Talbott Embarks On Romanian Tour Visit Will Explore Possibility Of Becoming Sister City With Braila

Sat., Nov. 7, 1998

By Kathy Mulady kathymu@spokesman.com

Spokane Mayor John Talbott is on his way to Romania with a group of citizens to explore the possibility of becoming a sister city with Braila.

He is working with the International Assistance Program, an organization of mostly Spokane business owners who help other countries with economic development.

Talbott, who left Friday, will meet with the mayor of Braila to exchange ideas about communities and commerce. Talbott said he’s taking the trip on his own time, with private money.

The mayor will be gone for about a week.

Spokane has four sister cities: Jiling, China; Nishinomiya, Japan; Limerick, Ireland; and Lubeck, Germany.

Romania was under communist rule until about 10 years ago, and its influence lingers.

The International Assistance Program has been working with the Romanian city for about five years.

Maurice Gress, owner of a dental laboratory in Spokane, recently spent two weeks in Romania in connection with the program.

Gress was struck by the bleakness of Braila.

He said roads need repair and public transportation is archaic.

The population of Braila is about the same as Spokane’s. The average family income is about $120 a month. Most businesses are related to textiles and carpet manufacturing.

The land is flat and fertile, especially good for farming, Gress said.

Washington farmers volunteered a year ago to help start a 450-acre seed farm in Braila. Others, noting outdated medical conditions, collected equipment, furniture and cash to remodel a city building into a medical clinic.

“I met with young people in a dental school and they are very optimistic in regards to their future,” Gress said.

“I think there is a lot we can do for Braila, in coming alongside them and lifting them up,” he said.

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