Candidates to speak in Laney Forum Oct. 17
‘Decision Peralta’ will include a chance for audience questions and concerns
By Eva Hannan
You are invited to participate in “Decision Peralta,” a candidates’ night on Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 7 p.m. — 8:30 p.m. in the Forum building at Laney College.
For more on the candidates, visit
https://www.cindireiss2018.com
Candidates and incumbents of the Peralta District Board of Trustees Areas 3 and 5 will have a chance to voice their opinions and concerns, as well as take questions from the audience.
The Editor of the Laney Tower newspaper, Michelle Snider, will act as moderator. The event is sponsored by the Laney College Journalism Department.
Each candidate will have a specified amount of time for an opening statement on why they want to be, or continue to be, a Peralta Trustee. Afterwards, the candidates will answer questions from the audience.
Vice-President and Area 5 Trustee William Riley is seeking re-election to his sixth term. Linda Handy, of Area 3, is seeking her fifth term. Julina Bunilla for Area 7 has secured her third term already due to a lack of a challenger in her area.
The challengers to the incumbents are Corean Todd for Area 3 and Cindi Reiss for Area 5.
Todd is a union leader and single mother who has attended Peralta District colleges. She is the Oakland Chapter President of Parent Voices, as well as an “affordable housing coordinator” and “student services and childcare specialist” whose children attend OUSD and Peralta District schools.
“The Peralta Administration, for two years in a row, failed to follow its own budget plans and spent barely anything on class offerings or faculty,” her website states, “putting at risk the vital parcel tax and bond measures on the Nov. ballot.”
Todd is endorsed by the Peralta Federation of Teachers, the Oakland Education Association, the Green Party of Alameda County, and the East Bay Times/Oakland Tribune.
Reiss is a professor of Art History at West Valley College in Saratoga and is an academic member on the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
“The Peralta Colleges… have extraordinary staff and faculty who are committed to providing excellent education for all students. However, excellence in education requires excellence in governance,” her website states.
She is endorsed by the Peralta Federation of Teachers, Alameda County Democratic Party and Oakland Rising Action, among others.
