Bruchey impressed with Wesel

October 01, 1997

By JULIE E. GREENE

Staff Writer

Hagerstown Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II said he was impressed with the cleanliness and friendliness of Hagerstown's sister city, Wesel, Germany, during his visit there last week.

The mayor and a small contingent of city representatives headed for Wesel on Sept. 19 to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the sister city affiliation. They returned on Sept. 25.

Bruchey said he learned that during World War II, 97 percent of the city was destroyed by bombs.

"You'd never know it now. It's a clean, beautiful city with friendly people," he said.

The city has a graffiti problem in common with Hagerstown, so Bruchey and his German counterpart, Wesel's burgermeister, discussed ways to tackle the problem, he said.

Bruchey attended a 45th anniversary celebration, toured a turbine factory and a retirement home and sat in on a council meeting, he said. Wesel's council has 51 members from four political parties, he said.

The mayor and burgermeister signed proclamations for the sister-city anniversary. Bruchey said he brought the one written in German back to Hagerstown.

He also brought back a painting by a student at Conrad Duden High School, which he toured. The painting will go in his office, he said.

Also making the trip were Bruchey's wife, Susan, Public Works Manager Doug Stull and his wife, and Jane Burhans, widow of former Hagerstown mayor Winslow Burhans.

Stull is president of the sister city affiliation.

The sister city link between Hagerstown and Wesel was forged during Winslow Burhans' administration.

The City of Hagerstown will reimburse Bruchey and Stull for their round-trip plane tickets. Each round-trip ticket cost $535.

The city won't pick up the tab for their spouses.

Bruchey has said the city of Wesel would pay the hotel costs.

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