The city’s like a sister to us
On behalf of the Castlegar-Embetsu Educational Exchange Committee (CEEEC) volunteers, I would like to send this letter of support for the City Council’s decision to send three representatives to Castlegar’s Japanese Sister City, Embetsu.
Embetsu is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its Youth Exchange Program with Castlegar along with the opening of its new Fire Hall. In 2008, Castlegar hosted Mayor Kawashima and other Embetsu dignitaries as part of the City Hall’s grand opening celebration. Embetsu has been anxious to return the hospitality by hosting Castlegar City’s first adult delegation in 20 years. In addition, Embetsu has generously offered to pay all expenses of the delegation while in Embetsu.
In 1989, representatives of the City of Castlegar and Selkirk College visited Embetsu to sign a Sister City agreement. More than 130 Japanese adults and students have visited Castlegar because of this worthwhile initiative. The decision of the City of Castlegar to send an official delegation to Embetsu will help strengthen this relationship further.
The youth of Castlegar have benefitted from our ties with Embetsu. The Student Exchanges and educational activities have been directly supported by a $200,000 grant from Mr. Shikano of Embetsu. Forty-five Castlegar students have had their travel costs partially subsidized from the interest earned on this grant allowing them to stay with Japanese families and travel for two weeks in Japan. This July, five more Castlegar students will be experiencing the fascinating Japanese culture. As a teacher, it is clear to me that the value of this trip is immeasurable and can be life-changing.
Sadly, Mr. Shikano passed away in 2009, but his legacy of fostering international exchanges and cooperation between our two cities continues.
-Curt Kutschera,
CEEEC Chair,
Castlegar
Weighing in on duty-free issue
I would like to respond to the article “Duty free hikes criticized locally.”
Firstly, the increase in duty-free limits was brought about because Canadian merchants have not reduced the prices of their goods, in spite of the high Canadian dollar.
Secondly, if all working people had the salaries, perks and bonuses of our MPs and MLAs they probably wouldn’t shop across the line and would do their shopping locally.
I personally do very little shopping in the U.S. but I understand why families would like to get the best value for their hard-earned dollars.
Helga Dawson
Castlegar
