NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 26, 2000

IRISH DELEGATION VISITS CARY FOR POSSIBLE SISTER CITY CONNECTION

CARY, NC – The Town of Cary plays host this week to an official Irish delegation who are coming to evaluate Cary as a potential Sister City. Arriving late this evening, County Meath’s Chairman, County Manager, and Secretary will visit Cary and select Triangle hotspots through July 1^st. County Meath is located in eastern Ireland, just north of Dublin; the county seat is Navan, a town of over 30,000 outside Dublin. Sister Cities programs focus on cultural exchange, economic development, government, education, and athletics.

Cary currently has two Sister Cities: Le Touquet, France, adopted in October of 1992 and Hsinchu City, Taiwan, adopted in March 1993. Unfortunately, distance and language barriers have restricted the growth in these relationships that we’d like to see. So, a goal of the new commission has been to pursue cities or counties that are more easily accessible, both in terms of travel and language.

"The folks involved with Cary’s Sister Cities program are a wonderfully diverse group, working very hard to renew and revitalize this enriching and meaningful program," said Cary Mayor Pro Tem Jack Smith. Smith, Cary’s longest-serving current Council member, has worked closely with the program for nearly a decade.

The Town of Cary does not budget money for Sister Cities; rather, funding is sought through the private sector, primarily from the Association’s membership dues, fundraising events, and corporate donations.

Details on the Irish delegation visit as well as Cary’s existing Sister Cities are available in WHAT’S NEW on the Town’s website, www.townofcary.org.

###