Sarasota became involved in the sister cities program in the early 60's when a group of local businessmen organized the Association for the purpose of involving Sarasota businesses in possible ventures in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The organization numbered some 200 members and was headed by such community leaders as Dallas Dort, David Lindsay, Jr., Mayor Elmer Berkel, David Cohen and Mayor Fred Soto. Support from the newspaper and the Chamber of Commerce was strong. Student and other cultural exchanges took place. Wells Purmont came on board as President in the 1970's and continued to hold the Association together. After the Dominican Republic government encountered a political overthrow, contact with the country ceased.
Later, in 1990, Julio Claret took the reins as President with the encouragement of then Mayor Lou Ann Palmer. Visits from delegations headed by sitting Mayors took place, and a supply of medical equipment, an ambulance, and a fire truck were donated to Santo Domingo. More recently, used school and county equipment was donated. Shortly afterwards, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, was added as another sister city. Hamilton was chosen because it was involved in the Jason Project with Mote Marine, and because the Mayor of Hamilton was a frequent visitor to Sarasota. A high school baseball team visited, and a game was held at Ed Smith Stadium, which was a big success.
It was supported by the community and publicized by the print and TV media. Delegations have gone back and forth between the cities. In 1991, the Sarasota Ballet performed in Hamilton with much fanfare, and a Senior Follies group from Hamilton performed at the Van Wezel. Hamilton is anxious to establish more ties wherever possible and seems to be a good opportunity for trade exchanges.
Delegations were exchanged and a group of young, adult dancers visited Sarasota in April 1994, performing on the Opera House stage. A delegation from Sarasota earlier had visited Vladimir, and Vladimir did participate in the 1997 children's art exchange. A patient from Vladimir came to Sarasota for an important operation.
Perpignan, France, became a sister city in 1993, due to the interest in Sarasota of having a tie to a French city because of the French Film Festival. Perpignan is also the birthplace of Cafe of the Arts owner, Alain Taulere. Although the Film Festival has been discontinued, there are possibilities of other business opportunities for us as business interests in Perpignan are very interested in exploring business exchanges. We have just finished our second successful high school student exchange between the two cities, and are planning for next year.
Tel Mond, Israel, was selected in 1996 as a sister city due largely to a strong desire expressed by the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation. The Federation has been involved in the growth of Tel Mond, and has built with the help of local citizens, a library and sports complex. Other financial and cultural investments have evolved from the Federation, and several synagogues have also helped financially, including a college student summer camp counselor project this past summer. In addition, the Federation has helped with grants in support of the recent successful elementary school art exchange with five sister cities, the John and Mable Ringling Museum and the Sarasota School System.
The Association has the support of many citizens, various local organizations, and the City of Sarasota which has authorized the Sister Cities Association some budgetary funds for the purpose of promoting Sarasota.
Much has been accomplished, and we now would like to work with the business community to determine how mutual efforts can assist both the Association and businesses to further their goals.
Hope Byrnes, President, 1993
Sister Cities International Statistics as of Year-end 1996
US Cities in Program.... 1088 Foreign Cities....1770
US States.... 50
Total Affiliations.... 1937 Foreign countries.... 122
SARASOTA SISTER CITIES ASSOCIATION
1/8/98
It is a pleasure to have an opportunity to speak to you on one of the volunteer activities which is very much a part of my life in Sarasota, the Sister Cities Association. It is a part of the International Sister Cities program which began in 1958 under the direction of President Eisenhower. The purpose is to promote understanding, and to exchange ideas on education, trade and culture on a people to people level. Currently there are over 1800 sister city relationships in the United States.
Sarasota became involved in the sister cities program in 1963 with one sister city, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Since then, we have established ties to four other cities. All of our five sister cities have participated in exciting projects jointly with such institutions as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Mote Marine, and the Florida Studio Theater
The City of Sarasota sponsors the Association, both with limited funds and in kind services, to assist promotion of tourism and business ventures when it is of direct financial benefit to our City. We act as facilitators, and depend on dues from volunteer members and support from all levels of the community.
Recently we had a number of visiting dignitaries from our five sister cities including the Mayor of Hamilton, Ontario; civic leaders and a ballroom dance group from Vladimir, Russia; two City Commissioners from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Perpignan, France; a student from Tel Mond, Israel, teaching at a summer camp; a Mote Marine intern from Santo Domingo; and a talented choir from Hamilton.
In March, a 23 member delegation from Sarasota headed by Mayor Gene Pillot will tour Israel, and make a formal visit to Tel Mond, our newest city. We will have an opportunity to visit with the Israeli people, have supper in their homes and make new friends. This summer, four Sarasota college students and teachers again will visit Tel Mond to teach in a summer camp for youngsters and experience life in Israel.
In April, ten high school students from Perpignan will visit. In July, ten Sarasota high school students will visit Perpignan. An adult group from Perpignan will visit Sarasota this summer to explore additional avenues for contact. In September, an official delegation will visit Perpignan to attend the International Photographic Festival with the possibility of actually extending the festival to Sarasota in the future. In our future cultural and educational projects we want to build on our success to date by giving greater attention to possible business ventures between Sarasota and our Sister cities.
Sarasota Sister Cities Association is an exciting organization because of its diverse interests and members who represent many different walks of life in Sarasota. In a way, it is a "no holds barred' association. We can do just about anything we wish, if only we are willing to accomplish it.
Thank you for letting me tell you about our association; one of the many which makes our area so special.
Hope Byrnes
Voice/Diction
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המועצה המקומית תל-מונד THE MUNICIPALITY OF TEL-MOND
CODE 40600 T17• FAX. 09-7961163.029 TEL. 09-7961801.20
January 5, 2000
Mrs. Hope Byrnes President Sarasota Sister Cities Association Sarasota, FL
Dear Hope,
I would like to thank you for your extensive work throughout the last few years for enhancing the relationship between Sarasota and Tel Mond. Your dedication to twin Sarasota with cities from around the world for the mutual benefit of everyone involved has proven remarkably successful.
For us in Tel Mond, your intensive involvement as President of the Sarasota Sister Cities Association in bringing Tel Mond to be part of the activities and projects of your association is genuinely appreciated by all the residents of Tel Mond. As the Mayor of Tel Mond, I was impressed by your commitment and untiring efforts to make Tel Mond's first official visit to Sarasota a success.
On behalf of all the residents of Tel Mond, I personally thank you for all your efforts, and assure you that this is only the beginning of a wonderful partnership between the city of Sarasota and Tel Mond.
Warm regards,
Shlomo Ratzabi Mayor
