By WALSH, CASSADY & WALSH
Merced County celebrated the completion of three important community projects in Dos Palos: the repaired Lorraine Street Bridge; the new Dos Palos Library named after Supervisor Jerry O’Banion; and the renovated Del Hale Community Hall, during ceremony on May 7.
County Supervisor Scott Silveira welcomed a large crowd of people to this milestone event. Mrs. Dollie O’Banion, her children, and several members of Mr. O’Banion’s family were present to take part in the dedication and ribbon cutting for the O’Banion Library.
The fabulous new library received a boost of $15,000 for new books as a donation from the Friends of the Merced County Library organization.
Remarks were made by Supervisor Silveira, Supervisor Daron McDaniel, Lynn O’Banion Pastori, Dos Palos Mayor Katy Reed, Deputy Director of Merced County Parks Juan Bravo, Dos Palos Lions Club President Donald Vincent, and Mary Elizabeth Henderson family members who donated a bench in her honor for the front of the library. Henderson is remembered for being a standout teacher and community leader.
The repair and restoration of the Lorraine Street Bridge was made possible through $1.4 million in Westside Regional Measure V project funding. The new Jerry O’Banion Library and renovation of the Del Hale Hall were made possible through $3 million in state funding secured by Senator Anna Caballero and a $2.7 million Building Forward Grant from the California State Library.
All three projects stand out as examples of collaborative partnerships between city, county, and state governments, businesses, service and support organizations, and generous individuals.
In addition to government funding, contributors to these projects include the Central California Irrigation District, the Dos Palos Lions Club, the family of Mary Elizabeth Henderson, and the Friends of the Merced County Library.