By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

CENTRAL FALLS — Not only did the June 11 visit of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez to the city go off without a hitch, but it was reportedly one of the most enjoyable stops on his East Coast itinerary.

With that in mind, the Consulate de Colombia en Boston on Tuesday presented formal letters of thanks to key city officials for their teamwork in making the presidential visit so successful.
Alexander Parmenidez, coordinator of the volunteers involved in the visit, presented letters to Mayor Charles Moreau, City Councilwoman Eunice Delahoz, Police Chief Col. Joseph Moran and Deputy Fire Chief Gerard Dion at City Hall.
Also given a thank-you letter was Monica Cortez, dance director of the Colombian American Cultural Society. She was praised for her role in arranging the dance performances by local youngsters that entertained Uribe Velez during his appearance.
“On behalf of the Boston Consulate, thank-you for all of the cooperative efforts that Central Falls provided to the president of Colombia,” said Parmenidiz. “Your help was invaluable to make this event happen successfully,” he continued, reading from the letter.
Parmenidiz added that Uribe Velez had later commented that, out of similar stops he had made in Boston and New York on his recent U.S. trip, “Central Falls was the nicest.”
Hundreds of people filled the gymnasium of Central Falls High School to see the Colombian president, and dozens more gathered across the street. Later, city officials hosted a reception for Uribe Velez at the El Paisa restaurant on Dexter Street.
Mayor Charles Moreau thanked Parmenidiz, saying that he had been “happy to accommodate” the Consulate and the Colombian president. The mayor said it was “A very proud day for Central Falls,” noting that the city has a large Colombian population.
Moreau credited the city’s police and fire departments as well, saying that providing security and crowd control was a sophisticated operation that involved Secret Service Agents from both the U.S. and Colombia, along with local public safety personnel.
Delahoz, noting her own Colombian heritage, served as the local liaison for the presidential visit and said it was a memorable event for her as well.