NEW PALTZ – The sister city relationship between the Village of New Paltz and the Japanese town of Osa began in 1998 and continues to this day. This weekend, the two communities will mark the 25th anniversary of their relationship.
The relationship, when established, was considered to be a good match because Osa and New Paltz were similar in population and geography, and shared many common concerns, according to the New Paltz Sister City Committee.
The annual visits to each other’s community by official delegations ended in 2005 when the towns of Osa, Shingo, Tetta, Tesei and Niimi were merged into one political entity called Niimi City.
The local committee noted that it is akin to the merging of the Village and Town of New Paltz, Gardiner and Highland with the City of Poughkeepsie and calling it Poughkeepsie city.
“We anticipate a bright future for the relationship between New Paltz and Niimi as we continue our international friendship,” the local committee members said.
