Dear Readers –

This issue marks five years of this newsletter. When I began in 2003, I decided to give five years to this effort to  build an audience for a “regional communities” perspective on regional cooperation. I’ve have learned much and hope you too have gained from this work. Each issue is covers a lot. Yet, there is always more that might have been included. It is designed to be scanned.

Issues for local governments working across boundaries have come to look like global geopolitics, so that perspective has been included. Having quit my day job after 35 years as a regional planner, I am committing to another five years of the newsletter. This is to continue building the database of articles and website links that the newsletter has started, as well as expand with other products.

If you’ve not been to the blog – http://regional-communities.blogspot.com/ - please check it out. Feedback is always welcome. Please pass this on to others who may be interested.

Sincerely

Tom Christoffel, AICP, Editor

Top Regional Community stories

  1. Regional Approaches Have Shown Their Worth - Hartford Courant - United States

Regional solutions can help us provide high-quality, cost-efficient services in Connecticut, while allowing each town to maintain its individual identity and local control. We know this because the regional programs we already have work very well.

At the Capitol Region Council of Governments, our purchasing council has saved municipalities and other agencies millions of dollars by pooling purchasing power and sharing overhead costs. The CAPTAIN Mobile Data Communication System links 80 public safety organizations to local, state and national criminal information files, allowing them to function more effectively while saving money. Under a grant from the Office of Policy and Management, CRCOG is now implementing 10 new "service- sharing" projects aimed at cooperative approaches to various municipal services.

Despite these efforts, we know we are only beginning to leverage the benefits of regional cooperation. So what are some of the reasons for more muscular regional solutions?

…

We recognize that our residents like the direct connection to local government, but there are many areas where towns can work together while retaining that local, small-town feel we all value. To achieve the full benefits of regionalism will require leadership from the state as well as active participation from towns and citizens. We will need the state to use its many tools to support and strengthen regional solutions.

Regional planning organizations need to be strengthened and given the capacity to manage regional efforts where it makes sense for them to do so.

Given the preference for go-it-alone approaches and the relative lack of strong, well-funded regional institutions in Connecticut, the state needs to provide incentives for joint actions by towns acting as regions. This would include both reinstating the Regional Performance Incentive Grant program, having the state "think regional first" and implementing funding for long-term regional solutions.

Authored by Melody Currey, Mayor of East Hartford and Chair of the Capitol Region Council of Governments and Lyle Wray, Executive Director. [ http://www.crcog.org/ ]

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-keywray1109.artnov09,0,341825.story

  2. Obama's Pragmatism - Artvoice - Buffalo, NY, USA

…

What “fiscal stimulus” should mean: sewers

The “fiscal stimulus” part of the next president’s agenda means the spending part. Bernanke said the other day that we shouldn’t worry about the Bush deficit—which is at $700 billion and counting, or about five percent of the gross domestic product, which is bigger than at any time since Ronald Reagan was president.

Question: What should we buy?

Answer: stuff that will help us get ready for 2020.

The things that elected leaders buy with government money have a big, ongoing impact on who you buy them for, and where you buy them.

That’s why the Great Lakes states—specifically, the urban regions of Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Erie, Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee, and a few other places—need a coordinated federal, state, and local investment in (drum roll please) new sewers.

That’s right. Sewers.

…

Regionalism will have a place at Obama’s policy table, too, because he relies on the calm, centrist, evidence-based analysis of the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Studies Center, which (can you tell by the title?) tends to see economic, social, and governance issues not on a town-by-town basis, but by metro area.

The closest thing we have to metro-wide or regional government around here is county government. So it would be logical that a regional infrastructure issue—such as sewers—should be part of the county legislature’s thinking, even if it’s not party of the Clarence county executive’s thinking.

Think of it. Federal, state, and county elected officials could together act responsibly, investing public funds for the long-term benefit of the environment, and the near-term benefit of the regional economy.

Could it really happen? We’ll see whether November 4 changes local elected officials’ paralysis into action.

http://artvoice.com/issues/v7n43/obamas_pragmatism

 

  3. Regionalization funding is worth preserving - SunJournal.com - Lewiston, ME, USA

In April, when legislators trying to balance the state's budget focused on a two-year-old fund to regionalize local government, few took notice.

"It's defunct now, but I don't think the state and the taxpayers can afford to have it be defunct," said Rep. Terry Hayes, D-Buckfield. "Is it the best way to attack the problem of government spending? I don't know, but what other weapons do we have?"

Hayes is House chairwoman of the state's Intergovernmental Advisory Commission, which was created to encourage cooperation among different levels of government.

