I serve with Julie Weismann on Lane Community College’s board. I voted for her. I hope you will, too. She is an experienced executive, a strong supporter of students and fiercely independent.

Her opponent, Devon Lawson, may be well-intentioned. But he is not so experienced.

I am a strong union supporter. I believe Julie is, too. LCC is a community of diverse interests and needs. Our job as trustees is to take them all in and help produce the best outcome for the entire community. Sometimes, this means having the courage to stand up and have difficult conversations when interests don’t align.

At a time when LCC is facing extreme budgetary challenges, we recently received analysis that shows our students pay the highest tuition of all 17 of Oregon’s community colleges. Julie Weismann takes both the issues of affordability and financial solvency seriously, and has the independence needed to be an influential problem-solver.

Please, send Julie back to the LCC Board. We need strong and independent trustees to help guide Lane Community College through this difficult political and financial time.

Steve Mital
Eugene