platform you have now to make a name for yourself before beginning your own political career.

Maybe you sincerely believe women deserve to be treated in the manner that Trump brags about. Maybe you are just the kind of person who does not like to admit when they are wrong. If the latter option is the case, it is never too late to admit that you have seen the error of your ways.

“One, that as women, we must stand up for ourselves. The second, as women, we must stand up for each other,” said Michelle Obama. “Finally, as women, we must stand up for justice for all.”

Kayleigh, you are a woman of influence with a platform and the ability to stand up for women who have no voice of their own.

You could do so much for so many others, not just women.

Why do you use your voice to defend such a poor excuse for a man, such a poor excuse for a human being?

It’s time for us to stand together against a still oppressive America. Not as individual groups, advocating for equity and equality for specific racial groups, but as a whole coalition. The only way we’re going to beat this systematic oppression, is by becoming allies of one another’s movements.

In the ‘60s, the Black Panthers fought alongside the Brown Berets and though the latter group is underappreciated historically, they were equally important to creating the revolutionary vibe of the time.

Unfortunately, when it comes to racial tension in America, things are often swept under the rug after minor fixes. After segregation was made illegal and they did away with discrimination based on race, sex or religion, many thought we no longer needed to fight. Regardless of how people came to that conclusion, it’s wrong. Just like any other historical era, black and brown folks are being killed and incarcerated at alarming rates while whites in positions of power find excuses to justify the many human rights violations committed daily.

And that’s just the issue being portrayed in the media. There are still issues with immigration policy, and with the upcoming election, tensions are higher than ever.

There’s still a debate on whether the United States should be accepting Syrian referees, with the Right arguing refugees — nearly all women and children — could be terrorists.

Is it too much to ask for racial fairness in these modern times?

Of course it is.

Without systematic oppression, the people who hold the most power would have a legitimate reason to be worried -­- a rebellion disrupting their entire way of life.

There was once a time when middle class whites and black slaves worked together to overthrow rich Europeans – that is until those at the top turned poor whites against poor blacks, cultivating the idea that people are superior based on skin color. We have Caucasian allies and it helps, but not as much as it should. These people are often dismissed as traitors or self-hating whenever they try to make the argument that people of color should be treated with common decency.

This continues to plague not only the United States but other countries as well, both first and third world.

The U.S. is infamous for its race issues.

In 2014, we were called out by North Korea of all places, via a KCNA article titled “New Analysis on Poor Human Rights in the U.S.” It was written because people were upset with the United Nations criticizing their country and not the U.S. or its allies. This doesn’t mean they were wrong — hypocritical for sure, but not wrong.

A study on racial bias conducted by the Washington Post lists the most racist countries in the world, and guess what? The U.S. doesn’t even crack the top 25.

And though we’re sometimes seen as the pinnacle of intolerance, people often forget that “nice” countries have these issues as well.

What this says is that racism is overwhelmingly widespread. They say music is a universal language, but one could argue that discrimination speaks to us just as well.

People in the States risk their lives in an effort to create a better future for themselves and the following generations, but we don’t have to do so separately.

Our shared experiences should be the backbone to a rebellion to collectively dismantle our current state. Where you find intolerance, you find pain, but you also find those who are willing to help carry the burden. It’s a beautiful thing to see people fight for the rights of their own groups but there’s something magical about seeing people fighting for things that aren’t specific to the groups they’re a part of.

Experience • Sarah Gonzales

Editorial

More politics, more often

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ast week, the Experience covered how some Los Medanos College instructors are integrating the election into their lectures.

But we would like to suggest that more classes inject politics into classes every year, not just the fall semesters following the Summer Olympics.

Some instructors might object to this on the basis that classes should be depoliticized or unbiased, but the fact of the matter is that nearly all facets of life are political in one way or another, and having lessons centered around topical issues and their possible legislative remedies would be a good way for the college to produce better informed citizens.

Some instructors said that they do not even cover the election for fear of students viewing them as biased, as if having opinions threatens their credibility. Try as they might, the public opinion on the political leanings of college professors has long since sailed, and most lectures will slant right or left no matter what.

In fact, the misguided attempts by the media to remain neutral in the face of Donald Trump’s calls for various constitutional violations were in part responsible for him ending up as a major party nominee with a non-zero chance at the presidency. The urge to present both sides of some issues — the ethics of committing war crimes, vaccinating children versus not vaccinating, whether climate change is real — creates the illusion that both sides of an issue are equally valid, when that is often far from the truth.

Instructors don’t need to dodge issues entirely to appear unbiased, just be up front with their students on their biases like Professor Zimny. Over the course of a semester, Zimny states many times that he is a liberal, and that this worldview affects his opinions on the topic he is discussing that day, be it social security or regime changes. It’s a simple action that allows all parties to see where they are ideologically and look at the facts.

“So much for Objective Journalism. Don’t bother to look for it here — not under any byline of mine; or anyone else I can think of,” wrote Rolling Stone writer Hunter S. Thompson. “With the possible exception of things like box scores, race results, and stock market tabulations, there is no such thing as Objective Journalism. The phrase itself is a pompous contradiction in terms.”

Thompson understood the distinction between subjectivity and outright lying. “Saddam Hussein has nuclear weapons,” wasn’t a subjective view to be covered credulously by the media, but neverthless, it was, and most of the war’s cheerleaders in the media are still there, only in positions of greater power, like editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg.

Just about every action — or inaction — in your day is a political one. Speaking up against (or for) American racial inequities is political. As Noam Chomsky said, there’s no standing still on a moving train — even your silence is political.

