News Release

CONTACT:  Della Elliott, Public Information Assistant, (619) 644-7690

EL CAJON – The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board this week appointed 11 members to the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee, charged with ensuring that revenues from Proposition R, the $207 million general obligation bond measure passed by voters on Nov. 5, will be spent as promised.

The committee’s role is to review and report on district spending of taxpayers’ money for construction and to provide a public accounting of the district’s compliance with legal requirements.

"The Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee provides additional public review," said GCCCD Governing Board President Timothy Caruthers. "With millions of dollars involved, their perspective will add information and credibility to the decisions the board will make on the final expenditures of all bond funds. The expertise of these committee members will assist the district in its efforts to provide maximum access to first-rate higher education in the East County."

Proposition R was approved by 60 percent of the East County electorate as the most realistic remedy to the campuses’ plight of overcrowding and widespread repair needs at a time of decreasing state support. One of the provisions of Proposition R was the appointment of an independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee. As specified by the governing board, the committee includes community members with expertise in construction, procurement and finance, as well as representatives from business, senior and taxpayer organizations.

"We appreciate the dedication to community service shown by these very qualified applicants who have stepped forward to assist in this complex endeavor," said Chancellor Omero Suarez.

The appointed committee members, all of whom reside within college district boundaries, are:

Arkan Somo, co-founder and president of the California Independent Grocers & Convenience Stores

Buel W. "Stoney" Stone, longtime community leader and bank executive

Harvey Goodfriend, director of San Diego State University’s Entrepreneurial Management Center, representing the San Diego County Taxpayers Association

Kimberly Paris, Associated Students of Cuyamaca College senator

John Correia, Associated Students of Grossmont College comptroller

Sally Friedman, a member of Grossmont College’s Customer Service Advisory Committee

Ken Sobel, San Diego attorney and vice president of the Grossmont College Foundation

Ernest Ewin, former banking executive and recently elected La Mesa City Councilman

Bill Garrett, Cuyamaca College Foundation president and chief administrative officer for the City of El Cajon

Mike Reynolds, president and chief executive officer of Reynolds Communities

Charles Fouquette, a longtime journeyman ironworker and former delegate to the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council

The first meeting of the oversight committee is tentatively scheduled for late March.

Proceeds from the first Proposition R bond issue are expected in June 2003 and construction projects are planned to begin shortly thereafter. Initial work will consist of facilities repair and energy-reduction projects, such as the modernizing of classroom lighting.

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Intergovernmental Relations, Economic Development, and Public Information
8800 Grossmont College Drive  El Cajon, CA 92020-1799
Phone 619-644-7573 Fax 619-644-7924