Visiting Canadian mayor impressed with sister city

The city mayor of New Westminster, British Columbia in Canada said yesterday he was impressed with the positive attitude and hospitality exhibited by the residents of Quezon City, which he and a 24-man delegation are currently visiting.

"The city is big, busy and clean with nice and happy people. Everything here is positive, everything," Mayor Wayne Wright told reporters after the unveiling of a friendship marker to symbolize the renewal of the sisterhood ties between Quezon City and the city of New Westminster, the former capital city of British Columbia.

Wright along with Constable Chief Lorne Zapotichny, Fire Chief Carl Nerstad and several businessmen paid a courtesy call to Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to renew the ties forged in 1991.

He said most of residents in New Westminster have roots in the Philippines.

"There are many Filipinos in my city, and the Filipinos are my support people. I worked with them for nine years before I became the mayor," Wright said.

Belmonte led city officials, including Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, members of the city council, city department heads and employees, in welcoming the New Westminster delegation during yesterday’s flagraising ceremony at City Hall.

Belmonte said the visit is part of the "nurturing process" that will strengthen the ties between the two city governments.

"It is not enough to simply sign documents. Sisterhood ties also require nurturing," the mayor said.

After the unveiling of the city sisterhood totem pole, officials proceeded to the City Hall grounds for a tree-planting ceremony.

The New Westminster chief of constables, a position equivalent to a district director of the Philippine National Police met with his counterpart in the Central Police District while the fire chief also met with Quezon City fire officials.

Belmonte hosted a breakfast for the visiting officials; lunch was hosted by the city council while dinner was sponsored by the Quezon City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCCI).

Nathan Zulueta, QCCCI president, said he would meet with his counterpart during the dinner to discuss possible business ventures with the New Westminster business community.