As a faculty member teaching at CGCC’s Hood River campus, I find President Frank Toda’s decision to close the campus insulting, ignorant and insensitive. True, he was forced to change his mind due to pressure from the College Board of Directors, but the fact remains that he publicly made the decision to close the campus despite the fact that the citizens of Hood River County pay taxes so that CGCC can provide a quality education. I understand that students at Hood River Valley High School are already asking teachers if they should make plans to attend Mt. Hood Community College instead of CGCC; clearly, it will be some time before we can regain their trust.
Why, at this late hour, did he discover that we have such a budget deficit? Who has been minding the store? Toda and his Chief Operating Officer, Robb Van Cleave, are guilty of mismanagement and should be forced to resign immediately. It was only a year ago that the faculty resoundingly voted no confidence in Toda. Had the board acted at the behest of faculty, we would not be in the position we are in today. Sadly, Toda is still the president of CGCC.
On Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m., the college board will hold a meeting on the Hood River campus. I urge all concerned to come and voice your opinions.
Finally, I urge both Toda and Van Cleave to resign immediately. The huge damage they have done to the college will take time to repair, and we can best restore the state of the college, and regain the public’s trust, if they step down immediately.
Tim Schell
Portland
(Tim Schell is chair of the Writing, Literature and Foreign Language Department at CGCC.)
Touching remembrance
Kirby Neumann-Rea’s eloquent “Bless This Space. . .” reflections on Greg Herman’s passing (Nov. 22) was just the right touch of healing balm need to ease the pain and sadness felt in our community over losing Greg. It was a touching remembrance of a man whose friendship was immediate and unconditional. There is a thin line between those of us who push through the dark nights of the soul and those whose burdens are too much to bare.
This moment serves as a reminder to be fully present with family, loved ones and special friends, to lean in and listen and let them know daily how much they mean us.
Thank you, Kirby, for capturing Greg’s enduring gifts and for the shelter of your reflection.
Peter Marbach
Hood River
Generous gift
Many thanks to the generous support of our Hood River Safeway store for donating Thanksgiving dinner to the women and children at Helping Hands, our domestic violence shelter.
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