As 2023 comes to a close, some members of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors looked back to reflect on the year.
Supervisor Angel Barajas represents District 5, encompassing north Woodland, Knights Landing, Yolo, Madison, Esparto and the entire Capay Valley. Below is the response from Barajas' staff:
Reflecting on the Successes of 2023: A Year of Community Growth & Collaboration
Building on the positive changes initiated in 2022, 2023 emerged as a pivotal year dedicated to supporting and realizing the full potential of transformative projects. Supervisor Angel Barajas, with the support of his board colleagues, played a key role in spearheading positive changes in Yolo County in 2023. Focusing on capital and infrastructure projects, public safety, community collaborations and farmworker support
Capital/Infrastructure Projects: Recreation and Public Safety
Supervisor Barajas played a key role in securing substantial funding for capital improvement projects, allocating $5.7 million for Knights Landing Park, slated for groundbreaking in 2024 and an additional $9.8 million for the Knights Landing Levee project. The emphasis on recreation and flood-safe initiatives underscored a commitment to enhancing residents' quality of life. Notably, Supervisor Barajas advocated for $538,000 of county grant funding for the Esparto High Career Technical Education building, slated to break ground before 2025.
Public safety took center stage, with a notable allocation of $1.5 million in total for fire districts that would pass Prop. 218.
In addition to these projects, Supervisor Barajas would like to remind the community that the long-awaited Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation-Capay Valley Community Health Center has opened its doors to serve the community. This milestone marked a collaborative effort between the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Yolo County and other stakeholders. Yolo County collectively contributed a total of $5 million.
Woodland Collaborations:
In Woodland, collaborative projects include:
Woodland Boys and Girls Club: The grand opening occurred in 2023. The Boys & Girls Club may serve up to 150 youths on any given day. Yolo County allocated $700,000 in 2022 in partnership with the City of Woodland, which matched those funds.
California Agricultural Museum Expansion: Allocating $10,000 to enhance STEM exhibits, promoting education and innovation within the community.
Leisureville Senior Mobile Home Park HVAC Upgrade: A $10,000 investment to improve HVAC systems within the facility, ensuring senior residents' comfort and well-being.
Woodland Food Closet Enhancement: $5,000 directed towards increasing available food services at the Food Closet, addressing food insecurity in the county.
Woodland Alianza FC Scholarship Program: Allocating $10,000 to Woodland Alianza FC to provide scholarships, promote inclusivity and access to sports for local youth.
Yolano Donally Housing Partnership: The county contributed $1 million to purchase two parcels for future development. A project in which we have confidence will improve access to affordable homes.
Community Engagement: Initiatives by Supervisor Barajas
Beyond capital projects, Supervisor Barajas actively engaged with the community through town halls, fostering open dialogue. He organized "Coffee with a Sheriff" events in Knights Landing to improve community-police relations. A community vote on a new park in Esparto showcased the commitment to involving residents in decision-making processes. Over 100 people attended.
Education and family well-being were also at the forefront of Supervisor Barajas' priorities. He organized a backpack giveaway in Dunnigan, alleviating the financial burden for 250 families as they prepared for the school year. To end the year on a joyous note, a toy distribution event during the holiday season brought warmth to families in need, collaborating with local organizations to spread the joy of the holidays. The Dunnigan Toy Distribution was available to families in Yolo and Zamora, and it was an incredible success, with over 500 children receiving a toy.
Barajas' community-focused initiatives culminated in well-deserved recognition from both the Knights Landing community and the Unity Bar of Yolo County, which named Supervisor Barajas the Elected Official Award of the Year in Yolo County.
Other Noteworthy Contributions: A Balanced Approach to Community Well-Being
Tuli Memorial Park in rural Esparto witnessed improvements initiated in response to requests from the senior community. Newly installed benches along the trail made the park more accommodating to all residents, reflecting a responsive and inclusive approach.
Participation in events like the Ag Farmworker Festival, the Center for Post Traumatic Growth Conference and East Beamer Groundbreaking showcased support for unity, mental health and community infrastructure.
The year also saw the supervisor's participation and financial support in events like the Cultura Cura Festival, Ag Roundtable and the Welcome Back to the Season Event: Cosecha Conexiones, showcasing an unwavering dedication to celebrating diversity, fostering agricultural relationships and recognizing the contributions of migrant farmworkers.
Aside from actively participating in farmworker initiatives, Supervisor Barajas championed the county's first-ever farmworker coordinator position, aimed at connecting farmworkers and their families to essential services and resources.
Supervisor Barajas was also pleased to present a $15,000 grant to the county's Farmworker Financial Assistance Program to assist local farmworkers.
Complementing these endeavors, Supervisor Barajas and his staff participated in door-to-door outreach, visiting approximately one thousand homes. This ensured that residents were not only aware of the ongoing projects and initiatives but also informed about the resources available to them at a grassroots level.
In summary, 2023 stands as a testament to Supervisor Angel Barajas' multifaceted impact on Yolo County, steering capital projects and actively engaging with the community. His collaborative efforts, bolstered by the support of board colleagues and stakeholders, have set the stage for positive changes that will undoubtedly continue to shape the vibrant and thriving communities of Yolo County in the coming years. The collective commitment to progress ensures that the county will grow stronger and better.
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