Dear Students and Family of the 2009 Hekinan Delegation,
As mentioned in our last communication we were holding out hope that the trip cancellation decision would prove reversible; however, unfortunately, it has not. This is most disappointing to us, and the Commission has been working hard to manage the ramifications of this decision, especially those financial. Despite numerous executive level conversations, we have been unable to move the airline or the travel agent to issue refunds, as they cite the tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. Fortunately however, and most graciously, our Sister City Association in Hekinan has offered to assist with us refunding all fees paid in advance by our delegation.
As you can well imagine, the logistics of coordinating the refund between the two government entities is complex and will take time to process, but here is what we know now:
• You will receive a full refund of the fees you paid to the City of Edmonds to date. We will communicate the refund time line as soon as it is known.
• Since the refund is being provided by our Hekinan Sister City Association, Northwest Airlines will be holding a credit in your travelers' name which will be available for a destination and/or date change of your choice, pending airline and travel agent policies and restrictions.
As we look forward to next year’s activities, we are unable to foresee the landscape of international travel. If next year unfolds as we would like and we are able to send a delegation to Hekinan, we will be sure to contact you for your interest prior to announcing the trip to the public.
We apologize for any difficulties that this cancellation may have caused and hope to see your continued involvement with the Sister City Association. We recognize that you were looking forward to the trip, your furthering of cultural knowledge, and enhanced relationships with your fellow student travelers. Therefore, we will be working to provide you with local opportunities this summer for further interaction with your travel group. We will be in communication again soon.
Thank you,
Edmonds Sister City Commisioners
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Hekinan/Edmonds - 2009 Student Exchange Cancelled
It is with sad news, that Edmonds Commission received the following letter from our counterparts in Hekinan, Japan.
June 15th, 2009
The Honorable Gary Haakenson
Mayor
City of Edmonds
Dear Mayor Haakenson,
On behalf of the citizens of Hekinan, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your cooperation in the mutual exchange programs to you and the citizens of our sister city, Edmonds.
With the outbreak of the influenza A (H1N1) virus, there were the confirmed cases in Japan, as you know.
Moreover, Influenza pandemic alert has been raised to Phase 6. "The world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic." the Director-General of WHO said at the press conference on June 11th.
The City of Hekinan and the Hekinan Sister City Association have been preparing to execute the junior high & high school student exchange program. However, in view of the following points, we decided to discontinue 2009 students exchange programs, receiving Edmonds students and dispatching Hekinan students.
1. Statement by WHO Director-General on June 11th, 2009
2. In Aichi prefecture, the person who returned from the United States got new influenza A (H1N1) virus.
3. In Japan a person getting new flu must be isolated to a special medical institution for one week at least.
4. New influenza caused the people who will accept a visitor from foreign countries uneasiness.
5. The vicinity cities decided to cancel student's exchange program recently.
As a result of the repeated meeting between the City of Hekinan and Hekinan Sister City Association, we were forced to make a decision to discontinue 2009 exchange programs.
We are very sorry for the students and the people who have worked hard for the program.
We would most humbly like you to understand our situation and idea for Crisis-management and accept our decision.
Very truly yours,
Masanobu Negita
Mayor
The City of Hekinan
Masashi Kuroda
President
The Hekinan Sister City Association
June 15th, 2009
The Honorable Gary Haakenson
Mayor
City of Edmonds
Dear Mayor Haakenson,
On behalf of the citizens of Hekinan, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your cooperation in the mutual exchange programs to you and the citizens of our sister city, Edmonds.
With the outbreak of the influenza A (H1N1) virus, there were the confirmed cases in Japan, as you know.
Moreover, Influenza pandemic alert has been raised to Phase 6. "The world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic." the Director-General of WHO said at the press conference on June 11th.
The City of Hekinan and the Hekinan Sister City Association have been preparing to execute the junior high & high school student exchange program. However, in view of the following points, we decided to discontinue 2009 students exchange programs, receiving Edmonds students and dispatching Hekinan students.
1. Statement by WHO Director-General on June 11th, 2009
2. In Aichi prefecture, the person who returned from the United States got new influenza A (H1N1) virus.
3. In Japan a person getting new flu must be isolated to a special medical institution for one week at least.
4. New influenza caused the people who will accept a visitor from foreign countries uneasiness.
5. The vicinity cities decided to cancel student's exchange program recently.
As a result of the repeated meeting between the City of Hekinan and Hekinan Sister City Association, we were forced to make a decision to discontinue 2009 exchange programs.
We are very sorry for the students and the people who have worked hard for the program.
We would most humbly like you to understand our situation and idea for Crisis-management and accept our decision.
Very truly yours,
Masanobu Negita
Mayor
The City of Hekinan
Masashi Kuroda
President
The Hekinan Sister City Association
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