Even if instructors themselves are compelled to lean to one side or the other of the political spectrum, the diverse student body of Los Medanos College almost guarantees a wide range of opinions regardless of the instructor’s views.

Though it may not be as exciting as the presidential horse races, the real political battles are fought every day, in odd years as well as even. Our classes should reflect that.

Letter to the Editor

Wait for facts before passing judgment

DEAR EDITOR: The Sept. 9 issue of The Experience contained a few articles about Colin Kaepernick’s stand against the National Anthem (or lack thereof), and in the few weeks since that issue was printed, there have been more police shootings, violence and riots. Our nation seems more divided now than ever, with every news outlet and every person in America seemingly “picking a side” to stand for or against. Whether you agree with Kaepernick’s “stand” or not, you must agree that he has the right to express his opinion; just like you have the right to express yours.

Were the police shootings that made national news justified? Were they not? Within hours of the shootings taking place, the mass media and general public seemed to have already formed their opinions and had answers to those questions. Within a day of the North Carolina shooting, riots had started. An investigation into the shooting had barely begun when these riots began, and they subsequently reached the extent of needing the National Guard to be called in.

Voices

Between Kaepernick’s actions, the police shootings and now the riots, just about every news outlet has had a headline in regards to one of these three at any given time. These constant headlines often depict the worst and most controversial things happening in our society today; personally, I find them depressing and upsetting. If people could understand that others are entitled to express their opinion — even if they are conflicting — and respect their differences, we might just see one of those headlines change. For every police officer that may have killed someone unjustly, there were almost a million other officers across the country that did their job right on that same day. If people could wait until all of the facts have been presented and not distort what they see and hear to fit their already formed opinion, we might see another headline change. If we can change enough of these headlines then we can change and move away from and leave behind what has been dividing us as a nation.

—Cameron Morgan

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

Experience

Do you feel safe on campus?

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“Were it left for me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

— Thomas Jefferson

“I feel less safe now than usual because I’ve been on this floor both times that crimes have ocurred . But I think the college is taking steps to increase security.”

— Dave Zimny

“I feel safe on campus, yes. I’m from Oakland so I feel good about it.”

— Majeedah Wesley

“Maybe not so much at night because I feel like that’s when a lot of the stuff happens. I am afraid that my car might get stolen when it’s out in the back parking lot.”

—Nick Murphy

“Yeah, I heard about the incidents on campus. But you can’t let those things scare you. I feel safe on campus.”

—Marcelo Clark

“Yeah, I feel safe on campus. I heard about them but I still feel safe because it didn’t happen to me. I still think about it though.”

“I feel 100 percent safe on campus.

I always surround myself with people. I have the highest regard for Police Services.”

—Merissa Hoy

—Robin Harrison

Editors-in-Chief ..........BEATRIZ HERNANDEZ and KIMBERLY STELLY Managing Editor..................CASSIE DICKMAN Perspectives Editor.........TYLER MORTIMORE Campus Editor .......................ADRIA WATSON Features Editor ................SARAH GONZALES Sports Editor ....................... GARRETT BELME Web Editor .........................LISSETTE URBINA The LMC Experience is published Fridays by students in the Journalism Program. The newspaper serves both as a laboratory for journalism classes and as a First Amendment forum for campus communication. Opinions expressed in the Experience are solely those of the students and do not represent the views of the college.

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Police services seek interns

The Antioch and Pittsburg police stations are providing nternship opportunities for college students for the spring 2017 semester. The internship will consist of: n Working one-on-one with Police Mentors n Earning college-credits n Working lockally and lean about the community n Recieving exposure to multiple areas in police services Applications are available at collegecentral.com/losmedanos and applicants can search the job ID 4749566.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 1.

Vets attract interest

Día de Los Muertos

The Los Medanos Art gallery, featuring Day of the Dead themed art will be open to the public Nov. 1 through Dec. 7. The opening reception will be held on Nov 3 from 4-6pm. The gallery is located in the Library building.

By KIMBERLY STELLY

kstelly@lmcexperience.com

Blood drive on campus

Students will be able to participate in a blood drive Wednesday November 9 in room L-109. To schedule an appointment, register online at www.bloodheroes.com.

Click on “Donate Blood” and enter sponsor code: LosMC or contact the Office of Student Life at (925) 473-7554.

Employment help is available

Students who are interested in work should check out LMC’s CCN database. Any employer that connects with LMC is directed to post in this database. If you are interested in helping the youth learn and believe that a positive academic mentor is important for them, join the Homework Club team.

All that’s required is a basic understanding of 8th grade-level concepts. To learn more and apply for this position, log onto CCN and search for ID number Volunteer Crisis Line Counselor (job id 4636373), Child Activities Provider (job id 4636375) or Speaker’s Bureau Advocate (job id 4636377).

Transfer workshops created

Career assistance offered

Students who need help figuring out their career path can talk to Career Counselor Kristen Freeman. Schedule an appointment by calling 925-473-7444. Freeman is available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Outreach ambassador needed

Students who want to work on campus and make an impact in their community are recommended to stop by the Welcome Desk to learn more about becoming an Outreach Ambassador. You can pick up an application packet, or check out the job posting on LMC’s online job board at www.collegecentral.com/losmedanos. Job ID #4689058.

Counselors ready to assist

Looking to make an educational plan, or review your current one? LMC offers general counseling at both campuses.

Drop-in hours are offered weekly. Students must have a student ID number and a photo ID to meet with a counselor.Appointments at Pittsburg can be made in person, by calling the Counseling Department at 473-7449, or by visiting losmedanos.edu/counseling and clicking on the Make an Appointment link. Appointments at the Brentwood Center can be made in person, or by calling 513-1625.