The state began collecting money in 2004 to encourage local governments to consolidate some of their operations, diverting a portion of the sales tax revenue normally distributed to local governments. That fund gave out $1.5 million in grants to 40 different groups over two years.

Another 27 grant requests came forward at the beginning this year, seeking the state's help in creating their own money-saving regional groups.

…

In all, local governments throughout Maine were asking for $1.3 million in grants.

But the money was gone, swept up by legislators and Gov. John Baldacci in the hunt for budget-rescuing revenue.

"When the general fund came up short, they were looking for any revenue they could," said Hayes said.

It needs to be returned, Hayes said, or given back to the local communities some other way.

"This became a diversion of the towns' share of sales tax revenue," she said. "I don't think that's what anyone intended. And if it can't be spent for regionalization, it needs to go back to the towns."

She'd rather see it go toward regionalization.

"It's still viable and appropriate to pay for it, even if the funding is somewhat diminished," she said."

http://www.sunjournal.com/story/289911-3/LewistonAuburn/Regionalization_funding_is_worth_preserving/

  4. Leadership from the Cleveland-to-Pittsburgh Mega-Region Join to Create Tech Belt Initiative to Reinvigorate the Economy - Earthtimes (press release) - London, UK

The Tech Belt Initiative is an economic development strategy designed to reinvigorate the Cleveland-to-Pittsburgh region (Cleveland, Youngstown and Pittsburgh) by building on its unique civic, educational, healthcare, and industrial institutions. The transition to a knowledge-based economy has caused opinion leaders from these metropolitan areas to recognize that the future of these once great manufacturing communities are tied together, and that our continued success depends on our ability to collaborate in the creation of new products, technologies, and wealth.

To spearhead this effort, a steering committee, comprised of leadership organizations from Southwest Pennsylvania and Northeast Ohio, is working to develop a strategic vision for this initiative and to build the partnerships necessary to leverage the region's collective resources.

A comprehensive list of the Tech Belt Initiative's goals and actions to be pursued can be found in the white paper titled, "The Tech Belt Initiative; Realizing the Full Economic Potential of the  Cleveland-Pittsburgh Technology Corridor," which can be downloaded at www.techbelt.org.

Tech Belt's collaborators believe that now is the time to emphasize our regional strengths. A projected economic downturn combined with still struggling regional economies will have an immediate negative impact on both regions; but together as one, the potential for weathering a downturn and promoting mega-region-wide recovery makes this an urgent and timely opportunity for the long-term economic transformation.

Project collaborators, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber have stepped forward to support and advocate on behalf of the Tech Belt Initiative. ...

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/leadership-from-the-cleveland-to-pittsburgh-mega-region,603362.shtml

  5. A REGIONAL WATER UTILITY: BUSINESS-LIKE GOVERNANCE OR A WAY TO DODGE RESPONSIBILITY? - Christopher Leo Blog

Mayor Sam Katz wants to create a regional water utility, to run Winnipeg's sewer and water systems, possibly taking over garbage disposal and recycling as well. The agency would operate independently of city council and, if it wished, market Winnipeg's water to adjacent municipalities.

The agency would set rates for the services it provides, applying to the provincial Public Utilities Board for permission to raise rates. Katz told the Winnipeg Free Press that "Handing this power over to the board would take politics out of the process." Good idea, eh? No more interference in these services from low-life politicians: just good, honest, business-like governance.

… everyone seems to love the idea. The Free Press referred to it as "branching out". In a radio interview, a couple of political leaders in municipalities adjacent to Winnipeg voiced their strong support, and expressed their impatience with nonsensical arguments about sprawl.

Sprawl? Does this have something to do with sprawl? In trying to answer that question, it helps to bear in mind that industrial and commercial development requires the kind of generous and reliable water supply that only a municipal water system can deliver. Already all the municipalities surrounding Winnipeg are able to build their revenues by offering opportunities for residential development at substantially lower tax rates than the ones Winnipeg can offer.

Wouldn't it be nice if those municipalities could compete on similarly favourable terms for the Winnipeg region's industrial and commercial development? Indeed it would, for them. And for Winnipeg?

As it happens, I can draw you a picture of what the regional marketing of Winnipeg's water might hold in store for the city, because there is at least one precedent. After World War II, decision-makers in the thriving city of Detroit thought they had hit on a wonderful opportunity for revenue generation: Market their excellent municipal water supply regionally. In the years that followed, Detroit lost its mainstay, automobile manufacturing, in part to municipalities in the region. Residential and commercial development joined the exodus.

