Be risk takers, sheriff urges AV Hispanics
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press February 24, 2001.

By DENNIS ANDERSON
Valley Press Editor

LANCASTER - Leroy D. Baca owns a mental scrapbook, sharp as restored black and white photos - childhood memories that remind him about how destiny led him to become sheriff of the nation's most populous county.

"I'm the only Mexican I know named Leroy," he told an enthusiastic crowd of Hispanic business and community leaders. "And in East L.A. where I went to school, there were a lot of Japanese students, and the word in Japanese - Ba-ka - means stupid. So there you have it, `Stupid Leroy.' You knew I wasn't going to have an easy time of it."

Baca regaled the Antelope Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce with his rise from modest circumstance in East Los Angeles to the summit as Los Angeles County sheriff.

A crowd of 300 gathered at the Essex House Convention Center for the chamber's fourth annual installation dinner applauded long and loud, listening closely to Baca's tales for similarities to their own family stories.

Baca told of being raised by his grandparents, of sharing a room as a boy with a profoundly retarded relative and of taking that background to learn his way to a life of service and responsibility.

"There are a lot of stories in this room," he said, casting his eyes across business people and entrepreneurs, many among them first-generation immigrants who succeeded in the United States. "What a lot of stories there are to share."

"You are all leaders," he said. "We succeed because we are willing to pay the price it takes to succeed."

The Sheriff's Department provided young Baca a purpose, he said. Then he joined the Marine Corps Reserve "because I had fear, and I had to learn to face my fears in a controlled environment."

"Fear that is overwhelming inhibits you from stepping into the unknown," Baca said.

Many businesspeople in the Hispanic chamber risked a journey to learn a new language, country and culture. He urged the assembly gathered to aim high, so that even if they fall short, progress is guaranteed.

He said he found his own calling "because the Sheriff's Department allowed me to grow ... and because I am worried.

"I am worried about this county. I'm worried about this country," he said. "There is way too much crime. There are way too many drugs."

Healing those conditions, he said, makes the case for leadership at all levels of community. Baca added that he plans for his administration to complete a new sheriff's station in Palmdale, and that he hopes to bring to fruition a peace officers' academy in Lancaster.

Chamber President Orlando J. Delgado, in passing the gavel to incoming President Mario A. Guzman, urged chamber members to shed their fears of joining the mainstream in an adopted country. By the year 2030, he said 66 million Hispanics will live in the United States.

Another speaker, Frank J. Quevedo, Southern California Edison Co. vice president for equal opportunity, lauded the small-business leaders and said businesspeople face similar problems at the small company or corporate level. In so saying, he urged conservation to help the state weather its energy crisis.

Presentation of the Amigo Award went to Lancaster businessman Lon McCracken, the Bravo Award to Past President Isaac Diaz Barcelona and the President's Award to longtime businessman and teacher Sal Martinez.

The event draws a constellation of political personalities, including state Sen. William J. "Pete" Knight, R-Palmdale; Assemblyman George Runner, R-Lancaster; Pat Sullivan for county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich; and David Foy for Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita.

Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford attended as did Mayor Pro Tem Mike Dispenza and councilmen Rick Norris and Jim Root. Mayor Frank Roberts turned out to represent Lancaster.

Also in attendance ceremonies were J. Antonio Larios Ponce and Mario Perez Zamora from the Mexican consulate in Los Angeles.

The invocation was given by Father Joseph Disparas of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

The board of directors for 2001 includes Guzman, president; Sandy Corrales, president-elect; Helen Acosta, secretary; Maria Chamberlain, immediate past president; and Orlando J. Delgado, immediate past president. Directors are Oscar Aleman, Gus Alvarado, Luis Cabrera, Gus Camacho, Jr., Rudy Camarena, Jackie Contreras, Yvonne Garcia, Miguel Gonzales, Fidel Gonzalez, Ramon Infante, Roy Ramirez, Roy R.S. Ramirez, Nicole Reynosa, Gil Rojas, Samuel Roman and Victor Vega.