When former Santa Cruz County Supervisor Greg Caput was serving in the 4th District seat, one of his goals was to bring more county services to Watsonville.
It was fitting, then, when several county officials gathered in the new South County Government Center on Thursday to officially cut the ribbon on a community room bearing Caput’s name.
“He was always a very strong advocate for Watsonville,” said County Executive Officer Carlos Palacios, who praised Caput for the respect he earned during his years on the Watsonville City Council and on the Board of Supervisors.
“I think there are three things you always brought to your job,” Palacios said. “You were always ethical. You were always conscious of doing the right thing and being fair.”
Palacios also noted Caput’s compassion.
“You were always especially compassionate to the most vulnerable and the most needy in the community,” he said.
Caput retired from the board in 2022 after 12 years. Before that, he served on the City Council from 2006-2010.
When he retired, Caput left his constituents with two big parting gifts: an ambitious plans for a massive park near the County Fairgrounds and the purchase of the old West Marine Building that now houses the government center.
During his tenure, Caput also volunteered countless hours on a long list of other boards, committees and regional agencies, including the Environmental Health Appeals Commission, the Highway 1 Construction Authority, the Santa Cruz County Mental Health Advisory Board and the Santa Cruz County Workforce Development Board.
