Thursday, Jul. 31, 2008

Larne seeds starting to sprout

By Editorial

Enquirer Herald

York County will promote its business ties and trade opportunities with Northern Ireland next week in an event that broadens its relationship with Larne, Northern Ireland. Local businesses will learn about ways to import or export goods and even work with their European counterparts to develop or adapt new products.

The meeting, organized by the York County Economic Development Board, should open some eyes about the positive things that can come out of the Sister Cities/ Counties agreement with our friends overseas.

In 2007, Clover and Larne became sister cities. York County also became sister counties with Northern Ireland's County Antrim, which includes Larne. But unfortunately, a few questionable decisions have tainted the relationship.

We recently learned the Larne Borough Council was questioned in its audit about a trip to South Carolina in 2006. According to the audit made available to the Enquirer-Herald by the Larne Times, the committee said its rationale for the 10-day trip was for "varied knowledge." The audit said more extensive consideration should have been made, including "the size and composition of the delegation and the projected costs, together with a review of the benefits to be gained assessed against projected costs."

In a nutshell, the Larne leaders apparently didn't do their homework before taking the trip. Sound familiar?

A trip to Larne on the public dime by two former York County Councilmen and the former county manager threw a cloud over the sistership last year. The group spent about $3,500 on hotels, meals, ground transportation and other expenses. Like the Larne delegation, these travelers had a hard time explaining the specific benefits of the trip. The fact that they were lame-ducks didn't help.

But there are so many other elements to this relationship.

Sister cities is a global partnership that includes cultural, economic and educational aspects. It fosters an understanding of different cultures. It links schools, businesses and churches in York County to schools, businesses and churches in Larne.

We're confident next week's meeting is a step in the right direction.

The breakfast meeting is from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Aug. 8 at Rock Hill's Baxter Hood Center. RSVP by Friday by e-mailing Teresa.Curtice@Yorkcountygov.com.