Sound bites from the field. Read these words of wisdom on the barriers to and benefits of thinking and acting like a region.
“Regions are quickly becoming the defining unit of the global economy. Those regions that align their assets to compete globally are better positioned to grow jobs, increase incomes and attract investments.”
— Excerpt from job description for Cuyahoga County director of regional collaboration during the term of former County Executive Ed FitzGerald
“The basic problem is our system of government. No official is elected to cooperate with anyone else. They’re elected to compete.”
— Retired Cleveland State University Professor Thomas Bier,
authority on regional issues in Northeast Ohio
“… We need to overcome the political divisions that have plagued Northeast Ohio for decades, as these divisions keep our region from focusing on competing and growing in this period of economic transformation.”
— Michael Weidokal,
global economist, futurist and founder of International Strategic Analysis,
in “NE Ohio’s economic future is on the line,”
guest column for Plain Dealer/cleveland.com
“The choices we make today will have profound consequences on our communities many generations from now.”
— Vibrant NEO 2040 plan
“… Leaders must be willing to share power. Others will see that willingness and follow.”
— Chris Thompson
President, Civic Collaboration Consultants,
on what it takes to achieve regional collaboration
“Frankly, Ohioans care more about the cost and effectiveness of services than they do about the name of the entity on the side of the garbage truck, police cruiser, fire truck, or school district administrative building,”
— “JOINING FORCES,” 2011 report from The Buckeye Institute
“Our school systems and government entities must find ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency. The status quo simply can’t continue.”
— Introductory letter for “Beyond Boundaries,” a report that Gov. John Kasich’s administration released in 2012
“… We need to establish a growth mindset in our region in order to overcome its long economic stagnation.”
— Michael Weidokal,
global economist, futurist and founder of International Strategic Analysis,
in “NE Ohio’s economic future is on the line,”
guest column for Plain Dealer/cleveland.com
“The work is slow; it’s hard. But it has its benefits. We need to have the determination to stay on its path.”
— Michael Summers,
former Lakewood mayor,
on striving for regional collaboration
“Unfortunately, Ohio’s local government structure has devolved into a complex, byzantine tax pyramid that supports overpriced, redundant government services.”
— Greg R. Lawson
Research fellow, The Buckeye Institute,
in state legislative testimony
“In prior generations, most people lived and worked in the same community. Vibrant NEO 2040 recognizes that the world is changing and our region must change with it.”
— Vibrant NEO 2040 plan
“Cities cannot compete in today’s economic arena. Only regions can.”
— William Currin, former mayor of Hudson