Bill Martin posted a “memo” on the Save Sierra College Website. It is a thesis for how he thinks Sierra College should be run financially. Save Sierra College (From What!?) should do a double-take, unless they agree with Martin – in which case a padded cell with fingerpaints may be in order.

Four years ago, the college had just suffered through three straight budget deficits totaling $850,000. As a result, they had cut hundreds of course sections, and slashed library hours, student tutoring and labs. (By the way, that viewpoint was endorsed by former Auburn Mayor Cheryl Maki in 2004…but she disagreed with the leadership change at the college and has changed her opinion now.)

It appears that the desire to avenge Kevin Ramirez has caused lapses in judgement.

Bill Martin makes several assertions in his posting on the Save Sierra College Website that deserve a Kool-Aid award. Actually, he should receive 5 Kool-Aid awards for the five main points of his argument. This edition of the Kool-Aid award is called the Bill Martin Award for Lunacy in Government.

Martin Writes that “Trustees By Law can only approve balanced budgets and Sierra’s Board has always done so”. Apparently, Scott Leslie, Jerry Simmons and Aaron Klien were smoking some hippee lettuce out behind the auditorium before closed session – because from 2002-2004 the college spent $850,000 more than it took in. I guess Martin thinks that borrowing from the reserves to cover shortfalls balances the budget.

Martin Wrote that “To meet short term deficits, trustees may choose to use either reserve balances or make transfers from other funds to achieve balance with equal integrity.” This is called deficit spending – Michael Dukakis was the last to campign on such a platform! Again, I harken back to the 2002-2004 budgets of the College, apparently Massachusetts Econimics dictated that an $850,000 deficit was actually a balanced budget.

Martin Wrote that “Sierra College is presently using a definition of ‘balanced budget’ not evidently used by another California Community College.” GASP – using actual numbers!? The State of California is doing such a great job with its’ budget – I guess that is Martin’s vision!?

Martin Wrote that “Sierra College’s finances have been well managed at least since 1995… the financial condition of the school has in fact worsened since 2004.”

You have got to be kidding me! $2 Million in new surpluses are worse? Growning Reserves from $6 Million to $8.1 Million in anticipation of an economic slowdown and declining enrollment is excellent fiscal managment.

Add to this that Martin voted for the last three budgets and was the lone no vote against adopting a policy of no deficit spending – it suggests that his position paper was orwellian.

For the clincher – Martin Wrote “Placer County (is) virtually the only populous county in the state which has not supported its’ college with the passage of a Prop 39 bond issue.”

Measure E was $394 million and was stuffed with items that did not directly benefit the college and had it passed – the maintenance on those buildings would have broken the budget.

Martin thinks raising taxes in the face of an economic slowdown is good for the community – Jimmy Carter did that in the late 1970’s with disasterous results.

The irony here is that Martin voted for the budgets and fiscal policies he is now criticizing.

He is advocating spending like drunken sailors and wants a 1/2 Billion Dollar Bond now, irregardless of the economy.

This is why Bill Martin earns the King-Kong Kool Aid Award – the Bill Martin Award for Lunacy in Government.

Save Sierra College from Bill Martin.