Irondequoit-Poltava Sister Cities Program in eighth year of activity (04/25/99)

Irondequoit-Poltava Sister Cities Program in eighth year of activity

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Since 1991 the Irondequoit-Poltava Sister Cities Program has been actively working to strengthen and promote official and community ties between the two cities.

A variety of educational programs on Ukraine were presented in the Rochester area, including weekly television programs that provide an up-close and personal view of Ukraine. To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Great Famine in Ukraine a commemorative plaque and tree were dedicated on the Irondequoit Town Hall grounds.

Over the past eight years Tamara Denysenko, chair of the Irondequoit-Poltava Sister Cities Committee, along with husband, Walter, and Mirko Pylyshenko often traveled to Poltava to strengthen the relations and to encourage citizens involvement in the international project between both communities. The first delegation from Poltava visited Irondequoit in 1994 and was ably hosted by one of the initial sister cities board members and Town Supervisor Suzanne Masters.

Under the able leadership of Ludmila Labash of St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Rev. Richard C. Kinsky of the Basilian Fathers, the committee focused on several humanitarian aid projects culminating in two major shipments of medical supplies valued over $75,000. Other projects included adult and youth pen-pal programs, foster parents relationships, book drives for schools and libraries, and scholarships to the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

A current joint project with the Rochester Chapter of the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, under the leadership of Myron Babiuk, and the Irondequoit Chapter of Rotary International has raised over $15,000 for much-needed neonatal medical equipment to the Poltava region. A Children of Chornobyl benefit golf tournament will be held in September in conjunction with the project.

An official delegation from Poltava visited the greater Rochester area in October 1998 as official guests of the town of Irondequoit.

Four members of the Poltava Ukraine City Council - Ihor Mykhailiuk, vice-mayor and council secretary; Mykhailo Burlakov, first vice-mayor; Mykola Piatak, public works director; and Viachyeslav Hoffman, vice-president of Poltava Bank spent a busy week meeting with Irondequoit Town Supervisor David Schantz, town council members, Town Clerk/Tax Receiver Lydia Dzus and officers of the local police department.

The Ukrainian delegates and their American hosts had the opportunity to discuss governance, and social and community issues facing their respective municipalities. How to provide better services to constituents within fiscal constraints was a topic of special interest. Town councilman Bill Bastuk, president of International Sister Cities Council of Irondequoit, N.Y., and Alex Loj arranged meetings with officials from the City of Rochester, Town of Webster and the County of Monroe.

During their weeklong visit, the delegation participated in the 45th anniversary celebration of the Rochester Ukrainian Federal Credit Union. The 450 members and guests, and guest speaker Dr. Myron Kuropas, left a deep impression on the Poltava delegation.

Tours of local businesses, including Xerox Manufacturing, organized by Wasyl Kornylo, president of the Rochester Ukrainian Federal Credit Union, gave the Ukrainian officials a new perspective on free enterprise and capitalism. The delegation visited churches and observed the broad spectrum of greater Rochester's Ukrainian American community life and its cultural, social and economic achievements.

They were particularly impressed with the Rochester Ukrainian FCU and the respect and recognition it received from public officials, including Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, Rep. John LaFalce, Rep. Louise Slaughter and New York State Sen. James Alesi, among others. During the anniversary banquet, State Sen. Alesi pledged $10,000 for the Poltava Sister Cities program. Rep. Slaughter reiterated her support of continued social and economic ties between America and Ukraine. The congresswoman is hoping to arrange an official congressional visit to Ukraine and Poltava.

Community involvement and financial support are very important to promote international understanding through the sister cities program. Request for information on membership and tax-deductible donations are welcome and may be sent to: International Sister Cities Council of Irondequoit, N.Y., Inc., The Irondequoit-Poltava Committee, P.O. Box 17621, Rochester, NY 14617.

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