New Paltz officials pay respects to sister city
By Rebecca Rotzler
Green Party of New York

With all the grueling hours and effort endured by Greens entering a political campaign, few would have imagined that one outcome could be a trip to Japan as an official duty. Yet February 2005 found New Paltz, N.Y.'s Mayor, Jason West, and myself, Deputy Mayor, venturing off to our sister city, Osa-Cho, located in the mountainous Okayama Prefecture in northwestern Japan. Traveling with a delegation, we joined Osa's elected officials in a celebration of the town's 50th anniversary and the dedication of a spectacular community center, fully equipped with a theater and, in keeping with the green theme, solar energy.

Mayor West and Deputy Mayor Rotzler join Osa Mayor Umeda beneath a sign depicting Osa's community center's solar energy system. Photo: Green Party of New York State

Osa-Cho and New Paltz have been sister cities since 1998. Although a mayor defeated by the Green victory in New Paltz established the relationship, the welcoming of the new Green leadership has been apparent in visits from Osa-Cho citizens as well as during the visit by Green elected officials to their city.

One notable detail was the fresh, healthy food served: all meals, even a truck-stop meal, came in earthenware bowls. The only disposable items were the wooden chopsticks. What a comforting experience.

Although I returned a week prior to West, I was glad that he would be speaking at the local college in the neighboring town of Nimi, where they expressed interest in hearing about the gay marriages, a very familiar topic. I would have enjoyed seeing their enthusiasm, as it must be exciting for them to see new Green ideas enacted that are close to their harmonious nature. People in Osa seemed to love the fact that we were not the typical older men making decisions for our community.

The only culture shock was in coming back to the U.S. We have plenty to strive for here.

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