Major election issues are budget cuts, quantity and quality of services, quality of leadership and the college's image
Enrollment: 5,600
Areas served: Paramount, Compton, Willowbrook and Lynwood
On the ballot: Three candidates, including one incumbent, in Area 1 covering Compton; two candidates, including one incumbent, in Area 3 covering Lynwood; and five candidates in Area 4 covering Paramount
AREA 1 INCUMBENT
Emily Hart-Hollifield
Board member since 1975
Age: 50
Profession: elementary school teacher
Residence: Compton
Remarks: "I think I should stay on the board because under my leadership the college survived its budget crunch and we were able to raise our curriculum standards."
AREA 1 CHALLENGERS
Vernice Dredd
Age: 55
Profession: employment representative, state Employment Development Department.
Residence: Compton
Remarks: "I want to promote vocational training. We are in an era now when the emphasis is placed on vocational training rather than on any degree."
Carroll White
Age: 57
Profession: owner of landscaping and security businesses
Residence: Compton
Remarks: " I don't look at myself as a politician, but a concerned citizen recognizing that we need some changes."
AREA 3 INCUMBENT
Charlie Knight
Board member since 1983
Age: 59
Profession: superintendent, Ravenswood school district, East Palo Alto.
Residence: Lynwood
Remarks: "I'm the most knowledgeable person on the board. My background is such that I can provide greater scrutiny."
AREA 3 CHALLENGER
Kent Swift
Age: 30
Profession: county probation officer
Residence: Lynwood
Remarks: " Because of the demographics that the college has encountered--the African-American population that came into the college after the '60s and, more recently, the Hispanic population--we're looking at a serious need to expand the curriculum.
AREA 4 CANDIDATES
Francisco Gonzalez
Age: 28
Profession: sales manager, computer supply company
Residence: Paramount
Remarks: " Compton College doesn't get its fair share of representation and attention within our community. It needs a very strong trustee to represent Paramount."
Ignacio Pena
Age: 32
Profession: resource specialist, Paramount Unified School District
Residence: Paramount
Remarks: "I've been in education all my life. . I want to try to make some changes, to provide more services to our kids and our community."
Carmen Peterkin
Age: 23
Profession: receptionist
Residence: Paramount
Remarks: She favors updated classifications for classified employees "so that their salaries could be comparable to surrounding community college districts."
William Schlitz
Age: 21
Profession: aide to Rep. Mervyn M. Dymally (D-Compton)
Residence: Paramount
Remarks: " "With all the budget changes going on, it's important that there be a representative from an age group that can relate to the majority of people who use the community college."
Note: Candidate Herbert Collins, whose name will be on the ballot, has withdrawn from the race.
