MORGAN HILL and AMECA
Proclaimed as Sister Cities in 2019
Morgan Hill Delegates to Ameca:
John Kelley, Sister City vice-president (and wife Bonni)
John McKay, Morgan Hill City Councilmember and Rotarian
Yvonne Martinez-Beltran, Morgan Hill City Councilmember
Peter Anderson, Sister City committee member and Rotarian
Steve Betando, MHUSD Superintendent and Rotarian
Tony Eulo, Program Administrator, City of Morgan Hill,
President of the Morgan Hill Kiwanis Club
Don Larkin, Morgan Hill City Attorney and Rotarian
Mario Banuelos, community volunteer and Rotarian
David Allen, Rotarian (and wife Lesley Allen)
Left: John Kelley with Ameca Mayor Juan Valentin Serrano Jimenez
Below: San Nicolas School, Ameca
genre that originated in nearby Cocula. Later, at a former
hospital turned museum we witnessed a reenactment of the
Mexican Revolution and the Cristero War of the late 1920s.
The structure is still riddled with bullet holes—echoes
of history.
In the runup to Independence Day celebrations, the
charros (cowboys) came out to demonstrate their renowned
horsemanship in rodeos and parades. At one point, riders
maneuvered their horses in a choreographed sequence to
music played by a mariachi band.
Ameca’s central plaza featured impressive architecture
including the city hall and a cathedral. We had front row
seats for a traditional ceremony during which the old
Mexican flag was respectfully burned and replaced with
a new one.
That night the America City Council met, introduced us
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
as their guests, and honored the Sister City
designation and commitment. We were
treated to wonderful food prepared by the
council members’ families, and escorted to
the City Plaza where we were surrounded
by plainclothes security—this rural com-
munity is proactive about public safety for
its citizens and visitors. We learned that the
crowd’s enthusiasm was directed at Mexico’s
new president, Andres Manuel Lopez
Obrador, who has given his people hope of
a government free of corruption.
We stood on the second floor balcony as Ameca’s Mayor,
Juan Valentin Serrano Jimenez, repeated the cry “Viva la
Mexico” at the close of the reenactment of El Grito de
Dolores (The Cry of Dolores). That was followed by the cer-
emonial ringing of the bell and fireworks in the plaza. The
pride and enthusiasm of the Ameca delegation was obvious.
While preparating to leave the next morning, memories
of the visit washed over me. The Amecans’ incredible hos-
pitality (mention that you might want something and it will
magically appear), the sense of how our resources at home
could help this city with so little of its own, the friends we
made, and the affinity we now feel for a community we
didn’t know just days before.
I know I’m not alone among our group of Morgan Hill
delegates who wish to one day return to Ameca. There is a
need there, and our hope is to help meet that need.
WINTER 2020
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