Tutoring help is provided

Students who need help and are seeking tutoring in Math, Chemistry, Accounting and Spanish, contact Ramon Coria at racorias@yahoo.com or call at 778-6071 if you have any questions.

Daily cancellations online

Professors sometimes cancel classes unexpectedly and often can’t tell their students in person. The LMC website offers a daily class cancellation page for students to see if their class has been canceled. For the list of daily cancellations, visit www.losmedanos.edu/classcancel.

The LMC Experience Facebook page also posts class cancellations as well as other campus updates. Visit www. facebook.com/lmcexperience.

What’s lost may be found

Los Medanos College’s lost and found has numerous items found on campus. If you have lost an item, check with Police Services, which is located on Level One. Inquiries must be made in person.

Get your updates on the ‘Go’

With Ellucian Go, Students can now check their class schedules, regster, manage education plans, manage waitlists and more through this app. Ellucian Go is available to download for iPhone and Android phones.

Once the app is downloaded, students have to search for “Los Medanos College” and then continue logging in using their Insite ID and password.

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

— Robin Williams

LMC club starts fresh

In Brief

Transfer Workshops are designed to give students information and help with their application process, TAGS, personal statements, what to look forward to when it comes to college life at a four-year, special programs and more.

No appointment is necessary, just drop in to the Brentwood Center, Room 9, Nov. 15 from 1 to 2 p.m.

“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.”

Joseph Delano • Experience

Eryn Allen Kane performs at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall.

Kane has power Gallant ‘wows’ the crowd

By KIMBERLY STELLY

kstelly@lmcexperience.com

During the Bay Area leg of his ‘Oology’ tour crooner Gallant along with Prince protégé Eryn Allen Kane graced the stage of San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall last Saturday night.

Kane performed first. Because I’d only sampled her music briefly, I wasn’t sure what to expect – she was spectacular. Many of the numbers required audience participation, which was fine because she exuded so much personality that it was easy to engage with her. Watching her onstage was an interesting experience. With her small stature, powerful voice, strange facial expressions and dramatic dance moves, she managed to enchant a room full of people.

The best part of her set was when she sang a soulful rendition of Prince’s “How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore?” dedicating it to his memory. She lightened the mood again however, by performing a mashup of Prince’s “I Wanna Be Your Lover” and The Tramps’ “Shout.”

She received so much applauses after her set was over, all of it completely deserved.

There was a short break between performances in which instruments were set up and

REVIEW

free water passed out to the crowd.

Before Gallant commanded the stage, there was a concerning thought that because his music is predominantly slow R&B, and no matter how good it is, songs tend to start sounding the same thing if there are no variation. However, having Kane’s gospel and soul influenced performance beforehand balanced Gallant’s laidback sound.

When it was time for Gallant to perform, each musician came out one by one, taking their place at their instruments. Together, the musicians slowly built up a sound so intense that the vibrations from their instruments replaced my heartbeat with their sound.

It seemed the audience cheered of the band as well and each person was memorable in terms of appearance — the guitarist with his piercing eyes and gold sneakers and the keyboardist with her bat-patterned stockings.

Gallant himself came decked out in a black suit jacket, Converse sneakers and a turtleneck with tinted sunglasses ones can only describe as “very ‘90s.”

He also made use of props including fake plants, old books and chairs. He tore up several books during the most intense parts of the See KANE, page 4

After becoming an official campus organization last year, Los Medanos College’s Veterans Club held their first officer elections Tuesday, Oct. 18.

Before they got around to picking new officers however, Army vet JR Wilson of Antioch’s Delta Veterans Group spoke about the upcoming “A Salute to Veterans” event happening at the El Campanil Theater Nov. 11. LMC Veterans are getting their own float and participants can either walk or ride along in the truck.

This event is being held to raise money for a standout, an event in which vets in need can access food, water, clothes and animal care for their pets.

The standout would be next summer from Aug. 14 to Aug. 21. After Wilson spoke, he left and the election began.

Acting Vice President and Secretary Alexandria Paine and Acting Treasurer Matt Farmer led the meeting.

Farmer said a few words before going around the room and asking who wanted to run. The first problem arose when no one stood to run for club president — that is until Troy White stepped up. Even though he said he “only came for the iPad giveaway,” he also said it would be sad if no one stepped up to lead the club.

“I’ll do it until someone more motivated wants to step up,” said White.

Three members of the club, nominated Farmer for the treasurer position, after which, he was officially appointed.

Lamontay Marshall volunteered for the position of Vice President. When spurred to “say a few words,” he stood up briefly, took a deep breath and said “thank you,” and quickly sat back down, garnering laughs from the other attendees.

Alexandria Paine said she’d accept the position as secretary officially but only if members “don’t mind having a newborn at the meetings.” It was then that Antonio White volunteered for the ICC Representative position.

Earlier in the meeting, Wilson said “when I heard LMC was having a veterans club a few years ago, I was very excited for that.” White See VETS, page 5

Experience staff takes home awards

By SARAH GONZALES

sgonzales@lmcexperience.com

The Los Medanos Experience staff won eight awards at the annual Northern Regional Conference of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges. The conference was held at Los Medanos College for the first time Saturday, Oct. 15 in the main College Complex.

Experience Perspectives editor Tyler Mortimore won big, receiving three awards during the conference, including a first place award in a copy-editing contest. Mortimore also went home with a second place award in Critical Review for his piece on the supernatural horror film “The Witch” and an honorable mention on his feature story about the LMC nursing and EMT joint mass casualty event last May. “It was good — a lot of the lectures were interesting,” said Mortimore. “The contest was fun. Last conference, I did the critical review and it was nerve-wracking writing it on the spot, the standardized test for copy editing was a lot more enjoyable.”

