Gretchen Hoffman
When Rosarito Beach city officials opened their new city hall last
weekend, members of the Glendale-Mexico Sister City Committee were
right alongside them to celebrate their success.
"It was the culmination of a lot of effort to have the City Hall
open," said Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian of the ninth annual trek to
Baja Mexico. "They've been conducting business without having
official city headquarters. They've been working out of individual
houses."
For the Glendale city employees who have embraced the beach town,
the annual trip is more than a vacation -- it's a learning experience
on both sides that transcends cultural differences. Rosarito
officials return the visit annually during the Montrose Christmas
parade.
Part of the relationship is about sharing information, whether
it's the nuts and bolts of running a city or the clues that reveal
a fire was set by an arsonist.
"For them, it's kind of a boost economically and as far as
information is concerned, we provide them some knowledge as far as
city administration is concerned," Manoukian said. "For me, it's a
learning process."
The Rosarito Fire Department has benefited not only from
information, but from equipment the Glendale department phases out
periodically.
"The Fire Department portion of it has always been very active,
it's getting the other parts of the community going," Glendale Fire
Capt. Ron Gulli said. "I see what they have, I see what they do, and
I see what I can find here to bring back."
Glendale gave the department a "jaws of life" tool that's used on
about 25 calls since 1997, and the department has about 600 used
uniforms and helmets waiting for shipment to Baja California. Each
visit invariably includes a training session, whether planned or
impromptu.
"What's kind of neat about it is it blends cultures together,"
Gulli said.
It's a relationship Glendale Police Officer John Gilkerson would
like to recreate between the two police departments.
"We have a tremendous resource of people that can train on things
that are common to all law enforcement agencies," he said. "I think
the trip really helped to strengthen the bond between the two
cities."
