And the campaign begins...

Dear Friends,

Some breaking news: filing has closed, and we do have an opponent. John Vodonick, a self-funding attorney from Nevada City, has launched his campaign to return Sierra College to the old ways of doing business.

Here's what we know so far.

First, we know that my opponent has publicly claimed that "there were no budget deficits at Sierra College" and that "the college isn't even allowed to have budget deficits under state law."

This is a common statement from the folks who believe that there is no good taxpayer dollar left unspent - and many people say the same thing about the State of California's budget! It's simply false - any time you spend even $1 more than your revenues in a given year, you have a budget deficit. And if a candidate for the Board of Trustees actually thinks that interpretation is open for debate, I'm happy to say that Sierra College does offer remedial arithmetic courses!

Sierra College had three straight deficits totaling $850,000 before I was elected. I led the charge to turn that around, and my colleagues joined me in passing a balanced budget and prudent reserve policy that has led to four balanced budgets in a row and has generated $2 million in surpluses. As a direct result, we have the chance to make it through this economic downturn, without slashing access to college education and opportunity.

Second, we know that my opponent is making claims that I've "wasted taxpayer dollars" in supporting a change of leadership at Sierra College. It is true that we have a new President in Dr. Leo Chavez - a man of vision, integrity and ethics. I served on the search committee that found him, and it has been one of my finest votes as a trustee to appoint him as our fifth President.

But again, all the people of this district have to do is look at the results. Sierra College is far better off than it was four years ago. We are preparing more students than ever before to thrive in any four year university in the world. We're equipping more students than ever before with the skills they need to get a real world, high paying job. While other districts are slashing their budgets, we're still increasing access to college, and access to opportunity - all because we've had the leadership in place to balance the budget and build $2 million in new surpluses since 2004.

Finally, we know that my opponent is apparently wealthy enough to self-fund his campaign by a significant amount. Using his own money, he has already outspent us, spending at least $11,000 so far, and $6,000 of that has been to hire two professional political consultants. His only hope in winning this race is to outspend us so badly that we can't respond to his distortions of our record.

Friends, we simply can't let that happen.

This isn't about me - frankly, if I don't win this race, I'll simply regain a big chunk of my time to spend with my family, and in my work in entrepreneurial business. But I'm engaged in this fight because I think this election is so critical for the future of Sierra College - and our community's economic future.

If we go back to the policies of the past, and start running up huge deficits again, we'll be right back where we were in 2003. Cutting hundreds of course sections, and slashing library hours, student tutoring and labs - all of which will have a direct and negative impact on our economy, right when Sierra College needs to be an engine of economic recovery.

That's what is at stake in this election. (Click here to Donate)

Given this new reality we find ourselves in, we need to raise our fundraising goals, and build an even stronger campaign to be competitive. We expect my opponent to spend at least $60,000 distorting our record of results - and we believe we can hold our own with half of that.

It's going to be tough to raise that much money, especially in a year when our economy is struggling. But I'm hoping I can count on you to stand with me in this fight. I can promise you this: we won't waste a dime of the hard-earned money you entrust to us. We will run a lean and efficient campaign that you can be proud of.

Here's our goal: we need to raise $3,000 this week so that we can get our signs ordered, send literature to the printers, and reserve mailers. Can you help us reach that goal of $3,000 by this Saturday?

Some of you have donated $500, or $250. Many of you have made the average donation of $100. And some of you have helped so generously with $75, $50 or $35. I can't thank you enough for what you've done already.

For those of you who haven't invested in this campaign yet - I know it's asking a lot, but can you click here and make your most generous donation possible?

And for those of you who have already been incredibly generous, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know it's asking a lot, but can you "double down" to help us meet this challenge?

There are two ways to donate to our campaign. You can click here to donate online, or you can just reply and ask me to send you an envelope.

As it always has, this campaign rests in your hands. I know you'll do whatever you can to help, and you have my deepest thanks for your support.

Aaron

PS: It makes no difference to me which way you donate. Online is fast and easy, or you can reply and have us send you an envelope. Either way, we need to get literature to the printer, signs ordered, and mailers reserved within the next few days - so do let me know if you can help us make this week's goal. Thanks again!