In the last four years, the Sierra Community College District – with campuses in Rocklin, Roseville, Grass Valley and Truckee – has gone through a period of turmoil.

Board actions going back to 2004 caused a loss of morale on campus and a loss of confidence in the community. Now is the time for voters to act to reverse this trend.

To refresh your memory: After a week in office, newly elected board member Aaron Klein in 2004 called for the resignation of Sierra College President Kevin Ramirez. He accused the president of having "conceived of and authorized" what he called a "money laundering scheme."

Here's what actually happened. The Sierra College Foundation had endorsed three bond measures, solicited donations and transferred money to the three campaign committees backing the bond issues – all perfectly legal. But when the foundation reported the donations, it did not identify the donors. To remedy the error, the committee treasurers merely had to work with the Placer County recorder to file amended returns. The committees did that when the errors were discovered.

The college president had nothing to do with the filing error, but Klein filed a complaint with the grand jury, which found the money laundering allegations unfounded. But the 11-year president said the situation with the board was untenable, so the board and the president worked out a "retirement" package. Since then, the college has gotten a new president and is beginning to recover from the events of 2004-05.

Now the terms of three incumbents who were at the heart of the 2004-05 events are up: Jerry Simmons, Scott Tim Leslie and Klein. Simmons declined to run again. Leslie is running unopposed.

In the years ahead, Sierra College must address growing demand and aging campuses. As this page wrote in June 2006, "The necessary investments won't happen until leadership of the district regains credibility with the community. That won't happen until there is new leadership." This year is the time for voters to make that happen by electing the following candidates.

Area 7: John Vodonick

John Vodonick, a Grass Valley attorney, would like the board to rebuild trust in the community and create a sense of pride and urgency about the role of Sierra College in the region. Klein, who runs a software business, points to balanced budgets as his greatest accomplishment. Of his first steps on the board, he notes that it was a "tough beginning" and that he "could have been more patient in the process of bringing about change." But he still does not see how disruptive and divisive his actions were. This is a case where the board needs a fresh start. That is just what Vodonick offers.

Area 4: Dennis Cota

This open seat has drawn two appealing candidates, Dennis Cota and Elaine Rowen. Cota, an attorney who represents local governments, was active in a Southern California community college foundation. He notes that Sierra College is disconnected from the community, as evidenced by the inability to pass a bond. He sees the board as stalemated with conflict.

Rowen has an impressive career as a teacher, school superintendent and school board member. Active in retirement, she serves on Placer County's First Five Commission.

Both candidates would bring fresh perspective, but Cota gets the edge. He has the energy and temperament to be a strong voice for the college in the community.