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Board candidates face off at Agora forum

Candidates for the MCCC Board of Trustees spoke at a candidate forum Oct. 15 sponsored by The Agora. From left, they are Barbara Verran, Jack Schwab, Lynette Dowler, Ignazio Cuccia and Mary Kay Thayer.

Five of six candidates for the MCCC Board of Trustees spoke Oct. 15 at a candidate forum in the La-Z-Boy Center. 

The event was hosted by the Agora, with co-editors Mariah Tevepaugh and Shelby Spencer serving as moderators. The panel was asked questions from the moderators and from the audience.

The five candidates were incumbent Mary Kay Thayer and challengers Ignazio Cuccia, Lynette Dowler, Jack Schwab and Barbara Verran. Incumbent William H. Braunlich could not make it, and wrote a letter that was read at the beginning of the forum.

Each of the candidates expressed their passion for MCCC and shared their own history with the college. 

MCCC President Kojo Quartey spoke highly of the candidates.

“I was impressed by every single one of them. And the fact of the matter is, you can’t go wrong choosing any one of these individuals here. I know most of them, and some of them are in organizations I'm in; its a great group. We’re going to do well with those people,” he said.

Current board member Mary Kay Thayer had only good things to say about her challengers.

“I really enjoyed listening to the other candidates, because this college is so blessed, that no matter what three win, the college wins. And to me, that’s the key. I have a passion for this place. I love this place, but these are quality candidates,” she said.

William Braunlich is running for re-election, but endorsed fellow incumbent Mary K Thayer along with Lynette Dowler and Ignacio Cuccia in his address to the forum.

There are only two incumbents running for the three seats on the board. Board member Linda Lauer is not seeking re-election after one term.