Ferrera for Supervisor

Davis, CA – Davis resident with his wife and two children, John Ferrera will announce his candidacy for Yolo County’s fourth district Board of Supervisors seat today.

“Anna and I come from families who participated in and contributed to their communities. We’re at a point in our careers and our family’s life where we can carry on that legacy and give back ourselves. I want to use my experience to help preserve what makes Yolo County special and what made us want to raise Jake and Monica here.” Ferrera stated.

A key issue for Ferrera is protection of our environment and support for the agricultural economy, including getting our fair share of regional resources from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments and protecting important state programs like the Williamson Act: “We are in the middle of two quickly growing areas, Sacramento and the Bay Area. Yolo is a beautiful place to live. The county plays a pivotal role in maintaining that quality of life by guiding our land use and local economic development. I’ve learned a lot in 20 years of working on these issues, and bringing together diverse groups to reach their goals. It takes leadership, creativity and vision.”

Another top priority for Ferrera in his race for Supervisor is to support those in need of help from our government, especially seniors. “Elder care is a huge priority for me and a major issue for our generation. Our Board has done a good job providing health services for our families caring for sick or aging family members and I will work to continue that effort. Collaboration with organizations like the Yolo Hospice will ensure their needs are met sensitively and respectfully.” noted Ferrera.

The leaders of Yolo County agree that John Ferrera would make a fine candidate. Current Yolo County Board member Helen Thomson, Davis Mayor Pro Tem Ruth Asmundson, Davis Councilman Stephen Souza, and former Davis School Board President Marty West have come out to publicly endorse Ferrera for the Supervisor race. Other leaders from across the state such as Senator Mike Machado, Senate President Pro Tem John Burton (ret.), Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny and Senator Tom Torlakson have also offered their endorsement to Ferrera.

With an extensive background in public service, John Ferrera is well-qualified to tackle the job of County Supervisor. Ferrera’s work experience and qualifications include an MA from George Washington University’s Elliott School, ten years working in international economic development and as a Congressional staff member, including the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Ferrera also rose to Deputy Secretary for the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency in California under the Davis and Schwarzenegger administrations.

The Yolo County General Plan process will most likely spill over into 2009, when the next supervisor assumes the 4th District seat. Ferrera spoke further about the importance of staying current on the board’s activities: “I plan on being completely up to speed and ready to hit the ground running if I’m elected to the Board. There’s no time to waste and I believe I owe it to my constituents and the other Board members to get to work right away finishing and implementing the new General Plan.”

The family-friendly environment in Davis is what brought John and his wife to settle here and raise their children, Jake and Monica. John has volunteered at Pioneer School, with Davis’ youth sports leagues and the Davis Democratic Club and local charities. He was appointed to the Yolo County Library Advisory Board by Supervisor David Rosenberg in 2001 and again by Supervisor Mariko Yamada in 2005 and is a 4th District Representative on the Yolo County Democratic Central Committee. “We have family ties and lasting friendships in this community.” Ferrera stated. “I’m ready to use what I’ve learned as a parent, volunteering in the community and in a career in public service to work hard for the citizens of the fourth district.”

“And last, but not least, I’d like to encourage everyone in our city to support Measures P, for preserving our library, and Measure Q, for quality education, in this November’s election. Education is the path to equal opportunity for everyone among us and these small investments will help immensely.”