Amigos805.com
VENTURA COUNTY — It was a history-making week in the 805 region with the selection of the first Latino chair of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors in more than a century.
Meanwhile, the community’s voice will extend beyond the 805 region when a local broadcaster launches his afternoon radio program on Jan. 16.
In Ventura County, Fifth District Supervisor John C. Zaragoza was elected as chair of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors in a meeting held Tuesday, Jan. 10 at the Ventura County Goverment Center in Ventura.
Zaragoza, who is running for re-election, was prevously vice chair of the board.
“I’ve received many calls and emails of support and congratulations and I appreciate them all,” he said in an interview with Amigos805.com. “Normally the vice chair is appointed to the chair and because I have such a good relationship with the rest of the board of supervisors, they had the confidence to support me to be chair of the board. One of the things I’m proud of is that the last Latino board chair was Adolfo Camarillo, a very prominent person.”
Camarillo served as chair in 1906.
“He was the first Latino to be on the board of supervisors and it’s my honor that after 100-plus years I am the second Latino to be chair,” Zaragoza said. “I’ve had many milestones in my life and in the public arena, but this is one of my biggest milestones.”
While Zaragoza will have a busy year ahead being the chair of the board and also running for re-election, he has confidence he will be able to meet all his obligations.
“One of the important things is that I have a good staff, an excellent staff,” he said. “There is a lot of work that we still have to do and I hope I get re-elected again. We are doing great things, not only for the Fifth District, but for all of Ventura County.”
A number of Latino community leaders spoke in support of Zaragoza, including former Oxnard mayor and current Oxnard Harbor District Commissioner Manuel Lopez and his wife, Rebozo Festival co-founder Irma Lopez; and Ray Tejada of the League of United Latin American Citizens District 17.
Also speaking in support of Zaragoza was David Cruz, former KNBC newsman who currently produces the bilingual radio program “David Cruz — La Voz Poderosa” on KOXR-910 AM on Radio Lazer. Starting Monday, Jan. 16, Cruz will also be heard elsewhere in Southern California when the “David Cruz Show” begins airing weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. on KTLK—1150AM.
“This is a fresh new look at Southern California…
Finish reading First Latino board chair and veteran Latino journalist’s radio program top area news
