A German streetcar is slated to be christened with the name "Sioux Falls." The ceremony happens next week in Potsdam, Germany – which is a sister city of Sioux Falls. Mayor Mike Huether is traveling to Europe for the dedication and a short visit.
Leaders from Potsdam have visited Sioux Falls several times since Mayor Mike Huether took office four years ago, and he says they want to welcome South Dakotans to Germany. He says christening a public transportation street car “Sioux Falls” is one example of the weight Potsdam puts on cultural relationships with communities in other countries.
"And I think that this gives you an indication of just how serious this is to them, you know, having a partner across the ocean helping them lead, helping them learn, helping them make a difference, then to have them name a streetcar in our honor," Huether says.
Huether is giving a speech before the streetcar naming, and he’s practicing his German to deliver at least some of the message in the country’s native language.
The mayor says this is a personal trip, so he isn’t using taxpayer dollars. Huether and his wife Cindy plan to be in Potsdam Monday through Thursday.
Mayor Gary Hanson is the only other Sioux Falls mayor to visit Potsdam; he made his last tour as leader of Sioux Falls more than a decade ago.
Sioux Falls has two sister cities. It started a relationship with Potsdam, Germany 24 years ago. And in 2008, Sioux Falls became sister cities with Newry and Mourne in Northern Ireland.