2008 Woodie Awards
40-year USAF veteran runs for re-election in District 8
Retired Air Force veteran believes community college is a key factor in the area's economy.
By Will Underhill
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: News
Originally published: 4/10/08 at 2:08 PM CSTLast update: 4/10/08 at 6:16 PM CST
|
"I believe in the community college system, and I believe in second chances," Beitzel said. "I am a product of having a second chance to complete college."
Beitzel dropped out of college and entered the Air Force. He met his wife, Margery, while in the service and upon leaving active duty, he worked two jobs to support his family. He re-entered college on a probationary basis while working full time and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Colorado. He served more than 40 years with the Air Force, both active duty and afterwards in civil service positions.
From personal experience, he believes in creating opportunity for others to improve their lives through higher education and that community colleges are a key factor in the economic success of the community and its citizens.
"The community college system improves the life of everyone involved and supports the infrastructure for San Antonio," Beitzel said.
In 2002, before Beitzel was elected, a scandal was brewing in the board that ended in the indictment of three former trustees.
After a friend's suggestion, Beitzel decided to run and began sitting in on board meetings. "I was interested in what was going on and disgusted by what I saw," Beitzel said.
"If the citizens don't trust the board, it hurts the college and the community," Beitzel said.
Accomplishments the board has made while Beitzel was a trustee include a successful $450 million bond referendum and establishing partnerships with local school districts such as Judson Independent School District in developing early college curriculum and dual-credit courses.
He believes in complete transparency and openness in government and supports televising all board and board committee meetings. He also has been a part of revising board policies that are conflicts of interest and developed an ethics handbook with a code of conduct that emphasizes integrity, confidentiality, fairness and responsibility.
If re-elected, Beitzel looks forward to continuing progress on Northeast Lakeview College and planning for a sixth college on Interstate 10 near the Kendall County line. He also wants to improve the application of information technology within the district, improve state funding for the district and make the improvements necessary to achieve recognition as a Baldrige Award Recipient.
This is an open forum for the readers of TheRanger.org. Abusive, inflammatory, slanderous, obscene and libelous language will not be tolerated. Please be considerate of other readers when posting comments. This is not the place for personal attacks. The staff of The Ranger.org reserves the right to deny publication of any posts. The comments posted here do not reflect the opinions of The Ranger staff, San Antonio College or the Alamo Community College District.
Be the first to comment on this story