…

http://blog.uwinnipeg.ca/ChristopherLeo/archives/2008/11/a_regional_wate.html

Winnipeg Capital Region Profile: http://www.communityprofiles.mb.ca/maps/regional/winnipeg.html

  6. Durham status quo infuriates Ajax mayor

Toronto Star - Ontario, Canada

Ajax Mayor Steve Parish is threatening legal action and demanding intervention by the province after Durham [ http://www.region.durham.on.ca/  ]councillors rejected his plan to rebalance regional council.

Parish has long argued that, on a per-capita basis, his city is under-represented in council seats.

…

Durham councillors rejected by an 18-to-8 vote his call for a review of representation by 2010, with appropriate changes in place for the 2014 municipal elections.

At minimum, Parish said after the vote, the province should enact legislation requiring a mandatory review of representation in all municipalities every two terms or so.

Parish claimed that because no Durham review has taken place since 1996, his community has been shortchanged politically.

Ajax has one seat on the regional council for every 30,000 voters, while Oshawa has one for every 17,000.

Rural municipalities tend to be extremely well represented, per capita. And the existing discrepancies, he argued, are likely to get worse in coming years.

"It's self-interest," Parish said of status quo defenders. "Power perpetuates power ... The minority has the majority of votes. Why would you give that up?"

Ajax is one of several GTA municipalities whose regional council seats have not caught up with rapid population growth – among them Whitby and Clarington in Durham, Vaughan and Markham in York Region, and Brampton in Peel Region.

When Mississauga and Brampton disputed the issue a few years ago, the province stepped in to rejig the seats.

In Durham, pushback to Parish's motion came from likely quarters. Both Oshawa and rural politicians argued things were fine as is.

Clarington Mayor Jim Abernethy said in his role as a regional councillor, he represents all voters in Durham, not just his municipality.

…

http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/527931

  7. Research Triangle Regional Partnership receives national economic development award - dBusinessNews Triangle (press release) - Raleigh, NC, USA

The Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP) was honored as the first recipient of a new award for regional collaboration by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) at its annual conference in Atlanta.

RTRP is the first recipient of the new IEDC award category, “Excellence in Regionalism and Cross-border Collaboration,” for organizations serving areas with populations exceeding 200,000. IEDC made the announcement today (Oct. 21) during an awards ceremony, a highlight of its four-day conference.

 “Economic development efforts have long been a keystone in the quest to bolster the economy and improve the quality of life in every locality across the country,” said IEDC Chair Robin Roberts Krieger. “As the nation continues to tackle longstanding challenges in the midst of an inhospitable financial climate, these efforts have taken on an even greater significance. With the award, we laud trend-setting organizations like the Research Triangle Regional Partnership for leading the charge.”

 RTRP was a clear standout in the regionalism and cross-border collaboration category for its regional competitiveness plan, IEDC said. “Staying on Top: Winning the Job Wars of the Future” is a five-year, $5-million plan developed by RTRP, the public-private organization that promotes economic development for the 13-county Research Triangle Region of North Carolina, in partnership with chief executives of leading businesses and major research universities in the region.

The plan outlines 30 strategies to create 100,000 new jobs in targeted clusters and boost employment in all 13 counties in the region, both rural and urban. Key to the success of the “Staying on Top” plan has been the strategic alignment and voluntarily collaboration of hundreds of public, private, academic and nonprofit organizations working with RTRP to implement the plan. They include economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, workforce boards, nonprofits, universities and others whose participation is critical for economic growth. Spring employment data reported 101,000 new jobs were created in the region during the first four years of the five-year plan.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to provide leadership and excellence in economic development for communities, members and partners. IEDC’s professional economic development awards annually recognize excellence in the economic development profession.

The Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP) is a public/private partnership that promotes economic development for the 13-county Research Triangle Region of North Carolina comprising Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, Person, Vance, Wake and Warren counties. For more information, visit www.researchtriangle.org or call (919) 840-7372.

Contact: Erin Way, Media Relations, International Economic Development Council, (202) 942-9474, eway@...

Charles Hayes, President and CEO, Research Triangle Regional Partnership, (919) 840-7372

http://triangle.dbusinessnews.com/shownews.php?newsid=169229&type_news=latest

RC: Triangle J Council of Governments -  http://www.tjcog.dst.nc.us/

  8. Urban autonomy a pipe dream given ever-changing boundaries - Globe and Mail - Canada

… professor Andrew Sancton of the University of Western Ontario, … The Limits of Boundaries: Why City-regions Cannot be Self-governing, …

Although declaring himself sympathetic to concerns that unresponsive central governments are stifling urban progress, Prof. Sancton punctures "the inflated rhetoric" and "confusions" he finds in the arguments made for greater urban autonomy, in particular those enunciated by "Jane Jacobs and her Toronto followers." The correction is needed, he writes, "if for no other reason than that [such arguments] divert valuable resources to fruitless undertakings, much like searching for the end of the rainbow."

