We're all aware of the furor that has been generated over changing the name of McCook Community College to Mid Plains Community College Area, McCook Campus. In fact, at the McCook College graduation on Friday, the front cover of the program read, "Mid-Plains Community College Area 2002 Commencement." No mention of McCook at all on the cover. No mention at all.

The constituents of the four county area that elects a representative to serve on the Mid Plains Board of Governors will have an opportunity to have their voices heard, loud and clear, this coming election Tuesday. Do we maintain the status quo or is change needed? Dale Poor wants to remain on the Board of Governors; Roger Wilson wants to take his place.

Has the four county area been served well by Poore's service on the Board or is it time for a change? Remember we only have two representatives on the Board from this area, most of the others are either in or near to North Platte. It is the absolute responsibility of the Board members we elect to represent OUR interests. They have absolutely no responsibility or obligation to look out for anyone else's interests. Not the President of the college area. Not the board members from the other counties. Not the citizens, voters, and taxpayers from other counties. Just us. We are who they are responsible to and who they answer to because we elected them.

Have the best interests of McCook Community College been met? I'm afraid not. The name change is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the changes we've seen occur over the past few years, with most of the changes being negative. But the name change is obviously the most visible and has impacted on the hearts and minds of this particular constituency like nothing else has. I consider Dale Poor to be a fine man. His wife, Peggy, is a saint. But the fact is that the constant upheaval we've had to deal with over the past few years, culminating in the name change, has occurred on Dale's watch. I suspect these issues might reappear in two years when Harold Bennett comes up for re-election because they've happened on his watch as well.

George Mihel stated to the Advisory Committee on Wednesday that he did not present the name change to the Board for official action and so the Board never had the opportunity to vote on it. But the Board certainly knew what was happening. They listen to the phone greetings when they call this college and they see the name changes on the signs when they visit this college. This happened out in the open for all to see and the Board took no action to prevent it. The Board doesn't work for the President of the Mid-Plains Community College Area, he works for them. Why he wasn't asked to explain his actions and the reasons behind them is something only Board members can answer. Ask one the next time you see them.

Roger Wilson, an MCC faculty member for 30 years before retiring last year, has pledged to support the best interests of McCook Community College and the people he represents from this four county area. Those of you who know Roger understand his ability to cut to the chase in a conversation and to hold people accountable for their words and actions. There is no doubt in my mind that Roger will work every day to put McCook Community College in the best possible light and to hold peoples feet to the fire who are attempting to do otherwise.

I endorse Roger Wilson for the Board of Governors position to be voted on this Tuesday.