Ballots for the May 20 election go out at the end of this week for Clatsop County school and college board elections (plus a host of minor governmental districts). The Daily Astorian begins a series of articles highlighting candidates in key contested races. Tuesday is the deadline for residents to register to vote.

Clatsop Community College faces several contentious issues in the next few years, and may see some new faces on its board of directors.

Four of the seats are on the ballot May 20 and two are contested. One race attracted four candidates.

Though leaders have alleviated accreditation worries, the college still faces extensive reviews, which could go on until it upgrades its facilities to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act. College leaders have eyed several locations for a new campus or renovation to the current campus for the past decade. In the November election, voters rejected a bond to pay for facilities upgrades and new buildings at the Jerome Avenue and Seaside campuses.

As the elections loom, the current board has narrowed its choice for president to two candidates seeking to replace John Wubben, who is retiring in June. That process will likely be completed by the time any new board members begin to serve.

The contested races feature two incumbents and four newcomers.

Incumbent Paul Gillum faces John Compere, Emily Henderson and John Meyer. Marilyn Lane is challenged by Robert Stricklin.

Newcomer David Shannon, of Hammond, is running uncontested for zone 3, position 7, a seat currently held by Jean Danforth and newcomer Laura Harris, of Astoria, is running uncontested for zone 1, position 1, a seat currently held by Russel Hunter

Here are details of the other candidates.

Zone 2, Position 4

John CompereJohn Compere

Age: 68.

Address: 167 W. Marine Drive, Astoria.

Length of time in community: Seven years.

Occupation: Currently associate director Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce; previously, licensed clinical psychologist, professional speaker, faculty member at Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray School of Medicine.

Educational background: Bachelor’s in English and history from Mississippi College, master’s of divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, master’s in psychology from Wake Forest University, doctorate in clinical psychology from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Affiliations: American Psychological Association (former member), American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (former), National Speakers Association (former), Carolina Speakers Association (former), American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Clatsop County, Rotary Club, North Coast Chorale.

Prior experience: None.

Key issues: How best to utilize physical plant to meet certification guidelines; long-range plan for college location; being aware of need for community support for expansion/renovation plans; utilizing our unique location to find best niche for college positioning and promotion.John Compere moved from Arizona to Astoria in 1996 when he retired. Throughout his life, he migrated toward the West Coast.

“I started out in the sovereign state of Mississippi,” he said. “Don’t hold it against me. I left as soon as I found out you could.”

Compere was a minister for several years before teaching psychology at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. He owned a private psychology practice while traveling the country during his professional speaking career, which eventually led him to the Oregon Coast. A few years ago, he came out of retirement to work as the associate director of the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Because of my position here, I have formed lots of good relationships with the businesses in the community,” he said.

Compere’s background in higher education made him familiar with the divide between the college and its community – the “town and gown split.” Compere said he hopes to use “shoe leather” and his community contacts to gain feedback about college decisions.

“One thing I think I can help with is representing the community to the college and the college to the community,” he said.

Compere, 68, would like the college to consider moving part of it’s campus downtown, especially the performing arts programs, which must continue partnering with local theaters, he said.

Compere would investigate selling some of the college’s vacant property to a private developer to bring in revenue in taxes. He said he would need to research the issue before moving forward and consult with the board.

“I am good at getting cooperation out of people, he said. “I am good at easing tensions and building consent.”

Paul R. GillumPaul R. Gillum

Age: 53.

Address: 303 Pleasant Ave., Astoria.

Length of time in community: About 38 to 39 years

Occupation: Police officer and sculpture artist. As a police officer, he’s worked as a defensive tactics instructor, a deputy medical examiner and an advanced crime prevention officer.

Educational background: Graduated Astoria High School, attended Clatsop Community College

Affiliations: Boy Scouts of America.

Prior experience: Clatsop County Ambulance Service Advisory Board Chairman, 1996 to present; Clatsop County Sheriff’s Explorer Post Committee Chairman, 1997 to present; Cub Scout Pack 211 and Boy Scouts Troop 535, 1997-present; Fort Clatsop District Explorer Training Commissioner, 1998 to present; Clatsop Community College Board member, 1999 to present.

Key issues: One of my main priorities is to foster a partnership with a four year University. Thus far, the board and members privately have spoken specifically with Portland State University and the outlook has great potential for a partnership. This will assist in furthering the educational benefits for students, as well as having the possibility of gaining assistance in outside funding, i.e.; grants, scholarships, and innovative ideas on financing. The mainstay is to keep the valued accreditation we have gained. Paul Gillum first ran for the board in 1999, when several citizens called him, worried about the college’s accreditation.

“They were afraid the accreditation was not going to be forthcoming if things didn’t get done,” he said.

This year, citizens called to request Gillum run again. Accreditation was affirmed, but it may be continually reviewed until the college upgrades or rebuilds its campus to meet requirements for disabled users.

