Rocamora Ends Candidacy for School Board Reelection

GLENDALE — School board member Lynda Rocamora ended her candidacy for reelection Friday, citing health problems and doctors’ orders to cut down on her activities.

Rocamora, 47, said she suffers from “chronic, irreversible orthopedic problems and severe spinal problems,” resulting in severe pain that has worsened in recent years despite ongoing treatment. The condition is not life threatening, she said.

“I’ve been long on my commitment to children, however I’ve been mighty short on the physical side,” said Rocamora, who was elected to the four-year post in 1993 and will serve out the remaining three months of her term.

Rocamora was gathering signatures to qualify for the April ballot when she decided to terminate her campaign.

In 1995, Rocamora revealed that she had been sexually molested as a child and raped as a young woman in an effort to drum up support for Safe Haven, a shelter she has proposed for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Once her school board term expires, Rocamora said she will devote her time to establishing the planned shelter.

Her withdrawal leaves Jeanne Bentley as the only incumbent seeking reelection. Longtime board member Jane Whitaker is not seeking reelection.

Four other candidates--Louise Foote, Henry Hall, Chuck Sambar and Henry Scheetz--are also running for the three school board seats that will be up for grabs.