By NOEL MURPHY
AMERICAN city Toledo is looking to strike up a sister city act with Geelong, spearheaded by a Geelong-born former diplomat.
Lindsay Smith is Toledo’s mayoral nominee to the International Sister Cities body, which pursues commercial, trading and cultural links with cities around the world.
He told the Toledo Blade both cities were founded in the 1830s, both had universities with a major health sciences component and had also shared auto and glass manufacturing.
And Blade columnist Thomas Walton, pushing Mr Smith’s argument, said establishing formal ties to Geelong “would almost be worth it just to get a visit from Geelong’s mayor, Darryn Lyons, a true political character who thumbs his nose at convention”.
“He occasionally paints his hair in multiple colours. He went with a spiked blue and white mohawk for his campaign poster,” he said.
“He lines the walls of his bathroom, floor to ceiling, with photos from his career years ago as a paparazzi. I’m not making this up.”
“More showman and promoter than politician, Mayor Lyons is all about enhancing Geelong’s economic footprint. Having lived abroad for many years, he is now Geelong’s number one cheerleader.”
Mr Smith lamented that people in Toledo all their lives were critical of the city while newcomers had no trouble “recognising how wonderful this place is”.
He argued Toledo could perhaps help Geelong secure a Jeep plant to replace Ford, with economic benefits to both cities. He said business ethics were high, problems that face Toledo had been solved or were being solved.
“Other similarities between the two cities are striking,” he said.
“A program to attract cruise liners to the Port of Geelong will result in five cruise ships making stops in this city this summer – our winter – bringing in millions of dollars to Geelong’s economy.
“Toledo Express Airport is in the news because its operations are losing money. Geelong’s airport was an Australian air force base; today, there are several commercial flights daily, linking the city to the rest of Australia.
“Since 1926, Ford Motor Co has had a plant in Geelong, but the automaker is withdrawing from Australia in 2016. Perhaps Toledo could help Geelong secure a Jeep plant to replace Ford, with economic benefits to both cities.
“Geelong, like Toledo, has an industrial/union base with international companies. It, like Toledo, is famous for its educational facilities, including Geelong Grammar School – Prince Charles’ alma mater.
“The similarities far outweigh the differences. The benefits in a sister-city relationship could be manifold.”
Cr Lyons welcomed the Toldeo overtures but told the independent he could not commit to going there unless “it leads to or guarantees business ties and commitments”.
