Hackel-backed slate will shake up MCC board race

The election of community college trustees in Macomb
County never generates much interest among voters. In fact, choosing Macomb
Community College board members is almost an afterthought for voters just before
they leave the voting booth.

But with MCC playing a major role these days as an
economic engine for the county and a shining example of job training and
re-training services, perhaps the MCC board race deserves a little more
attention.

With that in mind, this year’s election will feature a
slate of three well-known figures in the county, Vicki Selva, Jennifer Haase and Vince Viviano. They are
seeking the three MCC board seats up for grabs on the nonpartisan section of
the November general election ballot. They are known as 3 for MCC.

Selva is the former regional director for Sen. Carl Levin
and now serves as an executive consultant with the state of Michigan’s Economic
Development Corp. in the Macomb Defense Corridor. She has also been a fixture
at local events and forums for many years.

Haase is a former state representative who was a teacher
for the Warren Woods schools for 10 years. The wife of a Sterling Heights firefighter, Haase was
once viewed by some as a rising star in the Democratic Party until she narrowly
lost her re-election bid during the tea party-led Republican landslide of 2010.

Viviano is the community outreach coordinator for the
county Department of Roads and a confidante of County Executive Mark Hackel. A
former court bailiff, Viviano served on the 2008-09 Macomb County Charter
Commission, which drew up the charter that was approved by voters.

The threesome will face MCC board incumbents Connie
Bolanowski, Frank Cusumano and Nancy Falcone.

The slate of challengers has already received Hackel’s
endorsement.

“This slate brings
the college board a group of dedicated public servants” the executive said in a
press release.  “All three candidates are quality individuals with a
wealth of educational knowledge.”