Rome – Next NY Mayor’s Italian Roots Town Cheers

Rome – The southern Italian town of Bill de Blasio’s maternal grandfather is cheering his landslide victory in New York City’s mayoral election and inviting him to receive honorary citizenship in a ceremony.

Carmine Valentino, mayor of Sant’Agata de’ Goti, says he hopes he’ll see de Blasio soon in the Apennine mountain town of some 11,000. The New York mayor-elect traces his grandfather’s roots to the town, which is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) northeast of Naples.

Townspeople early Wednesday followed the election coverage from New York on a big TV screen and popped open a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate. American flags studded the town, and de Blasio campaign banners hung from balconies and were plastered on storefronts.