Newcomer poised to claim Yuba Community College seat

A veteran incumbent was behind late on Tuesday in the race for a seat on the Yuba Community College Board of Directors.

Challenger Michael Pasquale was leading longtime incumbent Jim Buchan for a seat on the seven-member college board.

Both were running to represent Area 4, which includes the portion of Sutter County occupied by the Yuba City Unified School District.

Pasquale could not be reached for comment.

Buchan, a retired Yuba College professor and US Army Reserve colonel, sought his fifth term on the board of directors. Buchan was elected to his first two-year term on the college board in 1998 and was re-elected to four-year terms in 2000, 2004, and 2008.

He faced an unsuccessful recall attempt in 2010 when the effort failed to collect enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. Recall supporters linked the effort to Buchan backing a salary increase for then-Chancellor Nicki Harrington.

Buchan had said in 2010 he was happy with the outcome of the unsuccessful recall.

"Good guys don't always finish last," he'd said.

Pasquale, a Yuba City contractor, called for "new blood" on the board and said he ran to give voters a choice.

A Yuba College graduate, Pasquale obtained his bachelor's degree from California State University, Chico.

Pasquale campaigned, at least in part, on a pledge to address dilapidated facilities in Linda.