Cabrillo College Board of Trustees selected Martha Vega for the open Area 5 seat after a passionate four-hour special meeting, replacing Felipe Hernandez who was elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. 

Vega won in a unanimous vote over Manuel Bersamin, a former Watsonville mayor and city council member, and Rebecca Garcia, also a former Watsonville mayor and city council member who has also served on the Cabrillo board. 

The seat Vega was appointed to belongs to Area 5, covering the city of Watsonville and the southern part of Freedom.

The evening began with 47 public comments. Speakers filled the room with words of support, noting each candidate’s passion for education and for helping their respective communities. The majority of these speakers were there in support of Vega.

 “We want us to represent us” said Trina Coffman-Gomez.

So many members of the community showed up, extra chairs were brought in – and still, many people were left waiting in the hallway hoping to get a glimpse of the action. 

Vega, a teacher at Pajaro Valley High School, has previously served as a code enforcement officer, a police service specialist, a records supervisor, and a Monterey county clerk. Vega has also served on a variety of governmental boards and commissions, including her current positions on the Parks and Recreation Commission and Planning Commissioner for the City of Watsonville.  

The biggest issues Vega hopes to address are growth and equity for the Cabrillo Watsonville Center, night classes and improved transportation for working students, and creating an apprenticeship program at Cabrillo. 

Vega said she wants future discussions about the possible change of Cabrillo’s name to be at night, so those with 9-5 jobs can be included in college decisions.

“What I’ve watched over the last 6-8 weeks is an incredibly successful campaign despite the lack of an election,” Board President Adam Spickler said. “I’m very convinced that had there been an election today rather than an appointment, Martha would have gotten a great majority.”

The trustees voted to hold a public appointment because an election is much more costly, according to Spickler.

Board member Steve Trujillo nominated Vega, and was seconded by Dan Rothwell. Although initially the board voted 5-1 in Vega’s favor, there was a call for a revote where Vega won again, this time through a unanimous vote.