Mt SAC candidates talk about parking garage, perks and satellite campuses By Steve Scauzillo 8/22/15 Although two district races for Mt San Antonio College board fall geographically outside the battle grounds of a war raging between the community college and the city of Walnut, the issues of zoning, leadership and board perks are nonetheless in play For the first time since Walnut and United Walnut Taxpayers sued the college, successfully blocking a five-story parking garage by way of a court-ordered injunction, incumbent Fred Chyr is talking about the controversy, along with challengers Jay Chen and Garret Terrones Trustee Area No Race Chyr, 62, on the board since 1995 and president during much of the battle, represents Hacienda Heights, Industry, La Puente and part of Basset in Trustee Area No — an area not directly affected by the proposed parking structure In an interview Friday, the five-term incumbent defended the college’s position to build the $48-million parking garage directly adjacent to homes in northeast Walnut, saying it has morphed into a crucial zoning rights issue He warned the court’s threat to send future college projects through the Walnut City Hall for approval — including a $62 million revamp of Hilmer Stadium — represents an attack on the college’s rights to best educate students The college received approval from the Division of State Architect, not the city, saying institutional buildings are exempt from city zoning laws “This legal challenge goes beyond parking; it is about zoning We have the right to build buildings We have to protect our rights as an institution That is why we are moving forward (with the case), to protect our rights to educate our students.” Challengers question community engagement Jay Chen, an eight-year board member for the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, is leaving his post to run against Chyr Chen is a progressive Democrat who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in the 39th District, while Chyr is a conservative Republican Chen criticized the Mt SAC board for a lack of community engagement “We have not seen any Mt SAC college board members here in Hacienda Heights,” he said “I’ve been on the school board for eight years, I met Fred I think once.” The issue became part of the rhetoric from Walnut City Council last year, who said the Mt.SAC board members declined to talk to them about moving a proposed parking structure from the edge of Mountaineer Road near homes anywhere else on campus The city went as far as holding a City Council meeting in the audience during a Mt SAC governing board meeting that Chyr chaired The members were treated like all speakers, given an allotted time to address the board, infuriating Walnut council members Creating satellite campuses In a related issue, Terrones, 47, a student account supervisor at Pitzer College and lifetime resident of La Puente, said the college is too insular and should open satellite campuses in outlying areas “I’d like Mt SAC to take the college out of the community instead of everyone driving to Walnut,” he said, citing Chaffey College as an example He sympathized with Walnut shouldering the burden of close to 60,000 students a year in traffic and noise The remaining Area challenger, Renee “Lucy” Chavez, did not respond to emails and phone calls Trustee Area No Race In Area 1, eight-year incumbent Rosanne Bader of Pomona, said the parking garage is not really an issue in the north Pomona, San Dimas, La Verne and Glendora district Challenger John Mendoza, 62, also of Pomona, said too few Pomona residents attend the college, even though its residents pay for the two improvement bond measures on their property tax rolls He’d like to see off-campus classes offered in La Verne, San Dimas or Pomona How should board members handle perks The issue of board compensation also arose Board members receive $750 a month, but the more lucrative perk is a health-care benefit package Chyr’s is worth $22,536.50 and includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance, according to Mt SAC Chyr is one of several community college board members in the state who accept these benefits while turning down those offered by an employer Chyr is associate vice president and chief marketing officer for the University of La Verne He earns more than $100,000, according to his statement of economic interest filed with the college “As a trustee we are offered a benefit plan I accept that I apologize for none of that,” Chyr said Chen said he accepts the health care benefits offered through HLPUSD, but turns down other benefits from the federal government he’s entitled to as a U.S Navy reservist Chen said he will ask the college to evaluate rules prohibiting double dipping by board members if elected “Nothing shakes the confidence of the public more than elected officials who take advantage of the tax dollars they are supposed to be guarding,” Chen said Board member benefits are only offered while serving in office They not receive cash if they decline benefits, said Jill Dolan, college spokesperson Bader’s 2015 benefits include only basic life insurance for $120, records show The Mt SAC faculty association will hold a candidates’ forum at 10 a.m Friday at the college’s Founders Hall, 1100 N Grand Ave., Walnut The election is Nov ... Bader’s 2015 benefits include only basic life insurance for $120, records show The Mt SAC faculty association will hold a candidates? ?? forum at 10 a.m Friday at the college’s Founders Hall, 1100 N Grand... calls Trustee Area No Race In Area 1, eight-year incumbent Rosanne Bader of Pomona, said the parking garage is not really an issue in the north Pomona, San Dimas, La Verne and Glendora district... Chyr’s is worth $22,536.50 and includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance, according to Mt SAC Chyr is one of several community college board members in the state who accept these benefits