Preparations underway for Edmonds delegation’s trip to Japanese sister city
The Edmonds cups headed for Japan.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Edmonds’ Sister City relationship with Hekinan, Japan, Mayor Dave Earling and his wife Sue will head a delegation of 28 community members going to the Japanese city April 1-8.
Members of the delegation include Ron Clyborne, president of the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, who will meet with Chamber counterparts in Hekinan. Clyborne’s wife Michelle will also be going with the group, as will Sister City Commissioners Paul Anderson, Beth Fuhriman, Yoshi Inoue and Iyoko Okana.
A Feb. 21 orientation meeting will kick off the planning phase of the trip, and homestays will be allocated by the end of February so those people staying with families can begin getting to know them in a cross-cultural exchange before the visit.
Some members of the delegation are gathering gifts of Edmonds-themed goods, including cups and matching coasters purchased from Edmonds shop Manya Vee Selects. Local artist Andy Eccleshall is working on a major piece of artwork to be presented to Mayor Masanobu Negita, following the tradition of the two mayors’ exchange of gifts.
The mission of the Sister City Commission is to promote international communication and understanding through exchanges of people, ideas, and culture.
Who is paying for this trip ??
From an earlier story:
My Edmonds News: If people would like to go, but don’t feel they can afford it, are there scholarships, or shared housing, available?
Mayor Earling: Because of the Edmonds budget challenge, everyone will be paying their own way. While there are no scholarships, the housing options include staying with host families. In addition to home stays, other may stay in a hotel.
m an earlier story: