The planting of a German oak tree in a small parkette in the south of Belleville stands as the symbol of a half-century-long relationship between the City of Belleville and the City of Lahr Germany.
A delegation from Lahr has been in the city and region for the past few days and the visit came to an end Sunday in Driscoll Parkette on South Front Street with a formal ceremony.
Mayor Mitch Panciuk (right) and Oberburgermeister Markus Ibert pose in front of a plaque, garden, and wooden bridge structure at Driscoll Parkette on South Front Street. (Photo: Quinte News)
Not only will the oak tree be a lasting symbol of the twin-city relationship, a wooden structure in the form of a bridge, stands behind it along with a flower garden. The garden was designed by people in Lahr.
The bridge stands as a physical reminder of the link between the two communities, thousands of kilometres apart, and Lahr’s Oberburgermeister Markus Ibert said the tree will stand as a reminder of a deep and growing relationship.
Mayor Mitch Panciuk paid tribute to “the long line of mayors and councils” that have kept the city’s relationship with Lahr going and growing for the past 50 years. He pointed to former Councillor Jacquie Denyes in the audience for her involvement in the “Friendship Flights” during her 15 years on council.
Engraved stone at base of newly planted German Oak tree. (Photo: Quinte News)
Both Ibert and German Consul General to Canada Thomas Schultze stressed the importance of democracies coming closer and supporting each other in the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine.
“Without peace there is nothing. We need to stand together for freedom of thought and peace,” said the Oberburgermeister.
Both cities hope a business relationship will develop in future years. Panciuk said the delegation was very impressed with what Loyalist College has to offer and talks will begin on exchanging both college and high school students, along with municipal staff to learn from each other.
“It’s the exchange of ideas and the developing of relationships that will attract new business in both directions,” said Panciuk.
“While I don’t know of any Belleville or Quinte businesses in Lahr and area now, we learned a lot about what they have to offer this week, and if our businesses open in Lahr they will have access to the entire European market. And for German business coming our way they will have great access to the Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa markets along with the U.S.”
Panciuk added that an exciting announcement about a German company opening in Belleville’s northeast industrial park is expected in August.
Meanwhile Oberburgermeister Ibert said that a business leader and former president of south Germany’s Chamber of Commerce Dr. Steffen Auer was part of the Lahr delegation.
“He knows business, he is an expert and is very well known and has many contacts. I know he’ll bring his knowledge inside our partnership.”
The City of Lahr has formally invited a delegation from Belleville to visit sometime next year. Details have yet to be worked out.
