To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Macon, Ga., and Macon, France, the French city is inviting a few Macon, Ga., residents for a five-day visit in July.
It’s open to all Macon, Ga., residents, and the host city is covering all expenses except travel.
The offer was made for 10 people, but it appears there are actually 18 beds available, according to Keith Moffett, city Internal Affairs director.
“They said 10 in the e-mail, but that’s in five rooms,” he said. Some of those rooms contain double beds, so more could be accommodated, Moffett said. He’s taking that to mean that meals and related in-country expenses will be covered for up to 18 people, since many of the meals are large official functions.
The invitation drew initial excitement from several members of the local Macon City Council, but that enthusiasm ebbed when members were told the remaining price: about $1,700 for airfare, Moffett said.
“Right now just the mayor and his wife have said they’re going to go,” he said. Robert and Dele Reichert will be paying for their plane tickets personally, Moffett said.
That’s how two previous sister-city trips have gone as well, to Macon, France, and Kaohsiung, Taiwan, he said.
Councilwoman Lauren Benedict said this week she had paid airfare on two previous trips, but Council President James Timley said he wants to look for an organization to cover the flight’s costs for City Council members.
Macon, France, is a town about a third of Macon, Ga.’s size on the banks of the Saone River in southern Burgundy. There’s a music and arts festival that runs all summer, and the Tour de France is scheduled to pass through during the visit.
When official groups from Macon’s sister cities visit here, their in-country expenses are covered by the hosts, Moffett said.
“That’s reciprocated when we go there,” he said. “All we have to pay is airfare.”
The French offer includes rooms and meals, many of the latter at official functions, for five days and nights, Moffett said.
This is separate from the annual exchange of students between the two towns, he said. “What we’re trying to do is do it at the same time,” Moffett said.
That two-week visit will overlap with this five-day trip, but the student exchange hasn’t been planned yet, he said. But due to the different departure time, the plane fare for students and chaperones should be substantially lower, about $1,450, Moffett said.
Reichert wants members of the Sister Cities Commission to have first chance at the trip, but hasn’t yet heard from them, Moffett said. Council members have the next shot, but since that hasn’t generated quick application either, members of the general public can apply.
Anyone interested can contact Moffett at 751-7170 or keith.moffett@macon.ga.us within two weeks. The group will depart July 8 and return July 14; anyone wishing to stay longer needs to make their own arrangements for later dates, Moffett said.
To contact writer Jim Gaines, call 744-4489.
