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Clearwater board sets Nov. 13 deadline as Nagano delegation weighing travel for 60th anniversary
Summary
ClearwaterSister Cities Advisory Board discussed the uncertain status of a reciprocal visit from Nagano for the cities' 60th anniversary, noting quarantine requirements, possible alternate dates and a Nov. 13 deadline for Naganos decision.
Clearwater's Sister Cities Advisory Board said Oct. 22 that Nagano, Japan, has expressed "cautious interest" in sending a delegation for the cities' 60th anniversary but that travel remains uncertain because of the coronavirus pandemic. Christopher Albert, city staff, told the board Nagano officials are evaluating travel and would need to quarantine for two weeks on return to Japan, and the two cities set a Nov. 13 deadline for Nagano's decision.
The deadline was presented as a practical cut-off: the board said preparations for a delegation require time and significant effort and that anything much past Nov. 13 would make organizing a reciprocal exchange difficult. Albert said Clearwater and Nagano are also considering alternate schedules, including an outgoing trip to Japan in October 2021 and a potential incoming delegation in February 2022, or postponing until the 65th anniversary in 2025 if travel remains infeasible.
Board members voiced a preference to attempt a near-term exchange rather than postpone. Board member Katie Parks said she would be "disappointed" if the board waited until 2025 and favored trying for a 2021 or early-2022 visit if travel is safe. Other members expressed similar views, calling for keeping exchanges active while acknowledging uncertainty.
Albert said Nagano will hold an evaluation meeting with its mayor and that both cities recognize the added complexity of planning during the pandemic. No formal motion or vote was recorded on travel; the board treated the item as an update and planning discussion and asked staff to report back after Nagano's decision.
The meeting was conducted by videoconference under the governor's COVID-19 executive-order provisions; commentators noted the logistical limits on international travel and public-health precautions.
Looking ahead, the board said it will monitor Nagano's decision, keep members informed, and revisit dates and logistics at future meetings if the delegation declines the February window.
