Family Water Alliance Chief Operations Officer Nadine Bailey said, “If you are as tough as nails, it probably means you’ve been around awhile.”
While the adage may be true for the organization that has been fighting to protect water, property rights, agriculture, and rural living for more than 30 years, Bailey was actually talking about Sen. Jim Nielsen.
Bailey, along with former Supervisor and State Director for USDA Rural Development Kim Dolbow Vann, and Colusa County Supervisors Denise Carter and Gary Evans, recognized Nielsen at the annual FWA dinner held in Colusa on Saturday.
The dinner is held annually to celebrate FWA’s fight to protect water, property rights, agriculture, and rural living. It is the organization’s only fundraiser.
Nielsen, who is retiring this month after 40 years of public service, helped craft the Water Storage Investment Program, which dedicated $2.7 billion for investments such as the Sites Reservoir, which received over $800 from the state. He also served as the Chairman of the California Board of Prison terms between stints in the California Assembly and Senate.
“I don’t think any of us could quantify all the work (Nielsen has) done in so many different arenas in this state, from water to law enforcement to great public service,” Vann said. “No one of us could put that all together in saying thank you enough…Our children and grandchildren will forever be impacted by the work (he) did.”
Carter, who presented the proclamation the Board of Supervisors adopted on Nov. 8, said Nielsen came to Colusa County’s rescue when the state threatened to eliminate all subvention funds authorized by the Williamson Act and by enabling the Sites Project Authority to secure funding from Proposition 1 to build the reservoir.
“It’s the only project that might get built out of that proposition,” Carter said.
Although Nielsen is retiring from elected office, he said he still plans to remain involved in issues affecting Northern California.
“I’m not running off into the sunset, I’m going to ride off into the sunrise,” Nielsen said. “We are going to continue to keep up the good fight.”
Saturday’s Hot Cajun Night dinner and fundraiser was held at St. Bernadette’s Hall in Colusa.
The event is held annually to celebrate FWA’s fight to protect water, property rights, agriculture, and rural living and the people who make that happen, Bailey said.
“I work for the best board around,” Bailey said.
Royal sponsors for the event were Butte Creek Farms, Glenn Colusa Farm Credit, Garden Highway Mutual Water, Intake Screens Inc., Superior Tire Service, and G&K Rominger. There were also dozens of individuals and local businesses recognized as Diamond, Platinum, Gold, and Green Ribbon sponsors for their contributions. ■