Honoring our history, investing in our future: A call to the Placer County Board of Supervisors

As Placer County marks its milestone 175th anniversary, residents across our cities, foothills and valley communities are reflecting on the leadership, heritage and collective effort that built our region. As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, it is essential that we recognize and honor the indispensable contributions of Hispanic and Latino residents—trailblazers who have served our nation, built foundational local businesses, educated our children and enriched our civic life for generations. Civic Leadership & Public Service The history of Placer County is deeply intertwined with Hispanic trailblazers who dedicated their lives to public service and safety: Robert "Bob" Jimenez: A decorated World War II veteran awarded two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star, Jimenez served 32 years as the Police Chief for the city of Lincoln, making him the longest-tenured police chief in California history. Louis DeArcos: A highly decorated military veteran who served with distinction as mayor of Lincoln. Henry "Hank" Gonzalez: Raised as an orphan, Gonzalez became a successful broadcast and real estate executive who launched KPIP, the first Spanish-language radio station in Northern California, and served as the longtime owner of the historic California Club in Old Town Auburn. Entrepreneurship & Lasting Business Institutions Local Hispanic entrepreneurs have established beloved institutions that continue to anchor our towns and local economy: Nabor and Rosario Ramirez: Founded Delicias, their original Mexican restaurant in Old Town Auburn, in 1964. The Heredia Family: Established Carmelitas in Roseville in 1962. Both establishments have proudly served Placer County families for over six decades. Education & Community Advocacy Hispanic leaders have continually expanded educational opportunity and community well-being across our county: Dr. Reyes Ortega: Professor Emeritus and social justice advocate who helped create the Puente Program at Sierra College, building vital pathways for young Latinos to transition to four-year universities. Dolores Garcia: Served as the first Executive Director of Head Start in Placer County, championing early childhood education for underserved families. Ruben Ayala: Dedicated educator and former Principal of First Street School in Lincoln. Demographics Across Every District The Hispanic community is a vital segment of the population in every single supervisorial district across Placer County: District 1 (Roseville): 17% to 23% Hispanic population. District 2 (Lincoln & Western Placer): 21% Hispanic population. District 3 (Rocklin & Granite Bay): 16% Hispanic population. District 4 (Roseville & Loomis): 15% Hispanic population. District 5 (Auburn to North Tahoe): Ranging from 5% in Alta, to 14%–21% in Auburn, to over 50% in Kings Beach. Overall, one in six adults in Placer County is Hispanic. In Districts 1 and 2, Latino voters represent 13% to 14% of all registered voters, actively participating in civic life and supporting strong public education, safe communities and economic growth. A Call for Authentic Engagement With such significant historical contributions and demographic representation, true community inclusion requires more than symbolic gestures or seasonal acknowledgments. Meaningful engagement demands cultural intelligence—an understanding of the trust, communication channels and lived experiences of the residents being served. While cultural programming like the Día de los Muertos display co-hosted by Placer County Museums at the Auburn Historic Courthouse provides meaningful cultural visibility, our local government must commit to year-round, intentional outreach. Moving forward, Placer County leadership should: Establish designated points of contact for certified minority- and women-owned businesses. Partner actively with trusted Spanish-language and local multicultural media outlets to ensure vital county information on public health, emergency preparedness and economic resources reaches all families effectively. Ensure diverse Hispanic community voices have a permanent seat at the table as policies and priorities are shaped for Placer County's next 175 years. Honoring our past is not merely about looking back; it is about building a county structure where every resident is recognized, informed and included every single day of the year. Angelica Balderas is a lifelong resident of Placer County and the senior vice president of Entravision Communications.