The basic problem such thinking ignores, according to Prof. Sancton, is the reality of unchanging borders. "Boundaries fatally limit the capacity of cities to be self-governing," he writes. Even if it were possible to draw new borders for a modern city state within an existing nation or province - not, according to the author - the urban growth such borders are meant to support would instantly render them obsolete.

From focusing on this one salient omission in conventional thinking about urban autonomy, Prof. Sancton creates a persuasive image of the unbound metropolis. The more dynamic and diverse a city becomes, he argues, the more irrelevant - or even damaging - borders become.

"The main argument of this book is that it is now impossible even to define the outer limits of urban expansion," he writes.

Likewise, it is fruitless to equate city regions or municipalities with sovereign states. Complexity, not clarity, is the natural state of urban governance, according to Prof. Sancton, and the importance of cities is "intimately connected to the fact that they have different boundaries for different purposes, and that these multiple boundaries are themselves constantly in flux and usually expanding."

…

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081112.BARBER12/TPStory/National/HYOntario  

  9. Strengthening of Regions Said Key to Russia’s Survival as a State – Georgian Daily - New York, NY, USA

Russian politicians and commentators have historically viewed power relations between Moscow and the regions as a zero-sum game …

But now some analysts are saying that only by strengthening the regions can Moscow become stronger and the territorial integrity of the country preserved.

And while at least some of the impulse behind such an argument may be a desire to strengthen ethnic Russian regions at the expense of non-Russian republics, its appearance now could affect discussions about federalism under Dmitry Medvedev …

Moscow analyst Sergey Kornyev points out that most Russians who talk about regions and regionalism discuss them in terms of whether they are “harmful or useful” or “necessary or unnecessary.” But it is far more realistic to recognize that in a large country now, they are something that can’t be avoided.

… Russians need to overcome three problems that have infected discussions of regionalism there. First, they need to recognize that regionalist thought in contemporary Russia is still in its infancy with many of its advocates saying things that reflect that lack of development.

Second, Russians need to recognize that regionalism is not “a synonym of separatism” or something that inevitably leads either to that or to the weakening of the state. On the one hand, he argues, regionalism can help block separatism; and on the other, it can if properly managed strengthen the state itself.

And third, Russia must develop its own theory and practice of regionalism given its unique history and geography rather than rely on foreign models be they the European Union, the United States, or any other country. Copying in this field simply will not work, the Moscow analyst concludes.

… “the Russian case” with regard to regional ideas and arrangements is “much closer to the American than to the European. …

http://georgiandaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8257&Itemid=65

10. U.S. Regional Communities - sub-State, State or multi-State - in news articles.

Bold font words are Google search terms. Bold italic words considered worth noting.  In this and section 11, links to websites of organizations are added to the news excerpt when this is the first time an organization has been found. A goal of this newsletter is to find every regional council in the U.S. in a news story as well as recognizing other regional organizations. In most cases, where a full name is present, a Google search will quickly get one to that organization. News reports do not always get the organization name correct.   Contents

    .01  Legislature will consider a regional approach to land use

The Oregonian - OregonLive.com - Portland, OR, USA

The "Big Look" land-use task force has recommended allowing more regional control of land-use decisions, including rezoning of unproductive or compromised farm and forest land in limited situations. Conservation groups are worried it will simply lead to more development in rural areas. ...

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/legislature_will_consider_a_re.html

    .02  State budget crunch could lead to regionalization

Torrington Register Citizen, CT

A sustained economic downturn and drop in revenues could result in the kind of regionalization of services and revenue sharing long advocated by some state legislative leaders. “It’s the only silver lining in the cloud of this economic crunch,” said Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven. ... Staples said regionalization is practiced successfully nationwide, although Connecticut is not looking to impose another layer of county government. “What is going to push cities and towns into this is the enormous cost of municipal services,” Staples said. ...

http://www.registercitizen.com/articles/2008/11/08/news/doc4915572f6edc4629947707.txt

    .03  EDITORIAL: Regionalization should build up town services

Torrington Register Citizen - Torrington, CT, USA

... Cities like Torrington take pride in their individuality, but using Torrington and other regional commercial centers as the focal point of regional service-sharing could be a great boon to the state. But the state should be careful. If regionalization takes away existing services in the communities that need them most or ends up costing more than it saves, the solution could put the state, and the communities it is made up of in a real bind, one worse than we’re in right now.

http://www.registercitizen.com/articles/2008/11/10/opinion/doc4917c5f2164dd826792863.txt

