Sierra College recall effort heats up

The Union: Committee aims to remove board president, board member

By Soumitro Sen, soumitros@theunion.com
July 4, 2006

The political ambiance at Sierra College has been turbulent since early 2005 in the wake of the seemingly forced retirement of former President Kevin Ramirez. But the situation has reached a climax now, with residents and members of the college community actively seeking the recall of the president of the college's board of trustees, Jerry Simmons, and board member Aaron Klein.

In May of this year, community members formed a "Committee to Save Sierra College." The committee members - from the college and the community - are now gathering 27,000 verified signatures of registered voters for both Klein and Simmons to put the recall on the November ballot.

The committee's Web site, www.savesierracollege.com, gives detailed information on the recall and allows people to download a petition, sign it and mail it back.

"A recall is not easy at all; it is the hardest thing to do politically," said Anthony Maki Gill, volunteer and fundraising chair of the committee. "But it is necessary because Jerry Simmons and Aaron Klein have no intention to resign, and if they are not going to remove themselves, then the community needs to do that."

Maki Gill said the campaign is gradually taking hold.

"The alumni, the retirees, are involved in the effort," he said. "We have Republicans and Democrats working side by side to remove these people."

The committee members are taking numerous steps to reach the public.

"We are going to celebrations, events, (standing) in front of grocery and drug stores," said Joe Medeiros, a professor of biology and ecology at Sierra College for 16 years. "It is easier if you wear a Simmons and Klein recall T-shirt. People then gravitate toward you and want to sign."

The easiest way to participate, Medeiros said, was to sign an online petition and mail it in.

"At least 25 percent of our signatures are coming from the Web site," he said.

Klein and Simmons are not amused at the upsurge of public opposition.

"This is now the second time that the same people have put a recall effort together (the first one was abandoned in early 2005)," Klein said. "The sequel is more of a flop that the original. It doesn't have any more momentum than the original had, and I think it's going to die out.

"We have the first balanced budget in four years. We are a No. 1 community college in granting degrees in California, and that's all because of our dedicated faculty and staff and strong leadership on our board of trustees."

But those who support the recall do not buy into Klein's optimism.

"The reason that they (Klein and Simmons) are here is politics - not any true interest in allowing Sierra College to do its work," Medeiros said. "This is evident by the fact that they marched into the college and forced the resignation of a beloved president. They asked no question of the faculty, staff and students. They took no time to learn about the college, its mission, and its accomplishment."

Despite strong resistance from his colleagues, Simmons said he was bent on completing the work he was elected to do.

"I am focused on continuing to improve Sierra College, in our efforts to increase facilities' expansion at the Grass Valley campus," he said. "This recall effort is only going to distract the attention from the focus of completing our Grass Valley campus expansion.

"The planning process for the Grass Valley campus is currently under way and the construction will begin shortly. It is essential that we have the continuity of leadership to make sure there are no delays during the construction process."

Simmons, who was urged to step down as president at a board of trustees' meeting on June 13 but was retained by a 4-3 vote, said a "few employees are constantly advocating for division and confusion" and that he was disappointed at the attack they made on his character.

"I am young," he said. "I am not an experienced politician. I ran for the community college board because I attended a community college and I benefited personally from the educational program there. So I wanted to give back to the community college system that made such a difference in my life."

To contact SOUMITRO SEN, e-mail soumitros@theunion.com or call 477-4229.
Committee aims to remove board president, board member