LTCC squeaks out a win with facilities bond

By Susan Wood

One couldn’t say Lake Tahoe Community College President Kindred Murillo doesn’t stand up for the college, judging from her behavior election night to see if the bond measure that would fund infrastructure improvements would pass.

With 100 percent of the precincts voting, the $55 million bond measure passed with 56.62 percent of the vote. It needed 55 percent to pass.

“I haven’t seen her sit yet,” said Wendy David, who threw a small gathering at her home to await City Council and Measure F election results. David was chair of the Measure F committee.

“I’m standing until I see the final results,” Murillo told Lake Tahoe News early in the evening.

Still, Murillo seemed relaxed and confident – and felt a win was in the bag based on the education gained from other elections. The belief is more conservative voters cast their ballots first. Those who are a little flexible with their funds may vote later. Her theory paid off.

Founding and retiring LTCC board member Roberta Mason can leave knowing physical upgrades are coming. Photo/Susan Wood

Murillo, though, said she respected how seriously voters take new taxes imposed on them.

But after a more than two-year assessment, the time is really now for the college to put its money where its building is, she said. Just to illustrate that point, Murillo declared her staff has all gotten over colds because the heating system lacks reliability. Students and community members as well have mentioned how cold the building is in the winter.

“This (bond measure) is really for them. The college opens doors for people to use for meetings, walks, runs and fundraisers. I want the Tahoe area to feel like it owns the college,” she said.

And what a send-off statement to LTCC’s retiring, founding board member Roberta Mason.

“We’ve received a tremendous amount of support. It’s the perfect time to do (improvement),” Mason told Lake Tahoe News.