September 13, 2007—Sacramento—After finding out that Governor Schwarzenegger’s administration had reached an agreement with a local landowner, Sam Etchegary, which would prevent him from operating a livestock facility next to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, Assemblymember Mike Davis (D-Los Angeles) sent a letter of support to the California Public Works Board who must approve the agreement before it can be finalized.  

“The agreement reached by the Governor’s administration with Sam Etchegary takes us one step further in protecting this treasured landmark with cultural and historical significance. Allensworth State Historic Park is significant in the narrative of the African-American experience, because it commemorates the leadership of Colonel Allen Allensworth and a group of others who where dedicated to improving the economic and social status of African-Americans when they founded this small farming community in 1908,” said Assemblymember Davis.

“The great progress that has been made today can be attributed to the leadership that the Allensworth’ community has taken in this process and the strong support that we have received from the Governor and certainly the Speaker of the California State Assembly. It is now time for the California Public Works Board to join our effort and lend us its support by approving the agreement made between the Governor and Sam Etchegary, so that it can be finalized,” Assemblymember Davis said.

Per the Governor’s office, “the agreement reached with landowner Sam Etchegary will allow California State Parks to purchase a Land Use Restriction Easement, in perpetuity, for $3.5 million. The agreement is worded to specifically prevent any type of animal operation on the two parcels of land where Earlimart Ranch Dairies proposed to construct a dairy. Both sites are within one mile of the park.”