Over the past several months the press has reported on the questionable actions of Peralta Community College District Chancellor Elihu Harris. The allegations include Chancellor Harris’s lavish spending on his own expenses for travel and other items, termination of an employee who was suspected of disclosing information to the press, and the secret awarding of salary increases to favored employees.
The E-Board recently became aware of real estate transactions involving a property adjacent to the Merritt College Campus that raise additional questions about the integrity of Chancellor Harris. The property in question is a generally triangular shaped parcel along Campus Drive that was a remainder parcel from the Ridgemont development that was purchased by Dr. Collin Mbanugo in 2001. On September 23, 2003 the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees (Board) approved Resolution 03/04-4 approving a quitclaim deed on the parcel. The Resolution states “the cost of maintenance exceeds the value of the land.” The Quitclaim Deed was filed on December 22, 2003 granting the property to Dr. Mbanugo and the deed states the “this deed is given for the purpose of eliminating any implied interest” from the 1981 Tract Map. The Quitclaim Deed is signed by Chancellor Harris.
The Board Closed Session Agenda of February 26, 2008 noticed the item to purchase this same property from Dr. Mbanugo. The District’s purchase of the property was recorded on March 25, 2008. Five years after extinguishing any claim to this property because “the cost of maintenance exceeds the value of the land” the District paid $300,000 for the same parcel and again assumed the maintenance costs.
While the transaction around this property might have a legitimate purpose for the District, the appearances suggest otherwise. Added to earlier revelations concerning Chancellor Harris’s conduct it raises the question of adequate oversight by the Peralta Board.
Base upon the press reports and this newly discovered information about questionable real estate dealings, and in support of the Club’s Platform on governmental integrity and accountability, the MGO E-board drafted a letter that President Judy Cox signed and sent to the Peralta Board demanding a prompt and thorough investigation of the actions of Chancellor Harris. The Peralta Board has a duty to commence a thorough and timely investigation into all of the questionable actions that have occurred under Chancellor Harris. When we receive a response we will pass it along.
Ralph Kanz
Vice-president
