Each December, Sonoma’s city leaders select a new “honorary alcalde” to carry the silver-tipped cane – and carry forward Sonoma’s commitment to community service.
That tradition lives on for another year, as the City Council on Monday night picked Marcie Waldron to be the city’s alcaldessa in 2015.
“I’m humbled, honored and excited” at the news, Waldron said Wednesday from her Diamond A home.
“I’m especially excited about the cane, because I use a cane,” she joked. “Now I can add this one to my collection for a year.”
The cane – a holdover from the days of colonial Spanish rule, when a city’s alcalde, or mayor, ruled the town – is a symbol of the post and passes from one alcalde to the next. As alcaldessa, Waldron will be the figurehead at city events such as the Fourth of July parade, and will embody the city’s giving spirit, while continuing her usual tireless work for various good causes.
Among many other roles, Waldron has served as president of the Vintage House board for two years, as interim president at WillMar Family Grief & Healing Center, and on the boards of the Sonoma Community Center and Kiwanis of Sonoma Plaza.
“I just call myself a community volunteer,” she said.
Waldon has lived in Sonoma for 12 years, having moved here from Petaluma, where she worked for that city’s Chamber of Commerce. She’s made a name for herself in that time, beating out several other nominees for the 2015 post.
The city received the nominations in November, and on Monday, Mayor Dave Cook (himself newly appointed) put forth Waldron’s name for council consideration. They chose her unanimously, based on several factors including her “broad spectrum of voluntary community service to Sonoma Valley” and her “high standard of moral and ethical values,” the city announced Tuesday.
In general, community service, leadership in a local nonprofit, humility, strong values and “consistent behind-the-scenes good deeds” are the primary considerations for selecting an alcalde.
“I knew I’d been nominated; I had no idea what my chances were,” Waldron said.
Bill O’Neal, in a nomination letter sent last month to the city, said he served with Waldron on the Vintage House board for two years and called her “a champion for Sonoma’s seniors.”
“Under her board leadership, Vintage House has expanded its programs and services to be of even greater service to this critical segment of our community,” O’Neal wrote. “She is a dynamo dedicated to Sonoma. We are very lucky to have her in our community.”
Sonoma residents Jacquey and Alain Pilliat, in their nomination of Waldron, wrote, “She does not just give of her time, but her resources, boundless energy, creative ideas, and caring nature to so many projects month in and month out.”
Those projects include her “LifeStar” program, designed to raise awareness about organ donation. Waldron, herself the recipient of a double organ transplant, is an experienced jeweler who has given thousands of her hand-made star pendants to donor families. The program’s website, lifestar.info, describes her as “an inspiring motivational speaker about her transplant experience and the importance of signing up to be an organ and tissue donor.” Waldron is even planning a trip to Washington, D.C., to speak to a Congressional committee on the issue.
In the new year, she will replace 2014 alcaldessa Suzanne Brangham, who like her successor, has founded, run or dedicated her time to a variety of charitable causes, foundations, nonprofits and local businesses in Sonoma. The city will hold a reception for Waldron at a time to be determined.
Sonoma’s alcalde tradition began in 1972, when the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors named Richard Raoul Emparan, grandson of Gen. Mariano Vallejo, “City of Sonoma Alcalde.” In 1976, the Sonoma City Council took up the tradition and made August Pinelli “honorary alcalde.” From there, the unbroken line of alcaldes continues to Waldron.
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