Supes sworn in at virtual ceremony
Members will attend their first meeting on Jan. 12
Three members of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors were sworn in during a virtual ceremony that took place over Zoom on Monday due to the COVID- 19 pandemic.
Angela Barajas, who represents the 5th Supervisorial District was the only new supervisor sworn in, along with incumbents Oscar Villegas, the 1st District Supervisor and 4th District Supervisor Jim Provenza.
The supervisors were sworn in in numerical order by district, making Villegas the first. His children, Elena and Vincent, administered the oath of office to him.
“I’m very excited about the prospects of serving another four- year term,” Villegas said. “I want to begin by thanking my children and my wife, Katie. Without family support. We can’t do the work that is required as a county supervisor.”
Villegas also thanked his staff, and all Yolo County employees. He stressed the importance of combating the coronavirus pandemic, supporting small businesses and expanding mental health and substance abuse resources.
Villegas has represented District 1 — which includes most of West Sacramento as well as Clarksburg — since he was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2014. He ran unopposed in the April elections
Provenza has represented District 4, encompassing most of Davis, since 2008 and won his challenge against Linda Deos in November.
Like Villegas, he also noted the importance of combating COVID- 19, as well racial inequality and transparency in government.
“So as we enter the new year, I am optimistic,” Provenza said. “But I also know that this will be another difficult year and I’m calling on the public to help us in every way they can. Whether it’s wearing a face mask in public, avoiding mass gatherings, or joining a community group that can help us with our various problems and concerns. We need your help.”
Provenza will be serving as the chairman of the Board of Supervisors for 2021, alongside Vice Chair, Angel Barajas. Barajas won his race in the 5th District — which covers North Woodland as well as Knights Landing, Yolo, Madison, Esparto and the Capay Valley — against incumbent Duane Chamberlain in April. Chamberlain had represented the district since 2005.
“I’d like to thank, first and foremost, our family and friends and the Yolo County community who entrusted me to serve as the Yolo County Board of Supervisors District 5 representative,” Barajas explained after he was sworn in. “I’m coming in ready to roll up my sleeves to work with every member, every constituent of our beloved county.”
Barajas highlighted the importance of distributing and providing education on the COVID- 19 vaccine, as well as fixing roads and fixing inequities in the county.
“We also need to make sure that we look at issues that have been unfortunately neglected in certain parts of our county,” Barajas said. “We need to tackle those issues head on. And what we have to do is insure that we have the proper equipment, proper resources and we equip our employees in order to tackle those issues.”
Barajas will join Provenza and Villegas in the first Board of Supervisors meeting of 2021 on Jan. 12.