Jackson: The Drive for Regionalism

In Frank Jackson's State of the City address yesterday, he laid out Cleveland's vision in taking the first steps towards greater regional cooperation. I'm encouraged by Jackson who is not putting the cart before the horse or looking to quick fix solutions like casinos and Wal Marts as a means of solving the city's woes. Cleveland needs to fix the nuts and bolts before we will ever be able to move forward and I think Jackson, who seems unimpressed with the glamour of the mayor's office, could be just the man to do it.

The question is, do other regional leaders agree? I'm encouraged by quotes in the above story by area mayors Judy Rawson of Shaker Heights and Dan DiPiero of Parma in wanting to explore tax sharing plans. What will be more telling however, is what will be response from the outer-ring suburbs? They have been the prime beneficiaries of business-poaching and tax abatements, will they see the benefit of a healthy NE Ohio region?

As an aside: I like Bill Callahan's idea to move the address away from the City Club and into the neighborhoods.