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BARANDAS PARK GRAND OPENING A message from the Barandas Family Message shared by Thomas Barandas, July 20, 2006 at Barandas Park Celebration Good evening ladies and gentlemen, my name is Tom Barandas and I am one of the sons of Manuel J. Barandas. On behalf of my mother and our family, I would like to thank the City of Sacramento, Mayor Fargo, Councilman Tretheway and all of the people that have been involved in honoring my father in this wondrous way. I would also like to thank Jim Miller and members of the River Oaks Community Association for allowing my father’s family and friends to share this occasion and celebration. My family has asked me to say a few words about my father so you know a little about the man behind the name. Manuel J. Barandas was born on July 22, 1919 to John and Anna Barandas, who had emigrated from Portugal. From his early childhood, the Natomas area has been considered his home. He went to Jefferson School, at the corner of San Juan Road and El Centro Road. He began his career in the farming business by joining with his brother Tony and their father to grow tomatoes, alfalfa, beans, wheat and corn. In September of 1941, my father married Dolores Ferreira, from another Natomas farming family, and began their life together. Eventually, my father left the family business and began to farm on his own as a tenant farmer, and delivering his tomatoes locally and his alfalfa hay to ranches as far away as Petaluma. It was a difficult occupation, but with the support from Dolores, and a reputation for honesty and dependability, they became successful. Soon after their marriage, Manuel and Dolores began to plan for a family, which began with Richard, then Gloria, then John, then Jim and finally me. My father’s business forced him to work long hours, with few days off, which left little time for family events, but my siblings and I were always supported in all our endeavors. Whether it was little league, dance lessons, music lessons or the debate team, someone was always there to cheer us forward. Even though my father was forced to quit school after the 8th grade, he always stressed the importance of education and encouraged us to attend college. Most of my early memories of my father have him reading the newspaper or industry journals. This made him a great conversationalist and usually found him surrounded by people, sharing stories or debating issues. My father was a great friend and good consul. His honesty and integrity allowed his friends to vent their frustrations, share their problems and ask him for advice without hesitation and helped create lifelong friendships with many people. When my father passed away on October 6, 1997, the church could not hold all the people that attended his memorial and many were forced to wait outside during the service. These relationships and his assistance extended to the Portuguese community and the Catholic Church, where he contributed with his time, energy and donations. My father enjoyed farming and passed that passion on to his family and friends. He was always willing to lend a hand when the agricultural industry called. He was a member of the California Tomato Growers Association, Sacramento County Farm Bureau and the Natomas Mutual Water Company. He used his time to attend conferences, conventionsand panel discussions and to lobby all levels of government for assistance to the agricultural industry. My father was also a founding member and director of First Commercial Bank and a member of the Sacramento Chapter of Rotary International. A highlight of his career was when the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce honored him in 1982 as their "Agri-businessman of the Year.” My father also loved the Natomas basin and worked to improve and protect it. During the 70 years he lived in the Natomas area, he gave of his time, energy and wisdom to help resolve many major community issues. My father was a leader during the conception and construction of the Sacramento International Airport, the Arco Arena, Interstate #5 and #80, to name just a few. My father was an advocate for improving flood protection for the Natomas basin and spent over thirty years on the Board of Trustees of Reclamation District #1000 and spent many years as a board member of the Sacramento Area Flood Control Association, SAFCA. During the 1986 high water event, my father was instrumental in getting repairs started on the levee west of the Sacramento International Airport before the State or Federal agencies could assist. Finally, my family and I, and all of my father’s friends are thankful for this great honor that the City of Sacramento has bestowed upon him. Even though my father is not here to participate in this celebration, I know that he will always watch over this community and the people of the Natomas area. Phase one of Barandas Park is finished. Phase two will include a shade shelter and a tot playground. The Natural Habitat will be re-worked along with the other South Natomas Parks as a new and specialized landscaping contractor is foundfor this sort of project. PHOTO GALLERY:
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