For 19 years the lusodescendente Zachery Ramos wants to be the youngest 'mayor' of the USA. Is the candidate in Gustine, California.
Zachery Ramos still remembers the first time he ate a pastel de nata. Was surprised the part burnt. But the father insisted and now eats five whenever you see them. Candidate for mayor of Gustine, in California, if he is elected the lusodescendente 19 years old will be the youngest president of the Chamber of the United States. The support of the Portuguese community was instrumental in his campaign, he says, stressing that if at the start people are skeptical of his lack of experience, after talking about their ideas to develop the city voters to change their ideas.
If you win the elections for the presidency of the Chamber of Gustine will be the mayor the youngest of America. How to deal with size and responsibility ?
I'm dealing with it one day at a time. Sometimes it can be a little overwhelming when I'm on the campaign trail to speak with voters or a meeting with local businessmen and farmers to discuss what they want for their city. What is best about this is to prove to the residents that yes, I may be young, but I can work hard to take care of our parks or to get more support for veterans. One day a lady came up to me after a rally and told me that she was concerned with my lack of experience and my age, suggesting that I should have-I applied the first councillor. But after hearing me speak, invited me to dinner and to get to know other people about what I did and what I plan to do for our city rather than to discuss subjects that other people want to discuss.
Because you have decided to get involved in politics?
I decided to involve myself because I wanted to make a difference for my community and knew that this was a way to do it.
What the politicians who most inspire you?
The politicians who most inspire me are John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, the marquis de Lafayette, Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. Just to give some examples. I know that is a group of people very diverse, but each one is impressive in a particular way.
His father is Portuguese. The support of the community is important in your campaign?
Yes, my father and all my paternal family are Portuguese. My grandfather brought the woman, the my father and brothers to America to start a better life and give their children the chance of having a brighter future here in the USA. My grandfather and my great grandfather were both military in Portugal this is one of the reasons why my heart is with the military, both in Portugal as in the USA. In Gustine the Portuguese community is very affectionate once that all know and if you know it is better to be prepared for you and asked them to go to their home and eat sausage and bread. I knew that the support of the Portuguese community was essential in Gustine and we have been working in this direction. I was supported by the California Portuguese American Coalition, an association of political lusodescendentes of California working together to find solutions to the problems of the community.
The Zachery does not speak Portuguese, but up to that point were important family traditions in your childhood?
Yes, I don't speak Portuguese but the family on my father's side always speaks when we gather together. I love the Portuguese traditions and ate a lot of Portuguese food when I was a child. When it comes to the holiday season, I swear shoutout & tell five pounds only to eat custard tarts. The first time I ate one, nor wanted to taste it because it looked like burnt on top, but my father insisted and now, whenever I see an event, I can't help but eat about five.
Knows Portugal?
I know the Azores. My father and my grandfather came from Sao Jorge, and still have land on the island, which I plan to visit. I met the prime minister António Costa when he was in California and I talked to him about my candidacy for mayor. He smiled and told me that it was very nice to see a young lusodescendente engage in american politics. Keep me abreast of the big events in Portugal, and I have many friends who travel often to the Azores. After the elections I plan to go to Portugal and visit the family that still living there.
Source: www.dn.pt/mundo