Grandfather Dennis Jecmen of Caspar picketed Saturday about College of the Redwoods” cutbacks alongside his grandson, student Jordan Wiley.
“It”s clear what is going on here. Eureka is just trying to take away what we have here,” said Jecmen.
About 20 people stood alongside Highway 1 on Saturday morning as the protest started, garnering a cacophony of honks of support. The local campus is suffering cutbacks, including staff layoffs, closure of the bookstore and library. There has not yet been an announcement of the exact nature of cuts over the next few years, making planning difficult for students.
“I decided to organize this protest when I realized that the community was unaware of the current state of the Mendocino campus,” said student Anya Jindrich.
“I have seen this community unite for a common purpose before, and I believe that we could work together to find more appropriate solutions for our rural community. I have been grateful to have the opportunity to go to school here, and I want others to have that same opportunity,” said Jindrich.
Jindrich is a graduate of the Fine Woodworking Program who makes wooden jewelry. She will also be graduating May 12 with an Associate of Liberal Arts with an emphasis in behavioral and social science.
Marla Greenway, 48, wore a graduation cap and gown, signs of how much she loves CR, which gave her a second chance at higher education.
Greenway went to Humboldt State University at age 16 and had big opportunities but “blew it.”
Caroline Iacvaniello has family in Cleone. After many years in the jewelry business in San Francisco, she moved here to attend CR and work toward getting the foundation for an engineering degree, perhaps in materials. But she may now have to transfer because of classes not offered.
Three faculty/staff employees of the college stopped by during the mid-day protest, Jindrich said.
“No one from management came, but I was not expecting them. Dan Gjerde, the Mendocino County supervisor, showed up, which was nice, since I invited him last week. We counted a total of 40 people throughout the day who came out in support of the protest. There were lots of horns honked! Overall, we felt really positive about the turnout and the fact that we were able to hand out so many information fliers,” said Jindrich.
There has been anguish over the feared demise of CR. There have been meetings among students and community members on how to organize protests to be effective, not angry.
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