We're Electing Our Bosses: Members Interview Candidates for LACCD Board of Trustees

Scott Svonkin and Steve Veres Win Our Endorsement

On December 2, 2010, SEIU Local 99 hosted a Town Hall Meeting to interview candidates for the Los Angeles Community College District’s Board of Trustees. In addition to Local 99 members, SEIU members from Locals 721, USWW, and ULTCW also attended the event and helped decide who would win SEIU’s endorsement.

The people who win this election will be making decisions that affect our jobs and worksites. Deciding whom to endorse guides our political action, helping us determine which candidates we will support with our get-out-the-vote efforts. The LACCD seats will be on the March 2011 ballot.

After hearing from the candidates, SEIU members in attendance unanimously endorsed Scott Svonkin, currently a senior advisor to Sheriff Lee Baca, and Steve Veres, currently a City of San Fernando City Council Member.

“I’m running for one reason and one reason only:  the community college turned my life around,” explained Mr. Svonkin. He went on to describe how, while on the San Gabriel School Board, he insisted that no employee should take a cut until the supervisor and other top administrators take cuts. “My faith taught me to fight for those who need a voice. I genuinely believe that those who make the least should be protected the most.”

“The best way to provide service to the community is to take care of workers,” said Mr. Veres. “That kind of philosophy and approach I will take with me to the Community College District.” He noted that the District is spending a lot of bond money on new college construction. As a result, it’s never been more important to invest in good maintenance. “We can’t be talking about layoffs because we need to be talking about how the whole facilities stay put.”

Incumbents Miguel Santiago and Mona Field were also reconfirmed as SEIU-endorsed Board of Trustees Members.