    .04  Editorial: Regional collaboration should be rewarded

Oshkosh Northwestern - Oshkosh, WI, USA

Local governments here continue to demonstrate initiative and a willingness to bury old border battles. They are also innovating programs. But, beyond acknowledging the benefits of budgetary cost-cutting under strict property tax freezes, the state of Wisconsin needs to come up with a fair fiscal reward for local governments' creativity, cooperation and results. An extra infusion of state shared revenues and local government aids based on local governments' success in regionalizing and cost-cutting seems like a solution, but who is crafting an actionable proposal in Madison? ...

http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20081112/OSH0602/811120485

   .05  State offers to assist towns in merger study

Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle - Beverly, MA, USA

Concern for municipal budgets is high priority at the Division of Local Services, prompting them to look closely at opportunities for regionalization and cost sharing. ...

http://www.wickedlocal.com/hamilton/news/x398377363/State-offers-to-assist-towns-in-merger-study

Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Division of Local Services:  http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=dorsubtopic&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Local+Officials&L2=Municipal+Data+and+Financial+Management&L3=Financial+Management+Assistance&sid=Ador

 

    .06  Regional Transit Authority wants to levy sales tax

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Milwaukee, WI, USA

The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority called Monday for the Legislature to turn the authority into a permanent agency that would oversee all public buses and commuter trains in a three-county region, funded by a sales tax of up to 0.5%. ... Any transit sales tax should replace all property taxes now used for public transit in Milwaukee, Kenosha and eastern Racine counties, ...

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/34206369.html

    .07  Anti-regionalism by Holloway

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Milwaukee, WI, USA

In an intemperate letter sent to a number of local officials yesterday, Milwaukee County Board Chairman Lee Holloway blasted a proposal by the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority to ask the Legislature to turn the authority into a permanent agency that would oversee all public buses and commuter trains in a three-county region,  ... We respect Holloway's concerns about Milwaukee County and transit, but we think his stance on this hurts Milwaukee County and the region. In fact, it is anti-regionalism at its worst.  We hope he changes his mind.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/34336614.html

    .08  Planning group asked to move to Milwaukee

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Milwaukee, WI, USA

Critics who contend that regional planning is tilted too heavily toward the suburbs have a potential solution: Move the planners to Milwaukee. Members of the Milwaukee County Board have joined a growing chorus of those who believe that such change is needed within the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. County supervisors called last week on the planning agency to "establish a meaningful urban presence" by opening an office in Milwaukee. ...

http://www.jsonline.com/business/34240754.html

    .09  ARC offers environmental certification for local governments

Gwinnett Daily Post - Griffin, GA, USA

The Atlanta Regional Commission now offers a voluntary environmental certification initiative for which any city in Gwinnett  or the county government can apply. Call it the commission's "Green Housekeeping Seal of Approval." The program, launched Oct. 22 by the 10-county commission which serves the metropolitan area, is a way to recognize and encourage local governments in the Atlanta region to become more sustainable by making a few changes in their practices and operations. ...

http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/main.asp?SectionID=6&SubSectionID=6&ArticleID=52608&TM=1179.119

    .10  Fourth time's the charm for county engineer elect

Hudson Hub-Times - Hudson, Ohio, USA

In his fourth race for Summit County's top engineer position, Democrat Alan Brubaker finally won the title Nov. 4, unseating Republican incumbent Greg Bachman. … As county engineer, he will oversee the county's 200 miles of township roads, 314 waterway bridges, and some storm water drainage functions. The department employs 130 employees operating under an approximately $17 million annual budget. A lifelong resident of Summit County, Brubaker has been a professional engineer for 35 years, including more than 20 years as Kent's city engineer.

In addition to promoting a more regionalized approach to roadway, bridge and storm water drainage issues, Brubaker said he plans to revise departmental staffing.

http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news/article/4462156

    .11  Lancaster village voters OK downsizing

Buffalo News - NY, United States

The vote was the first of its kind since local regionalism advocate Kevin Gaughan began making the case that two elected officials could be removed from every town and village board in Erie County. ...

http://www.buffalonews.com/494/story/484248.html  

    .12  I-81 Corridor Coalition seeks designation

Chambersburg Public Opinion, PA

Members of the I-81 Corridor Coalition met last week in Carlisle and are seeking designation from the US Department of Transportation's second tier of regionally and nationally significant corridors. ... Interstate 81 stretches 824 miles from the Canadian border to Tennessee ...

http://www.publicopiniononline.com/ci_10824522

    .13  Technology belt plans grow - Note: Related to 7 above.

