Ameca and South Lake Tahoe connected by more than Sister City distinction

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A reception was held prior to Tuesday's City Council meeting, welcoming the contingent from the City of Ameca, Jalisco, Mexico prior to the signing of the official Sister City agreement between South Lake Tahoe and Ameca.

A large crowd was on hand to enjoy food, music and watch the exchanging of gifts between the cities.

"Ameca loves you guys. Anytime you want to come, you are welcome," said Ameca Municipal President Juan Valentin Serrano Jimenez (equivalent to a Mayor) through his interpreter (and sister) Gabriela Serrano. "The people from Ameca feel at home in South Lake Tahoe and we hope people from South Lake Tahoe feel at home in Ameca."

The formal signing of the agreement between SLT Mayor Laine and Municipal President Serrano was met with much excitement from those attending. Many of the local Hispanic community watched, recording the special occasion on their phones.

An estimated 60 percent of the Latino population of South Lake Tahoe has ties to Ameca. Many moved to Tahoe from there, or their relatives did. Back in the 1980s and 90s, South Lake Tahoe was referred by many as "Little Ameca," according to local educator Tere Tibbetts. She said 80-90 percent of the Latinos at Tahoe were from Ameca at that time.

Tibbetts was instrumental in bringing the two communities together as official Sister Cities. She said the new partnership will open the exchanging of cultures, food, art, costumes, traditions and a way of living and thinking.

Ameca is a community of about 60,000 people at an elevation of about 4,000 feet. In the early 16th century, Ameca was the center of the small kingdom of Ameca. This state was conquered by the Spanish in 1524.

"It's time to accept and learn other people's cultures," said Tibbetts of Ameca. "They are ready to do the same thing."

Another South Lake Tahoe resident who was instrumental in the joining of the two cities was Los Mexicanos owner Victor Mora.

"I am really, really happy," said Mora.

He and other locals who helped with the Sister City collaboration were honored by the officials from Ameca with a gift of appreciation.

The visiting dignitaries will be touring South Lake Tahoe Wednesday and visiting facilities at South Tahoe Public Utility District and South Tahoe Refuse. Clean water and recycling and refuse and concerns of theirs in Mexico.