Harris says absolutely “no;” west County representatives appear to agree with Harris view
Governing Board Candidate Paul Chevalier addressed the Yavapai Community College Governing Board at its September 11 meeting to wait until after the November election to make the final selection for the new College President. Candidate Connie Harris a few days later at a community election forum in the Village of Oak Creek make it clear she would never agree to the delay.
Chevalier argued that if two new Board members are selected by voters at the November election, they should be a part of the Board that makes a final decision on the new College president. He said that would be fair, that it would be the “essence of our democracy.”
Chevalier also argued that if the current challengers win, the public is saying they want a “change” in how the College is operating. That would probably mean a “change” in some of the duties of the new president. “So it may be a totally different, or partially different,” college president than the current Governing Board would select,” he said.
When specifically asked if she agreed with Mr. Chevalier, Ms. Harris, who was appointed 18 months ago to the Board and is running against Mr. Chevalier, stated unequally that she did not agree with his position. She felt the current process was sufficient and she had no hesitation in selecting a new College president if she lost the election.
There is no reason to believe that the west-county members of the Governing Board support Mr. Chevalier’s arguments.
Mr. Chevalier’s address to the Governing Board appears on the video above.