It’s official! Pleasanton has a Sister City - Tulancingo, Hidalgo, Mexico.

It all began in December of 1982 when Bob Athenour and Steve Noble met to discuss the feasibility of a Sister City Program for Pleasanton.

Steve had the knowledge and exposure to a Sister City through his involvement with a Hayward program, while Bob had a strong desire to see Pleasanton have a Sister City of its own.

A committee was formed from representatives of local service clubs, and the search for a Sister City was on!

Tulancingo was selected because of its proximity to Pleasanton, making visitations and travel both easier and relatively economical.

Tulancingo is located in Mexico in the state of Hidalgo.  Situated in a valley 50 miles north of Mexico City.  Tulancingo occupies an area roughly the size of Pleasanton.  Its population is approximately 80,000 and textiles and cattle are the major industries.

Like Pleasanton, Tulancingo is proud of its history. The city boasts about the numerous ruins of Indian civilizations and is home to a towering cathedral dating from colonial times.

Tulancingo is a modern city, but not a tourist town. It has numerous impressive homes, stores, banks, a gravel pit, cheese factory and a jail.

Most important, according to Bob, are the people. They are extremely warm, hospitable and very enthusiastic about the Sister City Program.

During a visit to Mexico City, Bob stumbled upon Tulancingo. When he arrived in Tulancingo, he was directed to the office of Joel Marroquin, outgoing president of the Chamber of Commerce.  Marroquin was very interested in joining the Sister City Program with Pleasanton. The idea stirred much favorable support in both cities.

On March 31, 1984 the Pleasanton City Council offically proclaimed Tulancingo and Pleasanton Sister Cities.

Activity has already begun to stimulate local interest in the program.

A steering committee consisting of Bob Athenour, Steve Noble, Mike Parsons, Frank Capilla, Bill Lenson, Corine Maurides, Carolyn Cordinalli, Beverly Shepherd, Bob Grimes, Rusty Hewitson and Rick Clegior, recently had an introduction to the Sister City Program at a reception held at City Hall.  Approximatley 60 persons were in attendance at the first public event.

Memberships at $5 per person are now being sold to support the nonprofit organization. The funds from this membership drive will help support a bi-monthly newsletter to keep all informed of pertinent activity on the program.

Future plans are underway to begin an exchange of cultural ideas, sports, visits and more.

An official committee will be taking a trip to Tulancingo on August 7, for a four day visit.

Tulancingo officials are trying to plan a visit to Pleasanton during Pleasanton Heritage Days celebration in September.

Further information or questions on the program may be directed to Bob Athenour at 846-3597 or Steve Noble at 846-5900 or by writing to Pleasanton Sister City Committee, PO Box 5283, Pleasanton, CA 94566.

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: May 21, 1984 Pathways.