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Board renews interest in France sister-city talks; new local business rep may help tie Monin connection
Summary
Clearwater's board said Oct. 22 it will revive sister-city discussions with a French city after a local change in that city's administration; members noted assistance from the Tampa Bay honorary consul and potential involvement by local company Monin.
Clearwater's Sister Cities Advisory Board on Oct. 22 considered reviving talks to establish a sister-city relationship with a city in France after a change in that city's administration. Christopher Albert told the board the new international-relations administrator in the French city had expressed interest in rekindling discussions following a prior, lukewarm response from the previous administration.
Board members unanimously signaled continued interest in pursuing a relationship. Albert also noted the city's new local business representative, Michael Brewster (absent), is chief production officer at Monin, a company established in France in 1912, and that Brewster or his company might help facilitate an economic or cultural link. Albert said he has consulted Jean-Charles Faust, the honorary consul of France in the Tampa Bay area, who has provided translation and diplomacy assistance.
Albert said the next formal step would be drafting a partnership agreement consistent with Sister Cities International guidance: specifying exchange types, frequency and participation. No formal resolution or vote was taken at the meeting; the board treated this as a planning update and expressed support for moving forward with staff drafting and outreach.
Board members suggested exploring economic, cultural and business ties and asked staff to pursue a partnership-agreement draft and to coordinate with Brewster and the honorary consul where appropriate.
