STORIES FROM THE PAST
50 years ago
The State Division of Highways told Imperial County yesterday that the state was not going to pay for the damage done to local roads by equipment used in the construction of the freeway south of El Centro.
Jacob Dekema, district engineer of the Division told the county supervisors that the state would not pay for an estimated $25,000 in damages to county roads, but that the county might either persuade the contractor to make the repairs, or help with them or even foot the bill.
David Pierson, the county road commissioner and public works director, said that he had contacted the Miles and Sons firm which has the prime contract for the project, and that they had told him that they would neither pay nor help.
40 years ago
About 12 wives of El Centro firemen picketed City Hall on Monday, demanding improved Fire Department leadership, equipment and training.
The action was triggered by the death of El Centro firefighter David Gomez, 25, who died last week trying to rescue two men trapped in an underground gasoline storage tank.
The women, who claimed they were acting independently from their husbands, charged that some of the department’s officers were physically and mentally unfit to command.
“We want the leaders to get out of they can’t handle it,” said Cyndie Hodson, who spoke for the picketers.
The wives picketed City Hall from 11 a.m. to about 4 p.m., handing out literature that called for “capable, decisive leadership, better equipment and more frequent, extensive firefighting and safety training techniques.”
It urged El Centro residents to help the firemen by contacting the City Council and City Manager George Parker.
One of the picket signs read, “It’s too late to say you’re sorry.”
30 years ago
A resumption of water swap negotiations between the Imperial Irrigation District and the Metropolitan Water District appear to be imminent as Metropolitan representatives prepare for a meeting Tuesday with the county Board of Supervisors.
Metropolitan has been negotiating to obtain the right to use 100,000 acre feet of water the district says it is conserving each year, but the talks were discontinued last summer after an impasse was reached.
Metropolitan Assistant General Manager Myron Holburt, General Counsel Warren Abbott and Director of Public Affairs Thomas Spencer are scheduled to appear before the supervisors at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, during the board’s weekly meeting.
“I think they’re coming down here to attempt to alleviate some of the fears of the board about the loss of water,” IID General Manager Charles Shreves said. ABOVE RIGHT: Avan Jeremiah Ybarra rides the pony at Cattle Call Rodeo in Brawley.