STORIES FROM THE PAST
50 years ago
A representative of the state Department of Parks and Recreation this morning assured the Imperial County Board of Supervisors that his department will work closely with local experts on the proposed development of a state park on the sand dunes east of the Valley.
James E. Warren, deputy chief of planning and control of the state department, was obviously trying to calm the furor caused some time ago when other representatives presented to the supervisors a plan for the “San Hills Project,” which would have kept dune buggies out of most of the area.
The area is presently federal property. But it is due to be turned over to the state at some future time.
40 years ago
Lack of time is never a problem to Otis “Woody” Wood Sr. Brawley or to his wife, Mary. Wood has 26 pocket watches in his possession, most of them collector’s pieces.
His wife is a collector, too. Of owls. She has owls of needlepoint, ceramics, wood, lucite, metal, embroidery and macramé. They hang on the walls, rest on her mantles, stand on the floor and swing from the ceiling.
“These hobbies keep us going,” Mrs. Wood said. Both are senior citizens (he’s 74, she’s 75) and have health problems which restrict their activities.
Because of these health problems, Wood is selling some of the pocket watches. “I really don’t want to sell any,” he said, “but we’ve had a lot of sickness lately. I will probably sell about eight more to help with the bills.”
30 years ago
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday agreed to foot a $2,000 bill as part of an effort to get a prime defense department contractor to move to the Valley.
The bill was on the consent agenda of routine items passed en masse after it was discussed in a closed session last week concerning negotiations to buy property near the airport. The board has repeatedly gone into closed session recently to discuss what it has called the “Worthington-Johnson property acquisition,” two parcels southwest of the county airport that total about 100 acres.
20 years ago
Much like putting down the foundation is the first step in building a house, the foundation for increased trade with China was laid Friday night as local farmers and business leaders met with trade representatives from Beijing at the Stockmen’s Club in Brawley.
The Chinese delegation was on the second stage of a North American tour. The delegation came to Brawley from Latin America and also was scheduled to visit the Los Angeles Port Authority.