Experience staff photog-

rapher Cathie Lawrence also received a first place award for her Sports Action entry, a photo of the girl’s softball team surrounding the home plate after a walk-off win.

“I was thrilled that I won first place. This is a particularly meaningful award for me since over a year ago, I decided to focus on sports photography,” said Lawrence. “It feels really good to have your photography efforts validated and rewarded.”

Lawrence has attended four JACC conferences in the past and has enjoyed each and every one of them.

“I have particularly enjoyed the workshops, seminars and photo contests that are conducted as par t of each conference. These events are great learning opportunities for the journalistic novice as well as expert,” added Lawrence.

“It was great having the 2016 NorCal conference here at LMC. It was not only convenient for us, but also gave us the opportunity to showcase our campus to other colleges.”

Lissette Urbina, Web editor for the Experience, received an honorable mention for a graph-

Cathie Lawrence • Experience

First Place Sports Action photo, originally published April 15, taken by staff member Cathie Lawrence. ic she had created showing the top ten California transfer destinations in California for LMC students.

“This wass my 2nd conference, it went a lot better than I expected. The workshops were helpful. I didn’t think my graphic would win something,” said Urbina.

Former co-editor in chief Damien Lewin also received an honorable mention for opinion writing.

“I didn’t even know I had anything submitted, so it definitely surprised me when I got the text message stating that I had received the honorable mention,” said Lewin. “I wish

I could have been there this year. It would have been a nice change to see the conference at LMC.” Former staff writers Joseph Delano and Brendan Cross shared an honorable mention for Inside Page Layout for their two-page spread previewing the 2015 Oscars.

For the first time, Delano had attended the NorCal Conference as a volunteer instead of as a contestant.

“It was definitely different being a volunteer, but it was fun nonetheless,” said Delano. “Being so involved in the planning of a JACC event was

See JACC, page 4

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“I feel very proud of that,” he said. “It wasn’t just me, it was the other four trustees and literally hundreds of people who put in the effort to get that bond passed including the people who are endorsing me.”

Enholm said another high priority for him is assuring the successful opening of the new Brentwood center and that it meets far East Contra Costa students needs.

“I’ve been on the board for two years and I have found Greg to be a genuinely, sincerely interested board member to make sure that the voices of East County are heard in the district office,” said supporter and governing board trustee Tim Farley, who represents ward 3.

“He’s been a real advocate for East County when it comes to some things like student access, transportation and so forth.” He added that Enholm is advocating for a Veterans Center in East County, he’s been working for getting more access to the school and building the Brentwood Center.

“I know he’s been critical of the location, but he wants to ensure that the permanent facility can ser ve as many students as possible,” said Farley.

Contra Costa County Board of Education Area 1 Trustee Pam Mirabella, who is also

an Enholm supporter, said she has worked with him in articulating K-14 with career pathways as well as him soliciting Area 1’s support for Measure E. “The experience I had with him led to communication of West Contra Costa Unified School District to articulate K-14 on our side,” said Mirabella adding that she find “this very important, that community leaders are networking, in partnerships, in order to benefit all of our students.”

That community partnership is important in Sandoval’s campaign as well.

One of Sandoval’s priorities is finding ways to make LMC welcoming so students feel more connected to the campus community. He explained what he’s heard from students is they want a more positive engagement and suggested this can be accomplished through inclusion and diversity of the faculty and students.

“The community college exists for the students,” said Sandoval, adding that it’s important “students understand that they are empowered” and that they may use “their voices in order to improve the educational experience.”

Sandoval said he would like more engagement between the students and the communities they live in.

“I would like to have a college night for the students in the communities that they live in and then at the same time have some of those businesses reciprocate and have

a business night back at the colleges,” he said adding that this would be beneficial so that “students can learn about how they run their business and what the challenges are so students can learn the fabric of their community.”

The challenger explained he is advocating for emerging technologies and pathway alignment with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) because it’s a key educational area with funding to support workforce development.

“We can talk to our students about the opportunity to be employed and we can do it here –– we just have to decide we want a partnership and want to invest ourselves into that.”

Additionally, Sandoval wants to prioritize college preparedness for elementary and high school students.

“I really want to see [CCAP] be successful, and it will be, but we need to do more,” said Sandoval. “We need to go down to the lower level to provide applicable resources to help those kids with English Language Arts and … part of that engaging with the community is engaging with K-1 to K-14 leadership and educational facilities to help improve those students so that before they get to college, they’ll be better prepared to be successful.”

LMC instructor and Sandoval’s Brentwood campaign manager Laurie Huffman said she sat down with Sandoval

JOHN

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FINAL

President Vicki Gordon did not want to comment on the incident report, Vice President Greg Enholm of fered his thoughts.

“I can say that there’s no question this was a tragic death,” said Enholm, who explained he had not seen the actual police report but had read an article about it.

Although a cause of death has yet to be confirmed, the incident report has provided a more detailed timeline than previously reported of what happened after Nejedly’s body was found.

Lisa Finley, a security supervisor at the Hilton Riverside Hotel on Poydras Street in New Orleans where Nejedly was staying, told NOPD responding Officers Ian Santoferraro and Michael Murhammer she discovered Nejedly at 8:05 p.m.

Santoferraro and Murhammer, who inter viewed the security supervisor after arriving on scene at 8:20 p.m., repor ted Finley told them after entering Room 636 she found an unresponsive white male, who was later identified as Nejedly, lying in bed with the lights off. Finley told the officers that was when she notified emergency services.

