Candidate for
Member of the Board of Trustees; Los Angeles Community College District; Office 7

Having been involved in civic and community service for several years, I have long worked for positive change. My family and I now feel that the time has come for me to seek elected office once again as a candidate for the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees, Seat 7. As former Vice President of the North Hills West Neighborhood Council, I gained a reputation for being fiscally conservative and unyielding on transparency and accountability, especially as it related to the handling of public funds. I want to bring this same philosophy to the Los Angeles Community College District and work to find positive solutions to existing problems.

As a father of two daughters currently in college, and a community college student myself, I know the struggles faced by families and students who are seeking to improve their lives through higher education. The Community College system was designed to provide an affordable means for students to earn their Associates degree in two years before transferring to a four year university. Additionally, community colleges offer people access to education through trade school programs, and in many cases, a second chance at improving their lives. This, however, is becoming increasingly impossible under the current conditions.

If elected, I will implement a plan to improve these conditions as follows:

1) Work to establish policies that ensure the board and union are meeting their fiduciary duties both ethically and fiscally to perform in the best interest of students, faculty and the community it serves; 2) Work to maintain and expand academic, vocational courses and faculty; 3) Work to increase outreach efforts to establish a relationship with students and faculty that fosters accessibility and instills confidence and trust; 4) Work to establish responsible financial strategies to keep tuition and book fees affordable; 5) Work to establish strategies to work with local, state and federal government representatives to acquire any and all available financing for community colleges; 6) Work to establish strategies to increase scholarships, internships, work-study and online study programs;

My qualifications for this seat stem from my prior and ongoing service to the community and in grassroots politics. My accomplishments include:

"Ï Elected Councilmember North Hills West Council, Vice President, 2007-2010 Rules and Elections Committee co-chair "Ï CPAB-Community Police Advocacy Board (with a citizen arrest on record with the City of Los Angeles) "Ï Commendations from CA State Senate, 2007 and 2009 "Ï City of Los Angeles Commendation and personal Letter from Mayor Villaraigosa in recognition and appreciation of service during 2008 fires "Ï City of Los Angeles Commendation for leadership and sponsorship of the Senior Citizen Symposium, October 2009 "Ï Certificate in Ethics and Open Government, City of Los Angeles, 2008 & 2009 "Ï Member, Executive Directors Board of Haven Hills, a non-profit organization that provides aid and housing for victims of domestic violence, 2010 "Ï Co-chair, Resource Development & Community Relations Committee, Haven Hills, 2010 "Ï Member, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society-International Scholastic Order, Alpha Pi Delta Chapter

I am also endorsed by the following organizations:

"Ï Phi Theta Kappa, International Scholastic Order of the Two Year College "Ï Rotaract, Rotary-sponsored student club

To succeed in this endeavor, I need to mount an aggressive campaign. My opponent is also the incumbent, having been originally appointed in 2008 and subsequently elected during the 2009 election cycle. I feel it is now time to offer voters an option for change.

This campaign will also require a strong grassroots effort to get people informed including flyers, yard signs, and other advertising between now and the March 8, 2011 primaries. I cannot do this alone.

If you would like to support my campaign with a generous contribution please contact me by calling me at(818) 723-8442 or by e-mail at erick@aguirre64.com.

I thank you in advance for your support. Please feel free to call me with any questions or comments.