Union Endorses Board Candidate

For the first time, the teachers’ union at Rancho Santiago College has endorsed a board candidate, challenger Charles W. (Pete) Maddox.

But incumbent board member Vernon Evans charged on Friday that the endorsement means Maddox has agreed to become a “rubber stamp” for the group in future contract negotiations.

The 250-member union spent $10,000 this week to send out 44,000 campaign flyers in support of Maddox, a business planning consultant from Orange.

“Up until now, the faculty thought that the board setting was off-limits politically,” said member Lee Mallory. “We are now playing a rightful part in shaping our destiny and the future of the district.”

Maddox, 42, has also won the support of the 150-member classified employees union, which contributed $1,000 to his campaign.

“Everybody’s been on that board for so many years, and we just feel we need some new blood,” said Mike Shannon, second vice president of the classified employees union.

“I think it’s time to really understand why the faculty is so supportive of my opponent,” countered Evans, 61. “I feel that he has sold himself out to the faculty in respect to the many issues that face the board. He is nothing more than a rubber stamp for that group.”

Both unions accuse Evans, who was appointed to the board in 1980 and has been reelected twice, of being part of the old political alliance among veteran board members that allegedly controls board policy. They also charge that Evans is “controlled” by fellow board member Rodolpho Montejano, an attorney and lobbyist.

“No one has ever had me under their thumb,” said Evans, the board’s president.

Maddox denied Evans’ charge that he would be controlled by faculty if elected.