The Lodi Chamber has interviewed all incumbents and only some of their challengers for the open Trustee Seats coming up for the election on November 3rd.   We met some very nice people virtually, and again thank them for their time.  Jennet Stebbins the incumbent in Area 1 is running unopposed and has been a good friend and supporters of a Lodi Campus for some time.  We were fortunate interview Dr. Teresa Brown, Area 6, Steve Castellanos, Area 5, and Van Ho To-Cowell all current board members.  
 
They all are very knowledgeable in their understanding of the programs such as the improvements in the Ag curriculum which Lodi farmers, ranchers and growers would like to see continued improvement.  And they learned that Lodi ag is willing to help Delta’s progress to add new modern farming technology to the program.  As other questions were answered and explored it highlighted better communication between employers and the college is needed.  The college has a desire to teach what business owners need, every effort on both sides must be made, our local economy is in need.
 
The experiential knowledge and the pressure of 2020’s many forced changes caused the board to pull together and make many quick decisions to provide what students needed to continue their educational journey.  It was this recent hands-on, focused experience that led our panel to endorse the four incumbents.
 
We also want to thank Elizabeth Blanchard, Port of Stockton Commissioner for coming on short notice.  She gave To-Cowell Area 2 a good challenge, both are smart, and experienced and very successful in their work life, and as they both have strong ties to Lodi, made it a close contest. 
 
We did miss several challengers as they did not respond to our invitation.  Perhaps they did not know Lodi individuals make up a little less than 20% of the Stockton Campus student population?  Or realize that Delta College has Ag and Hospitality programs which are very important to all San Joaquin County, in particular the largest wine appellation in California named Lodi. Do they know about Delta’s Nursing program which has a partner in Adventist Health-Lodi Memorial Hospital? 
It makes us wonder what else they may not know about Delta College.