Last week I had the opportunity to present at the first of a 3-part series on regionalism hosted by the League of Women Voters (many different leagues across NEO from Shaker Heights to Trumbull County). The next two events are at the Hudson Library the evenings of 2/12 and 2/26 and feature discussions on revenue sharing and the Regional Prosperity Initiative.
Something I said during my presentation struck people. I know this because I have now received multiple notes from those in the audience about the same comment: Regionalism isn’t about consolidation, its about collaboration and sharing.
Regionalism doesn’t require you to give up what you have, or to take from your neighbor, but instead encourages you to ask and answer the question, “What can we do together?”
Folks, the time has come where we can no longer stick our heads in the sand and pretend that what happens “over there” isn’t our problem. I know you know know what I’m taking about. No more using “regionalism = consolidation” as an easy way out. We are all in this together, so we might as well get over whatever issues prevent us from asking and answering the question, “What can we do together?”
