San Juan Bautista
– Mayor Priscilla Hill said meeting First Lady Laura Bush was a
surprising experience.
San Juan Bautista – Mayor Priscilla Hill said meeting First Lady Laura Bush was a surprising experience.
“When I shook hands with her, it was cold and clammy,” Hill said.
Hill recently returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., where Bush presented her with a certificate recognizing the Mission City’s designation as a “Preserve American” community.
According to a transcript of her speech, Bush said San Juan Bautista is now one of 501 communities that make historic preservation “a top priority”.
“The goals of the (Preserve America) initiative include a greater shared knowledge of our nation’s past, strengthened regional identities and pride, increased local participation in preserving our country’s cultural and natural resources, and support for the economic vitality of our communities,” she said.
The ceremony was a “tremendous” experience, Hill said, and she wasn’t bothered by Bush’s icy handshake. Hill actually found it reassuring.
“She’s human too,” Hill said.
Hill was photographed with national bigwigs like Bush and Congressman Sam Farr, D-Carmel, but she said the ceremony wasn’t just a chance to smile and shake hands. Leaders from new Preserve America communities had a chance to speak to program representatives about applying for grants, Hill said.
“There are an awful lot of opportunities out there for us,” she said.
Preserve America awarded $2.6 million in grants at the July 12 ceremony, ranging from $20,000 for a town in New York State to create a tourism plan and $100,000 for a number of projects, including a wayfinding system, in an Alaskan city, according to a Preserve America press release.
Hill said grant money could be spent restoring the Rozas House, built in 1856.
“That’s the first thing that went through my mind,” she said. “I would like to see us try (to apply) in December.”
The City Council voted Tuesday to reimburse Hill for around $600 of travel expenses, said City Manager Jan McClintock. Hill said she and her husband took a short vacation while in the capital, but she only accepted reimbursement for the plane ticket and lodging before the ceremony.