Tribune Review - Pittsburgh, PA, USA 

At a recent meeting arranged by the Life Sciences Greenhouse, Pribanic said she learned of three companies in Ohio that could help to enhance her business. "For entrepreneurs, it can be hard to make connections from region to region," ...

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_596834.html

    .14  Plan for high-speed rail system released

San Francisco Chronicle - CA, USA

California's high-speed rail system, endorsed by voters on Tuesday, will haul 50 million people and generate a surplus of $1.1 billion annually by 2030, according to a business plan released by the High Speed Rail Authority [ http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/ ] … Also included in the report was a collection of recent regional economic studies that predict that by 2030, 160,000 jobs will be created to build the railroad and 320,000 new permanent jobs will arise in industries such as tourism, transportation and security - by 2030 as a result of the fast train's existence. …

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/07/BAV6140IK5.DTL

     .15  Fire Department Regionalization Talks Come Up Empty

Cape Cod Chronicle - Chatham, MA, USA

While the town administrators of both towns have pledged to keep an open dialogue, there are no fire department regionalization plans currently on the table ...

http://www.capecodchronicle.com/harnews/har110608_4.htm

    .16  Needed: Palmdale airport

Long Beach Press-Telegram - Long Beach, CA, USA

The problem is getting started. Travelers won't use outlying airports until there are convenient and economic options, and airlines don't want to create the options until there is an established customer base. That's where Los Angeles officials have to step in. By capping growth at LAX and encouraging the use of regional airports (other than Long Beach Airport, which is close to its legal maximum), they can create pressure for regionalization. ...

http://www.presstelegram.com/opinions/ci_10944296

    .17  Nine counties in region declared federal drought disaster areas

FayObserver.com - Fayetteville, NC, USA

Nine counties in the Cape Fear region are among those in the state that have been declared federal disaster areas due to drought conditions, ...

http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=309993

    .18  Summit to review region's economy

Henderson Gleaner - Henderson, KY, USA

Q: When you first came up with the idea and started proposing it to folks in Western Kentucky and southeastern Illinois and Southwestern Indiana, how many puzzled looks did you get wondering who is this guy from Evansville, and why is he calling me about economic development in the region?

A: We did have some curiosity about the necessity of it, even here in Evansville. Some people said, 'Why should we be looking at Kentucky?' But the fascinating thing was numerous individuals saw beyond their immediate area — they recognized the interdependency that we have.

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/nov/08/summitto-review-regionseconomy/

    .19  Will Carbon Credits Mean Blackouts?

Greentech Media - Cambridge, MA, USA

In a survey conducted by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), several utility executives have begun to express fears that the cancellation of coal-fired power plants and the implementation of carbon reduction policies could make it difficult to deliver power in some regions. ... "The success of climate change initiatives will depend on successful and aggressive regional planning," said James Hoecker, Counsel for WIRES, a trade group, in the report.

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/will-carbon-credits-mean-blackouts-5141.html

    .20  Group explores regionalization of sewer system

Bonner County Daily Bee - Sandpoint, ID, USA

The regionalization plan will be spearheaded by a soon-to-be formed non-profit organization called the Pend Oreille Clean Water Association, which will likely be made up of representatives from the five sewer districts and various local leaders. ...

http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/articles/2008/10/22/news/doc48fec34d06361113684635.txt

     .21  GETTING THERE: Area transit cash likely won’t be cut in ’09

Colorado Springs Gazette - Colorado Springs, CO, USA

... The board of directors of the PPRTA will review the budget Nov. 12 and hear presentations by the various governments about how they want to spend the tax money. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Dec. 10. If there are no objections, the budget could be approved then. Both meetings will be held at 1:30 pm at the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments' office at 15 S. 7th St.

http://www.gazette.com/articles/year_42669___article.html/budget_million.html

    .22  What became of council of governments?

Idaho Mountain Express and Guide - Ketchum, ID, USA

In recent years, elected officials from Blaine County and local municipalities have met together on a quarterly basis to discuss ways of tackling pressing issues in a regional fashion.  But of late, the semi-regular meetings of this group—which some have called a council of governments—have fallen by the wayside. ...

http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?ID=2005123526 

    .23  2 running write-in campaigns for Franklin Regional Council of Governments in Tuesday's election

The Republican - MassLive.com - Springfield, MA, USA

A hitch in meeting the signature requirement to get on the ballot for a seat on the Executive Committee of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments has led to a two-candidate write-in race. ...

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/10/2_running_writein_campaigns_fo.html?category=Franklin%20County+category=Politics

    .24  Jensen, Pugmire spar over experience, missed meetings

Salt Lake Tribune - United States

Combine that with his seats on the Wasatch Front Regional Council and the Central Utah Water Conservancy District and "no one is better situated or has more impact on the growth of Salt Lake County than I do," Jensen said....

