Mayor Bill Bell is taking a trip out of town next month in his official capacity, but relax, Bull Citizens, it isn't costing us a dime.
Saudi Arabia is footing the bill.
Saudi Arabia can afford it.
Bell (right) is one of 11 U.S. mayors making the trip, May 7-14, at the invitation of the Saudi embassy, routed through the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
"It's a mission to give the mayors an opportunityy to have an exchange of ideas, better understand the saudi government and schools," Bell said this afternoon.
Hizzonner told Bull's Eye he's not sure just how he was picked to get an invitation, but he has had some conversations with Saudi embassy officials during previous mayors' meetings in Washington.
"They were very impressed with the Research Triangle Park and the universities and how we've been able to blend public private partnerships here," he said.
Bell will be traveling with J. Christian Bollwage, mayor of Elizabeth, N.J.; Ardell F. Brede, Rochester, Minn. Mark Burroughs, Denton, Texas; William D. Euille, Alexandria, Va.; Bill
Gluba, Davenport, Iowa; Phil Gordon, Phoenix, Ariz.; Mark Mallory, Cincinnati, Ohio; John Marks, Tallahassee, Fla; James J. Schmitt, Green Bay, Wisc.; and Mark Stodola, Little Rock, Ark.
