LDWF: Think safety when having fun on the water
July 18, 2012
I scream. You scream. We all bleed for ice cream!
July 18, 2012
“Every question and every concern we had when we left here has been addressed multiple times,” Terrebonne Economic Development Authority CEO Steve Vassallo told the Terrebonne Parish Council during his official report on an economic partnership excursion to Weihai, China.
A nine-member TEDA delegation traveled to the coastal Chinese city from June 15-20 to explore trade options and sign a letter of intent to form a sister-city relationship between Terrebonne Parish and Weihai.
The delegation found multiple opportunities, which included exporting Terrebonne Parish seafood and potential construction work for area shipbuilders. In exchange, Weihai-based companies have expressed interest in locating technology manufacturing facilities in Houma.
Councilman Danny Babin, a seafood wholesaler, originally held strong doubts about any trade relationship with China, but now voices guarded support.
“I did hear a lot from the presentation about how much seafood was produced [in Weihai], but if they want to import our quality product, I’m more than happy with that,” Babin said following the council meeting. “I just want us to be very cautious when we do it.”
A centerpiece of the TEDA presentation was a promotional video about Weihai, featuring that city’s modern commercial side, cultural activities, news clips of the Terrebonne Parish delegation’s visit and residents expressing interest in breaking free from stereotypical images some Americans hold of them.
“I went to China with a healthy amount of skepticism about what to expect and a little concern,” TEDA Chairman Don Hingle said. “I came away with the opposite feeling. [I see] a very strong return … and great opportunity.”
Additional members of the TEDA delegation to China reported their impressions and emphasized that the sister-city relationship means exports for the region as well as expanding industry.
“We look at this from the standpoint of exporting, not importing,” TEDA Vice Chairman Clarence Williams said. “I see nothing but potential opportunity for us [to] create business relationships that make sense.”
Regardless of full council support of TEDA’s presentation, a reminder of resistance to any relationship with China was expressed during a period for public comments.
“Instead of looking at the short-term idea of lining your pockets … you need to start thinking of … future generations,” resident Bernard Hargenrader told the council.
Hargenrader noted China’s history regarding human rights violations and dumping of inferior products, including drywall and dog food, on American markets. He accused China of using sister-city partnerships as a step toward taking over the United States.
“China is a Communist country and we are a Constitutional Republic,” Hargenrader said. “The two views are diametrically opposed to one another and cannot function together.”
Council Chairwoman Arlanda Williams said she supports Hargenrader’s right to express his opinion, but she took exception with his suggestion that council members were profiteering. “I am not going to let anybody be accused of lining their pockets because we are not,” she said.
“I am on the bandwagon and want to see this thing work,” Councilman Russell “Red” Hornsby said. “We still have a lot of doubting Thomases out there, but we are pulling for [TEDA] to … make this thing work.”
“This is what we are looking for,” Williams said. “Shame on us if we sit back and let another opportunity go between our hands.”
A delegation from Weihai is expected to visit Terrebonne Parish in October.
