From Judy Gilleland

The Middletown/Furukawa/Osaki Sister City has recently marked its Twentieth Year anniversary. We have also recently experienced a change in leadership, as Marilyn Adams has retired as President of the Sister City Project. Judy Thorn has been named as the new president. The Sister City project remains strongly committed to the mission and purpose; which is to foster peace, understanding and education through cultural exchange and to deepen the ties of friendship between our two cities. They have requested that I pass along to City Council the following proposal for your consideration and approval:

“As the Sister City project we propose a gift to the city to commemorate the Twentieth Anniversary as the Sister City to Furukawa/Osaki City, Japan. The said gift to be a large rock with a plaque to be placed on the grounds of the City Building at the west end between the City Building and South Main Street. All the details and requirements to be resolved by Sister City Project at a later date. Please note: the large rock has been chosen because it is consistent with the Japanese tradition of beautifying with rocks of various sizes and shapes to honor people and notable occasions.” I think this is a wonderful gesture; we will proceed if there are no objections from council by next Tuesday, March 1.