Bold Action Applauded
Note from Editors-In-Chief
The time for economic development talk without action is over. Our economically embattled region requires a truly revolutionary idea-driven forward by a group of bold and action-oriented leaders. Such an idea has recently taken shape in Northeast Ohio in the form of the much-discussed Regional Economic Revenue Study (RERS).
We applaud Mayor William A. Currin (Hudson), Mayor Mike Lyons (Richfield Village), Mayor Bruce A. Akers (Pepper Pike) and the many others who have championed RERS. We have had the opportunity to serve with these distinguished mayors as members of the RERS Ad-Hoc Committee and have been impressed with their spirited dedication.
The goal of the RERS is to increase economic growth and create new jobs in Northeast Ohio in a way that communities may collaborate to share in and benefit from that growth. For too long, communities in our region, large and small, have competed with one another for economic growth, new employees and jobs and maximum use of resources. The current scenario in Northeast Ohio creates a destructive “winner-take-all” mentality where cities must compete among each other for jobs and businesses.
The first phase of this study provided recommendations for land use planning and revenue sharing systems for our 16-county Northeast Ohio region. We strongly encourage NEO leaders to become familiar with the study. Research it! Get under the hood! RERS is preparing to move into Phase II. Those guiding the study have stated that they desire additional creative input from community leaders. Please provide that input.
It is time for action-oriented solutions. There are many people in our region who are quick to shoot holes in new ideas and initiatives. They readily state why things CANNOT be done to improve NEO. Let’s refocus the discussion. Let’s engage in a meaningful dialog about what CAN be done to improve our region and use RERS as the basis to do so.
You may find more information on Regional Economic Revenue Study at www.revenuestudy.com.
Sincerely,
Tom Speaks Don Polyak
tspeaks@municipalleader.com dpolyak@municipalleader.com
