Tacoma delegation welcomed to George

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Acting Executive Mayor, Charlotte Clarke, officially welcomed delegates from George’s Sister City, Tacoma in the United States, at a gala dinner at Pine Lodge on Saturday evening.

Clarke welcomed the Mayor of Tacoma City and all 23 delegates from different spheres of the City. Clarke said the sister city working relationship has matured over the years and that George anticipates it reaching new levels and heights.

“This partnership not only serves as a platform to set new strategic objectives to prepare and propel the individual cities to heights not even thought about. Partnerships are crucial to move and reach beyond barriers… to accomplish objectives and to face the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution and digitisation.”

Clarke thanked the organising committee for spearheading this visit and optimising its potential.

Mayor Victoria Woodards said she had the most amazing welcoming at the airport with the South Cape choir singing and dancing. She said George is Tacoma’s fifth sister city that they are visiting.

They have been to Japan, South Korea, Croatia, Ukraine. Woodards, who use to be a choir director before she became Mayor, said “I don’t care where I go after this or where I have been before this, nothing can compare to the welcoming you gave us today. I will forever remember it.. my heart is so full.”

I am a Christian and I talk and walk in my faith. I have to believe 23 years ago when a resident of Tacoma walked into the real estate office of Past Debbie Bruce and started the sister commitment between the Cities, it was not by accident it was God ordained.

We are here because there is work to do for us together. She said with everything that is so divisive, we all, all over the world, still want good schools for our children, good jobs and for everyone to be successful.

This is an opportunity to not only want it but to do it. George Councillors, officials, local business people, clergy and more joined the delegation on Saturday at the dinner.

George Councillors, officials, local business people, clergy and more joined the delegation on Saturday at the dinner.

The delegation was part of different outreaches throughout George over the past few days.

In the photo are in front from left sitting, Past. Debbie Bruce, Cllr Liza Stroebel, Cllr Charlotte Clarke, Acting Executive Mayor of George, Mayor Victoria Woodards of Tacoma, Keith Blocker, Deputy Mayor of Tacoma and Melannie Cunningham, Chair Tacoma-George Sister City Committee, Tacoma, Washington. At the back are more members of the delegation, councillors and locals.

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