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by Wiliam
Marshak, Publisher
Tri-City Voice
January 24, 2006
 Some
numbers naturally lend themselves to what
can be termed singular moments in time.
Since we learn to count by 10's, it is not
surprising that the beginning and end of
decades or combinations thereof bring
special recognition. In our area, cities are
celebrating their 50th year and these
anniversaries hold great significance for
us. Other towns and cities in this country
and abroad might snicker at our exuberance
of attaining the milestone of a mere 50
years; they mark celebrations in hundreds of
years. However, there is something to be
said for the brash young kid on the block
with the energy of youth and a "can-do"
attitude to go with it. Maybe a good portion
of that energy is wasted on thoughts and
deeds leading to dead ends and remarks of "I
told you so," but there are also many new
ideas and actions that represent marked and
positive change as well.
Celebrate Fremont, a citizens organization,
hosted a kickoff event of Fremont's 50th
birthday bash the other night with a
sky-high level of excitement and energy that
was gratifying to see. The Gala Committee,
headed by Fran Stone and Maria Rogers with
committee members Joan Lopez, Shirl
Oliphant, Karen Sandeen, Ric Serianni, Marie
Smith, Kim Stoermer and Linda Wasserman is
to be congratulated on a brilliant event.
This bash was, in a way, a coming out party
for Fremont, done with panache. It is
unfortunate that the cost was so high that
many who have a significant role in this
year-long celebration were priced out of it
(a free kick-off is scheduled for Monday,
January 23rd), but the atmosphere was
definitely upbeat and those attending exuded
a positive sense of place and self. By that
I mean Fremont is beginning to believe in
itself. With that attitude, petty bickering
with neighboring cities has no place and
wasteful studies that serve to delay and
create bureaucratic blinders and blunders
should become passŽ. Am I wearing
rose-colored glasses? No, but I can see hope
and energy from the grassroots of our
community.
The first step in any recovery or growth
process is a firm belief in your abilities.
Too often, our community has been
characterized by its own citizens as just "a
bedroom community" that serves little
purpose other than sleeping quarters.
Development of anything other than
utilitarian shops and markets has been
dismissed as a pipedream by some. Some city
officials, even those who ostensibly plan to
create a healthy and vibrant Fremont, travel
many miles from other communities, stop by
for the day to work their shift and then
scurry back to their home city to spend our
tax dollars. In the past, even some elected
officials have voiced the opinion that if
they need to shop, their gaze moves beyond
Tri-City boundaries.
It is my belief that this community can and
will flex its collective muscles to become a
powerhouse of the Bay Area. This is not a
matter of "if" but "when." Given effective
and bold leadership, "Celebrate Fremont" has
demonstrated that citizens are ready,
willing and able to make it so. With the
vision, passion and energy of many of those
in our community, change is coming and we
are lucky enough to be in the middle of it.
Happy Birthday Fremont!
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