ELECTION UPDATE: MENDEZ MAINTAINS LEAD

Last Updated: 14:05 11/18/2011

Candidate Party Votes Percent
GARY MENDEZ NP 978 37.13
LIL RONNIE LAWRENCE NP 927 35.19
M G MACEDONIO NP 548 20.8
FRANK VASQUEZ NP 181 6.87



You Smell That?! You Smell That?! Smells like Victory!

Statement to Rio Hondo College Students and Friends (& Opposition)

Students and friends, Im humbled by the people/voters of Area 4 in re-electing me to the Rio Hondo College Board for another four years. Im continually very grateful.

I would like to thank the students and supporters who had faith in my service by walking precincts and talking to voters in Area 4. Truly grateful. Thank you!

It’s never easy. I’ve been an Independent Public Servant for over twelve years beholden to NO political boss, groups of politicians or interest groups. I prefer this despite the tremendous opposing odds. Nonetheless, Im safe in the knowledge that my “bosses” are the people of my community and I’ve always conducted my service with this as the highest value.

As you may know, on this campaign I was vastly outnumbered, out financed 5-1, ganged-up on by politicians, and campaigned against by Faculty and other groups. This has been the mode of elections in my Area for over twelve years. The campaign I ran was humble (in many ways), strategic, efficient, effective and truly a campaign of the people. ( http://gary-mendez.blogspot.com/2011/11/politikate-do.html)

As a former student leader and community activist, I have a deep love for our college and would (continue to) endure harsh circumstance and criticism to see that my community and student are well served by Rio Hondo College.

This is demonstrated by my unwavering wiliness to let “bygones be bygones” after each election. I don’t hold grudges, never have. I go back to loving and caring for the people who oppose me (faculty & staff) so that they may continue to love and care about you. It’s really simple for me.

They say students “come and go” and I understand it’s hard to see what I’ve delivered for you, but allow me to demonstrate. The new and remolded buildings at Rio were initiated by a small group of board members of which I’m the only remaining member. Go Rio, Veteran’s Priority Registration, the South Whittier Education Center, and other initiatives were implemented in my tenure on the board.

The point is this…Im here on the Board to serve my community and the students of Rio Hondo. Being Independent, I get to choose and shape my service unbeholden to later report back to my community in election cycles. Thus far, my community approves of my service.

So, let’s roll up our sleeves, work together, and leave the campaigns behind and work to guarantee your success at Rio Hondo. GO RIO!

MENDEZ Wins: Ending with KICK to Opponents Vitals

MENDEZ WINNER!

MENDEZ WINNER!

Gary Mendez 904
Lil Ronnie 895
Rio Hondo College, Whittier, CA.

Mendez wins with a final kick to out financed opponents Vitals. Bam!

I ran a campaign focused and disciplined on message, lean and efficient, and for all the right reasons: love for Rio Hondo College.

Rio Hondo College is fiscally sound! Every year for twelve years, I delivered a balanced budget, maintained a healthy reserve and controlled spending making Rio Hondo College one of the most Fiscal Sound community colleges in California.

As an independent candidate beholden only to the people in my Area, I entered this re-election campaign knowing I was going to be outspent (3-1) and with my opponents supported by politicians and outside special interest groups with questionable intent.

I stood steadfast and defended my fiscal track record and on the great things I delivered to my community, including the South Whittier Education Center.

Its tough being Independent but very much worth it. Im beholden to no groups or political bosses, only to the voters from my community who continue to maintain their faith in my public service. Im greatful to the people of South Whittier, Los Nietos, North Norwalk, and Santa Fe Springs.

Rio Hondo College - No Class Cuts! Holding the line.- Whittier Daily News

Community college, CSU chancellors predict more cuts and higher fees - Whittier Daily News

Rio Hondo College is one of the ONLY community colleges in California that has NOT cut classes, furloughed employees, laid-off faculty & staff, nor cut services and programs. Why? We saved reserves, practiced fiscal discipline, and kept our administration lean as the impending budget crises approached. The crisis was no secret but we had to prepare, we did and now we are able to offer more classes and services than most community colleges.

We are fairing very well compared to other community colleges, local schools and cities. Little Lake School District laid-off a great amount teachers and staff, increased class size, cut programs and services, and increased the cost of children’s school lunches. The City of Santa Ana has cut so many employees and residential services that they have even cannibalized their Community Developed Department seizing funds to pay debt.

