Moldovan Officials Tour Holly Springs 4/09/07

Holly Springs extended some Southern hospitality recently to a group of Eastern Europeans who were learning about local government in America.

Several local officials from the Republic of Moldova received an impromptu tour of Holly Springs April 3 after a presentation at the N.C. League of Municipalities offices in Raleigh. The Moldovans also visited Washington, D.C.

“They were much more interested in what we do because we're small enough that they could relate,” Town Manager Carl Dean explained. “They said they'd like to go to Holly Springs. We said, ‘Sure, let's go.' "

The Moldovans visited Town Hall and toured Holly Springs Business Park, including the site being cleared for a Novartis vaccine manufacturing facility. Novartis is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in its Holly Springs facility and will employ more than 400 people.

Holly Springs' Moldovan visitors included a mayor, a finance officer, and the chairman of the Moldovan equivalent of a board of county commissioners. Through a translator, they praised the “openness and kindness” of Americans. The Moldovans were impressed by the infrastructure here.

“Everything that is done seems to be done for the benefit of the people,” they said.

Moldova, which has about 4 ½ million people, lies between Romania and Ukraine. Moldova had been part of Romania, but was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the end of World War II. It became independent in 1991.

The visit was sponsored by the Open World Leadership Center, which promotes understanding by bringing together civic and political leaders of the United States and Russia. Exchanges focus on such topics as economic development, education reform, the environment and law.

Before returning to Raleigh, the Moldovans sampled hors d'oeuvres at Devil's Ridge Country Club and toasted friendship with their Holly Springs' hosts. The Moldovan mayor, Mikhail Catan, presented Holly Springs Mayor Dick Sears with the seal of the Republic of Moldova.

“It's his greatest pleasure to be here next to you,” the translator said of Catan. “It was a very spontaneous and unplanned visit. But it was a pleasant one.”

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