John Debit, a representative of the Muscatine Sister Cities Association, told the Muscatine City Council on Jan. 9 that the volunteer group continued exchanges and community activities in 2024 and is preparing to add a new sister city relationship. “Our mission as Muscatine's sister cities is to offer the people of Muscatine and of similar nations opportunities to get acquainted, to understand one another,” Debit said, summarizing the association's purpose.

The association reported it now maintains relationships with nine cities in eight countries and is working to formalize a relationship with a tenth city, identified in the presentation as a city in Liberia. Debit said the group currently holds a “friendship” agreement with the Liberian city and is seeking an official sister-city agreement the mayor would sign when the Liberian mayor visits Muscatine.

Nut graf: The presentation framed the Sister Cities Association's work as volunteer-driven cultural exchange and local support for newly arrived families, and it asked the city to continue recognized cooperation on formal agreements and to maintain a small “Friendship Park” the association uses for displays.

Debit highlighted events and programs from 2024: welcoming Ukrainian families resettling in Muscatine; celebrating Chinese New Year at a local hotel; hosting visiting delegations from sister cities; sending US$1,000 in Easter assistance via the Greek Orthodox Church in Ramallah to needy families; and continuing an annual bell-ringing event with Ichikawa Misato, Japan, to commemorate Nagasaki and Hiroshima. He noted the association maintains displays at local institutions and that board members are coordinating an incoming visit of 16 students from a sister-city delegation later in January.

The association thanked Muscatine City for providing and maintaining a small park used for sister city displays and asked council members to attend the group's annual dinner. The group presented a framed item to the mayor and council and requested a chance for a group photograph.

Council members offered supportive remarks from the dais. Mayor Brad Bark and City Administrator Morrison were present during the presentation. Council member Peggy Gordon, who also serves on the association board, was introduced by Debit as one of the organization’s local board representatives.

Ending: The presentation concluded without a formal motion or vote. Debit invited council members and the public to the association's monthly board meetings and its annual dinner; the association said meetings are typically the first Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Musser Public Library board room.