Posted on 04/30/2011 12:45:23 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
West Hills College Lemoore officials say they invited Sarah Palin to speak to make money for the school, and it's working out as planned - even with the $115,000 fee they're paying for her upcoming speech on Sunday.
"That's the bottom line," said Frances Squire, marketing director for West Hills Community College District. "We're raising funds ... and so we wanted somebody we knew would sell tickets."
WHCL officials say they recouped the $115,000 just a few weeks after they announced that Palin was coming to kick off the grand opening of their new Golden Eagle Arena. At this point, they've sold $180,000 to $185,000 in tickets, with more than 1,000 seats still available. All the profits from the event will go to support scholarships, programs and facilities at WHCL.
"Basically, the state is upside down economically, and we need to do everything we can to raise funds," said Don Warkentin, WHCL president.
The speaker's fee came from the West Hills College Community Foundation and didn't involve taxpayer money, Squire said.
Some local residents have vowed to stage a protest Sunday against Palin, the controversial former Alaska governor and Republican vice-presidential candidate.
Most people responding to a Sentinel Facebook question were opposed to Palin's fee.
Said Michael Quinn: "[It] won't be any of my money. I have already seen her comedy act twice. Once on SNL and the other time at the GOP convention of '08 ... oh and that interview with Katie Couric. Now THAT was funny."
"If people wish to waste their money to hear Ms. Palin speak, that is their business; however, as an educational institution West Hills should not be promoting someone who, by abandoning her professional responsibilities and by regularly spouting misinformation and lies, sets a poor example to those students who wish to actually improve their lives by working hard to educate themselves with facts and knowledge," said Scott Tucker, a frequent commentator on the Sentinel website.
But many current and former Kings County residents don't have a problem with her appearing at the college and being paid the hefty fee.
"Most speakers get paid in that range," said Hanford resident John Bartlett. "I have no problem with it, and it's not coming out of state funds. Basically, the people that want to go see her are paying the freight. I wish I could have been there, but I can't."
"[Palin] speaks to a certain segment of society," said Alan Garner, a former Hanford resident who produces television shows in Los Angeles. "If they want to go and listen to her speak, more power to them. I don't think it's all that controversial, especially for the Central Valley."
A Sentinel website poll with about 130 responses found 18 percent planning to attend the speech, 71 saying they wouldn't show up and another 11 percent saying they planned to be there Sunday, but only to protest.
Officials say they have sold 27 sponsorship packages costing $5,000 that give the buyers choice seats at Sunday's speech plus dinner and a photo-op with Palin afterward.
Officials asked Palin to compare California and Alaska in her speech, Squire said. They've also asked her to speak about water policy affecting the San Joaquin Valley.
"We wanted [Palin] to learn about local water issues," Squire said.
Palin is the first in a series of speakers at the arena that will include former first lady Laura Bush in September.
Officials say they aren't worried that there will be negative feedback from Palin's appearance. In fact, just the opposite. They say they're pleased by the results so far.
"It's quite frankly putting West Hills College Lemoore in the map," Warkentin said.
Free Republic and Jim Rob may be in Fresno, but it is not Bakersfield. (or the way I remember Bakersfield from 20 years ago)
Willy Brown said Bakesfield was so conservative, he wore a flak jacket when he flew over the city.
Hopefully she will be fired up and loaded for bear on the irrigation water issue, she can make some real points on it there in the central valley.
Wife and I went to an isolated gravel pit out in the dusty Nevada desert (outside Searhlight) to see her speak, along with about 20,000 other people.
Was amazing, was so crowded some were parking off the hwy and walking for miles to get there. The LEO couldn’t get over how orderly everyone was.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh-lW2opLyQ
The first time I saw her was on Craig Ferguson’s show! Here she makes him an “honorary citizen”. I think it was last year where he finally does become a citizen, and he had the camera follow him on the various things. Both funny and touching.
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