Martinez City Council says goodbye to its ‘greatest ambassador,’ Noralea Gipner

For someone who served but one four-year term on the Martinez City Council, Noralea Gipner got an outsized outpouring of love as she departed the council this past week.

“You had an amazing four-year term of service to the city — it boggles my mind,” said Martinez Councilwoman Lara DeLaney, who with other council members credited her with leading the campaign for the city’s 2018 Measure X half-cent sales tax; for helping bring a second baseball team, the Martinez Mackerel, even if the COVID-19 pandemic stopped the team from playing; and her work to help the homeless obtain services ranging from showers and clothing to long-term places to live.