Mayor Steve Allender and students from Nikko City, Japan, who toured Rapid City this week including a stop by City Hall.
(City Photo)
A student delegation from Nikko City, Japan visited City Hall earlier this week and took part in a question and answer session with Mayor Steve Allender as well as participate in a mock Council session.
Rapid City and Nikko City, Japan have enjoyed a Sister City agreement since the 1990's and since then various student groups and official city delegations from both countries have exchanged visits.
As part of their visit this week, the students asked the Mayor about why he decided to become mayor, what he likes best about serving, and varous questions about City government. As part of the mock Council session, Nikko students took to the Council dais and briefly deliberated and voted on some issues dear to them in Nikko City, such as transportation and controlling the wild monkey population.
Mayor Allender presented each student with a certificate declaring them honorary citizens of Rapid City. The delegation left City Hall to take photos in front of the Nikko Street sign across Fifth Street near City Hall. The group is touring the area for several days.
Rapid City also enjoys a Sister City agreement relationship with Apolda, Germany.