After the officers observed the condition of Nejedly’s body, Santoferraro and Murhammer called supervisory Sgt. Roy Guggenheim and requested help from the eighth district District Investigations (DIU) and Homicide units.

“It’s not uncommon for homicide investigators to be called out to a scene of an unclassified death,” explained NOPD Public Informations Officer Ambria Washington, adding that the police department is still waiting on the coroner’s report for the exact cause of death.

The Emergency Medical Services unit (EMS) had been dispatched to the scene that night as well and had attempted to provide aid to Nejedly, but informed Santoferraro and Murhammer they pronounced time of death was 8:25 p.m.

New Orleans coroner’s office and crime scene technicians were also on scene to assist in the investigation.

Nejedly, who represents the college district’s Ward IV, had been attending the annual Association of Community Colleges Trustees Convention with District Chancellor Helen Benjamin and District Director of Communications and Community Relations Tim Leong -- both left the Saturday morning before Nejedly’s body was found.

The announcement of Nejedly’s death came from Benjamin via an email sent to the college district community Monday, Oct. 10, which came as a shock to those who knew him.

“I had always thought that I would leave the board before he would,” said Enholm. “He was only 52; I’m 61.”

was perhaps the most offensive part of the whole night – well that and the fact that he threw his towel into the crowd and someone threw it back.

The intensity of the strobe lights was a bit much at times, occasionally shining directly into the eye sockets of those to the front left of the stage.

Permanent eye damage aside, there were sounds so ethereal emanating from the stage that it was hard not to close my eyes and fully immerse myself in the experience.

Like everyone around me, I swayed to his performance of “Bones and Tissue” and “Weight in Gold” and I danced as he performed “Episode” — one of his more upbeat numbers. The last song he performed after the crowd begged him for “one more song,” wasn’t par ticularly memorable, but it was a decent ending to an impassioned display of emotion and vocal prowess.

There was only a slight difference in performance quality between Kane and Gallant.

You could hear Kane’s voice better because her backing band wasn’t as loud. That doesn’t take away from the effort and talent exhibited by Gallant however. He clearly has the vocal ability, dance moves and style to be successful at his craft.

You can catch both artists on tour this winter – Gallant in various European and Asian countries and Kane all over the United State. Gallant’s album “Oology” and Kane’s EP “Aviary: Act II” are both available to stream. For more information on Gallant, go to gallant.space.com and for Kane go to erynallenkanemusic.com.

All three would-be chancellors have ties to the district or its colleges Dr. Fred Wood — a Diablo Valley College alumnus and former instructor — is currently chancellor at the University of Minnesota Crookston, a post he’s held at the small college since 2012. The former twoyear technical school was conver ted into a four-year college in 1993, but Wood said the school has maintained its trade school mentality, requiring students to obtain internships as part of their degree. Ninety-seven percent of students land paid internships, and many of those find work before graduation.

“It rewards students for their academic work, and it lets a student test drive their career,” said Wood.

Wood oversaw UMC during a period of development, including the building of a 36,000 square foot wellness center not unlike LMC’s coming physical education building. A multi-million dollar remodel of the century-old college’s unreliable electrical infrastructure was also completed.

During his time there, UMC has maintained the lowest tuition costs in the University of Minnesota system through this period of expansion, and he looks to bring good value to CCCD students.

“We want to be the go-to spot for education in Contra Costa County. I want to continue working with the community to keep costs down,” said Wood.

Dr. Kindred Murillo served as a vice chancellor in the

From page 1

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JACC From page 3

extremely rewarding. Volunteering enabled me to see both sides of the organization.”

Finally, the Experience staff as a whole received a General Excellence award.

The General Excellence award was judged off three issues from the previous spring 2016 semester when Lewin and co-editor Cassandra Dickman were running the Experience.

“I have won other awards at previous conferences, but as editor-in-chief, I didn’t do a lot of writing last semester or the one before it. But the General Excellence was a reward because it represented the paper I managed, and that was one of the hardest things I have ever done,” said Dickman.

“I have been to three NorCal conferences and two state conferences. I loved that we got to do the conference here on campus. We have such an amazing space and it was fun to show it off to the other colleges.

This was my last conference as a community college student and I found it fitting to end it — Adria Watson here at the place I consider contributed to this report. my home.

From page 1

FRIDAY,

before becoming a part of his campaign and talked about what exactly he could do for the college campus.

“Fernando’s platform of emerging technologies, internships for students aligns directly with what I want to do here at LMC for my students,” she said.

Huf fman said Sandoval wants to reach out to some of the major players in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area to find more internship opportunities for students, adding that LMC has always been innovative.

“All faculty should be aware of who’s on the board and what is it that they’re bringing to the table and does it align with a lot of the mission and goal statements for the college,” said Huffman. “And if not, and they can’t stand up and give you proof that they are aligned and they are doing that kind of work then you should really question if they should be there.”

Although both candidates have been working hard to reach out to constituents about their top priorities in this election and what they would like to do for Ward 5, there have been some concerns about each campaign.

In reporting the “Trustee Election Draws Interest” story published by the Experience Sept. 29 on page one, Sandoval sent an email in response to a reporter’s follow-up question about the site of the new Brentwood Center after an in-person interview. Somehow the word for word email response to district for nearly three years before taking her current role as the president of Lake Tahoe Community College.

Murillo also oversaw renewal at the college.

“Lake Tahoe has a beautiful campus, but underneath it was starting to fall apart, and we saw it was important to protect the investment of taxpayers,” she said.

This included a remodel of the gym and the implementation of a campus-wide, password-free Wi-Fi network, The college also worked with the city of South Lake Tahoe to create a bike trail to increase access, a theme in her work.

