September 19, 2006 > The Impossible Dream

by Arathi Satish

The Fremont Main Library will host the final program in the history series celebrating the Fremont's 50th anniversary.  This series of events that have been held every third Wednesday of the month throughout the year, highlighted local history and growth.

In the final program will present two of Fremont's founding fathers, Don Dillon and Jack Parry who will speak on "The Impossible Dream."  They will explain how five little townships came together to govern themselves, launching the new city of Fremont one minute after midnight on Jan. 23, 1956.

The speakers were instrumental in the formation of Fremont, both of them served the city council including serving as mayor.  Jack Parry, was chairman of the first Planning Commission.  Dillon moved to the area in1954, founding Four Winds Growers Nursery and became involved in the movement for a new city.  They have deep community roots and will share their rich personal stories of the city's birth.

Angela Yang, Main Library manager, is very enthusiastic about hosting the forthcoming event and says, "We are so fortunate to have these two wonderful gentlemen to share their stories with us.  Their vision, courage, and guts made Fremont a beautiful place for generations to live and enjoy.  We are honored that they will wrap up a fantastic series of local history lectures."

As Robert Coop, Fremont's first city manager pointed out, "Never in history did five individual towns unite as they did in Fremont, never did such an area take on self-government at one fell swoop; and never did an effort toward municipality mean so much to its citizenry as it did here."

For those who would like to learn more about "The Impossible Dream," call (510) 745-1401.

Copies of Don Dillon's DVD "The Impossible Dream: The First 25 Years" will be available for sale at the program.

The Impossible Dream
Wednesday, Sept. 20
7 - 9 p.m.
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 745-1401