Looking south from West Valley

Bravo for West Valley City and its leaders. Rather than stew and wring their hands about the influx of Hispanic immigrants to their town, they are taking measures to get out in front of the issue and steer it to their best advantage.

They are learning about their new residents by exploring their roots.

Playing host to a delegation from Veracruz, Mexico, in May was the first step. The Mexicans brought along a gigantic Olmec head as a gift. The city responded with fireworks and a gala.

Now, Mayor Dennis Nordfelt, city manager Paul Isaac and Utah Cultural Center executive director Ross Olsen have returned the favor. The trio spent last week in Veracruz and environs — quite likely listening to marimba music, enjoying the sea and looking for ways to build a sturdy bridge back to West Valley City.

The master plan is to create a "sister city" relationship with Veracruz.

It is an excellent plan.

Unlike the fun-in-the-sun beach towns on the Pacific side, the state of Veracruz is on the Gulf of Mexico. The sea there is a sailor's and fisherman's sea. And the old town — famous in textbooks as the site where Hernan Cortez docked his ships — is friendly and stable. It's not flashy, but it is forward-looking. The famous parish church anchors the main plaza in Veracruz City. Church bells chime, couples stroll. It's a sea-salt, salt-of-the-earth city.

It makes a good match for West Valley City.

We urge other forward-looking Utah towns that are seeing new faces from the south to follow suit. Utah is changing. The Hispanic culture is expanding and putting down stakes. Resenting the changes is unproductive. Thinking to reverse the trend is simply folly.

What is called for is understanding and vision. The future of Utah will be shaped by people willing to think big and think ahead.

West Valley leaders have grasped the vision.

Perhaps more than any other Utah area, West Valley City has the prospect of being home to a wide variety of races, cultures, histories and dreams. Already the city is a rich, spicy stew of tastes and attitudes. Making them blend together is a task. It is also a must.

With their Veracruz gambit, the city's leaders are proving themselves to be master chefs.