Alex Ferreira Honored for Career of Service

Auburn, Calif.- Civic leaders from across Placer County gathered Thursday (July 11) with family and friends of Alex Ferreira to pay tribute to a man who spent the better part of 50 years in service to the people of Placer County.

Ferreira, 87, of Lincoln, retired from the Placer County Water Agency Board of Directors on June 6 due to health reasons.  He, his wife Bonnie, and several family members sat in the front row during the tribute.

The ceremony was hosted by the PCWA Board of Directors and attracted more than 80 people, including county supervisors, mayors, city council members, regional water leaders, friends and others.

Speakers talked of Ferreira’s character, leadership, good nature, and dedication during his 45 years in public office.  Several said he had served as a mentor and role model for their own involvement in public service.  

A Placer County native son, Ferreira served in the U.S. Army during WW II, seeing combat in Okinawa, before returning home.  He first held public office on the Nevada Irrigation District Board of Directors (1967-71), then won six elected terms and served 24 years on the Placer County Board of Supervisors (1971-94).  He was elected to the PCWA Board of Directors in 1997, reelected three times, and served nearly 16 years on the water agency board.

The tribute included a slide show with photos of Ferreira’s public service involvement through the years, the presentation of several resolutions of appreciation from local, state, and federal leaders, and remarks from many of those in attendance.  

Norman Gonzales, Community Outreach Director, for Congressman Tom McClintock, noted the amount of community service and efforts of Mr. Ferreira is not just something to be celebrated within Placer County, but is something to be acknowledged within the nation.  Congressman McClintock had Mr. Ferreira’s story, biography, and history from his service in WWII to his retirement at PCWA entered into the congressional record.  Gonzales said, “Alex’s service goes beyond six decades because he has served not only your community, but your nation.”

The PCWA Board of Directors on June 27 appointed former Lincoln mayor and city councilman Primo Santini to complete the remaining 18 months in Ferreira’s term as the District 2 representative on the governing board.