There’s a new effort underway by the leaders of border communities to re-establish and strengthen the long-standing ties between the United States and Canada. Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman welcomed Cornwall, Ontario Mayor Justin Towndale for a tour with local business owners, a roundtable with community leaders, and then a ceremonial signing of a “Declaration of Friendship” along the shores of Lake Champlain at the Bluff Point Golf Club.
Cashman and Towndale say the signing will reaffirm the importance of cultural and business connections that benefit the region’s border communities, especially now, in recent months, with a nearly 30% drop in the number of Canadians crossing the Northern Border. One of those businesses in Bluff Point, where owner Paul Dame says they’ve seen about a 20% drop in Canadian business, forcing them to cut back the hours of housekeepers and put a big expansion on hold.
Both Cashman and Towndale say they hope the new partnership can help rebuild the important ties & relationships between towns along the U.S.-Canada border. The declaration of friendship was signed in both English and French.