At Rio Hondo College, due to our fiscal preparedness and responsibility, we were able to hire 13 faculty and 35 staff in 2011 to serve students. In addition, our $300 million dollar building program has employed over 300 local skilled-workers and professionals to build our new facilities.

Things may get tougher, but we will be diligent, prudent and discilpined in the coming budget cycles. It comes down to our mission, serve students.

First Day of Fall 2011 Semester at Rio: Information Booth

Volunteering in the Information Booth on the first day of the semester is always a great experience. There were so many new students in need of information. I made sure to educate students on the GO Rio bus program. Many questions. Poor students had to stand there and here my speeches on services and stuff. Great time! Get on the bus! Go Rio!

Rio Hondo Breaks Ground for the El Monte Education Center

On Wednesday, August 17, 2011, we finally broke ground for Rio Hondo College’s El Monte Education Center that will be ready to serve students in two years. Im very excited! It took time, patience and effort to negotiate with the City of El Monte, and at times the project was uncertain, but that has past and now we have a site.

Over six years ago, the Board of Trustee’s work diligently to select communities to host a “College Center”. South Whittier being geographically the furthest community from the Main campus was a sure host and El Monte for its population density.

El Monte was the first to host a "College Center" over ten years ago when it was on Valley Blvd and it’s great to see El Monte have a Rio Hondo presence again.

Go Rio Student Transit Program MOU Approved by Norwalk City Council with the Norwalk Transit System.

Tuesday night, August 16, 2011, I attended the Norwalk City Council Meeting to speak on Council AgendaItem 13; Go Rio! Transit Program MOU with Norwalk Transit System.

The Norwalk City Council Approved Unanimously the MOU with Rio Hondo Community College District for the Go Rio Public Transportation Program continuing service to students and residents.

The Council had various questions and concerns regarding the recent fair increases and whether Rio Hondo was going to pay for the increases the Council recently approved. Mr. James Parker, Transportation Director, very clearly reported that Rio Hondo has been a partner for over five years and that the MOU contains language that responds to fair increase and that the MOU doesn’t not create a special route but rather utilizes existing routes. The City Attorney also informed the Council that the MOU pays (in advance) fairs at the established rate set by council.

The Council further asked how the City will know how many people will use the service to be sure that the City is being adequately compensated. Mr. Parker responded that the new "TAP" card and its technology collects data instantly and reports can be generated daily, weekly or monthly.

I was given the opportunity to speak on "Open Comment" and extended Rio’s deep appreciation and gratitude for the partnership created over five years ago and expanded on the many benefits of the program: 1) Greater access to Rio Hondo for residents of Norwalk; 2) decreased demand for on-campus parking; 3) decrease in auto emissions-pollution; 4) making college more affordable by utilizing public transit; and 5) a greater environmentally conscience student.

I want to thank Vice Mayor Kelly, Councilmembers Rodarte, Vernola, and Shryock for approving the item and continuing the service.

VINDICATED - DISMISSED

Im an Outdoorsman and being in the Outdoors is a great part of my life and soul.

In 2010, I was accused of carrying a “switchblade”, and having an unpaid speeding ticket, upon my return from a backpacking/camping trip after having dinner at Maggie’s Pub in Santa Fe Springs.

In July 2010, the traffic ticket was paid and the case on “suspicion of carrying a switchblade” was dismissed by the presiding Superior Court Judge. At that proceeding, the District Attorney (DA) moved to dismiss the case and stated that he had inspected the knife in question and said that it was clearly not a “switchblade” and was instead a legal folded camping knife. The Judge agreed and granted a dismissal stating that “the Whittier Police Department has NO Business redefining State Law on what is a “switchblade” and what’s a legal folded camping knife”. I was Vindicated!

It has been a long tradition in my family to commune in nature. The camping knife is a great part of my outdoors ethos. As an American, I don’t see why I need to change that.

The California Penal Code Section 653k is very clear on what is a “switchblade” and what its not. The code states a ““Switchblade knife” does not include a knife that opens with one had utilizing thumb pressure applied solely to the blade of the knife or a thumb stud attached to the blade…” The Law is very clear, there is no ambiguity. I just don’t see how the Whittier Police officer could have misinterpreted the law. It makes me wonder.

I have since returned to my hiking, camping, backpacking and the outdoors lifestyle.

However, my political opponents continue to portray me as a “switchblade carrying cholo”. Two have promised to play the dirtiest campaign yet seen in our community.

I can’t stop them and they know thier wrong. That’s politics and I will do what I do best: fight for justice and be resilient.