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St. Pete Mayor To Lead Cultural Exchange Delegation to Japan

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By CARLOS MONCADA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 27, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Mayor Rick Baker will lead a delegation to Takamatsu, Japan, tomorrow as part of a continuing cultural exchange between the sister cities that spans more than four decades.

But unlike previous trips, this one will not be made at taxpayer expense, a sign of the austere times local governments face.

Instead, the trip by Baker and three other delegates and family members will be financed with personal money and private donations.

"I'm paying for my trip and my family's trip," said Baker, despite being allocated $6,500 this year for traveling on city business.

The delegation includes Baker, city Councilman Jim Kennedy, St. Petersburg College Associate Vice President Catherine Crist Kennedy and St. Petersburg marketing Director Beth Herendeen as well as spouses, siblings and children.

"It's always been used in past trips," Baker said of tax money. "But I just think we have tight budget times right now and I just chose not to do it."

Herendeen said her expenses are being paid for by a private donor who has asked to remain anonymous. Donations also are paying for the gifts that will be presented by the delegation, Baker said.

St. Petersburg has had a sister city relationship with Takamatsu since 1961. Takamatsu, a coastal city on the Inland Sea, and St. Petersburg share similar climates, drought conditions and elderly populations.

Former St. Petersburg mayors Dave Fischer, Bob Ulrich and Corrine Freeman have visited Takamatsu, which sent a delegation to St. Petersburg last year.

Baker, whose term ends in January 2010, has yet to make the trip since first taking office in 2001.

"Primarily it's a cultural exchange," Baker said. "There's been an ongoing exchange of educational and cultural groups between the two cities, and this is a way of continuing that."

The delegation will visit with newly elected Takamatsu Mayor Onishi and present him with an official gift, a glass bowl of carvings of St. Petersburg imagery created by a local artist.

The delegates also will met with local officials and investigate innovative technologies to improve energy and water conservation.

Catherine Kennedy, a sister of Gov. Charlie Crist, plans to visit two Japanese universities to forge possible partnerships.

In Hiroshima, Baker will present hand-made paper cranes created by St. Petersburg students at the peace Memorial.

The delegation will return on July 8.

Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at (727) 451-2333 or cmoncada@tampatrib.com.

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