Wednesday Oct. 12,2022
Serving The Rio Hondo Community
Who Will Represent Rio Hondo College District Area 5? Incumbent Oscar Valladares Challenged by Professor Vanessa Tyson
Vol.65 Issue 2
Record Breaking Gas Prices Hit LA! If gas prices weren’t outrageous enough, Los Angeles has recently seen nearly record breaking prices at the pump for a great amount of time By: Madison Aguilera Social Media madison.aguilera9098@my.riohondo.edu
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Photo courtesy of Oscar Valladares El Paisano Media Oscar Valladares was elected to the Rio Hondo Community College District Board of Trustees in November 2018 By: Matthew Medina News Editor matthew.medina7081@my.rioohondo.edu
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scar Valladares is currently a deputy public conservator in the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and is running for re-election for Rio Hondo College Board Area 5. What position are you running for and can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I’m running for re-election for Rio Hondo College Board, Area 5. I immigrated to the United States with my parents when I was 11 years old. Despite the many challenges faced as an immigrant non-English speaking student, I successfully graduated both high school and college. The Community College pathway afforded me an opportunity tocontinue my education at a financial cost that was within my reach without the assistance of financial aid. While my journey was 7 years long, I am proud to say that I succeeded in transferring and obtaining my bach-
elor’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles. For the past 18 years I have worked for the County of Los Angeles. Initially as a Child Support Officer and now as a Deputy Public Conservator providing vital mental health services to many in our surrounding communities.
“It was my educational journey that empowered and inspired me to dedicate my professional career to public ser vice.” As Trustee, I will continue to advocate for quality opportunities similar to those I had as a community college student. I will ensure that clear and accessible educational/career pathways are created while cutting cost and shortening
Photo courtesy of Vanessa Tyson El Paisano Media Vanessa Tyson is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Politics at Scripps College in Claremont transfer/graduation time. Whittier is my family’s home and the community college system was central to my family’s success. My education prepared me to secure a good-paying job and provide for my family. I will diligently and unapologetically work to ensure that every student is granted that same and/or better opportunities. Vanessa Tyson is running to serve as a Governing Board Member for Rio Hondo Community College District in Area 5. I have resided in Whittier for decade now and am proud to be raising and sharing volunteerexperiences with my daughter in our home community. What position are you running for and can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I was born and raised here in Whittier/Area 5, I’m a first-generation college graduate who overcame various odds to become a tenured professor at Scripps College, the Women’s College of Claremont. I was raised by a very loving and supportive single
mom, while my father was in and out of the criminal justice system. I teach courses on public policy, a subject I’ve been consumed with since I was a little girl. Those courses include Introduction to Public Policy; Women and Public Policy, Environmental Policy in the US, Marginalized Communities, and a handful more.
“I want to be an active advocate for students, staff, and faculty so that ever yone thrives, and no one falls through the cracks.” ▶ Continued on pg. 2
ver the past weeks gas prices have now been increased by a little over a dollar a gallon according to AAA. Many have opinions about the money they have to spend for gas including one Angeleno resident Sonny Brock, “I feel that it is the worst it’s ever been in history and I hope for a solution soon” Brock expresses. As most of us have these feelings towards the crisis, we ask ourselves will it eventually get better? According to a statement made by Gov. Gavin Newsom, his decision to switch to a winter-blend gasoline alternative will bring down the price of gasoline by a dollar over the course of a month. His efforts will allow an early transition for this new alternative to be manufactured, imported, distributed, and sold in California. Not only will this change impact consumers, but in his statement he explains how winter-blend gasoline also benefits the air quality in making a minimal impact on our environment. With the prices at outrageous numbers we often find ourselves to put the blame on something or someone. The blame is not on something as complex as politics or even Hurricane Ian, it is due to limited supply that comes from these oil refineries. California has had its lowest production of gas in decades, and with people demanding fuel for their vehicles, Angelenos have to pay the price before the distribution of winter-blend gasoline can make its way into the West Coast.