Politics & Government
Plymouth Selectmen Determined to Help Sister City Shichigahama
An existing relationship between the two town's Rotary Clubs will funnel relieve directly to Shichigahama.
"I just finally have a little hope," Margie Burgess told Selectmen Tuesday night.
The School Committee member and long-time chairman of the Sister City committee had learned earlier in the day about vast physical destruction in Shichigahama, Japan, but apparently little loss of life. The mayor and assistant mayor have survived the earthquake and tsunami and have taken charge of getting food, water and shelter to the town's 21,000 inhabitants.
"The best thing today is, we found they have leadership," Burgess said. "I just hope the people of Plymouth will come forth to help."
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Plymouth said yes, establishing a fund through the Rotary Club to help its sister city rebuild.
Selectman Dicky Quintal, who has visited Shichigahama and engaged with exchange visitors here, was first to give the new fund a check. School Superintendent Gary Maestas turned over unspent money in the fund that supports the annual exchange of students between the two towns.
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Selectmen cancelled their regular meeting next Tuesday night. Nancy Richard of PACTV confirmed the meeting is the most watched show. In its place, Selectmen, PACTV and the Rotary will present a live telethon to raise money for Shichigahama relief. The Rotary's recent annual auction on PACTV has all the infrastructure in place.
"We will help in any way we can," Richard told the board.
"We're ready and willing," selectman Mat Muratore said. Selectmen will delay regular business answer the telethon phones next Tuesday night.
"They truly love this town," Karen Beuchs said of the people of Shichigahama. Her daughter Kim McDonough established the Facebook page "Updates on Plymouth's Sister City Shichigahama, "to help people locate friends in Shichigahama. "They would do anything for us. They're wonderful people and have tremendous courage."
Ric Cone offered the Trask Museum on North Street for a reception of the latest delegation from Shichigahama last summer.
"It really has touched my life," he said. "I would do anything I could do for them."
The telethon is tentatively scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday night.
