Challenger rips Banducci’s manners

In a February 2014 meeting, then NIC student president Benaiah Cheevers reprimanded Trustee Banducci for his actions at two previous board meetings (2:23:16 mark above). You can view and hear that admonition. And Banducci’s response (2:30:40 mark). Challenger Greg Gfeller pointed out in the Q&A interview with Huckleberries today that this video underscores his view that Banducci treats poorly some of the people the board deals with. See “Banducci calls student ‘a pawn” here.

• Huckleberries: What kind of a name if Gfeller?
• Greg Gfeller (pronounced Gee-feller): It’s a Swiss-German name. My great-grandfather settled in central Washington in the mid-1800s.
• Huckleberries: You’re in a nonpartisan race. But you have run for the Legislature as a Republican. How would you describe your political view?
• Gfeller: If we’re talking about being a trustee on NIC, it really isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about the governance of the college, which is setting policy and making sure those policies are being carried out. Also, I’ll work to ensure the prosperity of the organization.
• Huckleberries: What prompted you to run for this position?
• Gfeller: I’ve been with Avista for 38 years. During those years, I went back to school and got my bachelor’s and master’s at Gonzaga in organizational leadership. I’ve been successful in my career as a result of the availability of education. I want to ensure that NIC is successful into the future. In my current job, there is a healthy tension between the customer, the employee and the stockholder. That creates a balance that enables our corporation to be successful. I see the same type of balance needed as a trustee for NIC.
• Huckleberries: Would you say there’s a healthy tension or unhealthy one on the board?
• Gfeller: There is an unhealthy tension on the board. Faculty, staff, students and even fellow board members are afraid to speak up for fear of ridicule or verbal attacks. In my current job, it’s important to listen to all parties regardless of differences of opinion and respect those parties.
• Huckleberries: Are you talking about incumbent Todd Banducci here?
• Gfeller: Yes. From what I’ve seen by watching the videos of the NIC board meetings, he puts students down. He interrogates faculty. He doesn’t appear to play on the same team. You need to value and welcome different opinions, but do it in a civil manner. I welcome diverse opinions because it makes me think of solutions that I might not have thought of.
• Huckleberries: What goals would you have as a trustee for NIC?
• Gfeller: Keep tuition as affordable as possible. Work with faculty, staff, administration and citizens of Kootenai County to see where they want NIC to go in future. Create an environment where faculty & staff feel appreciated. Work collaboratively with board. But create a safe forum for different opinions to be voiced in constructive manner.
• Huckleberries: Does it matter whether or not Trustee Banducci is re-elected, given that he’s only one of five trustees? He would be in a superminority.
• GFeller: Yes. His demeanor creates unhealthy tension at NIC.

Also: NIC Trustee Wood blasts Banducci’s behavior /Huckleberries Online
Also: Greg Gfeller for North Idaho trustee Facebook page here