Richard Holober to seek another term on board

He has been part of a body overseeing hundreds of millions of dollars worth of construction bond monies and maintaining the district’s educational mission as a two-year public system during a pandemic while guiding it toward a tuition-free setup for local students who qualify, including some who reside in the county illegally.

He also is the lone current trustee who has been involved as a policy-maker during a difficult period of controversy and scandal that stretches back to the district’s expensive failure to receive top dollar for the sale of the College of San Mateo’s TV station and, later, much-publicized legal troubles centering on a disgraced former chancellor and one of his primary assistants.

Holober, 73, however, appears to be undaunted. He said last week that he will again seek re-election to the board in November. He will be heavily favored to win. Again. It is not clear if he will even have competition for the seat.

He has a history of formidable and consistent backing by employee unions and their political allies. Their powerful fund-raising arms have been generous with their support for him for decades. It has paid off. He is seen as a reliable voice for organized labor on the board.

If Holober is successful with his latest declared run, his next term would be ticketed to last for another four years, giving him a total of 33 years on the board.

CONTRACT STILL NOT RESOLVED: It should be noted that, as it happens, the district is in protracted contract negotiations with its unionized instructors who are represented by the American Federation of Teachers.

The bargaining, which has been rancorous on occasion (with a strike threatened by a spokesman for the AFT at one public point), has gone on for more than a year, according to the district’s chancellor, Dr. Melissa Moreno.

Presently, the two sides are involved in a fact-finding effort in hopes of reaching a settlement on a new contract within the next few months.

In an email, the chancellor stated that the district’s latest offer “aligns with the agreements already reached with all other represented and non-represented employee groups.”

Settling with teachers reasonably soon, and without undue controversy, would remove a potential public relations problem for the district.

Trustees are looking at the possibility of seeking voter approval of an extension for an existing bond package, perhaps in November.  

A SELLOUT LOOMS JUNE 25: The Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 25 is  nearly sold out, according to officials of the San Mateo County History Museum where the affair will be held, beginning with a 5:30 p.m. reception. Tickets will not be sold at the door on the evening of the event. Five individuals — Teresa Abrahamsohn, Davante Adams, Stacy Bergstedt, Anthony Gordon and Ed Larios — will be honored. The Hall of Fame’s new Tom Martinez Exhibit Gallery will also be unveiled on that evening. Since its inception in 1989, the Hall of Fame has embraced about 300 worthy local sports figures. For tickets and more information, please call the county’s Historical Association at 650-299-0104. All proceeds will benefit the museum.

CASH STASH AWAITS IN PANAMA: The scams are becoming absurd. Our rusting mail slot recently featured a blatant attempt to finagle cash by someone or something named “Moshe Robessi.” The letter, with a telling Atlanta postmark, alleged that “James Horgan” had died 13 years ago and left nearly $19 million to heirs, none of whom had yet been found. The purported account was said to be managed at Banco Aliado in Panama City. To glom onto a share of the huge stash we needed to contact “Robessi” who would help to provide “all necessary documentation and internal support.” We could then split the proceeds 50-50. Utter baloney. The authorities have been notified.

PLEASE BRING ON THE ELECTION: How many out there in Daily Journal Land are thoroughly and absolutely exhausted by the seemingly non-stop barrage of TV ads involving the June primary election? Please raise your hands. Thank you. You are far from alone.

John Horgan has been chronicling the ins and outs of San Mateo County since 1963. Contact him by email at johnhorganmedia@gmail.com