[New post] Delegation from Woodland’s Sister City returns next month
Gerardo Zavala posted: "A delegation from Woodland's Sister City – La Piedad de Michoacan, Mexico – will tour city departments, county facilities, farms, schools and attend the Yolo Farmworkers Festival next month. The Oct. 4 through Oct. 7 visit is part of the two cities' at" Daily Democrat
A delegation from Woodland's Sister City – La Piedad de Michoacan, Mexico – will tour city departments, county facilities, farms, schools and attend the Yolo Farmworkers Festival next month.
The Oct. 4 through Oct. 7 visit is part of the two cities' attempt to strengthen their relationship and celebrate the rich heritage and culture between them.
Woodland officials and leaders will hold an official welcome reception at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, followed by a noon lunch with Yolo County Supervisor Angel Barajas, a 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. tour of Yolo County facilities, and a 6 p.m. dinner at The HIVE hosted by Josh Zeldner and his family.
An itinerary for the upcoming Oct. 4 through Oct. 7 delegation visit from Woodland's Sister City, La Piedad de Michoacan, Mexico. (Courtesy)
A city staff report noted that La Piedad was named Woodland's sister city by the council in 2005 to recognize that many Woodland residents have family ties to the city.
The report noted that each delegation from La Piedad who visited Woodland toured several city, county and state agencies and programs to learn about the technology and strategies used to support public safety, education, library services, local government and clean water technology.
"Other important benefits include the donation of buses for the underserved population in La Piedad, the development of a teacher exchange program between the local university and Woodland Joint Unified School District, donation of computers and sustainable agricultural techniques developed by the University of California Davis," the report emphasized.
Recently, the two cities and other local governments have made it a priority to help develop goals and strategies to build economic opportunities and develop environmental sustainability plans through educational, governmental and business partnerships.
"The relationship was re-established last October when the City, in partnership with numerous community members and organizations, hosted a delegation of over 25 representatives from La Piedad and the region of Michoacán," the report explained. "During the delegation's stay, they were able to visit various governmental, educational, and business-related facilities offering them an opportunity to engage in a variety of topics including micro-farming and ranching, public transportation, water treatment and management, and public safety."
The report noted that the connections made during the visit led to many new relationships and outcomes, "such as the donation of up in surplus equipment from the Woodland Fire Department to the La Piedad Fire Department and an educational exchange on the topic of Slow Food with several of our local food entrepreneurs."
Councilwoman Mayra Vega applauded the work the two cities have done in re-establishing their connections.
"There's such a sense of pride when I run into folks from La Piedad," she highlighted. "Many folks that come from La Piedad often don't have an opportunity to go back for reasons of documentation or just financial capacity."
Vega stated that the symbolism of La Piedad and Woodland being sister cities "brings a little piece of their town here."
"It's really energizing to see the momentum that we have across the various stakeholders," she added.
Ramon Urbano, a Woodland's Sunrise Rotary Club member, attended the council meeting to explain how his club is trying to enrich the relationship with La Piedad to eventually create a project "that will benefit their community."
Urbano participated in a recent delegation that visited La Piedad and recounted the warm reception he and his fellow delegates received.
"I have never been so impressed," he emphasized. "When we sat down in this big room, we had a marching band, folkloric dancers, a flag unveiling and… food from the local area."
Following the reception, Urbano said they were taken to other cities in the region to meet local politicians and leaders in the community.
"The important thing is that we found out some of the needs that they have in some of these areas," he stressed. "Hopefully, that will guide us in doing some project with La Piedad."
He said he looks forward to La Piedad's visit because it will give Woodland the opportunity "not only to show them who we are, "but what it has to offer."
No comments:
Post a Comment