Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus, left the island over the weekend leading a delegation to the City of Tallahassee, Florida on a fact-finding mission.
Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus will explore the possibilities of intensifying the relationship between the City of Tallahassee and the Island Territory (IT) in the areas of Economic Affairs, Sports and Health Care. The working visit is in connection with the Sister City Agreement that has existed between Tallahassee and the IT since 1999.
"In the course of the 10-years that the sister agreement has existed, the IT has primarily made use of the education possibilities in that agreement. I intend to explore the possibilities afforded to us in the agreement as it relates to economic affairs, health care and sports," Commissioner of Economic, Sports & Public Health Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Sunday.
On Monday the Commissioner and her delegations itinerary entails a meeting with the Economic Development Council; Florida House Representative Senator Alan Williams (Black Caucus); Florida House of Representatives at the Capitol Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda (economic development & policy committee); a tour of the Traffic Engineering/Security Room; a meeting with Mayor John Marks; a meeting with Eric Graham of Governor Charley Crist Office, Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Affairs/International Business Development; Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Meteorology Office.
On Tuesday the delegation will meet with Leon County Commissioners; Economic Development Council; Energy Department; and Tallahassee Medical Hospital.
On Wednesday the itinerary entails meetings with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Economic Program; Florida State University (FSU) Meteorological Center; and FSU Sports Department.
On Thursday, a number of meetings are planned with various officials from the Tallahassee Sports Council; County Commissioner Bill Proctor; City Manager Anita Favors; Chief Financial Officer State of Florida; and Disaster Preparedness Department.
On Friday Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus will also meet with St. Maarten students studying in Tallahassee and on Saturday she will be given a tour of the Local Farmers & Artist Market.
Accompanying Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus is Sector Director of Economy & Tourism Miguel De Weever and Executive Assistant Veronica Jansen.
The visit is being coordinated by St. Maarten’s Liaison Officer in the City of Tallahassee Arthur Lugisse. The St. Maarten delegation is expected back on the island March 14.