Mass Media Overview

Russians Arrive Today: Montclair Enjoys Long History with Sister City

28.03.2014 11:39

http://montclair.patch.com/

A delegation from Montclair's Russian sister city is arriving this afternoon.

Posted by Shelley Emling (Editor) , June 03, 2011

To celebrate the occasion, a delegation of Russians will arrive this afternoon with an eye towards boosting social, business, and government ties with Montclair even more.

The visitors include Viacheslav Pozgalev, Governor of Vologda region, Leonid Iogman, First Vice-Governor of Vologda region, Oleg Kuvshinnikov, Mayor of Cherepovets, and Vladimir Lepeshichev, Head of Governor's Secretariat, Vologda region (interpreter).

When asked about the history between Montclair and Cherepovets, Mayor Jerry Fried said that, "after the dissolution of the USSR, the city of Cherepovets was paralyzed and lacked basic medical supplies including antibiotics ... donations from Montclair helped them make it through the transition. I would not be surprised if lives were saved."

Juliana Belcsak, chair of the Cherepovets Sister City Committee, added that "the Montclair Cherepovets Committee has helped at the beginning of our relationship, with humanitarian aid, save several children by bringing them to the United States for life-saving ‘Gift of Life heart operations’ in co-sponsorship with the Montclair Rotary Club and also provided know-how training for dentists, doctors, lawyers, bankers, and Municipal workers. We have also had young people exchanges, at the Montclair High school and Lacordaire Academy. The most important part of the relationship is that we continue the people-to-people exchanges."

Fried said Thursday that he's honored to receive guests from Cherepovets.

"As you may know, Montclair was an important force in helping Cherepovets make the transition to a free market economy after the fall of the Berlin Wall and we have maintained the connection since then," he said. "I believe that one of the strengths of our community is that so many of our residents 'think globally' and 'act locally'. Our sister cities and other international initiatives help us maintain a global perspective on community life.

"We can learn a lot from both our commonalities and our differences," he said.

Councilor Cary Africk said it's wonderful the town is able to extend a welcoming hand to people throughout the world.

"And the more we can approach issues by learning other global perspectives the better off we'll all be," he said. "Jerry is perfect for this role."

According to a release sent out by the Township, "Montclair’s sister city arrangement with Cherepovets dates back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the late 80s, early 90s. The collapse of centralized government left the city’s 300,000,00 plus inhabitants with little or few mechanisms for procuring food or medicine. The Montclair-Cherepovets sister city program grew out of the need to help bring medicine and food to a region struggling to provide its people with these bare essentials. The first 12 delegates went to Cherepovets in 1990. Since then, Montclair professionals traveled to the city offering training, a number of student exchanges have also taken place, and, through the Montclair Rotary club, several Russian children received life-saving heart surgery in the US."

The Russian delegation will enjoy a wide range of activities during its visit, which lasts through June 7.

The itinerary includes the following:

On Saturday, they will enjoy a car tour around Montclair, followed by visits to the Liberty Science Center and especially its space capsule simulator, Ground Zero, and the United Nations.

On Sunday, they will walk through the Presby Iris Gardens followed by brunch at the home of Roland and Susan Straten. A tree dedication ceremony is planned with Mayor Jerry Fried in the afternoon on Sunday with music by the Montclair Community Band Quartet. In the evening, the Russsians will enjoy a formal reception hosted by the mayor and his wife with music by Passing Notes and Jazz House Kids.

On Monday, there will be business meetings with Fried, Township Manager Marc Dashield, and Montclair's police and fire chiefs "just to share city-to-city overviews and exchange ideas ... share problems and solutions," according to Township officials.

The Russians also will visit Montclair State University on Monday, where they will meet with several deans as well as President Dr. Susan Cole.

A farewell dinner will be held at the High Lawn Pavilion.

Official actions