In Friday’s Peninsula News Review was an announcement that Sidney’s sister city, Niimi Japan requires two assistant English language teachers. Really, this has little to do with sister cities. For years, Japan has asked for English assistance in their schools.
So far as sister cities are concerned, except for Anacortes, they are a drain on taxpayers’ pocketbooks. I remember our past mayor in the Town Talk magazine. He stated that a visit to Niimi and the town’s planned trip of councillors and staff would cost nothing to taxpayers. What he failed to say was the reciprocating visit by the Japanese delegation would cost taxpayers a bundle.
Sister cities are a huge burden on taxpayers, and except for Anacortes, should be eliminated.
Joan Dear
Sidney