By By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC - “We left nothing on the playing field,” Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Fred L. Mathews said of the disheartening second defeat Tuesday of 1.5 mills, an unofficial 4,188 yes to 4,780 no.
Contrary to the quiet campaign which proved unsuccessful May 3, SMC waged a tireless tour to tell its story, reminiscent in its relentlessness only of the original 1964 crusade to create a community college.
It was SMC's second millage try in 41 years. Last spring the proposal lost 3,420-2,401. SMC succeeded in turning around a previous Dowagiac loss.
The levy would have generated some $2.4 million the first year to offset state revenue losses.
His son, SMC President Dr. David M. Mathews, “the quarterback of this whole thing, put his life and soul into it,” making 25 presentations to local government boards and organizations.
Mathews thanked the scores of people who “worked two 40-hour jobs - the one at the college and then the one on the millage campaign, and all of the community volunteers who came out to make such a big difference. I appreciate your commitment to Southwestern Michigan College and our students.”