PD Editorial: PD Editorial Board adds a new member

Readers of The Press Democrat editorial pages are accustomed to hearing us expound on the virtues of diversity and transparency, particularly in the public decision-making process. Yet we must acknowledge our own shortcomings on both fronts when it concerns the internal operations of our editorial board.

For that reason, today we announce the beginning of a community-member program for The Press Democrat Editorial Board. As part of this initiative, two members of the community, from various sectors - including education, business, nonprofits, etc. - geographic areas and demographic groups will be invited to sit on the editorial board for staggered six-month terms. These individuals will take part in editorial board meetings, interviews with community leaders and election candidates and occasional off-site visits and tours. During their time in the program, they will be regarded as full voting members of the board and will be given an opportunity to write about their experience if they so choose.

In announcing this program, we are also pleased to introduce our first community member: Lisa G. Carre?. Carre? is the regional director for 10,000 Degrees, a Sonoma County venture, initially launched by Community Foundation Sonoma County, which provides college access and financial aid advice and other scholarship help to disadvantaged Sonoma County students pursuing college degrees and certifications.

In addition to being a steering committee member of Los Cien Sonoma County Latino Leaders and being involved with a number of local organizations, Carre? was recently named as chairwoman of the Sonoma County Fair, the first Latina to be named to that post in the fair's 77-year history.

Carre?, a native of Florida, is a former admissions officer for her alma mater, the Catholic University of America in Washington, is a graduate of Columbus School of Law and is now a resident of Forestville.

She joins the existing members of the PD Editorial Board: Sonoma Media Investments CEO Steve Falk, Editorial Director Paul Gullixson and Assistant Editorial Director Jim Sweeney. She also will participate in interviewing and selecting a second community board member, who will join us in April.

Readers are invited to apply for this position or nominate someone else. The goal is to hear from those who live and work in areas not represented by the permanent members of the editorial board. (All currently live in various parts of Santa Rosa.) But no one will be excluded based on where they reside.

We also will be looking for residents who represent a variety of political viewpoints, although elected officials and those who work directly for political candidates and/or for politically involved organizations are discouraged from applying.

Our goal is to hear from individuals whose primary desire is to learn more about the region and the workings of the newspaper - and are eager to share their opinions. Those interested should email a resume and cover letter to paul.gullixson@pressdemocrat.com.