John helped establish two new international relationships in Taiwan with Banqiao District in New Taipei City and Hualien County, expanding opportunities for cultural, educational, tourism, and community exchange.
A sister-city relationship should be more than a name on a plaque. It should be a bridge between people.
And every bridge San Gabriel builds gives the City another opportunity to learn, connect, and be recognized.
John had the honor of representing San Gabriel at the United Nations University in Tokyo and sharing the story of our city as a diverse, historic, and globally connected American community.
He also developed new friendships and connections with leaders in Yamanashi Prefecture, opening doors for future cultural, educational, medical, tourism, and economic exchanges.
San Gabriel may be a small city. But our ideas, our culture, our businesses, and our people deserve a place on the world stage.
When opportunities exist around the world, John wants San Gabriel to have a seat at the table.
International engagement should create value for our community, not unnecessary expense for our taxpayers.
John’s international travel representing and promoting San Gabriel was conducted without City funds, and the lantern displays used for our cultural programming were secured through donations rather than purchased by the City.
Those principles are not in conflict. They belong together.
John believes we can expand San Gabriel’s global presence, build meaningful relationships, and bring opportunities home while remaining responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
