(Oct. 15, 2009, initial report 11:39 p.m., updates Oct. 16) -- Roberto Uranga is suspending (i.e. effectively ending) his 7th dist City Council campaign, citing his Oct. 10 election as Vice Chair of the nationwide Ass'n of Community College Trustees.
Mr. Uranga stunned a group of friends/supporters by announcing his change in plans tonight (Oct. 15) at the Tacos Don Chente restaurant on PCH, where friends and the media were invited to mark his election to the ACCT position.
Following Mr. Uranga's announcement, some attendees (including West LB Ass'n President John Taeleifi speaking in his personal capacity) swiftly urged Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga to make a write-in bid for a third term.
Councilwoman Reyes Uranga, elected to the Council in 2002 and outpolling a Chamber of Commerce backed-opponent in 2006, tells LBReport.com that her heart is very much in the 7th district...and she is seriously considering a write-in campaign. She indicated she was touched by the supportive reactions from area residents at tonight's event...and said she will be gauging community support in the coming days...and expects to make a decision by this coming Monday (Oct. 19).
Mr. Uranga, who has served as an elected member of the LBCC Board of Trustees for the past 9 years, said in a release [issued at midday Oct. 15 announcing the evening event celebrating his ACCT position] that his election as Vice-Chair of the national education group puts him in line to become ACCT National Chair in 2011.
[release text] Saturday's [Oct. 10] vote [by the National Board of Directors of the Ass'n of Community College Trustees] was historic in several ways. No representative from southern California has ever headed the ACCT, which serves as a national voice for America's community colleges. Uranga will also be the first Latino to lead the organization of elected and appointed community college trustees in the United States, Canada, the Territories of American Samoa and the Marianna Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam.
"I'm deeply honored and humbled," Uranga said after the vote, "and I'm especially pleased that this brings LBCC into the limelight on the national stage, a place where it is suited to be."
"This opportunity for leadership comes at a critical moment," said Uranga. "With unprecedented attention being paid to community colleges by President Obama’s American Graduation Initiative (AGI), institutions like LBCC are playing a major role in the economic recovery of communities all over the country. Community colleges are critical in the retooling and reeducation of our nation’s diverse and changing workforce, especially in these tough economic times."
Present to witness Roberto Uranga’s election to the ACCT Executive Board were Northern California Assemblyman Paul Fong (a former community college trustee who served on the ACCT Board of Directors before his election to the Assembly), LBCC Superintendent/President Eloy Oakley, and fellow LBCC Board Member, Trustee Doug Otto, as well as Uranga’s wife, Long Beach City Councilmember Tonia Reyes Uranga.
"This election is a culmination of many efforts by my predecessors on the ACCT Board of Directors to diversify the Board and to strengthen its capacity to serve the changing needs of community colleges," Uranga noted. "We face many challenges in the years ahead that will also present opportunities to demonstrate the educational excellence community colleges provide. I am grateful for this vote of confidence from my colleagues as we move forward with ACCT’s agenda to bring community colleges out of the shadows and into the limelight of educational excellence."
What about money raised by Roberto Uranga's Council campaign to date? As previously reported by LBReport.com campaign filings indicate it had about $6,000 cash on hand as of June 30...and Councilwoman Reyes Uranga indicated the total was likely over $10,000 by now.
To our knowledge, the Roberto Uranga campaign committee's money can be used to pay the committee's bills; given to a charity/non-profit; returned to donors at a pro rata share; or given to a governmental or political entity (for items such as voter registration)...but can't be given to another candidate [including spouse/Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga].
Other currently announced candidates in the April 2010 7th district election are WANA President Jill Hill, Ass't City Auditor James Johnson and former Housing Development Co. boardmember Jack Smith.
[update] Reaction is coming in at midmorning Oct. 16 (first received, first listed):
- Assistant City Auditor James Johnson: "I congratulate Mr. Uranga on his election to the Association of Community College Trustees. Quality education is crucial for our community, and it is great to hear that we will have a local voice in this national organization. I look forward to working with Mr. Uranga in his new role towards improving Long Beach."
Further reaction is expected. Stay with LBReport.com...and you won't miss a thing.
