COLFAX -- Trustee Aaron Klein today issued the following statement in response to Bill Martin's latest report issued today.

"Bill Martin's actions today sadden me, because he has issued yet another report riddled with inaccuracies and falsehoods. This new report contradicts his own record of voting, without objection, for the budgets and policies he now so vehemently criticizes.

"At our July 19 meeting, Bill tried to convince the board to abolish our balanced budget policy, and in a 6-1 vote, failed to convince even one trustee to join his ridiculous idea that you can balance a budget by borrowing money from reserves or other funds.

"This reminds me of years ago, prior to our current management team, when the college was reprimanded for borrowing funds from a retiree trust fund to balance the budget, and was forced to repay those funds back to the retiree trust with interest.

"Despite Bill's desperate attempts to paint the college in a negative light, respected community leaders agree: Sierra College is better off than it was four years ago. Bill needs to issue a retraction and apology to all six of his board colleagues."

"I'm a firm believer in looking at the results, and Aaron has achieved results at Sierra College. He has worked to balance the budget, build up strong surpluses, and make it possible for the college to make it through this economic downturn without massive cuts. I'm proud to support him for re-election."

-- Don Brophy, Sierra College Executive Dean Emeritus

"Before Aaron was elected, our budget suffered tremendous cuts. He has worked diligently to make sure the budget is balanced, and he has protected our academic freedom. All our community has to do is to look at our financial standing and take a look at the curriculum which has been approved in recent years as proof of Aaron's performance as a board member. I strongly support his re-election."

-- Lindy Atoms, Sierra College Professor

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Arlen Stuart (530-216-9748 or arlen@aaronklein.com)