Cruson sets sights on TVCC board position
By Larry Meyer - Argus Observer
Wednesday, April 18, 2007 12:59 PM PDT
ONTARIO - Cheryl Cruson has utilized the educational facilities at Treasure Valley Community College during her time in Ontario.
Now she wants to give back to the institution.
Cruson recently filed for a seat on the TVCC board of directors.
She will face current boardmember David Sullivan in the May 15 special election.
“My daughter got a two-year degree from TVCC,” she said. “I’ve taken about 50 classes since we have been here. We’ve sent employees there.”
She said her husband, Dale Cruson, also attended some business classes at the school.
In addition, Cruson said she has served on the Small Business Development Center board — now called the BizCenter — for several years.
The Crusons have lived in the Ontario area for about 31 years.
“We’ve been in business here for 30 years,” Cruson said. “We sold Ontario Pipe Supply. We both wanted to do something different.”
Cruson said her husband still assists at Ontario Pipe Supply and she is on call if needed.
Originally called Horizon Hobbies, the hobby store the Crusons have owned for 24 years is now called Oregon Trail Hobbies. Cruson still manages the books, but she has reduced her time in that store as well. She said she feels she now has the time give to the TVCC position.
“I don’t have any agenda other than to make TVCC all it can be for the community — to make it stronger,” Cruson said.
Cruson said she would like to see the college increase distance education outreach, making it easier for students who cannot come to the campus to take classes.
“The college is a really important element in this community,” Cruson said, adding it provides music and other cultural programs, which are important to the community’s social well-being.
“The board is a vital link between the community and the school,” she said.
Cruson presently serves on the Southeast Regional Alliance Board, which includes members of Malheur, Harney and Grant counties and focuses on economic development. Before that alliance formed, she served on the board of the Baker-Malheur Alliance. She has also served on the Ontario Airport Advisory board and was a member of the Ontario Downtown Association.
“I think I can help make a difference,” Cruson said.
