PORT ANGELES — A year has passed since the Port Angeles and Victoria city councils held a joint meeting in the provincial capital, but they certainly haven’t lost touch.
On Tuesday, Mayor Cherie Kidd and City Manager Kent Myers will be heading across the water for a series of meetings in Victoria intended to foster Port Angeles’ cross-border relationship.
They will meet with government and tourism officials, and continue to work to promote Port Angeles as a destination for residents of south Vancouver Island.
“We’re trying to continue to showcase Port Angeles and let people know about us,” Kidd said.
Myers said it is one of the city’s goals to build a working relationship with Victoria around issues they both care about, including tourism.
Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin said his city shares that goal, and places a lot of value on such meetings.
“There’s no substitute for face-to-face,” he said.
Fortin said Victoria is looking at making some changes to its waterfront and is interested in learning more about Port Angeles’ waterfront redevelopment plan.
“There’s a lot we can learn from you guys, and I hope there is something we can offer Port Angeles.”
The councils from both cities met on Feb. 25, 2011, but that wasn’t the last time representatives of the two cities met.
Last summer, city of Victoria parks staff met with their counterparts in Port Angeles and toured the city’s public spaces.
Richard Bonine, Port Angeles recreation services manager, then made a similar trip to Victoria in October as part of what’s being called a “department exchange.”
“It’s good to know what other cities are doing,” he said. “They do the same jobs we do.”
Myers said additional staff exchanges may happen later this year.
The Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission is also helping to promote the area to Vancouver Island.
An advertising campaign aimed at Victoria-area residents is continuing in its third-straight year.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.