“Community college is the avenue for students who can’t normally get a college education,” said Murillo. “When we close the achievement gap, we’re doing the kind of work that impacts students.”

The final candidate is Eugene Huff, current executive vice chancellor here. Huff has worked in the district since 2001, and oversees fiscal services, human resources, police services and risk management, for which he helped create a position last year that helps the district save money in the long run. As the in-house candidate, Huff would hope to continue the district on its current path.

“You could say I’m the establishment candidate. I’ve been involved with a lot of the decision-making processes,” said Huf f, pointing to the bond measures the district has secured..

Huff said he would try to maintain the district’s sound financial status while working to increase student access.

the reporter wound up as a comment from an endorser, Valerie Romero-Lopez, on three news website –– the LMC Experience, the Antioch Herald and East County Today.

Sandoval explained he later sent his original email response to the Experience reporter to some of his supporters as well.

“People are free to post anything, how they feel about the election, how they feel about the candidates,” he said.

Romero-Lopez is listed as Sandoval’s endorser on fernando4collegeboard.org.

Enholm’s campaign has also created some concern, drawing criticism for his continuing support in moving the previously approved site of the new Brentwood campus to a different location, despite the fact plans for construction are already under way.

District tr ustee John Márquez, who represents Ward 1, said Enholm is misleading his constituents by continuing to post campaign signs saying Antioch-Oakley area “deser ves a 110-acre community college … not a 17-acre campus in southernmost Brentwood.”

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In an interview for the same Sept. 29 Experience article referenced above, Enholm even acknowledged a location change is unlikely.

“We would have to do studies, we would have to buy land, we would have to get plans for construction we would have to get the OK of the community college association on the state level because they give us money every year and we gain the risk of losing money if we go out and do something silly,” said Márquez. “I think it’s misleading to the public.”

But Enholm explained the Brentwood Center site that has been selected will most likely not fit the needs of the community in his ward into the future.

“I certainly hope that what will happen is there will be a recognition by the board that we do need to start the planning process to have a full college. Now when will it be? It could be 30 years from now,” said Enholm. “I think that our community college district should recognize that, and you may end up saying it’s unnecessary. That’s fine but at least we did the plan — that’s what I want.”

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT In the article entitled “Trustee election draws interest” in the Sept. 29 issue, Fernando Sandoval was quoted saying opponent Greg Enholm had been at the Election Office “since 6 o’clock in the morning waiting to see if he would be getting challenged for the race.” In fact-checking the business hours of the Contra Costa County Election Office we found that the office officially opens at 8 a.m.

We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

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tables multiple times, likely to ensure they would not miss out any of the information available.

Aside from the reputation, U.C. Berkeley admissions of ficer Violeta BermudezEstrella noted one thing that may draw students is that “Decal classes are really interesting. They are oneunit student-led classes on topics such as Harry Potter and Game of Thrones.”

Ray Nawabi, an admissions adviser for Cogswell College, noted something students may be drawn to is “Hands-on project based learning, along with small classes.”

Nawabi added he was there for a reason some colleges may not have been — to “spread awareness, we’ve been around for over 130 years, but no one really knows about us.”

For mor e well known colleges, the event granted representatives the chance to speak with students they may have had communication with in the past.

“This is a chance to reconnect with students I’ve already talked with, and tell people Saint Mary’s is within reach,” said Angelica Moore, director of transfer recruitment.

Finding out what is within reach is important to students, especially from a financial standpoint. Christine Osiuhwu and Noelle Delcueto, both agreed they came to “get more info on tuition rates to make sure if I can afford them.”

The two LMC students shared their ideas on how to improve the event as well.

“Every CSU should come to

the event,” said Delcueto, with Osiuhwu adding the event “should be all day.”

Transfer Service Coordinator Rachel Anicetti, who helped coordinate the event, was busy addressing student questions as she moved from table to table to see how things were going.

“I think our attendance is very high today. We gauge our success by whether or not the students are getting anything out of the event,” she said. “We do two fairs per year, this is the biggest fair. The other one is in the second week of spring.”

LMC student Wendy Zelaya said Transfer Day was a defining factor in helping her begin to identify a school to attend when she is ready to transfer.

She said she appreciated that transfer representatives were willing to “be open and explain what they have to offer,” and added that she plans to attend a future Transfer Day event to help narrow her options as she gets closer to transferring.

Expanding students’ perspectives is what Doris Fendt, Community College Outreach Coordinator for San Francisco State University, strives to do. For her, the most important part of Transfer Day is dispelling misconceptions students have about SFSU. “It gives me an opportunity to educate them, to be kind of a myth buster. Many students don’t even apply to San Francisco State thinking that they will never get in because their major is impacted but I want them to know is that impaction does not mean impossible.”

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Quotable

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“When you win, say nothing, when you lose, say less.”

5 Women dominate in a 3-0 victory

— Paul Brown

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College nets new courts

2016

Volleyball at top of division, 8-1

By GARRETT BELME

gbelme@lmcexperience.com

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

Los Medanos College’s 25 year old courts were remodeled over the summer and early fall and are now ready for use.

The college budgeted $500,000 for the project and funding for the courts came from the Measure E Bond funds. The courts are availble for use by the public and college community from morning until dusk. Students John Salvador and Jeff Calicdan with Athletic Director and Tennis Coach Richard Villegas pictured above using the new courts.

Soccer flashes improvement

By TYLER MORTIMORE

tmortimore@lmcexperience.com

With nine games played and five to go before the end of the season, Los Medanos’s scrappy soccer team is sitting at fifth in the Bay Valley Conference.

