The longstanding and successful North Carolina-Moldova relationship was renewed with a meeting this summer
NCLM President and Fuquay-Varina Commissioner William Harris, other members of the NCLM Board of Directors, and Fuquay-Varina town officials hosted members of the Republic of Moldova Parliament in Fuquay-Varina this July as a part of the North Carolina-Moldova partnership for peace program. The members of Parliament were in Washington, DC, before making their trip to North Carolina.
The Moldovan representatives were particularly interested in local government processes and finances, and they wanted to continue fostering a relationship with local government officials in North Carolina through programs like Sister Cities. Discussion topics included municipal budgets, local revenue sources, and how local governments work with county and state stakeholders to provide services to their citizens.
In addition to Harris, NCLM Board members present at the meeting included First Vice President and Durham Council Member Mark-Anthony Middleton, Second Vice President and Albemarle Mayor Pro Temp Martha Sue Hall, and At-Large Member and Lumberton Council Member Owen Thomas. Spring Lake Mayor Kia Anthony, a NC Mayors Association Board Member, also attended, along with Fuquay-Varina Assistant Town Manager Mark Matthews and Lumberton City Manager Wayne Horne.
NCLM Executive Director Rose Vaughn Williams and other League staff members rounded out the NC delegation, promoting the effectiveness of local governments working together and describing the types of services offered by the League to local governments.
The NC-Moldova partnership has been previously covered in a 2022 issue of Southern City. The NC League is extremely grateful for its continued participation in this international relationship, and looks forward to its next opportunity to work together with Moldova.