Marblehead resident eyes French connection

MARBLEHEAD – Myriam Zuber has plans to reactivate sister city relations with the French town of Grasse – and selectmen are giving them careful thought.In a Powerpoint presentation Wednesday evening, Zuber described her four-day July visit to Grasse, in which she visited 12 different agencies in that city and brought back a gift of perfume – Grasse companies turn out an estimated two-thirds of French perfume and the town has been known as the world’s perfume capital for nearly 300 years. She also brought back a letter from Mayor Senator Jean-Pierre Leleux expressing his "deep desire to reactivate their partnership."Zuber wants Marblehead to join the Sister City International organization, which includes 2,000 cities and towns in the United States with partner communities abroad, and she proposed sister city reactivation ceremonies May 20, 2010 in Marblehead with a visiting delegation from Grasse and Sept. 26, 2010 in Grasse with a visiting delegation from Marblehead. She was accompanied by several members of her reactivation committee, representing the Marblehead Historical Commission, Marblehead Historical Society and Museum, Marblehead Arts Association, Marblehead Chamber of Commerce, Arnould Gallery, Acorn Gallery, Neptune 1 Studio and Flores Mantiila.The proposed ceremonial activities include an actor playing the Marquis de Lafayette, who visited Marblehead after the Revolution, an art exhibit featuring artists from both communities and historical lectures and presentations.Zuber said her committee will look into grant funding and fund-raising to underwrite the events and perhaps the travel expenses. Sister City International dues are $360 a year and the organization helps local communities to pool information.Selectmen Chairman Jackie Belf-Becker cautioned Zuber that selectmen wanted to take her report under advisement and consider it at a later date.Selectman Judy Jacobi told Zuber she wanted to know more about the cost to the town and the impact of these activities on the budget.Selectman William Woodfin cautioned her that while Grasse has a town department and budget account that oversees international relations, Marblehead does not and the town’s delegation may have to pay their way abroad out of their own pockets.