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____________________________________________________________________________
_
Regional Community Development News - May 13, 2009 [regions_work]
A compilation of news links about and for regional communities pursuing
local and regional development.
Published on line since November 11, 2003.
____________________________________________________________________________
_________
Contents
Top Regional Community stories . 1. - 9.
U.S. Regional Communities - sub-State, State or multi-State - news articles
.10.01 - .40
Other Regional Community News for Our Local Planet . 11.01 - .19
Blogging about Regional Communities . 12.01 - .14
Announcements and Regional Links . 13.01 - .04
Financial Crisis .14.01
Custom search: region, regions, regional communities . 15.
_________________________________________________________________________
Top Regional Community stories
1. Our View: Transportation fix will take full cooperation - Atlanta
Journal Constitution - Atlanta, GA, USA
We're big on boundaries.
Georgia has 159 counties - more than any state but Texas - and more than 500
cities, with additional cities in various stages of creation. We have school
districts and community improvement districts and soil and water districts
and water management districts and county commissioner and city council
districts.
By drawing lines on a map, we seem to think we can separate our problems
from their problems, our resources from their resources. And the smaller the
governmental entity, the more control we feel we have over what takes place
within its borders.
That's the theory, and in many cases it's valid. Local control does have
benefits.
However, lines and borders can also produce the opposite effect. Sometimes,
they reduce our ability to tackle problems and make the most of
opportunities. That's because problems and opportunities sprawl across
boundaries, and we often lack tools properly sized size to address them.
That's certainly part of metro Atlanta's problem with transportation. The
challenge can't be addressed by cities or counties - it crosses too many
boundary lines to be solved at that level. And year after year, leaders at
the state level refuse to address it as well, in part because the problem
isn't statewide in scale. Many legislators from outside the region have
apparently concluded that there's nothing to be gained by helping out a
metro region that's distrusted by many of their folks back home. Even worse,
some legislators from within the metro region still prefer to indulge in the
petty feuds pitting suburban vs. urban, north vs. south, and in some cases
white vs. black. As a result, there is no effective metro Atlanta caucus in
the Legislature to defend the region's interests. .
Outside the Legislature, however, something important may be stirring. The
Metropolitan North Georgia Water .
<http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/2009/05/03/metroed_0503.
html>
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/2009/05/03/metroed_0503.h
tml
2. In local-option transportation issues, a pull between region and state
- Southern Political Report - Atlanta, GA, USA
One of the South's emerging political tension points is the competition
between the traditional prerogatives state governments and the growing
aspirations of "regions," which in most cases can be defined as an
assortment of local governments, united by a traffic jam.
This tension can be traced in the legislative battles in Georgia and Texas
this year over local-option transportation proposals.
For the second year in a row, the Georgia General Assembly failed to agree
on a comprehensive plan to fund the state's growing transportation needs.
The traditional rivalry between the House and Senate and the jostling over
next year's governor's race were the big sticking points, but this was also
a state-region problem. The House wanted to have a statewide sales tax to
fund a comprehensive statewide roads program, while the Senate wanted to
allow counties and cities to join together to put local option sales taxes
on the ballot in their jurisdictions.
Over the past three decades, local option taxes for transportation have
become common across the United States, including Georgia and Texas. As
metro areas have grown, it has become harder to contain transportation needs
within a single county or city boundary, and so the definition of "local"
has grown trickier. In Georgia's case, we're talking about the sprawling
Atlanta Metro region, which has been gobbling rural real estate at a
world-record pace for decades.
.
Emerging regions can also be threatening to the cities and counties being
swallowed up in them. One criticism of the Texas proposal has been that
small cities could be outvoted in region-wide referendums.
The Texas local option plan, which would fund some 200 miles of commuter
rail in the North Texas suburbs, has been kicked around in the legislature
for the better part of this decade.
This year, the bill has passed .
<http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/storylink_428_849.aspx>
http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/storylink_428_849.aspx
3. Guest columnist: 'Reality Check' opened eyes - Anderson Independent
Mail - Anderson, SC, USA
A joint initiative of Upstate Together and the Urban Land Institute (ULI)
South Carolina, Upstate Reality Check brought together, for the first time,
elected officials and business, education, conservation, housing and
community leaders from all 10 counties of the Upstate to talk openly about
how we can transcend county lines to work for the greater good of the
Upstate Region.
As a member of the Upstate Together steering committee that hosted the
event, I had high hopes for a well-attended and engaging event. It far
exceeded my expectations.
The representation from the 10-county region was tremendous. Almost every
municipality was present, and it opened the door for many of those who in
the past were on the sidelines. At each table, leaders from all levels of
the political field, people from businesses and private citizens explored
hundreds of ideas in handling projected growth over the next 20 years.
...
The top three guiding principles that the collective group identified at the
event were to improve education opportunities and job creation, to improve
regional transportation and leverage existing infrastructure and to promote
regional linkage. And the priorities moving forward include working to
foster effective regionalism and regional leadership and addressing
infrastructure funding shortfalls.
The next steps plan will be driven by these results, and it has already
begun with the formation of a new regional organization called Ten at the
Top. The 40-plus members of our original Upstate Together task force will
be expanded to include even more people from throughout the Upstate to form
a new Ten at the Top board. In addition, an executive director will be hired
to ensure that there is someone dedicated to continuing the efforts of
regionalism. ...
<http://www.independentmail.com/news/2009/may/03/guest-columnist-reality-che
ck-opened-eyes/>
http://www.independentmail.com/news/2009/may/03/guest-columnist-reality-chec
k-opened-eyes/
Regional Councils -
S.C. Appalachian Council of Government - Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville,
Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg - <http://www.scacog.org/main.html>
http://www.scacog.org/main.html
Upper Savannah Council of Government - Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens -
<http://www.uppersavannah.com/> http://www.uppersavannah.com/
Catawba Regional Council of Governments - Union -
<http://www.catawbacog.org/> http://www.catawbacog.org/
4. Editorial: Regional authority needed to operate Bay Area carpool, toll
lanes - Inside Bay Area - Oakland, CA, USA
THE WORSENING traffic congestion in the Bay Area is having an increasingly
negative impact on the quality of life in the region. The millions of people
who commute to work daily lose valuable time, waste gasoline and add to air
pollution. Businesses suffer and new enterprises are discouraged from
locating in the area, harming the Bay Area economy.
Fortunately, there is a plan that promises to ease traffic congestion and
raise revenues needed for transportation improvements. It's a regional $3.7
billion proposal for an 800-mile network of carpool and toll lanes.
The emphasis here is "regional." Too often in the past local transportation
agencies have been at odds with each other and the regional Metropolitan
Transportation Authority over which projects to build, how to pay for them
and how to distribute funding.
Finally, there is a truly regional approach to Bay Area transportation
needs. It calls for more high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes that would be
open for carpools, buses and, in some places, for individual motorists
willing to pay tolls.
These High Occupancy Toll, or HOT, lanes would have varying rates depending
on the level of congestion. They would be collected using FasTrack
transponders like the ones now used to collect bridge tolls.
The problem with much of the HOV lanes in the Bay Area is that they are not
continuous. Carpool drivers too often have to merge into regular highly
congested lanes in certain areas, particularly intersections of major
highways.
Not only do these bottlenecks delay carpool drivers, they are a major
hindrance to express buses. If the Bay Area had a continuous network of
highways with HOV and HOT lanes, express buses offering monthly passes could
operate far more efficiently.
.
<http://www.insidebayarea.com/opinion/ci_12201394>
http://www.insidebayarea.com/opinion/ci_12201394
RC: Association of Bay Area Governments - ABAG -
<http://www.abag.ca.gov/> http://www.abag.ca.gov
5. Survey: Transportation, education top list of priorities for D.C.-area
residents - Washington Business Journal - Washington, D.C., USA
Residents view transportation, education and the economy as the top
long-term issues facing the region, according to a survey released Friday by
the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. [
<http://www.mwcog.org/> http://www.mwcog.org]
But schools, safe streets, good jobs and access to health care are the top
agenda items that area residents want their tax dollars to flow into.
"The individual jurisdictions across our region have unique personalities
and needs. This survey examines some of those differences," said Sharon
Bulova, Greater Washington 2050 Chairman and Fairfax County Board of
Supervisors Chairman. "But what sets this effort apart is the identification
of ideas that are held in common by citizens all across the region, areas
where they are urging greater regional effort to make this a better place to
live for years to come."
Greater Washington 2050 commissioned the public opinion survey to comprehend
residents' priorities and hopes for the future of the region. More than
1,300 interviews were conducted in February.
Producing high quality schools is the most urgent of the sixteen priorities
for the future tested. The second top priority for the long term is locking
down safe streets and neighborhoods.
Traffic is the leading long-term issue, but it is not where the public would
put the most resources into.
By a large margin, traffic and transportation are listed as the top
long-term challenges facing the area, and the worry is particularly acute in
parts of Northern Virginia. However, when asked how much of a priority they
would place on transportation if they were making decisions for the region,
residents rank transportation ninth out of a list of sixteen items tested.
A large number of the region's residents would like to see more problems
addressed regionally across state and county lines, said 43 percent, and
that figure goes up among people who want specific .
2050 Report: <http://www.greaterwashington2050.org/eupdates.html>
http://www.greaterwashington2050.org/eupdates.html
<http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/04/27/daily91.html>
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/04/27/daily91.html
6. Property tax forum promotes regionalism and 'smart growth' - Bridgeport
News - Bridgeport, CT, USA
Rising property taxes in the suburbs could be what finally convinces
suburban public officials that more regionalization efforts make sense,
according to state Rep. Brendan Sharkey of Hamden.
That - and money - could help bring about change, Sharkey told an audience
at a forum on property taxes and so-called smart growth at the Burroughs
Community Center in Black Rock last week.
"Bribe them with money," Sharkey joked, referring to a proposal to legally
share taxes from certain new development among towns that agree to a
regional pact.
Sharkey, a Democrat, heads up a statewide smart growth task force that
include state legislators, business leaders and community representatives.
.
Grogins said having municipalities cooperate on regional issues makes sense.
"It's about cities and towns working together to cut costs," she said,
adding this would allow nearby communities to better strategize on where and
how to encourage development.
Something must be done to lower taxes in Bridgeport, Grogins said, which has
a limited tax base and has seen much of the commercial development in recent
decades take place in surrounding towns.
"In Black Rock and Brooklawn, we pay the highest property taxes in the city
and the state, and some of the highest in the nation," she said.
.
"We develop big houses on big lots, often with no sidewalks," said Green,
noting the amount of land covered by structures and asphalt is increasing
seven times faster than the population in Connecticut.
"Connecticut isn't growing - we're spreading," she said.
Begin with small steps
The legislators said regional cooperation could begin with less
controversial actions such as buying items in bulk to get economies of
scale; purchasing employee health-care coverage together; and sharing
certain equipment, legal services and payroll software services.
.
Regional Planning Organizations (RPOs):
<http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2986&q=383046>
http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2986&q=383046
<http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/index.php?option=com_content&view=arti
cle&id=26127:property-tax-forum-promotes-regionalism-and-smart-growth&catid=
147:local-news&Itemid=1429>
http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/index.php?option=com_content&view=artic
le&id=26127:property-tax-forum-promotes-regionalism-and-smart-growth&catid=1
47:local-news&Itemid=1429
7. A merger or a hostile takeover? - The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com -
Cleveland, OH, USA
A merger or a hostile takeover? I've been kicking that around ever since
Cleveland Heights City Councilman Mark Tumeo fired the shot heard 'round the
Heights March 24.
Tumeo stood up at a meeting of the University Heights Charter Review
Commission and said the two cities should "start a dialogue" about merging.
(Heights people never "talk." They "dialogue.")
How curious, I thought. Cleveland Heights has always sneered at its little
neighbor to the southeast.
As Cleveland sputters, a few civic leaders keep rallying for regionalism,
but they offer no tangible proof that it will "work," whatever that means.
...
UH Mayor Beryl Rothschild was downright suspicious. She didn't even get a
courtesy call from Tumeo before he opened his mouth, and she thinks he's
sniffing for a bail-out. Her city has money in the bank, while Cleveland
Heights has been struggling since voters killed an income tax hike a year
ago.
Some alliances do merit a bit of "dialogue," like consortiums for purchasing
salt and health insurance, and Cleveland Heights Mayor Ed Kelley's call for
a single regional fire department. But if you think bigger is better, then
move to Cleveland.
..
At a recent dinner, I was seated with a couple who moved here from Los
Angeles three years ago. When I asked them how they liked Cleveland, they
plunged, unprompted, into praise for our plethora of suburbs. Having been
hammered by the regionalism crowd, I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"You have community here because each suburb has an identity," they said.
"People love and embrace their own communities."
It's not like that in Los Angeles, they said. Out in that black hole of
urban sprawl, residents have no allegiance to, say, Glendale or Burbank.
"You don't know how lucky you are here," they gushed.
.
Collaboration? Absolutely. Merger? No.
<http://www.cleveland.com/sunnews/reflections/index.ssf?/base/columnist-0/12
41100453136830.xml&coll=4>
http://www.cleveland.com/sunnews/reflections/index.ssf?/base/columnist-0/124
1100453136830.xml&coll=4
8. Baby steps' toward regionalism - Sun News - cleveland.com -
Independence, OH, USA
Councilman Kevin Patrick Murphy believes suburbs interested in collaboration
need to start with small steps.
To discuss a merger of cities or a regional fire district -- two recent
ideas -- is premature, he said.
"For years, we've heard a lot of talk about regionalism, but nothing really
ever happens," Murphy said.
"We're just not capable of undertaking a broad regional effort until we
start working together, on a micro level, by taking these small steps that
lay the groundwork."
Murphy has organized a meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at John Carroll University
to explore regional collaboration among six eastern suburbs.
.
Murphy's goal is to apply for a share of grant money being offered by the
Fund for Our Economic Future's EfficientGovNow program. [
<http://www.futurefundneo.org/> http://www.futurefundneo.org/ ]
The program will offer as much as $300,000 to fund up to three projects that
promote collaboration and efficiency among northeast Ohio governments.
"This is a great starting point," Murphy said. "We can all agree there are
little things we can do together, with an eye toward saving larger dollars
in the future." Apples to apples'
Murphy believes the cities should pursue shared methods of accounting, a
unified system of monitoring contracts with unions, suppliers and service
providers; and a policy to manage the cities' collective capital
expenditures.
Those three topics will be the focus of tonight's meeting.
"Given the budget constraints most inner-ring suburbs are facing, we will,
in the very near term, need to change the way our cities operate," he said.
"Right now, some cities collaborate on group purchasing programs and joint
dispatch programs, but it's simply not enough."
With a shared accounting methodology, cities will be comparing "apples to
apples," Murphy said.
.
<http://www.cleveland.com/sunnews/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/12411040261396
20.xml&coll=4>
http://www.cleveland.com/sunnews/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/124110402613962
0.xml&coll=4
9. SLU's RegionWise Joins Forces with Two Local Universities to Create New
Research Opportunities - Saint Louis University - St. Louis, MO, USA
The Applied Research Collaborative will serve as a regional data and public
policy clearinghouse.
Saint Louis University's has partnered with two other local universities to
create a new regional data service center for local government and nonprofit
organizations.
The Applied Research Collaborative (ARC), joins SLU's RegionWise group, the
Institute for Urban Development at Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville, and the Public Policy Research Center at the University of
Missouri-St. Louis to serve as a data clearinghouse, provide regional
indicators and perform commissioned research projects, including trend
analysis reports.
The program is being undertaken by the universities as a way to provide
support for community improvement through greater collaboration and more
active engagement in key issues facing the St. Louis bi-state region. ARC
will work together with area civic, public and nonprofit agencies that also
will use the research generated by the collaborative.
Robert Mai, Ed.D., director of RegionWise, said the collaboration will
provide new avenues of research for leaders seeking to respond to the needs
of the metro St. Louis area.
"What community leaders from across the region have told us is that there's
a great need to help organizations -- public, private and nonprofit -- not
just acquire access to data, but to think with data." Mai said. "Thinking
with data is what ARC aims to do, and to help planners and decision makers
in our region as well."