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_10863714

    .25  Regionalism touted for river terminal

Van Buren Press Argus-Courier - Van Buren, AR, USA

The Arkansas River which has often divided Fort Smith and Van Buren over the years can now bring the region together, Van Buren Mayor Bob Freeman said Monday during a tour designed to gather support for the development of a regional intermodal authority. ...

http://www.pressargus.com/articles/2008/10/29/news/news01_102908.txt

    .26  The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region's New Study On Returning Troops and Military Families  ...

MarketWatch - USA

A new study by The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region (  www.thecommunityfoundation.org ) of returning troops from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan shows that community-based nonprofit organizations in the Greater Washington region do not have adequate resources to address the critical needs of these troops and their families. ...

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/The-Community-Foundation-National-Capital/story.aspx?guid={F86DE3D7-4EF7-4AA3-B7D1-E47935B6004C}

    .27  Water: Sustaining, allocating it key to Tucson area's future

Tucson Citizen - Tucson, AZ, USA

Southern Arizona faces an uphill battle in choosing a sustainability future, partly because the region has a high degree of fragmentation of governments, said John Shepard, a deputy director at the Sonoran Institute. ...

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/fromcomments/101963.php  

    .28  LIBERTY OR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?

NewsWithViews.com - Merlin, OR, USA

Regionalization is happening without Americans understanding it. Checks and balances that are inherent in a system of free enterprise and private property ...

http://www.newswithviews.com/Shaw/michael125.htm

    .29  Google Uses Search to Forecast Regional Flu Outbreaks

Marketing Vox News

Google's philanthropic unit, mined its database for queries about flu-related topics (e.g., thermometer, flu symptoms, muscle aches, chest congestion), then mapped it on top of data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The result? A web tool called Google Flu Trends [ http://www.google.org/flutrends/ ] that can be used to track flu outbreaks across the 50 states. ... Google claims the tool can detect regional outbreaks of the flu 7-10 days before they are reported by the CDC.

http://www.marketingvox.com/google-uses-search-to-forecast-regional-flu-outbreaks-041932/

11. Other Regional Community News for Our Local Planet   Contents

    .01  East Asia-Pacific Central Banks (EMEAP) step up regional cooperation.

Banknet India

… Monetary and Financial Stability Committee ("MFSC") of the Executives’ Meeting of East Asia-Pacific (EMEAP) Central Banks held a number of special teleconferences to discuss developments in the region.  … The Committee agreed that the prevailing crisis has underlined the importance of stepping up regional cooperation in information sharing and joint monitoring of the impact of the evolving global financial crisis on regional economies and the implications for central banks in the region. The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining monetary and financial stability in the region, which is essential for supporting the health of the region and the global economies.  …

http://www.banknetindia.com/banking/81035.htm

    .02  MMRDA to focus on areas near city

Daily News & Analysis - Mumbai, India

"The next decade belongs to the area surrounding Mumbai." This is the new mantra of the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA). At a meeting on Saturday, the "think-tank" meeting decided to give more importance to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) by identifying multi-model corridors across the region. Explaining the idea of "multi-model corridors" MMRDA metropolitan commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad said that since the island city and suburbs of Mumbai are already strapped for space, MMRDA has decided to concentrate on the rest of the metropolitan region. …

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1204751

     .03  Mediterranean Union agrees on HQ, Arab-Israeli role

AFP -

Foreign ministers from the new Mediterranean Union struck a deal Tuesday for Barcelona to host the forum's headquarters and for Israel and the Arab League to take part side-by-side. ... France, which championed the Union, hoped that by basing it on modest regional projects, such as cleaning up pollution in the Mediterranean, it would be able to sidestep the trap of regional disputes. ...

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gzBNI6Di29bPocrAVLXgwufCAVsw

     .04  ASIAN DOMINATION?

Irish Times - Dublin, Ireland

Despite the EU's cultivation of inter-regionalism the European model of regional integration is very different from the Asian one. Common institutions, sovereignty sharing, majority voting, a transnational court and supranationality are the main features of the EU's regionalism. ...

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/innovation/2008/1103/1225321597558.html

    .05  Kashmir is a bilateral issue: Pranab

Hindu - Chennai, India

... stressed on the need for closer understanding between developing countries through South-South cooperation. “If we can formulate proper policies on regional cooperation it will be a big help,” he said, noting that while ASEAN was progressing well, SAARC had a long way to go. ...