“We need new or updated facilities, and we need them soon,” he said.

He believes the college can find extra funds by making partnerships with other educational entities.

The college board is working to partner with Portland State University, which can help the college offer classes – possibly up to a master’s level – and help find additional money for building or remodels.

“They have more funding available as a university than we do as a college,” he said.

Born in Chicago, Gillum moved with his family to Milton-Freewater when he was young, then to Astoria when he was 15. Gillum has been a full-time police officer in Astoria since 1979. For five years before that, he was a reservist. Gillum also spent time in the U.S. Marines in Vietnam. While on the force, he earned a Medal of Valor twice after he was shot during stand-offs with suspects. He’s also been recognized several times for his service and achievements.

Gillum, 53, also owns Studio B, the business name for his bronze sculptures. He’s been working as an artist since he was 15 years old. His work is on display at Pacific Rim Gallery in Astoria.

Emily P. HendersonEmily P. Henderson

Age: 55.

Address: 1585 Exchange St., Astoria.

Length of time in the community: Nearly nine years

Occupation: Restaurant owner

Educational background: Bachelor’s and master’s degree in history from Marquette University.

Affiliations: None.

Prior experience: Marquette University, development assistant, 1976-78; University of San Diego, campaign assistant, 1979-80; Loyola University New Orleans, director of research, 1980-82; University of the Pacific, director foundation support, 1983-84; College of Notre Dame, Belmont, Calif., 1984-85; Independent College of Northern California, assistant to the president, 1991; Fund-raising consultant at Lycoming, University of Santa Clara, Rockhurst, University of San Francisco, Montclair University and Bryn Mawr.

Key issues: The college must build stable sources of revenue. Government, donors and voters will only support an institution whose manager they trust. Hire visionary and talented leadership, effectively train a board which will be open and responsive to public input, partner with community organizations, work with educators to earn respect for higher education and hold itself accountable. The college must also earn the respect of its accrediting agency by designing and building facilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and developing proper assessment tools for its programs. These tools are needed if the college is to effectively measure its successes and failures.Emily Henderson consulted in higher education for 16 years before she and her husband, Michael, settled down seven years ago to build their Astoria business, The Home Spirit Bakery Cafe.

Much of her consulting involved fund-raising, which included assessing and improving the public opinion of the college or university and soliciting contributions.

“From the outside, it looks like a mess. Maybe it’s not. Maybe it’s a creative opportunity.”

In the early 1980s, Henderson collaborated with others to improve the public perception of Loyola University in New Orleans. The university was overshadowed by a nearby institution. Henderson connected community members with college leaders, who listened to community suggestions and practiced them. Many community members became involved in Loyola’s leadership and donated to the school.

Henderson, 55, said she believes the college needs to connect with community members to change the community’s distrust of the school. Last fall, Henderson spoke with friends who she believed would likely support higher education, but they didn’t support the bond.

Board members appoint committee members and listen to feedback from people who think like them, she said.

“If everybody agrees with you, you’re never going to know the truth.” Henderson has written five or six letters to the college board over the past few months, but she said she’s never received a response. “The bottom line is, the college needs trust of the community. Trust means dollars.”

To build trust, the college must develop communication, show the community their money is well invested, and admit mistakes and accept responsibility, she said.

John MeyerJohn Meyer

Age: 70.

Address: 1508 Exchange, Apt. 412.

Years in community: More than 10 years.

Occupation: Retired.

Educational Background: University of Minnesota, bachelor’s, 1959; University of Oregon, lawyer, 1967; Chemeketa Community College, emergency medical technician. Military service, U.S. Air Force, cryptographer, 1952-56.

Affiliations: Eagles, American Legion.

Prior experience: Private law practice; real estate sales; social work; Oregon State Legislature, House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Council, 1973, Joint Interim Committee on State and Federal Affairs and Human Resources, executive secretary, 1973-75, House Consumer and Business Affairs, 1975; North Coast Senior Services, boardmember; Marion/Polk County Heart Association, first president; Willamina Ambulance Service; Astoria Public Library board; Sunset Empire Transportation District board; Astoria Traffic Safety Committee.

Key issues: Using finances wisely, no longer asking voters to pay for expensive upgrades to facilities, contracting out of services, providing distance education, the board claiming control of the college.John Meyer’s view from his Owens-Adair apartment looks out upon the college. He’s lived in the area 15 years and became interested because of his own history in education.

As an undergraduate at the University of Minnesota, he completed a four-way major in psychology, sociology, humanities and anthropology. He went on to earn a law degree at the University of Oregon.

“I’ve belly-ached a lot in the paper about what they’ve done wrong,” he said of the college board’s quest for new or updated facilities. “They’ve piddled away at least half a million dollars studying, polling, you name it. Ten years later, we are no further ahead than when we started. … Voters are not going to support huge amounts of money for a new college.”

Meyer, 70, said the college needs to re-prioritize its needs for new facilities or upgrades and “make do with what we have.”

