Alameda mayor: Greetings from the Island’s sister city of Varazze, Italy

I’m writing this month’s article from Varazze, Italy, Alameda’s picturesque sister city on northern Italy’s Mediterranean coast. I’m here with 16 members and affiliates of Alameda’s Sister City Association, many from the Ratto, Perata and Ferro families whose grandparents and great-grandparents came to America from Varazze at the turn of the last century, in search of a better life.

They followed others from their region to Bay Farm Island in Alameda where they worked as farmers or for a local scavenger company, assisted one another, sent money back to their families in Italy, married, raised families, educated their children, started businesses, bought homes, helped build a church (St. Philip Neri) and more. They also never forgot their roots. Our visit formally commemorated the establishment of the sister city relationship between our two cities, and included participation in the festive and moving two-day-long celebration of Varazze’s patron saint, Santa Caterina, of Siena.

We have enjoyed the warm hospitality of Varazze’s residents and public officials, the beauty of this region and the delicious food. I have had the pleasure of spending time with Varazze’s Mayor Luigi Pierfederici, who turns 40 this year and has already served 20 years in elected office!

Through an interpreter I asked Mayor Luigi and his council colleagues what motivated them to run for office. Their replies contained a common thread: “I wanted to get things done for my city,” which included revitalizing the town square and building a new fire station — both of which are underway.

My Italian counterparts’ responses reminded me of an article written by Natalie Arroyo, an inspiring young Humboldt County supervisor I recently met. Like Mayor Luigi, Natalie also turns 40 this year. She was elected to the Eureka City Council at the age of 30, becoming the youngest woman and first Latina to serve on that City Council and is Humboldt County’s first Latina supervisor.

“I didn’t set out to be first in anything,” Natalie says. “I just wanted our public decisions to include a mix of perspectives … because we expect our boards, councils, commissions and other decision-making bodies to reflect the true face of our communities and represent our ever-changing demographics. That’s what representative government is.”

I agree with Natalie and want to encourage Alameda residents to consider serving on a city board or commission. I also want to thank all those who have recently submitted applications and perhaps been interviewed to fill previous openings. I read every application and am always impressed by the backgrounds and qualifications of our residents and your eagerness to serve our community. We have upcoming openings on the boards and commissions listed below.

The Civil Service Board ensures that Alameda complies with the civil service ordinance requiring that appointments are based on merit and qualification. The board established the civil service rules governing recruitment, classification, performance evaluation, leaves of absence and disciplinary appeals.

Over the next two years, the board will oversee updates to the city’s more than 200 job classification specifications, including compliance with the city’s new plan to comply with the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Historical Advisory Board  preserves and protects Alameda’s historical resources by reviewing and providing input on development applications that could impact these resources. Recently, this board helped shape the city’s objective design review standards to facilitate housing construction while ensuring that new development preserves nearby historic resources.

This year, Historical Advisory Board members expect to weigh in on balancing development progress at Alameda Point with protecting significant historic elements in this area. Please note that you must be a registered architect to apply for this position.

The primary goal of the city of Alameda’s Housing Authority is to provide quality, affordable and safe housing for low-income families, households, seniors and veterans on the Island. Its governing body is the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, which includes two tenant members. Upcoming topics this board will address include new construction at the North Housing site, creating incentives to encourage more landlords to offer Section 8 leases and drafting a new city strategic plan.

The Public Art Commission helps enrich Alameda’s quality of life. The commission developed the Public Art Master Plan that was adopted by the City Council and supports numerous cultural events and programs through grant awards, in collaboration with city staff and the city’s public art consultant.

Over the next year, the commission will award cultural arts and arts programming grants, design and issue a request for proposals for physical art and evaluate on-site public art proposals. To submit an online application for the commission or one of the boards mentioned above, visit alamedaca.gov/application. More information is available from the City Clerk’s office at clerk@alamedaca.gov or 510-747-4800.

Celebrate your heritage! Share your time and talent with your city! Be “Alameda Strong!”

Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda.