The Kings County Water District Board of directors is looking for a new member to replace Joe Freitas, who died Dec. 21. He was 78.

An application period for the vacant District 4 seat, which covers south of Lacey Boulevard and west of 11th Avenue in Hanford, will be open until Feb. 2. A map of the district’s boundaries can be found here.

To qualify, a person must be 21 or older, a resident of the district and a U.S. citizen. A resume or a statement of interest may be submitted to the district for consideration.

The board will review the applicants and appoint a candidate at its Feb. 5 meeting. The appointee will need to run for the new term during the general election Nov. 3.

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A Hanford native, Freitas was the owner of Freitas Farms Inc., an agricultural and land leveling company. He served on the district board for about 30 years. Over the last year, Freitas attended most of the district’s meetings via conference call due to illness.

Freitas received a Purple Heart for his service during the Vietnam War in 1967-69. He was also a member of the 68th Assault Helicopter Company named the Mustangs.

He is survived by two sons, a daughter and six grandchildren.

Services for Freitas were held on Jan. 7 in Hanford followed by the burial service in Armona.

About the Reporter

Monserrat Solis covers Kings County water issues for SJV Water through the California Local News Fellowship Initiative.

About SJV Water

SJV Water is an independent, nonprofit news site covering water in the San Joaquin Valley, www.sjvwater.org. Email us at sjvwater@sjvwater.org