Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/15938
Presidents Conference focuses on upcoming elections LEFT: CTA Vice President Dean Vo- gel, President David A. Sanchez, and Secretary-Treasurer Gail Mendes at the Presidents Conference in July, where CTA chapter leaders focused on the upcoming election. RIGHT: Association of Coronado Teachers President Katie O’Keefe and Beaumont Teachers Association Vice President Norman Ault. education is imminent unless we do something.” Proposition 25 is a solution “This election is really, re- ally important,” said Pablo Martin, MiraCosta College Teachers Association presi- dent, at this year’s Presidents Conference in Asilomar, which focused largely on the upcom- ing November election. “Peo- ple are going to have to stand up for what’s right. We have big corporations, think tanks and ultraconservative groups putting out information that isn’t real. We need to reach out, especially to young peo- ple, and get everyone actively engaged.” “November’s election can be the critical turning point our state needs to get back on track,” said CTA President Da- vid A. Sanchez in his welcom- RIGHT: Chapter leaders and CTA Board members show their solidarity in support of public education. 26 California Educator | SEPTEMBER 2010 ing speech. “It’s imperative that we have a governor who shares our values about public education. Keeping our mem- bers informed and engaged for November is going to be criti- cal, and we must talk with our friends and families about the real threat of Meg Whitman not only to California schools but to our entire state.” Chapter leaders said they are ready for an education- friendly governor, as well as other candidates and mea- sures that are critical to the survival of public education in California. “Absolutely there’s a sense of urgency,” said Jim Grijalva, president of the Los Altos Teachers Association. “I’ve been wearing black since March 13. The death of public to California’s budget disaster, added Grijalva, because it breaks the legislative gridlock by allowing a simple majority of legislators to approve a state budget rather than a two- thirds supermajority. “The way things are now, one ‘no’ vote counts as two votes,” he added. “We need something better than that.” “We have to elect Tom Tor- lakson,” asserted Linda Han- sen, Napa Valley Education Association president. “He’s one of us. He’s been a teacher. He’s been involved in all the Photos by Scott Buschman