In the future the college will have to down-size. He said things like dance classes might not be essential to the school. Instead, The college should focus on the health programs and other needs of the community. He said he sees less of a need for programs like welding. He also would like the college to establish a stronger distance education program so people can educate themselves without having to drive to classes in Astoria or Seaside.

Services provided through the gym and cafeteria might be contracted to other schools. He said the college should hire more adjunct faculty to save money. The board should not ask the college employees to look for cuts.

“The board is running the college and the buck stops here,” he said. “The dean of women, or whatever, she’s not responsible to the voters. The board is.”

Zone 3, Position 6

Marilyn LaneMarilyn Lane

Age: 56.

Address: P.O. Box 2843, Gearhart

Length of time in community: Six years

Occupation: Educator, employed by Astoria School District as curriculum director.

Educational background: Bachelor’s at Lewis and Clark College, master’s and doctorate at University of Oregon.

Affiliations: Rotary, Lewis and Clark College Alumnae, University of Oregon Alumnae, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, National Staff Development Council.

Prior experience: CCC Board Member 1999-2003, board chairwoman 2002-03.

Key issues: Provide the educational services needed by individuals in our community in this economic climate. Community colleges become even more relevant in times of economic downturns because it is a place people can go to increase or improve skills. Doing this with fewer resources represents a challenge that will require us all to pitch in. Ensuring the mission and vision of the community college is carried out to its fullest potential, creating a smooth transition from the retiring president to the new president, developing stronger partnerships with kindergarten through 12th grade and institutions of higher education.Marilyn Lane has served on the board since 1999 and as chairwoman since July.

Lane came to the area six years ago to work for Astoria School District, where she is now curriculum director. She was the principal of Olney School until it closed in 2002. Before becoming a principal, she taught throughout the country.

Lane grew up in Colorado Springs, Colo. She fell in love with the Northwest during a visit and attended Lewis and Clark College in Portland for her undergraduate work. She went on to earn her doctorate at the University of Oregon.

Schools and colleges must partner to survive the economic constraints, she said. She has helped develop partnerships among Tongue Point Job Corps, Astoria High School, the college and other state higher-education institutions.

The college is considering a partnership with Portland State University that could develop into dual enrollment opportunities for students as well as possible funds for things like college facilities.

“We cannot do a bond that’s just totally funded by the property tax payers,” she said.

But the college needs buildings that “are going to make this a safe and attractive institution.”

Lane, 56, acknowledged the college board could improve its process of soliciting community input and said she saw future opportunities for that.

“My hope is, with a new president, … there will be some real opportunity for some face-to-face communication,” she said.

But she said with any public body, negative comment is more common than positive.

“We tend to hear more from our critics than from our supporters,” she said. “The college has a tremendous amount of support.”

Robert C. StricklinRobert C. Stricklin

Age: 60.

Address: 90603 U.S. Highway 101, Warrenton

Length of time in the community: Property owner since 1969, Resident since 1990.

Occupation: Farmer

Educational background: Bachelor of Science, Unicersity of California-Berkeley, international business; Masters in Business Administration, Southern Methodist University.

Affiliations: None lsted. (Declined to answer)

Prior experience: College Budget Committee; County Planning Commission, chairman; Economic Development Committee

Key issues: The governance of the college (the board and presidency) for so many years has lost the capacity to engage with the community in mutually respectful dialogue. Citizen involvement has been distorted, with the governance employing consultants whose professed skills are in “managing outcomes” rather than in true community involvement, helping the community itself to determine what it itself wants. The college has routinely tried to spin outcomes of polls by conscientiously not asking key questions, the answers to which would conflict with their top-down plans. After reading a newspaper editorial, Robert Stricklin decided it was time to run for the board. He applied, “at the last minute,” to the college board’s screening committee for the new president. He was not selected.

“The college governance repeatedly has stacked (advisory panels) with people who, above all, could be predicted to be supportive of preexisting biases and intentions,” he said. “The public involvement process has been horrid for several years, and the same people keep trying the same failed style of dealing with the public over and over.”

Stricklin, grew up in Berkeley, Calif. and attended University of California Berkeley and Southern Methodist University. He’s dabbled in retail, real-estate operations, Boeing, community college instruction, international business and “petroleum ventures,” among other things. A career entrepreneur, Stricklin, 60, now “lives simply” as a daffodil farmer, selling the blooms along Highway 101.

Stricklin’s mother was one of the first women on the college board. Stricklin said he’s not adamant about being elected, but he wants to provide another voice on the board. Stricklin believes the college’s consulting firms manipulated numbers to make the bond and building project more appealing.

“They need to back up and forget their sales jobs, … sit down, and, for the first time, start talking to the community.”

Stricklin has noticed people in the community don’t attend college meetings, but he believes people will come when the board listens to community voices.

“You have to go through the process all over again, but you have to do it honestly.”