Gilroy
– They are family. So sister cities should enjoy a relationship
with Gilroy worthy of such a title, which Mayor Al Pinheiro and a
group of volunteers are hoping to support by forming a non-profit
and endowment fund.
By Lori Stuenkel
Gilroy – They are family. So sister cities should enjoy a relationship with Gilroy worthy of such a title, which Mayor Al Pinheiro and a group of volunteers are hoping to support by forming a non-profit and endowment fund.
The Gilroy Sister City Association met Tuesday night to create by-laws for the newly forming group, which currently consists of 11 interim steering committee members.
“In the past, even though we’ve had different sister cities and visitors from Takko-Machi and Italy and Tecate, it’s never been a really structured group that would assist in putting together the welcoming of these sister city folks, as well as (organizing) when we have somebody go and visit them,” said Pinheiro, chair of the committee.
The association will foster sister city relations, and fund and arrange student exchanges between the cities, Pinheiro said. He also wants to promote all of Gilroy’s sister cities: His hometown of Angra do HeroÃsmo, Portugal; Monticelli d’Ongina, Italy; Saint Clar, France; Takko-Machi, Japan; Tecate, Mexico; and Koror, Palau – the location of the new Survivor season that airs next week.
Cities form sisterhoods that usually are tailored to their own interests, to strengthen partnerships between the U.S. and other countries. Sister Cities International promotes peace through respect, understanding and cooperation.
As the group legally establishes the non-profit corporation, Gilroy residents will get their first chance to contribute to sister city relations next Saturday, Feb. 19.
A $25 ticket donation will open the door to all sister cities, through an International Buffet Dinner and Auction featuring foods from each city. Pinheiro said the event should bring in at least $5,000, including proceeds from an auction of various items, including a half-page ad in The Gilroy Dispatch.
Tickets to the dinner and auction, which will be held at the Portuguese Hall at 7pm, can be purchased at Pinheiro Insurance Agency, 190 First St., 842-4619, or through other association members, including Dave Peoples and Elaine Bonino.
Pinheiro and the association are already planning gatherings between Gilroy and her sister cities, the first at this July’s Garlic Festival. Pinheiro said he wants mayors from each of the cities to come visit Gilroy’s world-famous festival, which has never before happened. And, a “Sister City Row” with representatives from Gilroy’s counterparts from around the globe could eventually sister-up with Gourmet Alley. It won’t feature international fare this year, only people, but perhaps it will by 2006, Pinheiro said.
Also in 2006, students with the Suzuki Violin Program at Antonio Del Buono are planning a trip to Angra, in the Azores, which the association would help organize.
Pinheiro said he decided to form a sister city non-profit after seeing a Sister Cities International presentation at a League of Cities conference.
“It’s always just been individuals that have done it. The whole idea is to have a group that would work in welcoming these visitors, as well as have something pre-set when we send someone to those cities,” Pinheiro said.
