Liddell, Kisser, Adams for MCC board

Newcomers Linda Liddell and Cynthia Kisser emerged from a crowded field of candidates to clinch two open 6-year seats on the McHenry County College board.

Liddell had 20.3 percent of the vote, and Kisser had 17.2 percent of the vote with all precincts counted.

Dennis Adams, who was appointed in November to fill the seat vacated by Donna Kurtz, won the race for a single, 2-year term with 56.7 percent of the vote. He ran against Dave Boger.

All vote tallies are unofficial.

Incumbents George Lowe and Robert DeWitt and challengers Gordon Tebo, Robert Jackson, Erik Siversten and Darren Fortin also ran for the 6-year seats.

Kisser said she didn’t spend a lot of time campaigning or posting campaign signs, but always made time for interviews with radio and print media.

“I thought each of the outlets have a loyal base, that’s where voters get information about the candidates if they want it,” she said.

Before figuring out what her priorities will be as a trustee, Kisser said she wants to familiarize herself with the inner workings of the college’s board.

Siversten, a recent MCC graduate, was the youthful voice among the candidates, some of whom, like Boger, Tebo and Jackson, had extensive experience in the field of education.

Liddell, Siversten and DeWitt pushed for more transparency from the board of trustees.

Kisser advocated increasing the college’s curriculum for money management courses.

Lowe pushed for seeking more funds for student scholarships. Liddell called for more community involvement in the college’s long-term planning.

DeWitt wanted to expand MCC’s dual-credit program for high schoolers, while Fortin called for opening the college’s nursing program to health care workers and technicians.

All the candidates, with the exception of Tebo, steered clear of supporting a potential tax increase.

MCC recently voted to increase its tuition by $8 to $99 per credit hour beginning this fall. The move will cover most of a projected $1.2 million budget shortfall.