STORIES FROM THE PAST

50 years ago

Two of the Mountain Desert League’s top offensive linemen have been named to the 1967 California Interscholastic Federation, Southern Section Class A and Small Schools All-Star team.

A name to the first team at tackle was Calipatria’s Robert Howington. Robert is a 215-pound lineman and was an All-League selection in the MDL.

Mike Garcia, Holtville’s 200-pound guard, was selected to the second team. Garcia was also an All-League selection in the MDL.

40 years ago

MEXICALI — Imperial Valley mayors and Chamber of Commerce representatives toured Mexicali Thursday afternoon to officially launch a municipal and statewide campaign in Baja California to boost tourism.

The four-hour tour, coordinated by the Mexicali Tourism and Convention Bureau, was designed to introduce the Valley officials to new and continuing projects of interest to American visitors. While the 20 or so officials Thursday said they had visited Mexicali at one time or another, most seemed impressed with the futuristic Civic Center and sports complex.

El Centro Mayor Iris DeZarn echoed the comments of other officials who believe there is a potential for increased tourism and trade in Mexicali. “I had been here before. But to see all these other things ... What they have here is just out of this world.”

30 years ago

Questions have arisen about the actions of Tom Havens, an Imperial Irrigation District adviser, following a discussion Tuesday of membership in a water marketing association proposed by Havens.

The Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors on Tuesday discussed joining the association and voted to join the organization if at least four other agencies put up $15,000 to join the fledgling group.

In response to a question from Director Lester Bornt, Havens said the association currently has no members.

But an invitation to the organization’s first event, scheduled for Feb. 4 in San Diego, that has been distributed to prospective members, identifies IID Board President Tony Gallegos, Contra Costa County Supervisor Sunne McPeak, Environmental Defense Fund attorney Tom Graff and Havens as the association’s board of directors.

Havens today stood by his statement that the organization has no members. A founding board of directors had to be appointed to run the organization prior to seeking contributing members to the association, he said.