.
"The St. Louis region has never really used our substantial academic and
scholarly resources to help us address complex policy problems in a
fact-based, authoritative manner," said Les Sterman, executive director of
East-West Gateway Council of Governments [ <http://www.ewgateway.org/>
http://www.ewgateway.org/ ] , which has already begun working with the
collaborative. ...
<http://www.slu.edu/x30318.xml> http://www.slu.edu/x30318.xml
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 Slay continues call for regional cooperation in State of the City
KWMU - St. Louis, MO, USA
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay used his State of the City address Friday to
repeat his call for stronger regional cooperation. "Until we start speaking
in unison, Jefferson City - both Democrats and Republicans - will continue
to ignore our constituents. They will divert our tax dollars, cap our tax
credits, run our police department and take our votes in November for
granted," Slay told a crowd at City Hall of aldermen, administration
officials, and union members. The mayor called in his inaugural address for
a merger between the city and the county, and regional ownership and
operation of Lambert Airport. They are not, he said, calls for help from a
financially struggling city. "We're part of an overall region," the mayor
said. "And in order for us to be stronger as a city, we need to be stronger
as a region." ...
<http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kwmu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE
_ID=1503674§ionID=1>
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kwmu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_
ID=1503674§ionID=1
.02 Groups urge regional approach for planning growth, sharing tax
revenue
The Star Beacon - Ashtabula, Ohio
... the need for collaboration among northeast Ohio's 16 counties. "We're
competing with each other, and we're losing out," said Akers as he rolled
out the details of the Regional Prosperity Initiative (RPI), a collaborative
effort jointly funded by the Northeast Ohio Mayors and City Managers
Association (NEOM&CMA), Fund for Economic Future and other philanthropic
groups. ... The presenters frequently referred to the success of the
Minneapolis-St. Paul and Allegheny County/ Pittsburgh regions in reinventing
themselves through collaboration. ...
<http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_119193721.html>
http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_119193721.html
.03 Getting Communities to Collaborate is a Challenging Task - [audio 4
min.]
90.3 WCPN ideastreamR - Cleveland, Ohio, USA
An update now on a story we brought you several months back. The Fund For
Our Economic Future put out a challenge to northeast Ohio communities. The
group offered to give $300 thousand toward a development project, with just
one catch. That project has to be a collaboration between multiple
communities. 65 proposals have been submitted. The public will help decide
the winner later this year. As this process rolls on, the group has brought
in a nationally known expert. David Osborne is the author of several books
on the topic of regionalism. He spoke with ideastreamR's Eric Wellman.
<http://www.wcpn.org/index.php/WCPN/news/26010/>
http://www.wcpn.org/index.php/WCPN/news/26010/
.04 EDITORIAL: Regionalism takes step back
Indianapolis Business Journal - Indianapolis, IN, USA
... We know it's politically unpopular to come to the financial rescue of
Lucas Oil Stadium, Conseco Fieldhouse, Victory Field and the Indiana
Convention Center, the venues CIB maintains, because they're in
Indianapolis. But to cast the CIB's deficit as an Indianapolis problem is
simplistic and inaccurate. It overlooks the millions of dollars in state tax
revenue generated by those venues and an endless list of vendors that do
business with them. We suspect the higher taxes that are almost certainly
coming the city's way won't scare away the paying customers that make the
region's hospitality industry so important to the state. At least we hope
not. Regardless, the tone of the debate has been a setback for the idea of
regionalism. Restructuring CIB to give multiple counties in the region a say
in how it's operated might plant the seed for greater cooperation in the
future. One way or another, they must own up to the stake they have in
Marion County's future or its economic engine will someday grind to a halt.
...
<http://cms.ibj.com/ASPXPages/6iframes/FrontEndArticlesDetailPage.aspx?Artic
leID=35736&NoFrame=1>
http://cms.ibj.com/ASPXPages/6iframes/FrontEndArticlesDetailPage.aspx?Articl
eID=35736&NoFrame=1
.05 User fee hikes urged to aid towns and cities
Boston Globe - United States
The communities would get to keep most of the money, although about $15
million would be placed into an account used to promote regionalization.
"We're trying to encourage regionalization of municipal services, everything
from public safety to public health, from education to libraries and road
maintenance," said Senator Stanley Rosenberg, a Northampton Democrat and
cochairman of the Special Commission on Municipal Relief. "We have 351
cities and towns, and most of them are well under 30,000 people."...
<http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/05/07/user_fee
_hikes_urged_to_aid_towns_and_cities/?page=2>
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/05/07/user_fee_
hikes_urged_to_aid_towns_and_cities/?page=2
.06 Closer Look at Sharing Town Services
New York Times - United States
Mark Muro, a fellow and policy director at the Metropolitan Policy Program
at the Brookings Institution in Washington, said that Westchester towns
would benefit most from collaborating on a county or regional level. "More
and more of the challenges that communities face are on a regional scale,"
Mr. Muro said. "Local municipalities are simply too small to provide
responses to the kind of issues that are bedeviling communities. Your
village cannot shape traffic patterns." ...
<http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/nyregion/westchester/03townswe.html?pagew
anted=2&_r=1>
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/nyregion/westchester/03townswe.html?pagewa
nted=2&_r=1
.07 DC now the hub of a region awash in ... happiness?
Washington Examiner - Washington, DC, USA
Happy days are here again, according to a new study by the Metropolitan
Washington Council of Governments, commonly known as COG. Really? Swine flu
is bearing down on our Washington region. ... Yet: "The region's residents
are connected and engaged," the study finds. And "77 percent rated the
region as an excellent or good place to live." ... I can see why COG
commissioned its study for its Greater Washington 2050. Though the results
are somewhat predictable, they are also enlightening.
<http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/HarryJaffe/DC-now-the-hub
-of-a-region-awash-in--happiness-44187932.html>
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/HarryJaffe/DC-now-the-hub-
of-a-region-awash-in--happiness-44187932.html
.08 Better Pandemic Planning
Hartford Business - USA
Connecticut and 19 other states received poor marks for failing to
incorporate sufficient interoperable communication systems, bed tracking,
volunteer personnel management, fatality management and medical evacuation.
... Fortunately, the Capital Region Council of Governments (CROCG) has been
on top of its pandemic planning. It was the first region in New England to
pool its resources to purchase emergency equipment, conduct regional
training exercises, and stockpile medications. The state should take a cue
from CRCOG and satisfy the federal standards for a comprehensive pandemic
flu plan. ...
<http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news8787.html>
http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news8787.html
.09 Pleasant Prairie balks at planning document
Kenosha News.com - Kenosha, WI, USA
The Village Board will consider approving a planning document Monday, even
though local officials have called it "lame" and "a train wreck."
Specifically, the board will consider the "Intergovernmental Cooperation
Element" of the Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan for Kenosha County,
required under the state's Smart Growth legislation and advanced by the
Southeast Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. The chief concerns with
the document, ... Comments: ... Why doesn't the Village of Precious Prairrie
MOVE away from Kenosha County? You know, move their whole village? Try to
get 5 or 10 miles away from the city, out where the air is as pure as the
their actions? ...
<http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/pleasant_prairie_balks_at_planning_document
_4872876.html>
http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/pleasant_prairie_balks_at_planning_document_
4872876.html
.10 Memphis Conversation: Trust at issue when leaders talk merger
Memphis Commercial Appeal - Memphis, TN, USA
In spite of their misgivings about consolidation, the suburban mayors
suggest there are opportunities to expand cooperation between local
governments on a smaller scale, such as a joint commission that could
alleviate the need for businesses to work with separate governments when
they are considering locating in Shelby County. The example that comes to my
mind is the European Union. Today the European Union represents the most
far-reaching example of nation-state cooperation in history, but it started
out on a much smaller scale, as the European Coal and Steel Community, a
free-trade union for limited commodities. As the countries involved saw the
benefits, they expanded the organization's responsibilities. ...
<http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/may/03/memphis-conversation-lisa-
huffstetler-trust-at/>
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/may/03/memphis-conversation-lisa-h
uffstetler-trust-at/
.11 In Hard Times, Rhode Island's Capital Hopes New Slogan Proves
Providential
The Wall Street Journal - New York, USA
A bright orange P decorates the business card of Mayor David Cicilline. He
is the man who decided that Providence, previously touted as "Renaissance
City" but suffering a jobless rate of 11.4%, needed a new image. ... As
recession wallops cities and towns across the country, many are paying for
image makeovers in the hope of attracting tourists and business investment.
... Just down the highway in Pawtucket, which started calling itself "Rhode
Island's Creative Community" at least a year before Providence settled on
the Creative Capital moniker, officials say there's enough creativity for
everyone. "We took no offense," says Herbert Weiss, Pawtucket economic and
cultural-affairs officer.
<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124164771281893315.html#mod%3Digoogle_wsj_g
adgv1%26articleTabs%3Darticle>
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124164771281893315.html#mod%3Digoogle_wsj_ga
dgv1%26articleTabs%3Darticle
.12 Piedmont Triad Partnership To Lead Regional Aerotropolis Initiative
dBusinessNews Triad - NC, USA
The Piedmont Triad Partnership (PTP) has announced that it will lead a new
regional initiative to position the Piedmont Triad as the global logistics
center of the United States East Coast. This new initiative will combine
two existing initiatives-the Global Logistics Task Force of the Piedmont
Triad Leadership Group and the Logistics and Distribution Roundtable of the
Piedmont Triad Partnership. ... David Congdon, President and CEO of Old
Dominion Freight Line, will chair a new Aerotropolis Leadership Board of
approximately twenty-five Piedmont Triad leaders, ...
<http://triad.dbusinessnews.com/shownews.php?newsid=182406&type_news=latest>
http://triad.dbusinessnews.com/shownews.php?newsid=182406&type_news=latest
.13 New Study Shows Airport's Impact
Memphis Daily News - Memphis, TN, USA
The study's findings bolster business and civic leaders' concept of Memphis
as an aerotropolis, the catchy phrase coined by University of North Carolina
business professor John Kasarda. An aerotropolis is an "airport city" in
which a region's commerce largely depends on the airport. Kasarda for a few
years has called Memphis a true aerotropolis, and the Greater Memphis
Chamber has recently trademarked a new slogan for promoting the city as
"Memphis: America's Aerotropolis. Where Runway, Road, Rail and River Merge."
...
<http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=42249>
http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=42249
.14 Local suburbs and Cleveland are studying the creation of an
aerotropolis
News Sun - Cleveland.com OH, USA
Cleveland Hopkins' neighboring communities are hoping to use the airport to
land lucrative developments. Much like a metropolis and its surrounding
suburbs, an aerotropolis features a core airport with outlying
aviation-linked businesses. Berea, Brook Park, Olmsted Falls, Parma,
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Hopkins, the Cleveland Department of Economic
Development, and the Cleveland Department of Port Control are looking to
create an aerotropolis here. ...
<http://blog.cleveland.com/newssun/2009/04/local_suburbs_and_cleveland_ar.ht
ml>
http://blog.cleveland.com/newssun/2009/04/local_suburbs_and_cleveland_ar.htm
l
.15 Anti-poverty 'road map' unveiled
Buffalo News - NY, United States
... Rather than laying out a policy agenda, the 77-page plan largely focuses
on expanding or improving many of the 129 programs the city runs to help
low-income residents, with "collaboration" and "partnerships" the buzzwords
to improve coordination between groups. Henry Louis Taylor Jr. of the
University at Buffalo's urban and regional planning department, who was
introduced as the coordinator of the new task force, said models of
collaboration would be a significant step forward if accomplished. "What's
radical is getting people to work together - to come out of their silos and
form real collaborations," ...
<http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/656428.html>
http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/656428.html
.16 Agenda '09: Area cooperation, development key
GoErie.com - Erie, PA, USA
Early on, Cuneo asked the panelists a question raised by Mercyhurst College
educator Robert Heibel: Should consolidation of regional governments happen,
and how should it happen? Susan Breon, former president of the Center for
eBusiness and Advanced Information Technology, talked about functional
consolidation of services as something the community should focus on. Others
agreed, with lawyer and Erie civic leader Jim Walczak saying consolidation
of larger municipalities "may be a bridge too far.'' Walczak said several
authorities already successfully work regionally, and he suggested a
regional police force as another example of something Erie could do. ...
<http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090507/NEWS02/305079916>
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090507/NEWS02/305079916
.17 Chattanooga: Mayor faces upstream swim to win over water districts
Chattanooga Times Free Press - Chattanooga, TN, USA
Convincing Hamilton County's water utility districts to agree to
consolidation will prove difficult for ... Mr. Littlefield set the goal of
creating a regional water and sewer authority that would eliminate
"unnecessary complexity and sometimes confusion about who provides service."
... Hamilton County has 10 water utilities - eight local water districts
with boards appointed by County Mayor Claude Ramsey, one private company and
one owned by the city it serves, Signal Mountain. ...
<http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/may/03/chattanooga-mayor-faces-upstream
-swim-win-over-wat/?local>
http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/may/03/chattanooga-mayor-faces-upstream-
swim-win-over-wat/?local
.18 MSBA official: Now is the time to regionalize
Fall River Herald News - MA, USA
The MSBA approved beginning negotiations for a Model School program last
week that would build a new regionalized Somerset-Berkley high school. In
the Model School program, the district would use an existing design of a
recently built state high school, using it as a plan for another new school
to cut down on design and construction costs. Craven said the model school,
because it uses an existing plan, bypasses the design process and allows
construction to begin quickly. "If Somerset and Berkley decide to
regionalize, the new school could be beginning to be built this fall," she
said. ...
<http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x1931071119/MSBA-official-Now-is-the-time-to
-regionalize>
http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x1931071119/MSBA-official-Now-is-the-time-to-
regionalize
.19 Town selectmen resist regional dispatch center
The Salem News - Beverly, MA, USA
By Mike Stucka DANVERS - Selectmen argued for three hours last night against
joining a regional 911 dispatch center planned for Middleton. ... "We do
support something. Just at this time, this project, we can't support,"
Selectman Dan Bennett said. Distrust was also evident, as selectmen
criticized the selection of Sheriff Frank Cousins as the administrative
overseer of the dispatch center. Selectman William Clark Jr. described
Cousins as a "massive ego" building a "mini-empire," a theme echoed by
others. ...
<http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_118234642.html>
http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_118234642.html
.20 State officials get earful from locals in Melrose
Melrose Free Press - Beverly, MA, USA
Murray said that the Patrick administration has attempted to be more
aggressive in pushing regionalization efforts, such as the bill included in
the governor's Municipal Partnership Act that would allow cities and towns
to enter into intermunicipal agreements without union approval. As examples,
he pointed to the state of California having only four regional 911 dispatch
centers, while Massachusetts has 270. The administration and Legislature
changed the formula that assists municipalities with 911 costs, providing a
higher reimbursement to communities that regionalize. A more local example,
Murray pointed out, is the Franklin Regional Council of Governments that
provides the 26 towns in Franklin County with various services such as
regional health programs, engineering services and planning for economic
development and land use. "We think it's a model that can be emulated in
many ways," he said. "We've attempted, through laws, regulations and
financial incentives, to encourage that." ...
<http://www.wickedlocal.com/melrose/news/x1515814409/State-officials-get-ear
ful-from-locals-in-Melrose>
http://www.wickedlocal.com/melrose/news/x1515814409/State-officials-get-earf
ul-from-locals-in-Melrose
.21 CAFA draws the line between millage and regional fire service
Dexter Leader - Chelsea, MI, USA
Participants in the CAP/DART meeting from eight western Washtenaw
municipalities discussed the topic of regional fire service feasibility.
During that discussion, consultant Dave Boerger, of Southeast Michigan
Council of Governments, presented the first steps in combining the Chelsea
Area Fire Authority, Dexter Area Fire Authority and the Scio Township Fire
Department. Boerger concluded that the project was "complex" and was asked
to measure the savings of a regional fire department. ...
<http://www.dexterleader.com/stories/043009/loc_20090430011.shtml>
http://www.dexterleader.com/stories/043009/loc_20090430011.shtml
.22 South Portland Votes To Combine SWAT Forces
WMTW.com - Portland, ME, USA
Twenty members will combine to form the Southern Maine Regional SWAT Team,
which will consist of 10 members from South Portland, two from Cape
Elizabeth and eight from Scarborough. I think we are always looking at ways
that regional efforts will help everybody with the quality of service we
provide and also financially with tax breaks. So, it just seems like a
natural progression of something we've actually been doing for some time,"
Scarborough Police Chief Robert Moulton said....
<http://www.wmtw.com/news/19368660/detail.html>
http://www.wmtw.com/news/19368660/detail.html
.23 Economic leaders work on working together more
Natchez Democrat - Natchez, MS, USA
Regionalism, a fancy word for working with your neighbors, will be the
buzzword today as state and regional economic developers descend on Franklin
County. Members of the Southwest Mississippi Partnership - a consortium of
economic developers from 10 counties in the region - will meet at a summit
of local and state leaders to discuss upcoming plans. ...
<http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2009/apr/21/economic-leaders-work-worki
ng-together-more/>
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2009/apr/21/economic-leaders-work-workin
g-together-more/
.24 Workforce Development Key For Calhoun
Calhoun County Journal - Bruce, MS, USA
Moon and John Baas, director of governmental affairs for the Mississippi
Manufacturers Association, were featured speakers at the CEDA meeting last
week at the courthouse in Pittsboro. The Calhoun County Republican Party
provided refreshments. Moon said "regionalism" is the second key to
achieving success. "You can't make it on your own," Moon said. "You have to
reach out and form a multi-county area." Moon said Calhoun County needs to
determine what it can offer that no one else can. then market that and sell
it to the world. ...
<http://www.calhouncountyjournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=artic
le&id=1172:workforce-development-key-for-calhoun&catid=1:latest-news>
http://www.calhouncountyjournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl
e&id=1172:workforce-development-key-for-calhoun&catid=1:latest-news
.25 Grocery plays up regional products
WatertownDailyTimes.com - Watertown, NY, USA
Besides dairy products, Hannaford will feature other local and regional
foods in the "Close to Home" event. ... Some dairy representatives and
producers of the products will attend to give out samples and answer
questions. Throughout the store, regional products are highlighted by Close
to Home signs.
<http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20090429/NEWS03/304299991/-1/NEW
S>
http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20090429/NEWS03/304299991/-1/NEWS
.26 Tri-state area leaders brainstorm how to revive economy
WREX-TV - Rockford, IL, USA
The key to reviving the Rockford area's economy may be collaboration with
communities in other states. That's the focus of a two day conference titled
"Rebuilding the Economy of the Tri-state area." About 60 political and
business leaders from northern Illinois, eastern Iowa, and Southern
Wisconsin are at this conference, sponsored, in part, by the American
Assembly. ...
<http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=10276441>
http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=10276441
.27 Editorial: A call to regionalism
Central Penn Business Journal - Harrisburg, PA, USA
Five bridges span the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg to Cumberland
County, and whereas most businesses have customers on both shores, they are
asked to align with a chamber of commerce on one side of the river or the
other. ... The move for a regional chamber has surfaced at least a
half-dozen times over the years but has failed because it has been viewed as
a power play for one side rather than an opportunity for both. ...
<http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/weekly_article.asp?aID=02998323.9085895.
923780.792462.1979125.247&aID2=71051>
http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/weekly_article.asp?aID=02998323.9085895.9
23780.792462.1979125.247&aID2=71051
.28 Pinched cities of St. Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth argue for
revenue fix -- but not through property taxes
TwinCities.com - MN, USA
Armed with statistics from a just-completed study, a coalition of
governments from three of the state's biggest cities is pushing "the revenue
side of the equation" as the key tool to fix a cascade of budget crunches
from the state level down to local libraries. ... The coalition - St. Paul,
Minneapolis and Duluth - is taking its case to newspaper editorial boards as
state budget discussions move forward at the Capitol. However, the members
aren't pushing a specific plan. Rather, they're making the case that cuts at
the state level haven't reduced state spending, or hurt owners of commercial
real estate, but have trickled down to average homeowners. ...
<http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_12277420?source=rss>
http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_12277420?source=rss
.29 Fire districts join forces to save
Seattle Post Intelligencer - USA
Seven years after approving a merger of the Grand Mound and Rochester fire
districts, voters will decide in August whether to approve further
consolidation. If voters approve, the Grand Mound-Rochester and Littlerock
fire districts, which have been partnering for the past decade, will be
combined to form the West Thurston Regional Fire Service Authority. It would
provide emergency services to almost one-quarter of Thurston County. ... The
potential mergers are just two of many examples of how limits on revenue and
increased growth have prompted rural fire districts to consolidate, changing
the landscape of fire protection and emergency medical response in Thurston
County. .
<http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/839138.html>
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/839138.html
.30 Army goes green for community
FayObserver.com - Fayetteville, NC, USA
More than 300,000 Fort Bragg soldiers, family members, civilians, retirees
and on-site contractor partners consider the Sandhills communities their
home. Sustainable Fort Bragg has taken a proactive stand to ensure the
long-term viability of the installation and build a healthy and thriving
region. ... Further, the Sustainable Sandhills initiative goes a long way
toward complementing the important ongoing work of the Fort Bragg BRAC
Regional Taskforce. .
<http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=325043>
http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=325043
.31 Regional ambulance idea gains traction with decision by Berlin
Barre Montpelier Times Argus - Barre, VT, USA
Acute interest in participating in a regional discussion of public safety
services with all three of the communities vying for Berlin's business. ...
discussions will include ambulance service, but regionalizing firefighting
and law enforcement, two other expensive municipal services, are also strong
possibilities. ...The Berlin board's patience and willingness to participate
in a candid discussion of regionalization is a positive sign. ...
<http://www.timesargus.com/article/20090422/NEWS01/904220352/0/SEARCH>
http://www.timesargus.com/article/20090422/NEWS01/904220352/0/SEARCH
.32 My View: Regional dispatch is regionalization done wrong
The Salem News - Beverly, MA, USA
The biggest problem with this plan is that it does not represent
regionalization. It's no different than a city or town hiring a
subcontractor who, in this case, will be state employees managed by the
sheriff, to perform a job with which this agency has no experience. This
current proposal results in a single dispatch center, with no plan for
redundancy. .
<http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_118222331.html?keyword=secon
darystory>
http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_118222331.html?keyword=second
arystory
.33 LEED V3 Adds New Grading Scale, Regional Certification
Environmental Leader - Fort Collins, CO, USA
A new component of the ratings system includes LEED 2009 credits for
regional environmental priorities. "Because environmental priorities differ
among various regions of the country-the challenges in the Southeast differ
from those in the Northwest, for example-regionally specific credits give
LEED a way to directly respond to diverse, regionally grounded issues," said
Brendan Owens, Vice President of Technical Development, USGBC ...
<http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/05/07/leed-v3-adds-new-grading-scal
e-regional-certification/>
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/05/07/leed-v3-adds-new-grading-scale
-regional-certification/
.34 Editorial: A region on the fast track
Philadelphia Inquirer - Philadelphia, PA, USA
Even though President Obama said it wasn't pie-in-the-sky stuff, most
regions around the nation can only dream of a future in which high-speed
rail plays a significant role. But then there's lucky Philadelphia. This
region is uniquely positioned to benefit from the president's plan -
announced last week - to spend as much as $13 billion over five years to
upgrade passenger service and build high-speed rail corridors. ...
<http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20090423_Editorial__A_region_on_the_
fast_track.html>
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20090423_Editorial__A_region_on_the_f
ast_track.html
.35 Our View: Georgia can't afford to miss this train
Atlanta Journal Constitution - Atlanta, GA, USA
The Obama administration has committed to spend $13 billion over the next
five years jump-starting high-speed rail projects. But it's an opportunity
that Atlanta is likely to miss, at least this time around. Geographically
speaking, the metro region is situated perfectly. ... But politically and
bureaucratically, we're located far from the real action. California and
Florida, among other states, are well ahead of Georgia in planning and
preparation for high-speed rail. Virginia and North Carolina, for example,
created the Virginia-North Carolina Interstate High-Speed Rail Commission in
2001. . By comparison, Georgia's preparation hasn't gotten much beyond
feasibility studies. ...
<http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/2009/05/10/hispeeded_051
0.html>
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/2009/05/10/hispeeded_0510
.html
.36 Equal Time: Transportation hype inflates facts and figures
Atlanta Journal Constitution - Atlanta, GA, USA
The prospect of a time-saving bullet train between Atlanta and Charlotte or
Atlanta and Raleigh is thrilling. ... But why? Why would hard-working
taxpayers of Georgia and North Carolina - indeed, any taxpayer - want to
foot the billion-dollar bill on a 244-mile project between Atlanta and
Charlotte? Georgia already struggles to meet its transportation needs with a
$2 billion annual budget. And why, especially, when flights and road
capacity are already adequate? Would passenger trips justify this megaregion
"investment" or is this a money pit of a make-work project? Policy-makers
need to approach with caution feasibility studies in which consultants with
a romance-the-rail agenda also "romance" ridership projections and economic
potential. Americans also need to know the cost of a national high-speed
rail network. The $8 billion is described as a jump-start, but it's more an
inch-forward. ...
<http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/2009/05/10/equaled_0510.
html>
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/2009/05/10/equaled_0510.h
tml
.37 Gorge Local Currency Cooperative (GLCC) River HOURS
American Chronicle - Beverly Hills, CA, USA
River Hours is a vibrant community currency for the Columbia River Gorge
area. Patterned after Ithaca Hours, member of this community feel their
currency project has had a great deal of success in the years it has been in
operation. ... Your mission statement from the bylaws reads: The Gorge Local
Currency Cooperative (GLCC) seeks to create and sustain a local currency
system in order to build community, promote regional economic independence,
support local business and trade, encourage entrepreneurship, honor
diversity, and enhance the local minimum wage in the Mid-Columbia region.
...
<http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/99452>
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/99452
.38 West Michigan receives mixed marks at regional conference
Muskegon Chronicle - MLive.com
When stacked up against similar regions throughout the country, West
Michigan comes up strong in some areas and weak in others. A newly released
study by the West Michigan Strategic Alliance compared the eight-county West
Michigan region -- including Muskegon, Ottawa and Newaygo counties -- with
26 similar sized and configured counties across the country. ...
<http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2009/05/west_michigan_receives
_mixed_m.html>
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2009/05/west_michigan_receives_
mixed_m.html
.39 Road-use Fees Could Solve Our Transit Woes
Brookings - Washington, D.C.
... solution that would address both the congestion and financing problem
would be road-use pricing that varies with congestion. Drivers would
directly pay for the costs they impose on others. These charges would vary
with VMT, the level of congestion, and the type of vehicle. ... The federal
government should test a road-use pricing program in a major metropolitan
area before introducing it nationally - and the Washington area would be
ideal. Federal employees would be able to get to work more efficiently, and
the national capital would become even more attractive as congestion and
pollution fell, and transportation infrastructure improved. ...
<http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2009/0501_congestion_pricing_rivlin.aspx?
emc=lm&m=225054&l=6&v=1034753>
http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2009/0501_congestion_pricing_rivlin.aspx?e
mc=lm&m=225054&l=6&v=1034753
.40 Identity Crisis? City-County Boundaries Confuse SCV Residents
LAist - Los Angeles, CA, USA
Mike Murphy, the city's intergovernmental relations officer, explains the
boundaries for the City of Santa Clarita, which are: ... Many residents of
unincorporated areas feel they belong to the Santa Clarita community,
although they are technically affiliated with Los Angeles County. It comes
down to taking a moment to determine what jurisdiction your address falls
under. According to Tony Bell, spokesman for Michael D. Antonovich, this is
an example of "the basic civics lesson" which "is that everyone should be
informed about their city, county, state and federal government." ...
<http://laist.com/2009/05/04/identity_crisis_city-county_boundar.php>
http://laist.com/2009/05/04/identity_crisis_city-county_boundar.php
11. Other Regional Community News for Our Local Planet Contents
.01 The Revenge of Geography
Foreign Policy
... , to embrace geography is not to accept it as an implacable force
against which humankind is powerless. Rather, it serves to qualify human
freedom and choice with a modest acceptance of fate. This is all the more
important today, because rather than eliminating the relevance of geography,
globalization is reinforcing it. Mass communications and economic
integration are weakening many states, exposing a Hobbesian world of small,
fractious regions. Within them, local, ethnic, and religious sources of
identity are reasserting themselves, and because they are anchored to
specific terrains, they are best explained by reference to geography. Like
the faults that determine earthquakes, the political future will be defined
by conflict and instability with a similar geographic logic. The upheaval
spawned by the ongoing economic crisis is increasing the relevance of
geography even further, by weakening social orders and other creations of
humankind, leaving the natural frontiers of the globe as the only restraint.
...
<http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4862>
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4862
.02 Like it or not, regionalization is coming - Court
Telegraph-Journal - Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
In five years, Saint John Mayor Ivan Court sees the city sharing police and
fire services with Quispamsis and Rothesay with or without the support of
the mayors of the two towns. "This is going to happen," Court said. "It has
to happen if there's going to be sustainability." Both mayors in the
Kennebecasis Valley say there's no reason to change existing emergency
services, which is one fire and one police department that serve both towns.
... Court said soaring infrastructure costs have made it impossible for the
City of Saint John to meet demands. "Making police and fire (a regional
service) will have to happen for our very survival and to meet the needs of
our citizens," he said. "We're not saying amalgamate (the towns with the
city), this is just economy of scale. It will benefit all communities I
believe." ...
<http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/645784>
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/645784
.03 Communities in Upper East asked to develop database on "Sources of
Conflict"
ModernGhana.com
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Wayongo on Tuesday asked
communities in the region to discuss and identify the potential sources of
conflict to help them develop a database on it. He stated this during a two
day workshop on the theme; "Sustainable Peace for Sustainable Development,"
organised by the Tamale Ecclesiastical Provincial Pastoral Conference of the
Catholic Church and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, a German Political
Organization working to promote political development and good governance.
...
<http://www.modernghana.com/news/212372/1/communities-in-upper-east-asked-to
-develop-databas.html>
http://www.modernghana.com/news/212372/1/communities-in-upper-east-asked-to-
develop-databas.html
.04 The road headache in Mahalapye East
Mmegi Online - Gaberones, Botswana
Once upon a time, there was so much fascination with socialism, capitalism
and even internationalism. But with the Cold War era gone, many believe that
the ashes from the smouldering fire have now gone cold. Nobody cares about
isms anymore! In Mahalapye East, if all isms are dead, regionalism is the
one oddity. Regionalism is alive. English writer John Priestly must have had
Mahalapye East in mind when he observed that the real flowers belong to
regionalism. "The mass of people everywhere may never have used the term.
They are probably regionalists without knowing it. ...
<http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=6&aid=27&dir=2009/April/Thursday30>
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=6&aid=27&dir=2009/April/Thursday30
.05 Going glocal
Times of India - India
The verdict is in before the verdict is in: before the five-phase polling
process is over, most political commentators have predicted - surprise,
surprise - a fractured mandate yet again. ...
The villain of the piece is generally acknowledged to be regionalism. ...
The growth of regional parties or legional parties, as their number seems to
be legion has been a process parallel to that of the formation of new,
smaller states. Smaller states were largely welcomed as they would lead to a
devolution of centralised power and provide for more responsive local
governance, which is the aim of genuine federalism. ...
<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Editorial/SUBVERSE-Going-glocal/articles
how/4431403.cms>
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Editorial/SUBVERSE-Going-glocal/articlesh
ow/4431403.cms
.06 'Intellectuals should play active role in poll campaign'
Indopia - India
... N L Tiberewal, former Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court ... At an
interactive session with a group of intellectuals, Tiberewal said the
country was passing through critical situation due to terrorism,
regionalism, communalism, poverty and economic meltdown and in such crisis
the need of stable government was a must. Tiberewal said forty to sixty per
cent of intellectuals even do not cast their votes which was most
unfortunate. ...
<http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/560511/National/1/20/1>
http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/560511/National/1/20/1
.07 New train design agreed - let the building begin!
Scoop - New Zealand
Wellington's Matangi train project has reached a milestone with formal
sign-off of the design aspects by all partners - KiwiRail, the Rail and
Maritime Transport Union, Rotem-Mitsui and Greater Wellington Regional
Council. ... a mock-up of a Matangi cab and half a carriage, based at the
Woburn railway workshops, was an enormous help in approval of the design
process. "We were able to change certain features and introduce some new
ones first-hand, which was really useful." ... While the trains are being
built in Korea, a great deal of preparatory work is going on around the
region. ...
<http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0904/S00368.htm>
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0904/S00368.htm
.08 Back to nature
Windsor Star - Windsor, Ontario, Canada
"In 1983, the United Nations stated that within each bioregion, a minimum of
12 per cent of the landscape must be kept in its natural state," says Phil
Darrell-Smith, acting coordinator of communications and event organizer at
ERCA. Presently, in Essex County, "only 7.5 per cent of our landscape is in
its natural state. We're working toward the goal of 12 per cent to ensure
that our region is healthy and sustainable." ...
<http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=79159f5a-9039-4683-b8
36-c6006073df84>
http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=79159f5a-9039-4683-b83
6-c6006073df84
.09 Russia, Japan seek to bolster economic ties
Reuters - India
Russia, facing a recession after a decade-long boom, is also eager for
Japanese investment to develop its Far East region. "Regional cooperation is
an important factor which can stimulate economic development, help overcome
the consequences of the global economic crisis," Putin told a meeting of
regional governors from both countries ...
<http://in.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idINT3428120090512>
http://in.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idINT3428120090512
.10 An Era of Unprecedented Opportunity?
UN Chronicle - New York, NY, USA
... The oil price shock also affected agricultural markets via the
transportation sector. Average freight rates doubled within a one-year
period beginning February 2006. Ocean freight rates for grains from the
United States to Europe almost tripled, surging from about 34 to nearly 90
Euro per tonne. This effectively re-regionalized international agricultural
markets, particularly for bulk commodities. It also created substantial
regional price variations, which meant that trade could no longer fully play
its vital role in international food security by matching regional deficits
with regional surpluses. ...
<http://mail.google.com/mail/?account_id=regional.tom%40gmail.com#inbox/120e
ac31daed5922>
http://mail.google.com/mail/?account_id=regional.tom%40gmail.com#inbox/120ea
c31daed5922
.11 ADB to set up 3 bln dlr fiscal spending fund
AFP
The Asian Development Bank said Saturday it will establish a
three-billion-dollar fund to boost developing member countries' fiscal
spending capacity amid the global economic crisis. ... "A number of
governments in the region have boosted spending to spur domestic consumption
to counter falling offshore demand, but not all governments are able to do
so," it said. "Moreover, with the global downturn likely to be deeper and
longer than previously expected, economies in the region are likely to come
under increased pressure." ...
<http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jr9IzNtEI_7xWNh1iILeTDO6
k-BQ>
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jr9IzNtEI_7xWNh1iILeTDO6k
-BQ
.12 [Editorial] By-elections Show Korea's Backward Politics
The Dong-A Ilbo - South Korea
The by-elections also showed that Korea's regionalism has not improved at
all. Certain candidates even ignored market principles to lure voters with
popular policies. The ruling party's slogan of economic recovery and the
opposition party's slogan of "judgment of the ruling party" rang hollow.
...
<http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=080000&biid=2009043021768>
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=080000&biid=2009043021768
.13 Audit Office asked to investigate council
Business Day - Stuff.co.nz
The battle between Northland Regional Council (NRC) and Mike Daniel, the
former chairman of Northport, took a new twist this week with Daniel asking
the Auditor-General to investigate the council's investment policy,
including its majority stake in publicly listed Northland Port Corporation.
... NRC holds a 52 per cent stake in the port company. Daniel, as chairman,
had long urged the council to sell this shareholding, arguing it was the
safest strategy for ratepayers. ...
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/2358511/Audit-Office-asked-to-in
vestigate-council>
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/2358511/Audit-Office-asked-to-inv
estigate-council
.14 Controversial sewage plant part of Region's wish list for stimulus
funding
The Standard - St. Catharines, ON, CA
Niagara Region will chase $167 million in stimulus money meant to fast-track
building projects, including a controversial sewage plant proposed for
Niagara-on-the-Lake. Regional staff have identified 22 projects that can be
built quickly enough to qualify for provincial and federal money under the
Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. ...
<http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1547035>
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1547035
.15 Fiji needs help, not hindrance
Stuff.co.nz - New Zealand
... back to the same old megaphone diplomacy, threatening Suva with the same
tired agenda of economic penalties. These sanctions continued at the weekend
with Fiji's suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum. That will no doubt be
followed by suspension from the Commonwealth. This enables governments in
Australia and New Zealand to claim to their voters that they are doing
something to combat the bad guy. The problem is that it does not bring us
one step closer to a solution; it increases economic hardships on poor
Fijians, and will eventually turn the Pacific's great success story into a
basket case. And that is not in our interest, or Fiji's. ...
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/columnists/2384967/Fiji-needs-help-not-hindr
ance/>
http://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/columnists/2384967/Fiji-needs-help-not-hindra
nce/
.16 Asian regionalism: How does it compare to Europe's?
East Asia Forum
... history shows that major steps to enhance regionalism are usually taken
as a reaction to shocks-while the Second World War prompted the creation of
the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, the ASEAN +3 Finance
Ministers Meeting was established in response to the crisis of 1997/98. And
while a global crisis requires a global response, closer regional
cooperation can be useful to enhance the effectiveness of global action. ...
<http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2009/04/21/asian-regionalism-how-does-it-compa
re-to-europes/>
http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2009/04/21/asian-regionalism-how-does-it-compar
e-to-europes/
.17 Despite Setback, Asean Has Important Role
YaleGlobal Online - CT, USA
Asean should not pretend to drive the region ahead regardless of these
obstacles. It can, and has, instead to manage the difficulties and
differences, and move ahead as and when politics permits. Socializing the
states to a greater sense of regionalism is a long haul and a difficult
undertaking; one that Asean takes seriously. Those who recommend abandoning
Asean must bear the burden of showing that there is a ready alternative.
They risk pulling apart a truly indigenous effort at regionalism and pushing
Asean closer to those, like China, which has said it will still support
Asean. ...
<http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=12303>
http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=12303
.18 U.S. Government program strengthens local authorities in the East
FirstLanka.com
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding a two-year
program called Supporting Regional Governance (SuRG) to strengthen local
governance in conflict-affected areas of the East. Participating local
authorities from the Eastern Province recently signed a memorandum of
understanding with SuRG to launch the partnership. ...
<http://firstlanka.com/english/defence-news/us-government-program-strengthen
s-local-authorities-in-the-east/>
http://firstlanka.com/english/defence-news/us-government-program-strengthens
-local-authorities-in-the-east/
.19 The Regional Response to Disasters
Platinum News Online - Virgin Islands
... The regional body that supports Caribbean States in disaster management
is the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA). The agency's
main function is to make an immediate and coordinated response to any
disastrous event affecting any Participating State, once the state requests
such assistance. ...
<http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?section=article&source=1242052158>
http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?section=article&source=1242052158
12. Blogging about Regional Communities Contents
.01 Regional Failure by Local Design
By Bruce Fisher
... Town of Boston politicians don't want it. The Lackawanna politicians who
listen to the Boston politicians don't want it. The county executive doesn't
want it. Yet the movement toward regional governance persists. If Whyte
convinces another one of her colleagues that the objections to regional
planning are as laughable as opposition to model airplanes in the field
already used by snowmobilers, perhaps this could be the last spring of our
localist infancy, and the beginning of maturity.
<http://artvoice.com/issues/v8n18/regional_failure>
http://artvoice.com/issues/v8n18/regional_failure
.02 Ed Morrison . BFD Learning Moment: Milwaukee's water cluster
Brewed Fresh Daily
We've been using Strategic Doing with a number of different initiatives in
Milwaukee. One of our most successful: The Milwaukee 7 Water Council. "The
United Nations on Tuesday will designate Milwaukee as a U.N. Global Compact
City, making it one of 13 such cities worldwide, in a move that will help
the region promote its image abroad as an international hub of water
technology."...
<http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/> http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/
.03 Atlanta LINK delegation lands in Minneapolis
SaportaReport
A delegation of 100-plus Atlantans just landed today in Minneapolis-St. Paul
for the annual LINK where local leaders will explore how other cities
address a variety issues facing the region. ... The Atlanta Regional
Commission, which organizes the trip, puts the flight out for bid; ...
<http://saportareport.com/blog/?p=756> http://saportareport.com/blog/?p=756
.04 Minnesota - Does a higher Quality of life and better education
justify higher taxes?
SaportaReport
Imagine a state with exceptionally high taxes and almost no economic
development strategy - that's Minnesota. But here is the kicker. Minnesota
has been a favorite state for Fortune 500 companies. "There's a direct link
between jobs and a good quality of life," said Charlie Weaver, executive
director of the Minnesota Business Partnership. "We want the best quality of
life possible." Weaver spoke to a delegation of more than 100 Atlanta
leaders visiting Minneapolis-St. Paul ... Weaver said education is "by far"
the reason companies come to state that's so cold and the middle of the
country. Minneapolis-St. Paul also have "a vibrant cultural" community,
which contributes to the region's quality of life. ...
<http://saportareport.com/blog/?cat=5> http://saportareport.com/blog/?cat=5
.05 Maybe regional government isn't the Answer.
Tucson Choices
One of our favorite blogs Antiplanner.com is often referenced here on Tucson
Choices. The author brings forth great arguments and ideas. He tackled
regional government a while back and I thought it would be worth posting it.
I'm not sure if regional government is the answer here in Southern Arizona
or not. Given our lack of leadership I doubt real discussions will take
place. The large portion of unincorporated areas is probably the biggest
barrier we have to success. Let's solve that one first then discuss regional
government.
Glaeser Stumbles on Regional Governments ...
<http://tucsongrowup.com/2009/04/29/maybe-regional-government-isnt-the-answe
r/>
http://tucsongrowup.com/2009/04/29/maybe-regional-government-isnt-the-answer
/
.06 Capital Region Board: Growing Forward
connect2edmonton
I wondered why more people are not discussing the Capital Region Board.
Seems like this board is making great strides in the last 6 months, but the
news is rarely talked about. I consider the development of this board a huge
cornerstone for Edmonton and the Alberta Capital Region. . Will these plans
for the region work? It seems that attitudes of many politicians in this
region are very positive and optimistic about working together, about
sharing a common future. This is something we haven't seen in a long time in
Edmonton, if ever. .
<http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=12765>
http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=12765
.07 When is Destination Branding Really Destination Blanding?
BrandCulture Talk
... Turning your location into a brand isn't simply a marketing effort. It's
the product of deep soul-searching, consensus-building, defining what your
community really is all about, and aligning what you really are with what
visitors really want. You may not figure it out overnight, and you may not
end up with a clever slogan. But take your time, do it right, and you just
might get a brand.
<http://brandculturetalk.com/2008/06/02/destination-blanding/#more-11>
http://brandculturetalk.com/2008/06/02/destination-blanding/#more-11
.08 High-Speed Rail: Richard Florida Weighs In
TreeHugger
In the main, the proposed high-speed rail routes map pretty well to U.S.
mega-regions. Given the fact that megas are dense and interconnected centers
of population and economic activity, it makes sense to develop high-speed
rail ...
<http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/05/richard-florida-high-speed-rail.php
>
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/05/richard-florida-high-speed-rail.php
.09 Comment: Should Gordon Brown Hold a Referendum on the Lisbon
Treaty?
Citizen Europe
... This doesn't excuse the democratic deficit and public relations failures
of the EU, but I genuinely think it's time for academics and politicians to
start talking honestly about the chronic and arrogant lack of engagement on
the part of much of civil society. ...
<http://citizen-europe.blogspot.com/2009/04/comment-should-gordon-brown-hold
.html>
http://citizen-europe.blogspot.com/2009/04/comment-should-gordon-brown-hold.
html
.10 Rob Thomas: Taking the Local out of Local Government
The Standard
Auckland faces some serious challenges. Over the next 100 years we will face
global environmental, economic, social and political needs that we can't
manage as effectively under our current regional structure. It's Auckland's
regional governance structure that is poor. The way we manage regional
infrastructure and provide regional services - in particular Transport,
Water and our Regional Assets - is complex, confusing, and ineffective. The
region lacks effective leadership, transparency and accountability. ...
<http://www.thestandard.org.nz/rob-thomas-taking-the-local-out-of-local-gove
rnment/>
http://www.thestandard.org.nz/rob-thomas-taking-the-local-out-of-local-gover
nment/
.11 That could save something in the region of.
The Local Government Officer
... My general view is that at the moment the "regions" (RDAs, GORs, SHAs,
and assorted other smaller regionalised Quangos) generally do the job
they're given adequately, but there's no particular logic to them. Certainly
there's no reason it couldn't mostly be accomplished either at a county
level without spending any extra money (and sometimes by spending less) or
centrally, since the limited devolution that the regions represent often
doesn't add anything in terms of real accountability. ...
<http://thelocalgovernmentofficer.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/that-could-save-s
omething-in-the-region-of/>
http://thelocalgovernmentofficer.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/that-could-save-so
mething-in-the-region-of/
.12 Ontario's Competitiveness Strategy Provides Opportunity for Input
ThunderBayTourismPartners
A few month's back, the Ontario Ministry of Tourism unveiled the blueprint
to revitalize Ontario's tourism industry and improve its competitiveness on
the global stage. If you haven't read this yet, its a must read for the
industry and can be accessed at <http://www.tourismstudy.ca/en/index.php>
http://www.tourismstudy.ca/en/index.php The report's 20 recommendations are
all solid although there are not a lot of surprises with respect to the
elements of the tourism economy we can improve upon. One thing is for
certain. Its great to see them spelled out and movement being made to
implement them. .
I encourage industry representatives to submit their input . To help you
craft your submission, follow the following questions that have been posed
at the various input sessions.
Determining criteria for regional boundaries resulting in successful
regional tourism management.
Think about: A region being destinations that work together.
Question 1: What criteria should be used to determine regional boundaries?
Think about: Iconic attractions within an area, A well established brand,
Tourism travel patterns, Minimum level of tourism activity, The potential
for travel packaging ...
<http://thunderbaytourismpartners.blogspot.com/2009/05/ontarios-competitiven
ess-strategy.html>
http://thunderbaytourismpartners.blogspot.com/2009/05/ontarios-competitivene
ss-strategy.html
.13 What is in a name?
DJ's Growers
Originally the area which we now call the McLaren Vale Wine Region had many
different names, one for each of the hamlets or groupings of farms that were
settled in the 1800 and 1900's. Overtime these names have been swallowed up
into the towns we now call McLaren Vale, McLaren Flat and Willunga, but for
those with a sense of history they live on if you look closely. ... What is
in a name? A lot of the history of this region.
<http://djsgrowers.blogspot.com/2009/04/what-is-in-name.html>
http://djsgrowers.blogspot.com/2009/04/what-is-in-name.html
.14 The Importance of Network Time Synchronization
Insurance & Technology
Computer clocks are notorious for drifting. They are typically based on
inexpensive oscillator circuits or battery backed quartz crystals and can
easily drift seconds per day, accumulating significant errors over time.
With increasing distributed computing and our interdependence on network
infrastructures, having many clocks continuously drift apart puts the networ
infrastructure and the applications that run on it at risk. In particular,
network operations and application related activities are most susceptible
to problems related to the lack of time synchronization. ...
<http://www.insurancetech.com/whitepaper/Infrastructure/Network-Systems-Mana
gement/the-importance-of-network-time-synchronizatio-wp1242237504372;jsessio
nid=B4U5V2QHVWFY4QSNDLOSKHSCJUNN2JVN?articleID=78300003&cid=well1_wp_null>
http://www.insurancetech.com/whitepaper/Infrastructure/Network-Systems-Manag
ement/the-importance-of-network-time-synchronizatio-wp1242237504372;jsession
id=B4U5V2QHVWFY4QSNDLOSKHSCJUNN2JVN?articleID=78300003&cid=well1_wp_null
13. Announcements and Regional Links. Contents
.01 Global Recession: Regional impacts on Housing, Jobs, Health and
Wellbeing - Regional Studies Association Winter Conference 2009 - Friday
27th November 2009, London UK
Call for Papers now available online at:
<http://www.regional-studies-assoc.ac.uk/events/winter_conf09/cfp.pdf>
http://www.regional-studies-assoc.ac.uk/events/winter_conf09/cfp.pdf
Deadline for abstracts is Tuesday 30th June 2009
Register at:
<https://www.regional-studies-assoc.ac.uk/ei/getdemo.ei?id=11&s=_4G80XDGS9>
https://www.regional-studies-assoc.ac.uk/ei/getdemo.ei?id=11&s=_4G80XDGS9
Regional Studies Association: <http://www.regional-studies-assoc.ac.uk/>
http://www.regional-studies-assoc.ac.uk
.02 Postgraduate Programmes In Local And Regional Development -
Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Local and regional development is undergoing a period of unprecedented
change. New debates about the 'knowledge economy' and 'learning regions',
'globalisation', 'competitiveness', 'inclusion', 'sustainability' and
'wellbeing' are profoundly changing the nature of local and regional
development processes, institutions and policies. International trends
towards devolution, 'regionalisation' and city-regionalism are changing
administrative and governance structures at the national, regional,
sub-regional and local levels.
The current recession has focused the minds of local and regional
policy-makers in shaping their responses and building the resilience of
local and regional economies. Together, these inter-related developments are
generating new challenges and a demand to build capacity for analysis,
strategy and policy-making for local and regional development amongst
individuals and institutions in the public, private and voluntary and
community sectors.
Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies (CURDS):
<http://www.ncl.ac.uk/curds/> http://www.ncl.ac.uk/curds/
.03 Portland: Quest for the Livable City, a documentary film
chronicling struggle for sustainability - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Portland: Quest for the Livable City, a documentary film of triumph and
conflict as one city attempts to reduce its carbon footprint and grow more
densely within an urban growth boundary, begins airing on public television
stations around the country this month. The 57-minute film, which will be
available on DVD, is the third in the documentary series Making Sense of
Place, a collaboration of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and Northern
Light Productions; the first two films were on Phoenix and Cleveland. Over
the coming months in Oregon, an outreach effort will focus on community
screenings and discussions of the issues raised in the film. ...
<http://atlincolnhouse.typepad.com/pressroom/2009/05/portland-quest-for-the-
livable-city-a-documentary-film-chronicling-struggle-for-sustainability-debu
t.html>
http://atlincolnhouse.typepad.com/pressroom/2009/05/portland-quest-for-the-l
ivable-city-a-documentary-film-chronicling-struggle-for-sustainability-debut
.html
.04 Ohio Commission on Local Government Reform and Collaboration
The Ohio Commission on Local Government Reform and Collaboration shall
develop recommendations on ways to increase the efficiency and effectiveness
of local government operations, to achieve cost savings for taxpayers, and
to facilitate economic development in this state. In developing the
recommendations, the commission shall consider, but is not limited to, the
following:
(1) Restructuring and streamlining local government offices to achieve
efficiencies and cost savings for taxpayers and to facilitate local economic
development;
...
<http://www.cpmra.muohio.edu/otaohio/commission/ota/about.html>
http://www.cpmra.muohio.edu/otaohio/commission/ota/about.html
14. Financial Crisis. Contents
.01 Summary Version - Global Financial Stability Report: Responding to
the Financial Crisis and Measuring Systemic Risks - April 2009 -
International Monetary Fund - Washington DC - PDF
The Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR) assesses key risks facing the
global financial system with a view to identifying those that represent
systemic vulnerabilities. In normal times, the report seeks to play a role
in preventing crises by highlighting policies that may mitigate systemic
risks, thereby contributing to global financial stability and the sustained
economic growth of the IMF's member countries. In the current crisis, the
report traces the sources and channels of financial distress, and provides
policy advice on mitigating its effects on economic activity, stemming
contagion, and mending the global financial system. .
<http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/gfsr/2009/01/pdf/text.pdf>
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/gfsr/2009/01/pdf/text.pdf
.02 CSPAN Q&A with Janet Tavakoli - Author of "Dear Mr. Buffett: What an
Investor Learns 1,269 Miles from Wall Street" explains derivatives - Video
Janet Tavakoli is founder and president of Tavakoli Structured Finance, a
Chicago-based firm that provides consulting to financial institutions and
institutional investors. Her book is the story of her meetings with Warren
Buffet prior to the economic downturn and how that impacted the way she
views investing. She is a former adjunct professor of derivatives at the
University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business. She has also worked for
Westdeutsche Landesbank in London, Bank One in Chicago, Merrill Lynch,
PaineWebber, and Bear Stearns.
Link to video:
<http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_inf
o&products_id=285329-1>
http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info
&products_id=285329-1
CSPAN Podcast site: <http://www.c-span.org/Podcasts.aspx>
http://www.c-span.org/Podcasts.aspx
15. Custom search: region, regions, regional communities. Contents
To search on topics like those in Regional Community Development News use
this custom search engine which utilizes 2,090 regional related sites as of
May 13, 2009. Entering the term emergency preparedness returned 425 items;
emergency response returned 553 items.
Search engine link:
<http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=000551187207053117963:m1gvkhigkeo&hl=en>
http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=000551187207053117963:m1gvkhigkeo&hl=en
My name is Tom Christoffel. I've worked in the field of intergovernmental
and regional cooperation since 1973. As a consequence, "I see regions work."
Regional Community Development News is published bi-monthly based on news
reports as of Wednesday of the publication week
Making visible such cross-boundary planning, collaboration and
cooperative action at multi-jurisdictional networked regional scales,
public, private and NGO is my purpose. "Think globally, act locally" was
innovative in its time. Today the local scale is often too small to address
today's needs and opportunities. "Think local planet, act regionally," is my
candidate paradigm. No one said we're only allowed one paradigm.
We can see that "regional communities of communities" are organized
locally and now act both to avoid tragedy in the commons and gain benefits.
An effective multi-jurisdictional regional community has DNA. It is
geographically Defined; has a common Name and its Alignment is inclusive of
smaller communities and participatory in larger communities. So, by scanning
this compilation, reading articles and checking organizations - you too will
be able to see the regional communities that already exist.
News references are found using the Google News search service. Media
article excerpts and links are "fair use" to transform globally scattered
reports to make regional approaches visible. Links go to the publisher and
do not compete with it. Such publishers are likely to have related stories
and thus be seen by new customers. "Regional" is an emerging news category.
There is no charge for this service and no profit is made from its use,
though any user can become more aware of the topic itself.
To search previous issues since 2003 go to:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/regions_work/
To join Regional Community Networkers and get a free subscription use this
email link - no additional information required:
regions_work-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
For the Google Groups version go to:
http://groups.google.com/group/regional-community-development-news
For the Blog and RSS feed go to: http://regional-communities.blogspot.com/
Questions, comments or items to feature in Regional Community Development
News?
Please email the editor: Tom.Christoffel@...
Thomas J. (Tom) Christoffel, AICP - http://regional-communities.com/
<http://www.regionalintelligence.com/>
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<body lang=3DEN-US link=3Dblue vlink=3Dpurple style=3D'tab-interval:.5in'>
<div class=3DSection1>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><font size=
=3D1
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Geor=
gia'>______________________________________________________________________=
_______<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><font size=
=3D1
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Geor=
gia'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><b><font si=
ze=3D4
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:13.5pt;font-=
weight:
bold'>Regional Community Development News – May 13, 2009 [regions_wor=
k]</span></font></b><span
lang=3DEN-CA><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><font size=
=3D1
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Geor=
gia'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><font size=
=3D1
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Geor=
gia'>A
compilation of news links about and for regional communities pursuing local=
and
regional development.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><span class=
=3DGramE><font
size=3D1 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-fa=
mily:Georgia'>Published
on line since November 11, 2003.</span></font></span><font size=3D1 face=3D=
Georgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></spa=
n></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><font size=
=3D1
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Geor=
gia'>______________________________________________________________________=
_______________<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<h3 align=3Dcenter style=3D'margin-top:6.0pt;text-align:center;tab-stops:6.=
0in 441.0pt'><a
name=3D"_Contents"></a><b><font size=3D2 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>Contents<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h3>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center;line-height:=
110%;
tab-stops:1.0in 6.0in 441.0pt'><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><fo=
nt
size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-siz=
e:11.0pt;
line-height:110%;font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi=
-font-weight:
normal'><a href=3D"#_Top_stories_of"><font color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'co=
lor:maroon'>Top
Regional Community stories</span></font></a></span></font></b><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D2 face=3DGeorgia><span l=
ang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-height:110%;font-family:Georgia;font-weight:=
bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> … 1. – 9.<o:p></o:p></span></font=
></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center;line-height:=
110%;
tab-stops:6.0in 441.0pt'><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DGeorgia><s=
pan
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-height:110%;font-family:Georgia=
;
color:maroon;font-weight:bold'><a href=3D"#_10._U.S._Regional_"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>U.S. Regional Communities - sub=
-State, State
or multi-State – news articles</span></font></a> …</span></font=
></b><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D2 face=3DGeorgia><span l=
ang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-height:110%;font-family:Georgia;font-weight:=
bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>10.01 - .40<font color=3Dmaroon><span
style=3D'color:maroon'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center;line-height:=
110%;
tab-stops:6.0in 441.0pt'><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DGeorgia><s=
pan
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-height:110%;font-family:Georgia=
;
color:maroon;font-weight:bold'><a href=3D"#_11._Other_regional"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>Other Regional Community News f=
or Our
Local Planet</span></font></a> … </span></font></b><b><font size=3D2
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-height:110=
%;
font-family:Georgia;font-weight:bold'>11.01 - .19<o:p></o:p></span></font><=
/b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center;line-height:=
110%;
tab-stops:6.0in 441.0pt'><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DGeorgia><s=
pan
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-height:110%;font-family:Georgia=
;
color:maroon;font-weight:bold'><a href=3D"#_12._Blogging_about"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>Blogging about Regional Communi=
ties</span></font></a></span></font></b><b><font
size=3D2 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-h=
eight:110%;
font-family:Georgia;font-weight:bold'> … 12.01 - .14<o:p></o:p></span=
></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center;line-height:=
110%;
tab-stops:6.0in 441.0pt'><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DGeorgia><s=
pan
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-height:110%;font-family:Georgia=
;
color:maroon;font-weight:bold'><a href=3D"#_13._Announcements_and"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>Announcements and Regional=
Links</span></font></a></span></font></b><b><font
size=3D2 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-h=
eight:110%;
font-family:Georgia;font-weight:bold'> … </span></font></b><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D2 face=3DGeorgia><span l=
ang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-height:110%;font-family:Georgia;font-weight:=
bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>13.01 - .04</span></font></b><b><font size=3D2
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-height:110=
%;
font-family:Georgia;font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center;line-height:=
110%;
tab-stops:6.0in 441.0pt'><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DGeorgia><s=
pan
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-height:110%;font-family:Georgia=
;
color:maroon;font-weight:bold'><a href=3D"#_14._Financial_Crisis."><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>Financial Crisis</span></font><=
/a></span></font></b><b><font
size=3D2 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-h=
eight:110%;
font-family:Georgia;font-weight:bold'> …14.01<o:p></o:p></span></font=
></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center;line-height:=
110%;
tab-stops:6.0in 441.0pt'><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DGeorgia><s=
pan
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-height:110%;font-family:Georgia=
;
color:maroon;font-weight:bold'><a href=3D"#_15._Custom_search:"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>Custom search: region, regions,=
regional
communities</span></font></a></span></font></b><b><font size=3D2 face=3DGeo=
rgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-height:110%;font-family:Georgia=
;
font-weight:bold'> … 15.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center;line-height:=
110%;
tab-stops:6.0in 441.0pt'><font size=3D1 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;line-height:110%;font-family:Georgia'>____________=
_____________________________________________________________</span></font>=
<b><font
size=3D2 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;line-h=
eight:110%;
font-family:Georgia;font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<h3 align=3Dcenter style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:15.0pt;margin-right:0in;marg=
in-bottom:
6.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:center'><a name=3D"_Top_stories_of"></a><a
name=3D"_Top_Regional_Community"></a><b><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><span style=3D'mso-bidi-font-size:1=
3.0pt'>Top
Regional Community stories<o:p></o:p></span></span></font></b></h3>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><a name=3D"_1."></a><a
name=3D"_10._U.S._regional"></a><b><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>1.</span><=
/font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> <b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Our V=
iew:
Transportation fix will take full cooperation<font color=3Dgray><span
style=3D'color:gray'> </span></font></span></b><font color=3Dgray><span
style=3D'color:gray'>-<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'> </span></b>Atlan=
ta
Journal Constitution - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Atlanta=
</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">GA</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA=
</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p=
>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>We’re big on boundaries.<o:p></o:p><=
/span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><st1:country-region w:st=
=3D"on"><font
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-=
family:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>Georgia</span></font=
></st1:country-region><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> has 159 counties — more than any st=
ate
but <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Texas</st1:State></st1:pl=
ace>
— and more than 500 cities, with additional cities in various stages =
of
creation. We have school districts and community improvement districts and =
soil
and water districts and water management districts and county commissioner =
and
city council districts.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>By drawing lines on a map, we seem to thin=
k we
can separate our problems from their problems, our resources from their
resources. And the smaller the governmental entity, the more control we fee=
l we
have over what takes place within its borders.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>That’s the theory, and in many cases
it’s valid. Local control does have benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></font=
></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>However, lines and borders can also produc=
e
the opposite effect. Sometimes, they reduce our ability to tackle problems =
and
make the most of opportunities. That’s because problems and opportuni=
ties
sprawl across boundaries, and we often lack tools properly sized size to
address them.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>That’s certainly part of metro <st1:=
place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Atlanta</st1:City></st1:place>’s pr=
oblem
with transportation. The challenge can’t be addressed by cities or
counties — it crosses too many boundary lines to be solved at that le=
vel.
And year after year, leaders at the state level refuse to address it as wel=
l,
in part because the problem isn’t <span class=3DSpellE>statewide</spa=
n> in
scale. Many legislators from outside the region have apparently concluded t=
hat
there’s nothing to be gained by helping out a metro region that’=
;s
distrusted by many of their folks back home. Even worse, some legislators f=
rom
within the metro region still prefer to indulge in the petty feuds pitting
suburban vs. urban, north vs. south, and in some cases white vs. black. As =
a
result, there is no effective metro <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=
=3D"on">Atlanta</st1:City></st1:place>
caucus in the Legislature to defend the region’s interests. … <=
o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>Outside the Legislature, however, somethin=
g
important may be stirring. The Metropolitan <st1:place w:st=3D"on">North Ge=
orgia</st1:place>
Water … <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;mar=
gin-bottom:
12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span la=
ng=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weig=
ht:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/2009/05/03/metro=
ed_0503.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.ajc.com/opinion/cont=
ent/opinion/stories/2009/05/03/metroed_0503.html</span></font></a><o:p></o:=
p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><b><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>2.</span><=
/font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> <span class=3DGramE><b><span style=3D'fon=
t-weight:
bold'>In</span></b></span><b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'> local-option
transportation issues, a pull between region and state</span></b> - <font
color=3Dgray><span style=3D'color:gray'>Southern Political Report - <st1:pl=
ace
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Atlanta</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D"on=
">GA</st1:State>,
<st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place></span=
></font><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>One of the South’s emerging political tension points is the
competition between the traditional prerogatives state governments and the
growing aspirations of <b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>“regions,&=
#8221;
</span></b>which in most cases can be defined as an assortment of local
governments, united by a traffic jam.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>This tension can be traced in the legislative battles in <st1:country=
-region
w:st=3D"on">Georgia</st1:country-region> and <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:St=
ate
w:st=3D"on">Texas</st1:State></st1:place> this year over local-option
transportation proposals.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>For the second year in a row, the Georgia General Assembly failed to
agree on a comprehensive plan to fund the state’s growing transportat=
ion
needs. The traditional rivalry between the House and Senate and the jostlin=
g
over next year’s governor’s race were the big sticking points, =
but
this was also a state-region problem. The House wanted to have a <span
class=3DSpellE>statewide</span> sales tax to fund a comprehensive <span
class=3DSpellE>statewide</span> roads program, while the Senate wanted to a=
llow
counties and cities to join together to put local option sales taxes on the
ballot in their jurisdictions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>Over the past three decades, local option taxes for transportation ha=
ve
become common across the <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">United States</st1=
:country-region>,
including <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">Georgia</st1:country-region> and =
<st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Texas</st1:State></st1:place>. As metro =
areas
have grown, it has become harder to contain transportation needs within a
single county or city boundary, and so the definition of “local”=
;
has grown trickier. In <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"o=
n">Georgia</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s
case, we’re talking about the sprawling Atlanta Metro region, which h=
as
been gobbling rural real estate at a world-record pace for decades.<o:p></o=
:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>Emerging regions can also be threatening to the cities and counties b=
eing
swallowed up in them. One criticism of the <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:Stat=
e
w:st=3D"on">Texas</st1:State></st1:place> proposal has been that small cit=
ies
could be outvoted in region-wide referendums.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>The <st1:State w:st=3D"on">Texas</st1:State> local option plan, which=
would
fund some 200 miles of commuter rail in the <st1:place w:st=3D"on">North Te=
xas</st1:place>
suburbs, has been kicked around in the legislature for the better part of t=
his
decade.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>This year, the bill has passed … <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;mar=
gin-bottom:
12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span la=
ng=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weig=
ht:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/storylink_428_849.a=
spx"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.southernpoliticalrep=
ort.com/storylink_428_849.aspx</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></=
p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><b><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>3. Guest c=
olumnist:
‘Reality Check' opened eyes </span></font></b><font color=3Dgray
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial;color:gray;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>- Anderson Independent Mail - <=
st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Anderson</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D"o=
n">SC</st1:State>,
<st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>A joint initiative of Upstate Together and the Urban Land Institute (=
ULI)
<st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">South Carolina</st1:State></s=
t1:place>,
Upstate Reality Check brought together, for the first time, elected officia=
ls
and business, education, conservation, housing and community leaders from a=
ll
10 counties of the Upstate to talk openly about how we can transcend county
lines to work for the greater good of the Upstate Region.<o:p></o:p></span>=
</font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>As a member of the Upstate Together steering committee that hosted th=
e
event, I had high hopes for a well-attended and engaging event. It far exce=
eded
my expectations.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>The representation from the 10-county region was tremendous. Almost e=
very
municipality was present, and it opened the door for many of those who in t=
he
past were on the sidelines. At each table, leaders from all levels of the
political field, people from businesses and private citizens explored hundr=
eds
of ideas in handling projected growth over the next 20 years.<o:p></o:p></s=
pan></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>...<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>The top three guiding principles that the collective group identified=
at
the event were to improve education opportunities and job creation, to impr=
ove
regional transportation and leverage existing infrastructure and to promote=
<b><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold'>regional</span></b> linkage. And the priorities =
moving
forward include working to foster effective regionalism and regional leader=
ship
and addressing infrastructure funding shortfalls.<o:p></o:p></span></font><=
/p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>The next steps plan will be driven by these results, and it has alrea=
dy
begun with the formation of a new regional organization called <span
class=3DGramE>Ten</span> at the Top.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> =
</span>The
40-plus members of our original Upstate Together task force will be expande=
d to
include even more people from throughout the Upstate to form a new Ten at t=
he
Top board. In addition, an executive director will be hired to ensure that
there is someone dedicated to continuing the efforts of regionalism. ... <o=
:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;mar=
gin-bottom:
12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span la=
ng=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weig=
ht:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.independentmail.com/news/2009/may/03/guest-columnist-rea=
lity-check-opened-eyes/"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.independentmail.com/=
news/2009/may/03/guest-columnist-reality-check-opened-eyes/</span></font></=
a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><i style=3D'mso-bidi-fon=
t-style:
normal'><u><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-s=
ize:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;
font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Regional Councils</span></fon=
t></u></i><i
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-C=
A
style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weigh=
t:
bold;font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'> - <o:p></o:p></span></f=
ont></i></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><i style=3D'mso-bidi-fon=
t-style:
normal'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size=
:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-style:italic;mso-bidi-f=
ont-style:
normal'>S.C. Appalachian Council of Government - Anderson, Cherokee,
Greenville, <span class=3DSpellE>Oconee</span>, Pickens, <st1:place w:st=3D=
"on"><st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Spartanburg</st1:City></st1:place> - </span></font></i><font s=
ize=3D2
color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;fo=
nt-family:
Arial;color:maroon'><a href=3D"http://www.scacog.org/main.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.scacog.org/main.html=
</span></font></a></span></font><font
size=3D2 face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-fam=
ily:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><i style=3D'mso-bidi-fon=
t-style:
normal'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size=
:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-style:italic;mso-bidi-f=
ont-style:
normal'>Upper Savannah Council of Government</span></font></i><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial'> <i style=3D'mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style=3D'font-style:i=
talic;
mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>- Abbeville, <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w=
:st=3D"on">Greenwood</st1:City></st1:place>,
Laurens - </span></i></span></font><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DAri=
al><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon'><a
href=3D"http://www.uppersavannah.com/"><font color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'=
color:
maroon'>http://www.uppersavannah.com/</span></font></a></span></font><i
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-C=
A
style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-style:italic;
mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><i style=3D'mso-bidi-fon=
t-style:
normal'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size=
:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-style:italic;mso-bidi-f=
ont-style:
normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Catawba Regional Coun=
cil of
Governments – <st1:place w:st=3D"on">Union</st1:place> – </span=
></font></i><font
size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:=
10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:maroon'><a href=3D"http://www.catawbacog.org/"><fon=
t
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.catawbacog.org/</spa=
n></font></a></span></font><i
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-C=
A
style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-style:italic;
mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><b><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>4.</span><=
/font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> <b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Edito=
rial:
Regional authority needed to operate Bay Area carpool, toll lanes</span></b=
> <font
color=3Dgray><span style=3D'color:gray'>- Inside Bay Area - <st1:place w:st=
=3D"on"><st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Oakland</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D"on">CA</st1:State>, <st=
1:country-region
w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font><=
/span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>THE WORSENING traffic congestion in the Bay Area is having an
increasingly negative impact on the quality of life in the region. The mill=
ions
of people who commute to work daily lose valuable time, waste gasoline and =
add
to air pollution. Businesses suffer and new enterprises are discouraged fro=
m
locating in the area, harming the Bay Area economy.<o:p></o:p></span></font=
></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>Fortunately, there is a plan that promises to ease traffic congestion=
and
raise revenues needed for transportation improvements. It's a regional $3.7
billion proposal for an 800-mile network of carpool and toll lanes.<o:p></o=
:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>The emphasis here is "regional." Too often in the past loca=
l
transportation agencies have been at odds with each other and the regional
Metropolitan Transportation Authority over which projects to build, how to =
pay
for them and how to distribute funding.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>Finally, there is a truly regional approach to Bay Area transportatio=
n
needs. It calls for more high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes that would be o=
pen
for carpools, buses and, in some places, for individual motorists willing t=
o
pay tolls.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>These High Occupancy Toll, or HOT, lanes would have varying rates
depending on the level of congestion. They would be collected using <span
class=3DSpellE>FasTrack</span> transponders like the ones now used to colle=
ct
bridge tolls.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>The problem with much of the HOV lanes in the Bay Area is that they a=
re
not continuous. Carpool drivers too often have to merge into regular highly
congested lanes in certain areas, particularly intersections of major highw=
ays.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>Not only do these bottlenecks delay carpool drivers, they are a major
hindrance to express buses. If the Bay Area had a continuous network of
highways with HOV and HOT lanes, express buses offering monthly passes coul=
d
operate far more efficiently.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.insidebayarea.com/opinion/ci_12201394"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.insidebayarea.com/op=
inion/ci_12201394</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><i style=3D'mso-bidi-font-style:norma=
l'><font
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-style:italic;
mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>RC:<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>  =
; </span>Association
of Bay Area Governments – ABAG - </span></font></i><font size=3D2
color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;fo=
nt-family:
Arial;color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'><a href=3D"http://www.abag.ca=
.gov/"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.abag.ca.gov</span></=
font></a></span></font><font
size=3D2 face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-fam=
ily:Arial;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><b><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>5.</span><=
/font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> <b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Surve=
y:
Transportation, education top list of priorities for D.C.-area residents</s=
pan></b>
<font color=3Dgray><span style=3D'color:gray'>- Washington Business Journal=
- <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Washington</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D=
"on">D.C.</st1:State>,
<st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place></span=
></font>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>Residents view transportation, education and the economy as the top
long-term issues facing the region, according to a survey released Friday b=
y
the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. [</span></font><font
size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:=
10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.mwcog.org/"><font color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:ma=
roon'>http://www.mwcog.org</span></font></a></span></font><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>]<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>But schools, safe streets, good jobs and access to health care are th=
e
top agenda items that area residents want their tax dollars to flow into.<o=
:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>“The individual jurisdictions across our region have unique
personalities and needs. This survey examines some of those differences,=
221;
said Sharon <span class=3DSpellE>Bulova</span>, Greater Washington 2050 Cha=
irman
and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman. “But what sets this
effort apart is the identification of ideas that are held in common by citi=
zens
all across the region, areas where they are urging greater regional effort =
to
make this a better place to live for years to come.”<o:p></o:p></span=
></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>Greater <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Washington</st1=
:State></st1:place>
2050 commissioned the public opinion survey to comprehend residents’
priorities and hopes for the future of the region. More than 1,300 intervie=
ws
were conducted in February.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>Producing high quality schools is the most urgent of the sixteen
priorities for the future tested. The second top priority for the long term=
is
locking down safe streets and neighborhoods.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>Traffic is the leading long-term issue, but it is not where the publi=
c would
put the most resources into.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>By a large margin, traffic and transportation are listed as the top
long-term challenges facing the area, and the worry is particularly acute i=
n
parts of <st1:place w:st=3D"on">Northern Virginia</st1:place>. However, whe=
n
asked how much of a priority they would place on transportation if they wer=
e
making decisions for the region, residents rank transportation ninth out of=
a
list of sixteen items tested.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>A large number of the region’s residents would like to see more
problems addressed regionally across state and county lines, said 43 percen=
t,
and that figure goes up among people who want specific … <o:p></o:p><=
/span></font></p>
<p style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><i style=3D'mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><font size=3D3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-style:italic;
mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>2050 Report:</span></font></i><font size=3D2
face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial=
;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> <font color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroo=
n'><a
href=3D"http://www.greaterwashington2050.org/eupdates.html"><font color=3Dm=
aroon><span
style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.greaterwashington2050.org/eupdates.html</=
span></font></a></span></font><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;mar=
gin-bottom:
12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span la=
ng=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weig=
ht:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/04/27/daily91.ht=
ml"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.bizjournals.com/wash=
ington/stories/2009/04/27/daily91.html</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span><=
/font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><b><font size=3D3 face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;font-weight:bold'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>6.</=
span></font></b><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-=
CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>=
Property
tax forum promotes regionalism and 'smart growth' </span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'>- Bridgepor=
t <font
color=3Dgray><span style=3D'color:gray'>News - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:=
City
w:st=3D"on">Bridgeport</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D"on">CT</st1:State>, =
<st1:country-region
w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font><=
/span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Rising property=
taxes
in the suburbs could be what finally convinces suburban public officials th=
at
more regionalization efforts make sense, according to state Rep. Brendan
Sharkey of <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Hamden</st1:City></=
st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>That — an=
d money
— could help bring about change, Sharkey told an audience at a forum =
on
property taxes and so-called smart growth at the Burroughs Community Center=
in
Black Rock last week.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>“Bribe th=
em with
money,” Sharkey joked, referring to a proposal to legally share taxes
from certain new development among towns that agree to a regional pact.<o:p=
></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Sharkey, a Demo=
crat,
heads up a <span class=3DSpellE>statewide</span> smart growth task force th=
at
include state legislators, business leaders and community representatives.<=
o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>… <o:p></=
o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><span class=3DSpellE><fo=
nt size=3D3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia'>Grogins</span></font></span><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'> said havin=
g
municipalities cooperate on regional issues makes sense. “It’s
about cities and towns working together to cut costs,” she said, addi=
ng
this would allow nearby communities to better strategize on where and how t=
o
encourage development.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Something must =
be done
to lower taxes in Bridgeport, <span class=3DSpellE>Grogins</span> said, whi=
ch has
a limited tax base and has seen much of the commercial development in recen=
t
decades take place in surrounding towns.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>“In Black=
Rock
and <span class=3DSpellE>Brooklawn</span>, we pay the highest property taxe=
s in
the city and the state, and some of the highest in the nation,” she s=
aid.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>…<o:p></o=
:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>“We develop big houses on big=
lots,
often with no sidewalks,” said Green, noting the amount of land cover=
ed
by structures and asphalt is increasing seven times faster than the populat=
ion
in <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Connecticut</st1:State></s=
t1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>“<st1:pla=
ce
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Connecticut</st1:State></st1:place> isn&=
#8217;t
growing — we’re spreading,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></=
font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align=
:center'><i
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span la=
ng=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;font-style:italic;mso-bidi-fo=
nt-style:
normal'>Begin with small steps<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The legislators=
said <b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'>regional cooperation</span></b> could begin with less controversial
actions such as buying items in bulk to get economies of scale; purchasing
employee health-care coverage together; and sharing certain equipment, lega=
l
services and payroll software services.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>…<o:p></o=
:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><i style=3D'mso-bidi-fon=
t-style:
normal'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size=
:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Regional
Planning Organizations (</span></font></i><span class=3DSpellE><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'>RPOs</span>=
</font></span><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'>): </span><=
/font><font
size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:=
10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:maroon'><a
href=3D"http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=3D2986&q=3D383046"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.=
asp?a=3D2986&q=3D383046</span></font></a></span></font><font
size=3D2 face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-fam=
ily:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;mar=
gin-bottom:
12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span la=
ng=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weig=
ht:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/index.php?option=3Dcom_content=
&view=3Darticle&id=3D26127:property-tax-forum-promotes-regionalism-=
and-smart-growth&catid=3D147:local-news&Itemid=3D1429"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.acorn-online.com/joo=
mla15/index.php?option=3Dcom_content&view=3Darticle&id=3D26127:prop=
erty-tax-forum-promotes-regionalism-and-smart-growth&catid=3D147:local-=
news&Itemid=3D1429</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><b><=
font
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:ye=
s'>
</span>7.</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weigh=
t:
bold'> <b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>A merger or a hostile takeover?<=
/span></b>
- The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=
=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">OH</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA=
</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><spa=
n
class=3DGramE><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'fon=
t-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>A
merger or a hostile takeover?</span></font></span><font face=3DGeorgia><spa=
n
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bi=
di-font-weight:
bold'> I've been kicking that around ever since Cleveland Heights City
Councilman Mark <span class=3DSpellE>Tumeo</span> fired the shot heard 'rou=
nd the
Heights March 24.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><spa=
n
class=3DSpellE><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'fo=
nt-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>T=
umeo</span></font></span><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> stood up at a meeting of the University
Heights Charter Review Commission and said the two cities should "star=
t a
dialogue" about merging. (Heights people never "talk." They
"dialogue.")<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>How curious, I though=
t. <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Cleveland Heights</st1:City></st1:place> =
has
always sneered at its little <span class=3DSpellE>neighbor</span> to the
southeast. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>As <st1:place w:st=3D=
"on"><st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:City></st1:place> sputters, a few civic leaders=
keep
rallying for regionalism, but they offer no tangible proof that it will
"work," whatever that means. ...<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>UH Mayor Beryl Rothsc=
hild
was downright suspicious. She didn't even get a courtesy call from <span
class=3DSpellE>Tumeo</span> before he opened his mouth, and she thinks he's
sniffing for a bail-out. Her city has money in the bank, while <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Cleveland Heights</st1:City></st1:place> =
has been
struggling since voters killed an income tax hike a year ago.<o:p></o:p></s=
pan></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>Some alliances do mer=
it a
bit of "dialogue," like consortiums for purchasing salt and healt=
h
insurance, and Cleveland Heights Mayor Ed Kelley's call for a single region=
al
fire department. But if you think bigger is better, <span class=3DGramE>the=
n</span>
move to <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:City></=
st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>..<o:p></o:p></span><=
/font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>At a recent dinner, I=
was
seated with a couple who moved here from <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w=
:st=3D"on">Los
Angeles</st1:City></st1:place> three years ago. When I asked them how the=
y
liked <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:City></st=
1:place>,
they plunged, unprompted, into praise for our plethora of suburbs. Having b=
een
hammered by the regionalism crowd, I couldn't believe what I was hearing.<o=
:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>"You have commun=
ity
here because each suburb has an identity," they said. "People lov=
e
and embrace their own communities."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>It's not like that in=
<st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Los Angeles</st1:City></st1:place>, they =
said.
Out in that black hole of urban sprawl, residents have no allegiance to, sa=
y, <st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Glendale</st1:City> or <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D=
"on">Burbank</st1:City></st1:place>.
"You don't know how lucky you are here," they gushed.<o:p></o:p><=
/span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>…<o:p></o:p></s=
pan></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><spa=
n
class=3DGramE><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'fon=
t-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>C=
ollaboration?</span></font></span><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> <span class=3DGramE>Absolutely.</span> <s=
pan
class=3DGramE>Merger?</span> No.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;mar=
gin-bottom:
12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span la=
ng=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weig=
ht:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.cleveland.com/sunnews/reflections/index.ssf?/base/column=
ist-0/1241100453136830.xml&coll=3D4"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.cleveland.com/sunnew=
s/reflections/index.ssf?/base/columnist-0/1241100453136830.xml&coll=3D4=
</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><a n=
ame=3D"_2."></a><b><font
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:ye=
s'>
</span>8.</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weigh=
t:
bold'> <b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Baby steps' toward regionalism</=
span></b>
- Sun News - cleveland.com - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">I=
ndependence</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">OH</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA=
</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>Councilman Kevin Patr=
ick
Murphy believes suburbs interested in collaboration need to start with smal=
l
steps.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>To discuss a merger o=
f
cities or a regional fire district -- two recent ideas -- is premature, he
said.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>"For years, we'v=
e
heard a lot of talk about regionalism, but nothing really ever happens,&quo=
t;
Murphy said.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>"We're just not
capable of undertaking a broad regional effort until we start working toget=
her,
on a micro level, by taking these small steps that lay the groundwork."=
;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>Murphy has organized =
a
meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"=
on">John</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Carroll</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"=
on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
to explore regional collaboration among six eastern suburbs.<o:p></o:p></sp=
an></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>… <o:p></o:p></=
span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>Murphy's goal is to a=
pply
for a share of grant money being offered by the Fund for Our Economic Futur=
e's <span
class=3DSpellE>EfficientGovNow</span> program. <span class=3DGramE>[ </span=
></span></font><font
size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:=
10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.futurefundneo.org/"><font color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'=
color:
maroon'>http://www.futurefundneo.org/</span></font></a></span></font><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> ] <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>The program will offe=
r as
much as $300,000 to fund up to three projects that promote collaboration an=
d
efficiency among northeast <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Oh=
io</st1:State></st1:place>
governments.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>"This is a great
starting point," Murphy said. "We can all agree there are little
things we can do together, with an eye toward saving larger dollars in the
future." Apples to apples'<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>Murphy believes the
cities should pursue shared methods of accounting, a unified system of
monitoring contracts with unions, suppliers and service providers; and a po=
licy
to manage the cities' collective capital expenditures.<o:p></o:p></span></f=
ont></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>Those three topics wi=
ll
be the focus of tonight's meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>"Given the budge=
t
constraints most inner-ring suburbs are facing, we will, in the very near t=
erm,
need to change the way our cities operate," he said.<o:p></o:p></span>=
</font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>"Right now, some
cities collaborate on group purchasing programs and joint dispatch programs=
,
but it's simply not enough."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>With a shared account=
ing
methodology, cities will be comparing "apples to apples," Murphy
said.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-outline-level:1'><fon=
t
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>…<o:p></o:p></s=
pan></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;mar=
gin-bottom:
12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span la=
ng=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weig=
ht:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.cleveland.com/sunnews/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/124110=
4026139620.xml&coll=3D4"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.cleveland.com/sunnew=
s/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1241104026139620.xml&coll=3D4</span></fon=
t></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><b><font size=3D3 face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;font-weight:bold'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>9. <span class=3DSpellE>SLU's</span=
> <span
class=3DSpellE>RegionWise</span> Joins Forces with Two Local Universities t=
o Create
New Research Opportunities</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bi=
di-font-weight:
bold'> -<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'> </span></b><st1:PlaceName w:st=
=3D"on">Saint
Louis</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">University</st1:PlaceType=
> - <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">St. Louis</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D"=
on">MO</st1:State>,
<st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place> <o:p>=
</o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>The Applied Research Collaborative will se=
rve
as a regional data and public policy clearinghouse.<o:p></o:p></span></font=
></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><=
st1:PlaceName
w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font=
-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'=
>Saint
Louis</span></font></st1:PlaceName><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-C=
A
style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weig=
ht:
bold'> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">University</st1:PlaceType></span></font>=
</st1:place><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>'s has partnered with two other local
universities to create a new regional data service center for local governm=
ent
and nonprofit organizations.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>The Applied Research Collaborative (ARC),
joins <span class=3DSpellE>SLU's</span> <span class=3DSpellE>RegionWise</sp=
an>
group, the Institute for Urban Development at Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville, and the Public Policy Research Center at the University of
Missouri-St. Louis to serve as a data clearinghouse, provide regional
indicators and perform commissioned research projects, including trend anal=
ysis
reports.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>The program is being undertaken by the
universities as a way to provide support for community improvement through
greater collaboration and more active engagement in key issues facing the <=
st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">St. Louis</st1:City></st1:place> bi-state=
region.
ARC will work together with area civic, public and nonprofit agencies that =
also
will use the research generated by the collaborative.<o:p></o:p></span></fo=
nt></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>Robert Mai, <span class=3DSpellE><span
class=3DGramE>Ed.D</span></span><span class=3DGramE>.,</span> director of <=
span
class=3DSpellE>RegionWise</span>, said the collaboration will provide new a=
venues
of research for leaders seeking to respond to the needs of the metro <st1:p=
lace
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">St. Louis</st1:City></st1:place> area.<o:=
p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>"What community leaders from across t=
he
region <span class=3DGramE>have</span> told us is that there's a great need=
to
help organizations -- public, private and nonprofit -- not just acquire acc=
ess
to data, but to think with data." Mai said. "Thinking with data i=
s
what ARC aims to do, and to help planners and decision makers in our region=
as
well."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>"The <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City
w:st=3D"on">St. Louis</st1:City></st1:place> region has never really used =
our
substantial academic and scholarly resources to help us address complex pol=
icy
problems in a fact-based, authoritative manner," said Les <span
class=3DSpellE>Sterman</span>, executive director of East-West Gateway Coun=
cil of
Governments <span class=3DGramE>[ </span></span></font><font size=3D2 color=
=3Dmaroon
face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial=
;
color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'><a href=3D"http://www.ewgateway.org=
/"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.ewgateway.org/</span=
></font></a>
] </span></font><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-famil=
y:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>, which has already begun working w=
ith the
collaborative. <b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>...<o:p></o:p></span></b=
></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.slu.edu/x30318.xml"><font color=3Dmaroon><span
style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.slu.edu/x30318.xml</span></font></a><o:p>=
</o:p></span></font></p>
<h3 style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><a name=3D"_10._U.S._Regional_"></a><span
class=3DGramE><b><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'=
font-size:
12.0pt'><span style=3D'mso-bidi-font-size:13.0pt'>10. U.S. Regional Communi=
ties -
sub-State, State or multi-State - in news articles.</span></span></font></b=
></span><strong><b
style=3D'mso-ansi-font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial;font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></strong></h3>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:12.0pt'><strong><b><font size=
=3D3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia'>Bold
</span></font></b></strong><strong><b style=3D'mso-ansi-font-weight:normal'=
><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;font-weight:=
normal;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>font </span></font></b></strong><font face=3DGeo=
rgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'>words are Google search terms. <=
b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><i style=3D'mso-bidi-font-style:norma=
l'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;
mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Bold</span></i></b><i style=3D'mso-bidi-font-st=
yle:
normal'><span style=3D'font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'> itali=
c</span></i>
words <i style=3D'mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style=3D'font-style:ita=
lic;
mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>considered worth noting. </span></i><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>In this and section 11, links to we=
bsites 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 <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on"><st1:place w:st=3D"=
on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>
in a news story as well as recognizing other regional organizations. In mos=
t
cases, where a full name is present, a Google search will quickly get one t=
o
that organization. News reports do not always get the organization name
correct. <span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><font color=3Dmaroon=
><span
style=3D'color:maroon'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><a hre=
f=3D"#_Contents"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>Contents</span></font></a><o:p>=
</o:p></span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
1<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Slay</span>
continues call for regional cooperation in State of the City</span></font><=
/b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>KWMU - <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">St. Louis</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D"=
on">MO</st1:State>,
<st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay used his State of =
the
City address Friday to repeat his call for stronger <b style=3D'mso-bidi-fo=
nt-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>region=
al
cooperation</span></b>. "Until we start speaking in unison, <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Jefferson City</st1:City></st1:place> - b=
oth
Democrats and Republicans - will continue to ignore our constituents. They =
will
divert our tax dollars, cap our tax credits, run our police department and =
take
our votes in November for granted," Slay told a crowd at City Hall of
aldermen, administration officials, and union members. The mayor called in =
his
inaugural address for a merger between the city and the <span class=3DGramE=
>county,</span>
and regional ownership and operation of <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceNa=
me
w:st=3D"on">Lambert</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Airport</st=
1:PlaceType></st1:place>.
They are not, he said, calls for help from a financially struggling city.
"We're part of an overall region," the mayor said. "And in o=
rder
for us to be stronger as a city, we need to be stronger as a region.<span
class=3DGramE>" ...</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kwmu/news.newsmain?action=3Dartic=
le&ARTICLE_ID=3D1503674&sectionID=3D1"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.publicbroadcasting.n=
et/kwmu/news.newsmain?action=3Darticle&ARTICLE_ID=3D1503674&section=
ID=3D1</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:y=
es'>
</span>.<span class=3DGramE>02<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </spa=
n>Groups</span>
urge regional approach for planning growth, sharing tax revenue<o:p></o:p><=
/span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>The Star Beacon -=
<st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Ashtabula</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D"=
on">Ohio</st1:State></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>... <span class=3DGramE>the</span> need for
collaboration among northeast <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on"=
>Ohio</st1:State></st1:place>’s
16 counties. “We’re competing with each other, and we’re
losing out,” said Akers as he rolled out the details of the <b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'>Regional</span></b> Prosperity Initiative (RPI), a collaborative ef=
fort
jointly funded by the Northeast Ohio Mayors and City Managers Association
(NEOM&CMA), Fund for Economic Future and other philanthropic groups. ..=
.
The presenters frequently referred to the success of the Minneapolis-St. Pa=
ul
and <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Allegheny</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:s=
t=3D"on">County</st1:PlaceType>/
<st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Pittsburgh</st1:City></st1:pla=
ce>
regions in reinventing themselves through collaboration. ...<o:p></o:p></sp=
an></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_119193721.html=
"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.starbeacon.com/local=
/local_story_119193721.html</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
3<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Getting</span>
Communities to Collaborate is a Challenging Task – </span></font></b>=
<font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'>[audio 4 mi=
n.]<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>90.3 WCPN <span
class=3DSpellE>ideastream</span>® - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:=
st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">Ohio</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">U=
SA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>An update now on a story we brought you several
months back. The Fund <span class=3DGramE>For</span> Our Economic Future pu=
t out
a challenge to northeast <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Ohio=
</st1:State></st1:place>
communities. The group offered to give $300 thousand toward a development
project, with just one catch. That project has to be <span class=3DGramE>a =
<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'>collaboration</span></b></span> between multiple communities. 65
proposals have been submitted. The public will help decide the winner later
this year. As this process rolls on, the group has brought in a nationally
known expert. David Osborne is the author of several books on the topic of
regionalism. He spoke with <span class=3DSpellE>ideastream®'s</span> Er=
ic
Wellman.<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight=
:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.wcpn.org/index.php/WCPN/news/26010/"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.wcpn.org/index.php/W=
CPN/news/26010/</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
4<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>EDITORIAL</span>:
Regionalism takes step back<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Ind=
ianapolis</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Business Journal - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Indianapoli=
s</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">IN</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA=
</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>... We know it’s politically unpopular to
come to the financial rescue of Lucas Oil Stadium, Conseco <span class=3DSp=
ellE>Fieldhouse</span>,
Victory Field and the <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Indiana</st1:PlaceName> <s=
t1:PlaceType
w:st=3D"on">Convention Center</st1:PlaceType>, the venues CIB maintains, be=
cause
they’re in <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Indianapolis<=
/st1:City></st1:place>.
But to cast the <span class=3DSpellE>CIB’s</span> deficit as an <st1:=
place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Indianapolis</st1:City></st1:place> probl=
em is
simplistic and inaccurate. It overlooks the millions of dollars in state ta=
x
revenue generated by those venues and an endless list of vendors that do
business with them. We suspect the higher taxes that are almost certainly
coming the city’s way won’t scare away the paying customers tha=
t
make the region’s hospitality industry so important to the state. At
least we hope not. Regardless, the tone of the debate has been a setback fo=
r
the idea of <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-we=
ight:
bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>regionalism</span></b>. Restructuring CIB=
to
give multiple counties in the region a say in how it’s operated might
plant the seed for greater cooperation in the future. One way or another, t=
hey
must own up to the stake they have in <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st=3D"on">Marion</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">County</st1:=
PlaceName></st1:place>’s
future or its economic engine will someday grind to a halt. ...<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://cms.ibj.com/ASPXPages/6iframes/FrontEndArticlesDetailPage.as=
px?ArticleID=3D35736&NoFrame=3D1"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://cms.ibj.com/ASPXPages/6i=
frames/FrontEndArticlesDetailPage.aspx?ArticleID=3D35736&NoFrame=3D1</s=
pan></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
5<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>User</span>
fee hikes urged to aid towns and cities</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorg=
ia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Bos=
ton</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Globe - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">United State=
s</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The communities would get to keep most of the
money, although about $15 million would be placed into an account used to
promote <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight=
:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>regionalization</span></b>. "We're trying=
to
encourage regionalization of municipal services, everything from public saf=
ety
to public health, from education to libraries and road maintenance," s=
aid
Senator Stanley Rosenberg, a Northampton Democrat and <span class=3DSpellE>=
cochairman</span>
of the Special Commission on Municipal Relief. "We have 351 cities and
towns, and most of them are well under 30,000 people."...<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/05/07/=
user_fee_hikes_urged_to_aid_towns_and_cities/?page=3D2"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.boston.com/news/loca=
l/massachusetts/articles/2009/05/07/user_fee_hikes_urged_to_aid_towns_and_c=
ities/?page=3D2</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
6<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Closer</span>
Look at Sharing Town Services</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>New York Times - =
<st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">United States</st1:country-regi=
on></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Mark <span class=3DSpellE>Muro</span>, a fellow=
and
policy director at the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institu=
tion
in Washington, said that Westchester towns would benefit most from
collaborating on a county or <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>regional</span></b> =
level.