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/09/stories/2008110959931100.htm

    .06  EU dispatches Electoral Observers To Regions

Peace fm Online - Ghana

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Ghana on Monday dispatched 24 long-term electoral observers to the 10 regions. Chief Observer on the mission, Mr Nickolay Mladenov, told journalists that 30 more short-term observers would be dispatched to the regions "as we get closer to the elections". The mission is in Ghana at the invitation of the Electoral Commission (EC) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the December 7 electoral process in accordance with international and regional standards for genuine democratic elections.

http://www.peacefmonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17903:eu-dispatches-electoral-observers-to-regions&catid=15:social-news&Itemid=56

    .07  Johor must bring out its tourism charm, says don

New Straits Times - Persekutuan, Malaysia

... advise the Iskandar Regional Development Authority on how to improve tourism potential. "Iskandar Malaysia should forget about competing and building a 'bigger and better' theme park. "We should develop what Singapore does not have, which is Johor culture, nature reserves and greenery." ... 

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/National/2396825/Article/index_html

    .08  Absorbing Innovation: cities and regions need to import innovation ...

Science Business - London, England, UK

More attention needs to be paid to increasing the ability of cities and regions to absorb innovation in this way, says a new report from NESTA, the UK’s National Endowment for Science, Technology and Arts. [ http://www.nesta.org.uk/innovation-by-adoption/ ] ...

http://bulletin.sciencebusiness.net/ebulletins/showissue.php3?page=/548/art/12069&ch=1

    .09  Desert regions 'key' to green economy

Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

"One method to deal with climate change is bio-mimicry, where we look at nature and how it does various things, and mimic it," ... "Australia and its desert regions have a massive opportunity to develop an entire green energy economy that is based on solar, wind and geothermal technology." …

http://news.smh.com.au/national/desert-regions-key-to-green-economy-20081106-5j4f.html

     .10  World's Experts in the ‘Creative Economy’ Gather in Glasgow : Recession Clouds May Have Silver Lining for the Creative Economy

Allmediascotland - Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

As the moving image industry goes online, and goes mobile, cities and regions are positioning themselves to attract the next generation of audio-visual entrepreneurs. ...

http://www.allmediascotland.com/media_releases/3517/worlds_experts_in_the_%91creative_economy%92_gather_in_glasgow_recession_clouds_may_have_silver_lining_for_the_creative_economy

    .11  Incineration could still be part of the answer, boroughs say

Environmental Data Interactive - UK

The vision urged London Mayor Boris Johnson to revise targets for self-sufficient treatment of waste written in the London Plan. The committee said London Boroughs should be allowed to treat waste at the nearest appropriate location, rather than being forced to manage their waste within rigid regional boundaries. ...

http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=15559&channel=0&title=Incineration+could+still+be+part+of+the+answer%2C+boroughs+say

    .12  MISMATCH IN LAWS OBSTRUCTS REGIONAL COOPERATION

Thanh Nien Daily - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The discordances in three main issues – traffic laws, border control documentation and passport regulations – are blocking crossborder flows and preventing  the East West Economic Corridor from meeting its expectations. ... Brunei, East Timor, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand have a lefthand traffic system and therefore have different traffic laws from their neighbors. This fact leads to many difficulties in transportation, trade and tourism in the region. The UK and France, however, have solved this problem effectively....

http://www.thanhniennews.com/others/?catid=13&newsid=43587

    .13  Taiwan and APEC: 17 Years of Cooperation

Taiwan Review - Taipei, Taiwan

Under the name of Chinese Taipei, Taiwan has participated in APEC for all but two years of the organization's existence. APEC began as an informal discussion group in 1989, but has since become the Asia Pacific region's top forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment. Taiwan gained full membership in APEC in 1991. Through participation in APEC, the organization's 21 member economies work toward the creation of a barrier-free business environment, investment liberalization and regional peace through cooperation and communication.

http://taiwanreview.nat.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=45204&CtNode=119

    .14  A new approach to Asia dawns

AsiaOne - Singapore

China has been established as the champion of Asian multilateralism and regionalism. Mr Obama will put more emphasis on Asian policy. ...

http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/World/Story/A1Story20081106-98718.html

    .15   A New Axis Forms

Russia Profile - Moscow, Russia

After the “five-day war” in the Caucasus, the geopolitical and geo-strategic alignment of forces in the world was fundamentally altered. ...

http://www.russiaprofile.org/page.php?pageid=Themes&cont=c1225535432&articleid=a1225542522

    .16  Kuwait's Central Bank: Time good for bank mergers

International Herald Tribune - France

... mergers would enable them to be more competitive and enhance their ability to expand regionally and internationally. A steep loss in derivatives at at a major Kuwaiti bank brought the global crisis to the oil-rich state last month.  ...

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/09/business/ML-Kuwait-Banking.php