COUNTYWIDE : Union Backs College District Candidates

The union representing non-teaching employees at the Ventura County Community College District has endorsed two candidates running for seats on the district board.

Local 535 of the Services Employees International Union announced its endorsement Wednesday of incumbent Timothy Hirschberg, one of five candidates seeking the seat representing Area 3.

Also endorsed was Allan Jacobs for the Area 4 seat, vacated by convicted embezzler James T. (Tom) Ely.

The union represents about 400 clerical, secretarial, custodial and technical workers, said Gregory Cross, union spokesman. He said Hirschberg’s leadership during a year that the district was wracked by scandal helped win backing from the union.

Last summer Ely was convicted of embezzlement and fraud in the wake of charges that he padded his travel expenses by about $15,000.

Cross praised Hirschberg for pushing for a code of ethics for trustees.

Last spring Moorpark College President Stanley L. Bowers resigned his post to accept a lesser position as dean after the trustees took steps to fire him for questionable financial transactions between the college and its private foundation. Also, Tom Kimberling resigned his post as vice chancellor of administrative services in the wake of criticism over his supervision of the district’s funds.

A union statement said: “Hirschberg has worked effectively to help restore integrity and fiscal responsibility to the board while strengthening the district’s educational offerings.”

Cross said the union endorsed Jacobs, one of five candidates for Ely’s seat, because of his experience as a teacher, and most recently, as a school administrator.

On Oct. 8 the union representing the college district faculty announced its endorsement of Hirschberg and its decision not to endorse anyone in Area 4.