June 28, 2006
PRESS RELEASE
Glendale Ghapan Sister City Association
CONTACT: Ani Asatryan
(818) 618-1299
[email protected]
or
aniasatryan@a ol.com
GLENDALE RECEIVES MAYOR FROM GHAPAN SISTER CITY
Armen Karapetyan to Visit City Sites Including New Police Building
GLENDALE – Mayor Armen Karapetyan from Ghapan, Armenia arrived in
Glendale on Tuesday for his 15-day reciprocal visit to the sister city
for a cultural exchange of ideas and to familiarize himself with the
city’s infrastructure.
Karapetyan is touring the city under the auspices of the Glendale
Ghapan Sister City Association (GGSCA) formed in 2002 after a
resolution passed in City Council officially named Ghapan Glendale’s
sister city.
"We are very enthusiastic about the Mayor’s visit. It was a privilege
to visit Ghapan in 2003 and we are eager to show him our city," said
Artin Manoukian, President of GGSCA.
Karapetyan’s itinerary includes several stops to various city
departments which started with a tour of City Hall and the Police
Department Wednesday followed by tours of the power plant, Central
Library, Parks and Recreations, Public Works, and Fire Station 21 on
Thursday and Friday.
"We are thrilled to see the fruits of our labor and the mission of the
GGSCA – to foster goodwill and to help cultivate economic cooperation
and cultural exchanges between the two cities – come alive today with
the visiting mayor of Ghapan," said Pierre Chraghchian, Armenian
National Committee of Glendale member whose organization was
instrumental in establishing formal ties between the two cities.
While noting that Ghapan had made positive strides since the collapse
of the Soviet Union, Mayor Karapetyan intimated there is much to be
gained from his visit to Glendale. "I’d like to familiarize myself
with how this well oiled machine – the City of Glendale–is managed,"
said Mayor Karapetyan. "I would like to compare Glendale’s
infrastructure to that of Ghapan’s and hopefully implement change that
would enhance the services of our city," continued the visiting mayor.
Kareptyan is accompanied by council advisor Avedik Hampartsumyan and
hopes to visit and personally thank several businesses that sponsored
the GGSCA projects throughout the years.
Karapetyan will also be present at the City Council meeting on July 5
for a special presentation to the city for its Centennial Anniversary.
"It is rewarding to have both cities grasp an understanding of the
other with this visit," said Manoukian. "This can only lead to
stronger ties, better cooperation, and bigger projects between the two
cities in the future."
The GGSCA has sponsored several gift drives and delivered thousands in
hospital supplies to the city already. It is currently working on a
hospital revitalization project as well as preschool sponsorship
projects.
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GGSCA is a non-profit organization that aims to foster goodwill and
understanding through cultural, educational, economic cooperation
between the people of Glendale and Ghapan. The GGSCA was established
through the joint effort of the Armenian National Committee of
Glendale, the City of Glendale, and the City of Ghapan, to help
cultivate economic cooperation and cultural exchanges between the two
cities. Glendale City Council passed a resolution recognizing Ghapan
as a Sister City in December of 2002. GGSCA has identified three areas
of focus in Ghapan: schools, healthcare and community
infrastructure. For more information or to contribute to GGSCA, please
contact (818) 828-8882 or email at [email protected]