We all should be so lucky to live to 175. It would make us as old as San Joaquin County.
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday recognized the start of the county’s extended birthday party by issuing a proclamation marking “175 years of growing greater.” The ceremony included officials from the county’s eight cities.
“The most important thing is we need to keep the past alive,” said Supervisor Paul Canepa, who chairs the board. He said nowadays people put too much reliance on information from their smartphones and not enough on hearing stories from the past.
The county’s actual birthday is Feb. 18. San Joaquin was incorporated as one of California’s original counties on that day in 1850, seven months before California gained statehood.
Today, supervisors say the county is a vibrant place with a bright future. Supervisor Mario Gardea noted the diversity of the area.
“San Joaquin County is a professional and blue-collar community” that has produced a wide variety of people who have gone on to great things — from astronauts to actors, Gardea said.
Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal said while it’s a blessing to live here, all residents need to “work together and make this county better.”
Supervisor Robert Rickman pointed out the importance of farming. “Agriculture is still the backbone of our economy,” he noted.
The board also presented finalists from a contest to create a commemorative county seal that will be used on official correspondence for a year.
The contest was launched last year for local students in grades 7-12. The current, permanent seal was designed by June Sands who, as a teenager, won a 1962 high school art competition. Sands, now a senior citizen, was one of the judges.
Of the five finalists, A. Vasquez, 15, was chosen as the winner. He depicted a stylized face of a clock as the county seal. If you look closely, Vasquez said in a statement about the piece, you will see the time is 2:09 — the county’s area code.
“The clock represents the evolution of San Joaquin County throughout time, including its festivals, agriculture, engineering and advancements in economy,” Vasquez said. “I hope this logo onspires others to recognize how far we’ve come, and the hop of where we are going because time never stops.”
The celebration doesn’t end with Tuesday’s ceremony. An evening educational event is scheduled for April. The State of the County address will include reflections on the county’s history as well.