30 replies to this topic

[Robert Giacometti]

I do think it's notable that the last time I read about such a visit to Italy, it was paid for out of pocket by the travelers... taxpayers did not fund the trip (rightfully so)...

I don't know what trip you are refering to, but we did send some elected officials and City manager over there and a "former" accountinfg person flat out told me the City paid for part of the trip.

[folsom500]

Somewhere on the forums of "MyCrespanoDelGrappa.it" there is a thread asking what the heck they have in common with Folsom.

Maybe some of them like Johnny Cash...

[Folsom Guy]

The initial discussion of the Sister City relationship was started by the Italians. There were Italians visiting California, and they read about an exhibit at the Folsom History Museum relative to Italian influence in the region. They visited Folsom to see the exhibit and that is when the discussion began, after they found out about Joe Murer's influence, particularly on Sutter Street. It is important to note that there are about 2,500 people, living in the Santa Barbara area that are either from Crespano, or decendants of Crespanians (I just made that word up to describe people from Crespano Del Grappa). Many of them attended the Sister City event in Italy. Crespano is a small town, in a larger region, kind of like Folsom is to the Sacramento Region. They are located in the foothills of the Dolomites, like we are to the Sierra. They have a beautiful covered, wooden bridge that crosses the river, again similar to Folsom. They are in the region where most of the Procecco and Grappa is made, kind of like we are to the foothill winery region. The population is about 2,500, and they have 17 people on their town council - kind of like this forum! So, there are more similarities than you might have thought!

It really is a beautiful town. If anyone is planning to travel to Italy, I urge you to visit. If you contact the town in advance, I assure you that you will be welcomed with open arms - Italians hug a lot!

Wonderful info...

Any scoop on Folsom's Chinese sister?

We oughta have more sisters for Folsom...in my opinion

[mylo]

Wonderful info...

Any scoop on Folsom's Chinese sister?

We oughta have more sisters for Folsom...in my opinion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiaohe

[4thgenFolsomite]

Wonderful info...

Any scoop on Folsom's Chinese sister?

We oughta have more sisters for Folsom...in my opinion

Sacramento has 9!!

[mando]

Maybe some of them like Johnny Cash...

As a matter of fact, I saw a Johnny Cash poster in Italy this past summer - I think it was in Florence. I saw Johnny Cash posters in London (or was it Paris?) as well.

I must have gotten within 20 miles of Crespano del Grappa on the train to/from Venice. The thought of seeing our sister city came to mind, but I didn't know more specifically where it was at the time. It might have made an interesting side trip.

[Bill Z]

It really is a beautiful town. If anyone is planning to travel to Italy, I urge you to visit. If you contact the town in advance, I assure you that you will be welcomed with open arms - Italians hug a lot!

No doubt, so if I go there, then for no other reason than I happen to live in Folsom, instead of being treated like just another schmuck from America, now I'll be treated as an honored guest. To me, that just seems to be so .... I don't know... wrong somehow. It's like being granted royalty status for no good reason.

[john]

No doubt, so if I go there, then for no other reason than I happen to live in Folsom, instead of being treated like just another schmuck from America, now I'll be treated as an honored guest. To me, that just seems to be so .... I don't know... wrong somehow. It's like being granted royalty status for no good reason.

now if it were in France, I'd agree with you. However I have heard that Italy in general is very appreciative of tourists.

[camay2327]

Is some of our city officials from out wonderful city of Folsom getting a free trip over to our sister city this year?

[FiscalConservative]

You know, I really don't get this whole "Sister city" thing. Who came up with the idea? My guess, Probably some travel marketing nummynut. And how does one determine why any particular foreign city should be a sister city. I bet if I went to "Crespano del Grappa", I wouldn't feel like it had that much in common with Folsom.

AGREED! It is also an excuse for local politicans to travel to their "Sister City" at the expense of the taxpayer. This may/maynot have happened in Folsom but I have seen it happen in other Cities.

[Dave Burrell]

geeze, this thread was an announcement for an inter-cultural celebration and you guys are turning it into some kind of city gov't conspiracy

[camay2327]

Information from the City of Folsom about our sister city:

Crespano del Grappa, Italy

http://www.folsom.ca...ities/italy.asp

[Robert Giacometti]

geeze, this thread was an announcement for an inter-cultural celebration and you guys are turning it into some kind of city gov't conspiracy

Every time governement gets involved in a program of any kind there is a cost. All of these costs of all these programs added together cumulatively are going to cost you & I more in taxes.

We can't continue to have Government involved in every touchy feel good program out there, unless you are willing to pay more in taxes or choose cuts in basic services somewhere.

The million dollar question is should Government be involved in these programs?

I dont see that as a conspiracy. It would be a conspiracy if someone was trying to hide the true costs of the program or the benefit they received on the tax payers dime.

If politicians mislead the public they need to go.

[Bill Z]

geeze, this thread was an announcement for an inter-cultural celebration and you guys are turning it into some kind of city gov't conspiracy

Hey now, I've said nothing about our city government in all of this. I'm only questioning the logic of having sister cities, the fact we have nine really points out to me the ludicrousity of the whole thing.

Definition of sister, close relative of the female persuasion, same parents.
Sister implies closeness in relation and proximity, 1/2 way around the world is more like 2nd cousins, twice removed best friends great great uncle.

I can feel a closeness family type relationship to my neighbors, fellow myfolsomites, but I have no close feelings to some little villa in Italy, or China, or et al.

[mando]

Hey now, I've said nothing about our city government in all of this. I'm only questioning the logic of having sister cities, the fact we have nine really points out to me the ludicrousity of the whole thing.

Definition of sister, close relative of the female persuasion, same parents.
Sister implies closeness in relation and proximity, 1/2 way around the world is more like 2nd cousins, twice removed best friends great great uncle.

I can feel a closeness family type relationship to my neighbors, fellow myfolsomites, but I have no close feelings to some little villa in Italy, or China, or et al.

I thought it was more along the lines of having a pen pal, granted there is little in the way of active cultural exchange. It has so far opened some channels of communication, and created awareness between two communities.