It’s been a tough schedule so far, but head coach Zach Sullivan is rolling with the punches.

“We’ve definitely had some growing pains. When you have some players on the field with no soccer experience and others who have played since they could walk, it’s easy to have frustrated players,” said Sullivan. “But our experienced players have been very supportive and positive.”

In addition to a green squad, Sullivan’s late hiring meant he had little time to recruit, resulting in a skeletal 13

GALLO From page 1

the floor at the front.

She then introduced author and keynoter Carmine Gallo.

“The ability to communicate persuasively is the single greatest skill … that will help you stand out in every access of your career,” said Gallo.

He explained not everyone begins as a great public speaker, and that many of the great speakers people know did not possess a natural skill and had to practice.

“Great public speakers are made, they’re not born,” he said.

In a stor y told to Arcidiacono’s class prior to the presentation, he explained the story of a man he knew who because of his communications skills landed a job.

His employers expressed that his communication skills are what made him a commodity.

Later in the presentation, he showed a clip of Warren Buffett emphasizing the value in the ability to be able to communicate effectively.

“He mentioned ‘Dale Carnegie course’ … it’s a public speaking course. He dropped out twice because he was too afraid to get up in front of people,” said Gallo.

Following the example he told the three key things to being a persuasive speaker and communicator.

“Every inspiring conversation has to be emotional, novel and memorable,” he said.

In order to get people to

player roster, leaving just two substitutes on the bench. This shortage of players means some players have to play through injuries.

Though the team hasn’t always , they’ve showed flashes of potential, a good sign for a coach looking to build a strong soccer program over the next few years.

“We have moments in every game where we show we can play with every team,” said Sullivan. “We can still work on our speed of play and defending in transition.”

Despite their adversities, the Mustangs sit higher in the conference than they finished last season, and Sullivan is targeting a fourth place finish.

Experience • Cathie Lawrence Two of the Mustangs’ last Los Medanos College’s Brianna Woodcock takes the ball away from four games are at home. They face Napa Tuesday, Nov. 1 Solano’s Marissa Crisosto while LMC’s Natalie Tunales and Haley and Merrit Friday, Nov. 4. Weder hustle to the ball.

listen, he explained that ideas that catch on are often linked to good stories, so it’s important that people master the art of storytelling as well.

“Credentials alone are not enough. It doesn’t matter what your credentials are, you need to be able to tell a good story to stand apart,” said Gallo. “Here’s the best part storytelling is already in our DNA.” There are two stories people can tell, stories about themselves and about others.

According to a conversation had between Gallo and persuasive speaker and American lawyer Br yan Stevenson, narrative and telling personal stories are key.

“The brain craves meaning before detail,” said Gallo. “ A great leader is able to strip things down to their essence.”

He concluded his presentation and helped introduce body language expert Vanessa Gallo who spoke to the crowd about nonverbal communication.

“In order to have really strong body language … you have to be authentic,” she said.

She explained the science behind what our body language expresses and what we express verbally. If what your words and your body language don’t match, then it often comes across as insincere.

Three things they focus on to help create great speakers is an acronym they’ve developed called AMP. It focuses on natural Ability, the delivery of a good Message and Practice.

“Don’t worr y about your

hands, your gesture, your posture worr y about your story,” she said. “If you can do that your body will follow suit.”

Then, after the conclusion of her speech, both speakers stayed to answer audience questions.

Following the discussion, people had the opportunity to have copies of the book signed and receive ask the speakers any other questions they had.

VETS From page 3

expressed that he thought it’d be a shame to see the club fall apart because it means a lot to LMC’s student veterans.

Some students expressed an interest in the officer positions, but were worried that it’d be hard to balance those responsibilities and their schoolwork.

Paine said it was important but that it isn’t that big of a responsibility. LMC Veterans Club Adviser and DVG Board Member Diane Ferguson said, “It’s what you make it,” explaining that it’s only a lot of work if you want it to be.

At the end of the day, Ferguson said, “We want our club to be seen.” The meeting was concluded and attendees were encouraged to enjoy the refreshments provided.

All tickets for the “A Salute to Veterans” event are $5 and can be purchased online in advance. For more information, go to www.elcampaniltheatre. com/a-salute-to-veterans.html.

The Los Medanos College volleyball team took on Laney on Wednesday and swept them easily 3-0.

This victory brings the Stangs closer to an overall record of 5.00 as they currently sit at 11-12.

Their conference record of 8-1 is tops in the conference and has them primed for a playoff run.

The home decimation of Laney also improves their home record to a perfect 5-0.

LMC’ Vei Finau let both teams in kills with 17. Ten more than ever y play on Laney combined.

Erica Wilder led LMC with staggering 32 aces, which five times more than everyone on Laney combined.

The first set ended in a 25-11 victor y for LMC. While winning a set by ten plus points is nothing the sneeze at, head coach Lou Panzella encouraged his team to Experience • Garrett Belme Ayana Burnett goes not let up.

Between the first for a block. and second sets Panzella said, “Stay focused don’t stay down play with intensity, keep your head in the game, play all out. Our goal and what we talk about is go all out and take it one point at a time.” “Give everything you got all out every ball every play,” stressed Panzella. He also explained that early on his team “[was] a little bit not clicking on all cylinders”.

The second set ended almost exactly how the first did. With a 25-13 Mustang win.

In what would end up being the final set, LMC dominated with and impressive 25-9 victory.

After the match Panzella shared his thoughts on how the team performed.

“I thought that we did a good job of maintaining and not losing focus. Laney struggled a little tonight and sometimes when you play a team that you’ve played before it’s hard to maintain your focus,” said Panzella.

