SEQUIM — A potential international incident involving the Sequim City Council and Sequim’s sister city of Yamasaki, Japan, appears to have been averted.
The crisis emerged when Mayor Walt Schubert found himself unable to attend an important civic ceremony in Yamasaki later this year — a ceremony that had largely been arranged around his schedule.
Since those arrangements were made, Schubert has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident and undergone open heart surgery.
While he reports that he’s recovering well, his doctor would not clear him for a lengthy international trip.
Other Sequim council members weren’t exactly knocking down the door to take his place, however.
Councilman Ron Farquhar said Friday he’s “85 percent” sure he will go, provided the specifics of the trip are manageable.
City involvement is crucial for the program to continue, Schubert said, but the sister city effort does not enjoy unanimous support from the council, and the subject will be discussed at today’s council meeting.