Changing of the Guard

This influential Roseville couple is headed in different directions. While Placer County Superior Court Judge James Garbolino is ready to retire in a month, his wife Gina could be headed for the most challenging two years of her life.The two had at least one thing in common Tuesday afternoon. Gina was sworn in as mayor of Roseville. Presiding over the ceremony was her husband, wearing his traditional robe, of course."He actually asked to swear me in," said Garbolino, who swaps places with Rocky Rockholm, who is now the mayor pro-tem.The Garbolinos have come a long way together since meeting nearly 40 years ago over a game of bridge at the University of San Francisco. They were married in 1966 and moved to Roseville in 1969 after James passed the bar exam.The Garbolino family has strong ties to Roseville, arriving here in 1906. Gina, 60, says her husband made it clear from the beginning that Roseville was where he wanted to settle. "There was no doubt about it, the minute I met him, that we would be Rosevillians," she said. Thirty-five years later, they're still here, and the golden years are keeping them happily on the move. Although a busy couple professionally, they love to travel, and recently visited Italy, Ireland, England and Japan. The Garbolinos have two daughters, Gayle, 34, who lives in Roseville, and Tracey, 32, who resides in Albany. There are also four grandchildren.While Judge Garbolino is headed into retirement in Janaury, Gina, vice-president of the Roseville Bank of Commerce, is ready to hit the ground running as the city's mayor.Appointed to city council in 2001, she has been readily involved in the Roseville community, serving on everything from the Parks and Recreation commission (1985-1996) to the Chamber of Commerce (president in 1997), to three terms as president of the Placer County Association of Retarded Citizens.During her re-election to city council in 2002, Garbolino got the most votes, which enabled her to succeed Rockholm as mayor for the last half of her four-year term."I don't think I ever actually intended to get into politics," Garbolino explained. But by getting involved with the community on various boards and organizations, she was urged by several friends and her husband to apply for the opening on the council in 2001. Born in the Netherlands, she had quite a different upbringing than her husband.FYIGina GarbolinoAge: 60Occupation: Vice president of the Roseville Bank of CommerceCommunity service: City council person since 2001; Parks and Recreation commission; Chamber of Commerce (president in 1997); Placer County Association of Retarded Citizens (president three terms)Family: Husband, James, Placer County Superior Court Judge; daughters, Gayle, 34, Tracey, 32 "My parents had wanted to go to America for many years. They had lived through two wars," she said. After a five-year waiting period, the family was granted a visa and were bound for the states and Detroit in 1955, then moved to San Francisco four years later."My father and mother really wanted us to live the American dream, and I think they did. I think it was tough for them, though," Garbolino said. "My mother originally was a model and a dress designer in her youth. They owned a very high-end clothing boutique. I was raised with nannies, but that ended pretty fast when we were in the U.S."Put one foot in front of the other and good things will happen, she says. She'll use that same philosophy as mayor to help Roseville continue growing smart."Roseville has always done well because we've looked ahead," Garbolino said. "We need to keep the heart of our community, and I'd like to continue with the efforts on Riverside and Old Town. (It's) so the residents who have kids go away to college have a reason for their children to come home."Claudia Gamar, who served two terms as Roseville mayor, says the added duties of the position are considerable. The spotlight increases when you move to the center council seat."As the mayor, you are the one who's asked to do things," Gamar said. "Obviously, it can be challenging. It can be very gratifying. But it's also a lot of responsibilities. "I think Rocky's been a great mayor, and I think Gina's going to do great, too."The new mayor described herself as an avid reader with eclectic tastes. She has a respect for the expertise that comes with experience, too, and isn't afraid to solicit the advice of others."There are people whom I respect, and I'll call and ask their opinion on something, just to get a different point of view," she said. Garbolino is a registered Democrat - a rarity in this Republican stronghold -but says she's thinking in terms of the city first. Roseville will have to make more use of its infill areas to add housing, she says, and will need to address the issue of where its ultimate western boundary will be drawn."I've liked what we've become and I've liked some of the things that have happened," she said. "My devotion and my commitment are to Roseville."Jason Probst can be reached at jasonp@goldcountrymedia.com