LMC will take on Contra Costa for their next game on Nov 4. For more information on LMC volleyball visit http://www.losmedanos. edu/volleyball/

SPORTS MEDICINE

more teamwork Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, you deserve excellent care. Our talented team of sports medicine physicians, orthopedic surgeons, and physical therapists can help you stay on top of your game.* To learn more, visit kp.org/diablo.

*By referral only.

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EXPERIENCE CHOICE PRESIDENT Secretary Hillary Clinton is running on a platform she says will continue the successes of the Clinton and Obama administrations, with focuses on improving Obamacare, increasing taxes on the wealthiest Americans and making college education affordable for all.

Donald Trump is running on a platform centered around an immigration policy that would deport all undocumented immigrants and build a wall along the entirety of the U.S.-Mexico border. He would cut taxes for wealthy Americans, repeal Obamacare and has taken socially conservative stances on abortion and marriage.

Our choice: Clinton isn’t an ideal candidate, but a Trump administration would be indubitably worse in both the short- and long-term.

PROPOSITIONS 51

Public School Facility Bonds, if passed with a “Yes” vote, the state would be required to give $2 billion to community colleges and $7 billion to K-12 institutions for construction projects.

Our choice: We support all funding that goes to schools, many of which are in need of serious repair.

YES NO

52

Voter Approval to Divert Hospital Fee Revenue Dedicated to Medi-Cal, if passed with a “Yes” vote, private hospitals would be permanently required to pay a fee that would help pay for Medi-Cal costs. Changes to the fee would require voter approval.

Our choice: The contributions from private hospitals would cover the medical costs for many low-income California residents.

YES NO

Prop 53, Voter Approval Requirement for Revenue Bonds above $2 billion, if passed with a “Yes” vote, would require that legislatively approved projects have voter approval if a public infrastructure bond amount exceeds $2 billion, increasing in taxes or fees.

Prop 54, Public Display of Legislative Bills Prior to Vote, if passed with a “Yes” vote, would require bills to be published in print and on the Internet for 72 hours prior to voting before being approved by legislature.

MEASURES RR

BART bond issue, if passed with a “Yes” vote, would authorize the sale of general obligation bonds of up to $3.5 billion, which would add to debt already accumulated by BART for maintainance and infrastructure improvement projects.

Our choice: More money for BART would go toward fixing toward much needed improvements for 90 miles of rails, earthquake safety, public safety and water damage repair.

YES NO

X

Sales Tax for Transportation Project, if passed with a “Yes” vote, is in favor of authorizing a .5 percent sales tax that would be used to fund transportation developments in Contra Costa County.

Our choice: This tax would help repair roadways, improve public transportation for seniors and people with disabilities, aid in creating a safer bicycling environment and improve BART capacity.

YES

NO

53/54

YES

Our choice: Prop 53 could potentially make congress even more sluggish.

NO Prop 54 is a fine effort at government transparency.

WARD 5 Two candidates are running for the Ward 5 seat to serve a four-year term as trustee on the Governing Board of the Contra Costa Community College District. Ward 5 includes the residents of Clyde, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley, Knightsen and part of Brentwood.

56

Tobacco Tax Increase, if passed with a “Yes” vote, would add a tax of $2 to a pack of cigarettes on top of the tax already imposed by the State of California, which is currently 87 cents.

Our choice: Cigarettes are not just bad for those who smoke them, they’re bad for everyone. This tax could deter current and future smokers and provide funding for prevention and treatment.

YES NO

Parole for Non-Violent Criminals and Juvenile Court Trial Requirements, if passed with a “Yes” vote, would increase opportunities for good behavior and parole for felons convicted of nonviolent crimes, and judges, not prosecutors, to decide whether or not to try certain juveniles as adults.

57

Our choice: Incarcerating nonviolent offenders has shown to be an ineffective method of dealing with crime, and is a burden on taxpayers.

ENHOLM

Fernando Sandoval is challenging Enholm with a platform centered on importing the futurism of Silicon Valley into Contra Costa Community College District classrooms. Sandoval also aims to improve community college relations with local K-12 students and increase student success and vocational training.

YES NO

Background Checks for Ammunition Purchases and Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazine Ban, if passed with a “Yes” vote, slightly stricter laws surrounding ammunition sales would be enacted.

63

Our choice: California already has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, and this proposition would further stregthen them, protecting Californians from gun violence.

YES NO

Prop 65, Dedication of Revenue from Disposable Bag Sales to Wildlife Conservation Fund, if passed with a “Yes” vote, would require all the money from mandated charges on single-use grocery bags to go to the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Fund.

Prop 67, Plastic Bag Ban Veto Referendum, if passed with a “Yes” vote, would ratify Senate Bill 270, which was a ban on single-use plastic bags approved by the state legislature and governor.

65/67

Our choice: One only needs to drive down Century Blvd. to see why a plastic bag ban is a good idea.

We should move away from all single-use items and fix damage done.

YES NO

Greg Enholm is the incumbent candidate. Enholm hopes to continue to improve and expand Los Medanos College’s facilities at both the Pittsburg and Brentwood campuses. He would also like to raise awareness of the College and Career Access Pathways, which allows high school students to take college courses at their schools.

Although he supports the successful opening of the new Brentwood Center, he advocates for a different location.

SANDOVAL

The Experience has chosen to abstain from endorsing a candidate for this position.

This page reflects the views of the Experience editorial board. Information was derived from the Contra Costa County Voter Information Guide, and ballotpedia.org and votersdge.org. We encourage readers to do their own research to make informed decisions on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Experience Graphic • Lissette Urbina

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