Editor's note: The following is an open letter to the citizens of Dixon from Michael Oecknigk, Burgermeister (mayor) of Herzberg, Germany. Oecknigk will head a 130-member delegation to Dixon this spring to sign a formal Sister City document with Dixon.

Dear admired citizens and children of Dixon:

For a long time now, lots of friendly citizens of Dixon have been working very hard on putting together a program for the huge group of Herzberg citizens that are going to be visiting your beautiful city to celebrate the signing of the Sister City Contract between Dixon and Herzberg.

A lot of extremely hard work is going into developing an unforgettable program.

I would like to thank those people in advance as well as those that are willing to share their homes with us. We know this is not easy; everyone has their own worries and problems, but we know your hospitality will be extended.

Of course with all this work, one asks what are we doing this for and why this Sister City Partnership?

It is not only because of my city council's interests and that of your mayor, Donald Sheets and his city council, but it is the wish of our citizens, especially those of Herzberg.

The town of Herzberg is located in the eastern part of Germany that was governed by a Communist government after World War II. Because of the strive to be democratic and free, 10 years ago, the wall in Berlin came down which was separating Germans from Germans. Lots of people lost their lives trying to escape.

In 1989, we learned what freedom is.

We received lots of help and support from our other Sister Cities like Buedigen (Hessen) and Soest (Nordrhein- Westfalen). It was hard but we are proud to have rebuilt our city.

The lessons of the past taught us to not only take but also to give to others what has been given to us. That is why one of our goals was to become a Sister City with a Polish city. We wanted to help those who were less fortunate and economically repressed to find a way to take little steps towards democracy and freedom.

It is our hope through this work we will be able to compensate Poland for the damage that was done to them through World War II, when Poland was the first country to be invaded by the Germans.

The terrible World War II would not have ended, were it not for the help of our American allies when thousands of American soldiers invaded Germany. Without the help of all those soldiers and other allies, peace and freedom would not have returned to Germany and Europe.

It is because of our gratitude that we decided to look for a Sister City in the United States so we may say thank you to the American people who did so much of freedom and friendship in Germany.

The city of Herzberg is not quite as big as Dixon but I'm sure we face the same problems. As everywhere, the most important issues are those that affect people personally and which need to be addressed at city hall.

I know from my first visit (to Dixon last summer) that lots of problems are difficult to solve due to financial questions, but I still believe that communities of lots of countries and continents need to work together to establish and maintain freedom.

It is my ambition to help those communities so far as I am able.

You, dear Dixon citizens, have helpd me reach this goal through your hospitality. It is my opinion that we can create and further our partnership with Dixon through student exchanges, working together with clubs and civic organizations and through mutual visits so we can learn from and about each other. All this in peace, friendship and freedom.

It touches my heart that you are helping through your hospitality and it is my hope that you will give us the opportunity to return this hospitality.

That is why I wish to tell you now, prior to our arrival, that we would like to host a large delegation of Dixon citizens in Herzberg in 2001. I am extending this invitation in order to be able to show you my homeland with all of its cultural sights in Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden and other places.

I am looking forward to meeting you. Best wishes. - Michael Oecknigk, Burgermeister, Herzberg