Robert Greninger, as he speaks to the Prescott City Council, last Tuesday.

I hope the following offers clarification regarding the recent Sister City matter.

The Sister City issue and the mayor’s refusal to meet with Mr. Meléndez should be viewed separately. Personally, I do not understand the Mayor’s refusal to accept, as protocol requires, Mr. Meléndez’ credentials. I believe this unnecessarily complicates the Sister City issue.

My comments, at this week’s Council study session, were based on facts and are procedural in nature: before the Council voted on the Suchitoto Sister City issue, there needs to be an organization in place on which to apply the resolution.

If one had researched this matter, it would have become apparent that my motives and actions, around the Suchitoto Sister City affiliation, have been, and remain, supportive. But it is true; I have always suggested a formalized organization or structure be created before proceeding with the City’s endorsement of an official Sister City relationship.

Other facts: As past president of the Prescott/Caborca Sister City Association, I was among the first supporters of the Suchitoto initiative, working with Enrique Meléndez, to develop a viable Sister City program. Among other efforts, members of the Prescott/Caborca Association, planned, organized, advertised and managed the first two organizational meetings for Mr. Meléndez. From our years of Sister City experiences and successes, we offered advice and counsel to Mr. Meléndez as he attempted to move the process forward. It is a shame, the fine people of the Prescott/Caborca group have been characterized as “anti-Suchitoto.”

Personally, I have been researching the governing documents of the Prescott/Caborca Association to determine if a Prescott/Suchitoto Committee, with appropriate modifications to these decades-old documents, could operate legally under them. The City Attorney is also currently reviewing these documents and we expect his report sometime next week. If his report says it may so operate, this will preclude the completion and filing of numerous, required state and federal organizational and financial documents. This would allow creation of an umbrella organization, under which both Sister City programs could operate.

Perhaps last Wednesday’s third Suchitoto organizational meeting was the proverbial charm. With an attendance of almost 40 people (23% from the Prescott/Caborca group - all among the very first to become members of the Suchitoto program), a Prescott/Suchitoto Committee was formalized. With this achievement, it is now up to the Prescott City Council to affirm the affiliation, resolving to support the new Prescott – Suchitoto Sister City relationship.

At Thursday’s Annual Meeting of the Prescott/Caborca group, outgoing President, Ed Williams, applauded the creation of the Prescott/Suchitoto Committee and restated our organization’s support of and cooperation with the new program.

We remain committed to the ideals of Sister Cities International, established in 1956. If the citizens of the Prescott area wish to see the Sister City program in action, they are invited to attend the Welcome Reception of the Annual Arizona Sister Cities State Conference next week. Information on fees and reception specifics can be found on the website: www.prescottsistercity.org or by calling (928) 775-0044.

Robert A. Greninger, Vice President, Arizona Sister Cities State Chapter

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