Imperial County celebrates 110th Anniversary
Imperial County celebrated its 110th anniversary on Tuesday.
County supervisors gathered during their board meeting to mark the milestone with cake and other refreshments.
News 11 was at the celebration and has reaction from community officials.
“It’s a milestone, the county has grown a lot, we’ve got a lot more things to do. Our unemployment is just something we need to work on very hard, that’s one of my big priorities, quality of life, unemployment and breathability, the asthma. Those are the things we need to work out,” said John Renison, Imperial County Board of Supervisors, District 1.
Another big announcement was made on Tuesday as the County Executive Officer, Ralph Cordova Jr. announced his retirement. We were able to speak to the Interim CEO who will be filling his position for now.
“I think the Imperial County has a great history, a long history of overcoming (the) adversity of moving forward, and I think it has a bright and wonderful future that I think this county is here to serve it,” said Robin Hodgkin, Interim CEO of Imperial County.
“I’ve seen this community go from gravel roads to blacktop roads, to a more balanced opportunity for everybody in the community. People that we serve, I think we’ve come a long way with respect to our social balance and accepting people and doing the right thing, and providing the right services. I think Imperial County is a dynamic place and I wouldn’t live anywhere else,” said Michael W. Kelley, Chairman of Imperial County Board of Supervisors, District 3.
Imperial County was the last county to join California in 1907 as it separated from San Diego County. Today Imperial County is considered a medium sized county but vastly growing.
“There’s something stubborn and steadfast in the blood of the people that are here. Those people that first came here, that built the canal systems and moved water across this valley developed farm ground, established cities, shops. They came here with an idea that this was an opportunity that they wanted to be a part of. And the people that are here today carry on that tradition,” said Ryan Kelley, Imperial County Supervisor, District 4.
County officials tell me they are excited to bring economic development and good quality jobs to the valley to attract more residents.
