Honorable Mayor Combs and Esteemed Council Members:
Kindly provide an update on the SISTER CITY program. As you know, the City of Menlo Park SIGNED AGREEMENTS with four international cities which outlined DUTIES AND RESPONSIBITIES, the greatest of which is the universal feelings of FRIENDSHIP. What does FRIENDSHIP mean? For many, this comes down to CARING, not necessarily in just a fun, social and celebratory way, but also in times of hardship, such as knowing how each other is doing during the current pandemic. Do any of these four cities need our help? Do we need assistance from any of the four cities? If we do nothing, the program goes dormant and apathy sets in. Instead, the opportunity, in deed, the responsibility to connect and communicate helps form a path that only FRIENDSHIP can define.
With ST. PATRICK'S DAY approximately a week away reminds us of the special bond with GALWAY, IRELAND, where a district within the city known as MENLO PAK helped to establish this city in the mid-1800's. Over the years, the MAYOR of Galway, Ireland has visited here. With Covid, this will likely not happen in 2021, yet, letting them know we are thinking of them and wishing them well is something for you, as leaders of our community, can consider. In times of stress and challenge, reaching out and expressing FRIENDSHIP may mean the WORLD to them.
In the meantime, the City was involved in the establishment of a 501(c)3 non-profit organization to continue the good work of the Menlo Park Sister City Committee. Please provide an UPDATE to the community. Thank you.
