Morgan Hill and Seferihisar have many similarities
Published in the August 6 – 19, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Tunç Soyer
George Guglielmo meets Seferihisar Mayor Tunc Soyer last month when Soyer visited Morgan Hill.
Photo courtesy Bernie Mulligan
As the mayor of the Turkish city of Seferihisar, I made a two-day visit early in July to Morgan Hill. Last year, thanks to the partnership of people in both communities, Seferihisar and Morgan Hill developed a friendship relationship across the seas by officially becoming Sister Cities.
My short trip was not only my first visit to Morgan Hill but also to the United States. I found that Morgan Hill is a young, clean and prosperous city. Officials and staff of the municipal government sincerely work to serve the essential needs of the citizens. The Community and Cultural Center with its spacious open amphitheater plaza, the Aquatics Center, and the Centennial Recreation Center and the Senior Center are good examples of the dedication that Morgan Hill has toward creating a high quality of life for its residents. I enjoyed learning about the “buy fresh, buy local” fruit-selling market for Santa Clara County produce, too. I may say that I was impressed by the high quality of living standards that the people in Morgan Hill enjoy.
Even though they are thousands of miles apart on different continents, Seferihisar and Morgan Hill have many similarities. They are both situated at the same climate zone, enjoying warm coastal region weather throughout the year. The two cities also enjoy the riches of similar and beautiful natural environments. The soil of the earth presents nearly the same agricultural products to its people. The people’s hospitality also seems to be similar in both cities. Citizens in both communities tend to welcome people very warmly and are friendly when they meet. The main difference that I observed might be the difference between the life standards of the two peoples. From my observations during my July trip, it seems Morgan Hill uses the potentials of its nature and the county better than Seferihisar.
As our Sister City relationship develops over the years, I would like to encourage citizens from both communities to learn more about each other and build the bonds of friendship. Perhaps children in the schools of both Morgan Hill and Seferihisar can correspond with each other and grow an interest to eventually visit the other respective country.
I encourage Morgan Hill residents to consider visiting Turkey on their vacation travels and explore Seferihisar and the natural and archaeological wonders of the Izmir Province on the west coast of our country bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Seferihisar is an Ionian town with historic roots that go back to 500 B.C., and visitors from Morgan Hill will no doubt enjoy viewing the ruins of Teos, the ancient city that was one of the 12 cities that formed the Ionian League. That ancient confederation of “Sister Cities” was created to encourage peaceful relationships between once-warring people. I believe that Morgan Hill people visiting Seferihisar will return to California with beautiful memories from their trip to Turkey.
One proposal I made to Mayor Steve Tate and several of my hosts during my trip was the idea of holding a soccer tournament to build a more dynamic international relationship between the various Sister Cities. Through our young people playing in competitive sports matches, we can promote the bonds of friendship and mutual respect in the next generation of citizens from all our respective countries. Perhaps Seferihisar could serve as the first city to host these games. While visiting Turkey, the young people can also explore the richness of our biodiversity created by nature. They can discover as well the human dimensions of Turkey’s history through the arts, entertainment, culture and commerce. Human communities becomes richer as they meet with different cultures and traditions. Youngsters who tend to be more progressive are especially ready to tolerate and respect different people. This Sister City soccer tournament will let those youngsters meet each other and find their common grounds to improve their friendship. Music, dance and sports are the best instruments to create better and deeper relations.
The similarities and differences between our towns will inspire our people to create better communities. The relationship between Seferihisar and Morgan Hill should sustain and create mutual benefits and contribute to the development of their towns.
Best regards to you and to all friends in Morgan Hill.
Tunç Soyer is the mayor of Seferihisar.
