After the death of Coast Community College...

After the death of Coast Community College District trustee Paul

Berger, district officials went searching to fill the void left by

the learned and veteran leader. They didn’t have to look too far.

Waiting in the wings was Mary Hornbuckle, the former Costa Mesa

mayor and councilwoman who had served her town with distinction for

many years. Daily Pilot Editor Tony Dodero caught up with Hornbuckle

this week to find out what it’s like to be back in the public eye.

What are some of the biggest issues you’d like to tackle on the

college district board?

All three colleges in the district -- Coastline, Golden West, and

Orange Coast -- have just completed master plans. The process of

building out those plans will be very exciting. I hope to influence

the development in an environmentally friendly way, encouraging

drought-resistant plantings, energy-efficient heating and cooling

systems, and wherever possible, renewable sources of energy.

Child care is also an issue for the colleges, for students and

faculty. Perhaps I can be of some use there. I have spent over 30

years in the child care field.

And of course, financing for community colleges is a very big

issue. I am learning very quickly how complex a subject it is. And

I’m still “learning the language” -- the terms for the various

funding sources.

Why did you apply for this post?

The District 4 seat was filled for many years by Paul Berger, who

served admirably and was well respected by others in the field.

When he died in January, I was approached by some people whose

opinions I respect, and we talked about me applying for appointment.

When the four remaining members of the CCCD board decided to appoint

rather than hold a very costly election, I applied and asked a few

people to write letters of endorsement for me. Those few asked some

others to also write, and I think we ended up with about a dozen

letters, some of which came as a surprise to me.

I applied because I believe in the value of higher education

through the community college system and of lifelong learning. I felt

I could make a difference and help bring a balance of views to the

board. My previous experience as an elected official has allowed me

to step right in to get to work without a steep learning curve.

Since you left the spotlight of the City Council, what have you

been keeping busy with?

My first grandchild was born the year I left the council, and the

others in the years since. I have enjoyed having time to spend with

each of them. They all attended my preschool, and now the youngest

has one more year to go before kindergarten.

I am serving on the board of the Costa Mesa Community Foundation

and of the Girl Scout Council of Orange County, and have been

involved in special projects with each of those boards. I had the

time to serve a three-year term on the Session, the ruling body of

St. Mark Presbyterian Church, and to work on a few church committees.

Of course, I do have a job. As director of St. Mark Community

Preschool, I am involved in the day-to-day operation of the preschool

and in planning for the new facility the church and preschool will be

building. We hope to break ground before the end of this year.

Aren’t you even a little apprehensive about being in the political

spotlight again?

Not really. My only apprehension comes from the daunting amount of

paperwork governmental agencies produce -- and the educational

institutions rival local government for quantity. Luckily, I love to

read. The spotlight isn’t quite as intense for college boards as for

city councils. Our issues don’t affect people the way potholes and

soccer field lights do.

Do you have a vision for the college district that you’d like to

share?

My vision is to continue to provide the very best community

college education possible, involving students, faculty, staff and

administrators in a participatory process to fulfill the goals and

dreams of each. In other words, to do better what community colleges

already do.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I don’t think in terms of legacy. I simply try to do, each day, at

least one thing to make the world a better place. One thing each day

adds up to a sizable impact over a lifetime. Think how much better

the world would be if each one of us did that, every day. By the way,

making the world a better place comes from the Girl Scout promise and

from my mother’s way of living.

Finally, give us your take on the current Costa Mesa City Council

and its direction?

There is nothing worse than a former mayor telling the current

council what to do. It’s their turn to serve, and they will have to

be responsible for the good and bad that they do, just like those of

us who served before.

Each elected official must determine for himself or herself how to

best serve the whole city. If the electorate doesn’t agree, well,

that’s what elections are for.