Local Alcatraz swimmer honored by Los Banos council
A 9-year-old Los Banos swimming phenom was honored by the City Council this week for his swim from San Francisco to Alcatraz and back.
The swim, completed on June 14, may earn James Savage the Guinness world record for the youngest to accomplish the feat. His mother, Jillian Savage, said the record was still pending confirmation.
“James Savage woke up at 2 a.m. to make the drive to San Francisco,” Mayor Mike Villalta said. “He was confident yet nervous, excited yet scared, and did not want to disappoint anyone, especially himself.”
Villalta told James he couldn’t disappoint anyone accomplishing such a feat.
James’ swim gained national attention as he attempted to become the youngest person to perform a “touch-and-go” swim to Alcatraz. An 8-year-old accomplished swimming around Alcatraz and back almost a decade ago, but that swim was not verified by Guinness World Records.
When Villalta asked James what his next goal was, James said he wants to swim the length of the Golden Gate Bridge.
City business
The City Council on Wednesday approved the annual local transportation fund claim to be filed with the Merced County Association of Governments. That claim is for $389,623.
The city also approved a professional services agreement with CSG Consultants Inc. for municipal code enforcement services from the community development block grant fund.
Liquor licenses were approved for the 99 Cent Store at 1209 W. Pacheco Blvd. and the planned fuel station on the northwest corner of Ward Road.
The City Council tabled a measure to include inserts with information about the city’s new garage sale regulations into the city’s utility bills to the Sept. 7 meeting.
This story was originally published July 12, 2016 at 2:27 PM with the headline "Local Alcatraz swimmer honored by Los Banos council."