EDITOR,

The 2009 Tracy Sister City Youth Exchange visit to Memuro, in Hokkaido, Japan, has been put on hold. The Tracy delegation had planned to depart for Japan on May 6. However, on May 1, we received notification that Memuro would be unable to receive our delegation at the scheduled time.

Because of the swine flu outbreak and resultant directives from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Memuro officials sent notification that if our students went to Japan, they would be unable to visit the schools or participate in the tours that had been planned. Therefore, Memuro officials decided it would be in the best interests of all concerned to postpone this visit.

Nonetheless, Memuro’s superintendent of education gave assurances that if the swine flu situation abates, he would try to reschedule the visit. Coordination will continue over the coming weeks to determine whether alternate dates for the visit can be arranged.

If it becomes necessary to cancel the youth exchange visit for this year, the Sister City Association will offer those students who were selected to participate in this year’s program the opportunity to participate in the 2010 Youth Exchange visit to Memuro.

Bob Elliott, president, Tracy Sister City Association, Tracy