“More and more of the challenges that communities face are on a regio=
nal
scale,” Mr. <span class=3DSpellE>Muro</span> said. “Local
municipalities are simply too small to provide responses to the kind of iss=
ues
that are <span class=3DSpellE>bedeviling</span> communities. Your village c=
annot
shape traffic patterns.<span class=3DGramE>” ...</span><b style=3D'ms=
o-bidi-font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p><=
/o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/nyregion/westchester/03townswe.ht=
ml?pagewanted=3D2&_r=3D1"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/=
03/nyregion/westchester/03townswe.html?pagewanted=3D2&_r=3D1</span></fo=
nt></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
7<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>DC</span> now the hub of a region =
awash in
... happiness?<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:State w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray fac=
e=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Was=
hington</span></font></st1:State><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Examiner - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Washington</st1:Cit=
y>, <st1:State
w:st=3D"on">DC</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:count=
ry-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Happy days are here again, according to a new s=
tudy
by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, commonly known as CO=
G. <span
class=3DGramE>Really?</span> Swine flu is bearing down on our <st1:place w:=
st=3D"on"><st1:State
w:st=3D"on">Washington</st1:State></st1:place> region. ... Yet: “The
region’s residents are connected and engaged,” the study finds.=
And
“77 percent rated the <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>region</span></b> as=
an
excellent or good place to live.<span class=3DGramE>” ...</span> I ca=
n see
why COG commissioned its study for its Greater Washington 2050. Though the
results are somewhat predictable, they are also enlightening.<o:p></o:p></s=
pan></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/HarryJaffe/DC-now=
-the-hub-of-a-region-awash-in--happiness-44187932.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.washingtonexaminer.c=
om/opinion/columns/HarryJaffe/DC-now-the-hub-of-a-region-awash-in--happines=
s-44187932.html</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
8<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Better</span>
Pandemic Planning</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Har=
tford</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Business - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:=
country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on"><font si=
ze=3D3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:G=
eorgia'>Connecticut</span></font></st1:State></st1:place><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'> and 19 oth=
er states
received poor marks for failing to incorporate sufficient interoperable
communication systems, bed tracking, volunteer personnel management, fatali=
ty
management and medical evacuation. ... Fortunately, the Capital Region Coun=
cil
of Governments (CROCG) has been on top of its pandemic planning. It was the
first region in <st1:place w:st=3D"on">New England</st1:place> to pool its
resources to purchase emergency equipment, conduct <b style=3D'mso-bidi-fon=
t-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>region=
al</span></b>
training exercises, and stockpile medications. The state should take a cue =
from
CRCOG and satisfy the federal standards for a comprehensive pandemic flu pl=
an.
...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold=
;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news8787.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.hartfordbusiness.com=
/news8787.html</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
9<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Pleasant</span>
Prairie balks at planning document</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><s=
pan
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Ken=
osha</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
News.com - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Kenosha</st1:City>,=
<st1:State
w:st=3D"on">WI</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:count=
ry-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The Village Board will consider approving a
planning document Monday, even though local officials have called it “=
;lame”
and “a train wreck.” Specifically, the board will consider the
“<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:=
bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Intergovernmental</span></b> Cooperation
Element” of the Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan for <st1:plac=
e
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Kenosha</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceTy=
pe
w:st=3D"on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, required under the state&#=
8217;s
Smart Growth legislation and advanced by the Southeast Wisconsin Regional
Planning Commission. The chief concerns with the <span class=3DGramE>docume=
nt,
...</span> Comments: ... Why doesn't the <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Village=
</st1:PlaceType>
of <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Precious <span class=3DSpellE>Prairrie</span>=
MOVE</st1:PlaceName>
away from <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Kenosha</st1:Pl=
aceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>? You know, m=
ove
their whole village? Try to get 5 or 10 miles away from the city, out where=
the
air is as pure as the their actions? ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:no=
rmal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/pleasant_prairie_balks_at_planning_=
document_4872876.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.kenoshanews.com/news=
/pleasant_prairie_balks_at_planning_document_4872876.html</span></font></a>=
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
0<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span><st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Memphis</st1:City></st1:place> Conversati=
on:
Trust at issue when leaders talk merger</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></b>=
</p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Mem=
phis</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Commercial Appeal - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Memphis</s=
t1:City>,
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">TN</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA=
</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>In spite of their misgivings about <b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'>consolidation</span></b>, the suburban mayors suggest there are
opportunities to expand cooperation between local governments on a smaller
scale, such as a joint commission that could alleviate the need for busines=
ses
to work with separate governments when they are considering locating in <st=
1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Shelby</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceNam=
e w:st=3D"on">County</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>.
The example that comes to my mind is the European Union. Today the European=
Union
represents the most far-reaching example of nation-state cooperation in
history, but it started out on a much smaller scale, as the European Coal a=
nd
Steel Community, a free-trade union for limited commodities. As the countri=
es
involved saw the benefits, they expanded the organization's responsibilitie=
s.
...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold=
;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/may/03/memphis-conversati=
on-lisa-huffstetler-trust-at/"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.commercialappeal.com=
/news/2009/may/03/memphis-conversation-lisa-huffstetler-trust-at/</span></f=
ont></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
1<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>In</span>
Hard Times, <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Rhode Island</st1=
:State></st1:place>'s
Capital Hopes New Slogan Proves Providential</span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>The Wall Street J=
ournal
- <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">New York</st1:City>, <st1:co=
untry-region
w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font><=
/p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>A bright orange P decorates the business card o=
f
Mayor David <span class=3DSpellE>Cicilline</span>. He is the man who decide=
d that
<st1:City w:st=3D"on">Providence</st1:City>, previously touted as "<st=
1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Renaissance</st1:PlaceName> <st1:Pla=
ceType
w:st=3D"on">City</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>" but suffering a jobless=
rate
of 11.4%, needed a new image.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
>... As
recession wallops cities and towns across the country, many are paying for
image makeovers in the hope of attracting tourists and business investment.=
...
Just down the highway in Pawtucket, which started calling itself "Rhod=
e
Island's Creative Community" at least a year before Providence settled=
on
the Creative Capital moniker, officials say there's enough <b style=3D'mso-=
bidi-font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>creati=
vity </span></b>for
everyone. "We took no offense," says Herbert Weiss, <st1:place w:=
st=3D"on"><st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Pawtucket</st1:City></st1:place> economic and <b style=3D'mso-=
bidi-font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>cultur=
al</span></b>-affairs
officer.<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight=
:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124164771281893315.html#mod%3Digoog=
le_wsj_gadgv1%26articleTabs%3Darticle"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://online.wsj.com/article/S=
B124164771281893315.html#mod%3Digoogle_wsj_gadgv1%26articleTabs%3Darticle</=
span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
2<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Piedmont</span>
Triad Partnership To Lead Regional Aerotropolis Initiative</span></font></b=
><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DSpellE><span class=3DGramE><font size=3D=
3
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;fo=
nt-family:
Georgia;color:gray'>dBusinessNews</span></font></span></span><font color=3D=
gray
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>
Triad<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>- NC, <st1:place w:st=
=3D"on"><st1:country-region
w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font><=
/p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The Piedmont Triad Partnership (PTP) has announ=
ced
that it will lead a new regional initiative to position the Piedmont Triad =
as
the global logistics center of the United States East Coast.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>This new initiative will combine t=
wo existing
initiatives—the Global Logistics Task Force of the Piedmont Triad
Leadership Group and the Logistics and Distribution Roundtable of the Piedm=
ont
Triad Partnership. ... David <span class=3DSpellE>Congdon</span>, President=
and
CEO of Old Dominion Freight Line, will chair a new <b style=3D'mso-bidi-fon=
t-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Aerotr=
opolis</span></b>
Leadership Board of approximately twenty-five Piedmont Triad leaders<span
class=3DGramE>, ...</span><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://triad.dbusinessnews.com/shownews.php?newsid=3D182406&typ=
e_news=3Dlatest"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://triad.dbusinessnews.com/=
shownews.php?newsid=3D182406&type_news=3Dlatest</span></font></a><o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
3<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>New</span>
Study Shows Airport's Impact</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Mem=
phis</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Daily News - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Memphis</st1:City=
>, <st1:State
w:st=3D"on">TN</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:count=
ry-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The study's findings bolster business and civic
leaders' concept of <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Memphis</st1:City> as an aerotrop=
olis,
the catchy phrase coined by <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"o=
n">University</st1:PlaceType>
of <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">North Carolina</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>
business professor John <span class=3DSpellE>Kasarda</span>. An aerotropoli=
s is
an “airport city” in which a region’s commerce largely
depends on the airport. <span class=3DSpellE>Kasarda</span> for a few years=
has
called <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Memphis</st1:City> a true aerotropolis, and th=
e
Greater Memphis Chamber has recently trademarked a new slogan for promoting=
the
city as “<st1:City w:st=3D"on">Memphis</st1:City>: <st1:place w:st=3D=
"on"><st1:country-region
w:st=3D"on">America</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s <b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'>Aerotropolis</span></b>. Where Runway, Road, Rail and River Merge.<=
span
class=3DGramE>” ...</span><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><s=
pan
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=
=3D42249"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.memphisdailynews.com=
/editorial/Article.aspx?id=3D42249</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></fon=
t></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
4<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Local</span>
suburbs and <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:Cit=
y></st1:place>
are studying the creation of an aerotropolis<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></=
p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>News Sun -
Cleveland.com OH, <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">US=
A</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Cleveland Hopkins' neighboring communities are
hoping to use the airport to land lucrative developments. Much like a
metropolis and its surrounding suburbs, an <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight=
:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>aerotropolis</span><=
/b>
features a core airport with outlying aviation-linked businesses. <st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Berea</st1:City>, <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Brook Park</st1:City>, =
<st1:PlaceName
w:st=3D"on">Olmsted</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Falls</st1:P=
laceType>,
<st1:City w:st=3D"on">Parma</st1:City>, <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st=
1:City>,
<st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Cuyahoga</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"=
on">County</st1:PlaceType>,
<st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Hopkins</st1:City></st1:place>=
, the
Cleveland Department of Economic Development, and the Cleveland Department =
of
Port Control are looking to create an aerotropolis here. ...<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://blog.cleveland.com/newssun/2009/04/local_suburbs_and_clevela=
nd_ar.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://blog.cleveland.com/newss=
un/2009/04/local_suburbs_and_cleveland_ar.html</span></font></a><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
5<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Anti</span>-poverty
‘road map' unveiled</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Buf=
falo</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
News - NY, <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">United St=
ates</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>... Rather than laying out a policy agenda, the
77-page plan largely focuses on expanding or improving many of the 129 prog=
rams
the city runs to help low-income residents, with “collaboration”=
;
and “partnerships” the buzzwords to improve coordination betwee=
n
groups. Henry Louis Taylor Jr. of the University at Buffalo's urban and <b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'>regional</span></b> planning department, who was introduced as the
coordinator of the new task force, said models of collaboration would be a
significant step forward if accomplished. “What’s radical is
getting people to work together — to come out of their silos and form
real collaborations,” ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><sp=
an
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/656428.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.buffalonews.com/home=
/story/656428.html</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
6<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Agenda</span>
'09: Area cooperation, development key</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgi=
a><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>GoErie.com - <st1=
:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Erie</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D"on">P=
A</st1:State>,
<st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Early on, <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Cuneo</st1:City=
>
asked the <span class=3DSpellE>panelists</span> a question raised by <st1:p=
lace
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on"><span class=3DSpellE>Mercyhurst</spa=
n></st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> educator Ro=
bert <span
class=3DSpellE>Heibel</span>: Should consolidation of regional governments
happen, and how should it happen? Susan <span class=3DSpellE>Breon</span>, =
former
president of the Center for <span class=3DSpellE>eBusiness</span> and Advan=
ced
Information Technology, talked about functional consolidation of services a=
s
something the community should focus on. Others agreed, with lawyer and <st=
1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Erie</st1:City></st1:place> civic leader =
Jim <span
class=3DSpellE>Walczak</span> saying consolidation of larger municipalities
"may be a bridge too far.'' <span class=3DSpellE>Walczak</span> said s=
everal
authorities already successfully work regionally, and he suggested a<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'> regional</span></b> police force as another example of something <=
st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Erie</st1:City></st1:place> could do. ...=
<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20090507/NEWS02/=
305079916"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs=
.dll/article?AID=3D/20090507/NEWS02/305079916</span></font></a><o:p></o:p><=
/span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
7<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span><st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Chattanooga</st1:City></st1:place>: Mayor=
faces
upstream swim to win over water districts</span></span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Cha=
ttanooga</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Times Free Press - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Chattanooga=
</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">TN</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA=
</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Convincing Hamilton County's water utility
districts to agree to consolidation will prove difficult for ...<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Mr. Littlefield set the goal of cr=
eating a<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'> regional</span></b> water and sewer authority that would eliminate
“unnecessary complexity and sometimes confusion about who provides
service.” ... <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Hamilton</st1:PlaceName> <st=
1:PlaceType
w:st=3D"on">County</st1:PlaceType> has 10 water utilities — eight loc=
al
water districts with boards appointed by County Mayor Claude Ramsey, one
private company and one owned by the city it serves, <st1:place w:st=3D"on"=
><st1:PlaceName
w:st=3D"on">Signal</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Mountain</st=
1:PlaceType></st1:place>.
...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold=
;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/may/03/chattanooga-mayor-faces-=
upstream-swim-win-over-wat/?local"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://timesfreepress.com/news/=
2009/may/03/chattanooga-mayor-faces-upstream-swim-win-over-wat/?local</span=
></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
8<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>MSBA</span>
official: Now is the time to regionalize<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Fal=
l River</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Herald News - MA, <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">US=
A</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The MSBA approved beginning negotiations for a =
<st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Model</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType=
w:st=3D"on">School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
program last week that would build a new regionalized Somerset-Berkley high
school. In the <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Model</st1=
:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> program, the
district would use an existing design of a recently built state high school=
,
using it as a plan for another new school to cut down on design and
construction costs. Craven said the model school, because it uses an existi=
ng
plan, bypasses the design process and allows construction to begin quickly.
“If <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Somerset</st1:City> and <st1:place w:st=3D"=
on"><st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Berkley</st1:City></st1:place> decide to <b style=3D'mso-bidi-=
font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>region=
alize</span></b>,
the new school could be beginning to be built this fall,” she said. .=
..<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x1931071119/MSBA-official-Now-is-the=
-time-to-regionalize"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.heraldnews.com/news/=
x1931071119/MSBA-official-Now-is-the-time-to-regionalize</span></font></a><=
o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
9<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Town</span>
selectmen resist regional dispatch center</span></font></b><font face=3DGeo=
rgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>The <st1:City w:s=
t=3D"on">Salem</st1:City>
News - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Beverly</st1:City>, <st=
1:State
w:st=3D"on">MA</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:count=
ry-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>By Mike <span class=3DSpellE>Stucka</span> DANV=
ERS
— Selectmen argued for three hours last night against joining a <b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'>regional </span></b>911 dispatch center planned for Middleton. ...<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>"We do support something. Jus=
t at this
time, this project, we can't support," Selectman Dan Bennett said.
Distrust was also evident, as selectmen criticized the selection of Sheriff
Frank Cousins as the administrative overseer of the dispatch center. Select=
man
William Clark Jr. described Cousins as a "massive ego" building a=
"mini-empire,"
a theme echoed by others. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_118234642.html=
"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.salemnews.com/punews=
/local_story_118234642.html</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>2=
0<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>State</span>
officials get earful from locals in <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=
=3D"on">Melrose</st1:City></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Mel=
rose</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Free Press - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Beverly</st1:City=
>, <st1:State
w:st=3D"on">MA</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:count=
ry-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font siz=
e=3D3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:G=
eorgia'>Murray</span></font></st1:City></st1:place><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'> said that =
the
Patrick administration has attempted to be more aggressive in pushing <b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'>regionalization </span></b>efforts, such as the bill included in th=
e
governor’s Municipal Partnership Act that would allow cities and town=
s to
enter into <span class=3DSpellE>intermunicipal</span> agreements without un=
ion
approval. As examples, he pointed to the state of <st1:State w:st=3D"on">Ca=
lifornia</st1:State>
having only four regional 911 dispatch centers, while <st1:place w:st=3D"on=
"><st1:State
w:st=3D"on">Massachusetts</st1:State></st1:place> has 270. The administrat=
ion
and Legislature changed the formula that assists municipalities with 911 co=
sts,
providing a higher reimbursement to communities that regionalize. <span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>A more local example, <st1:City w:s=
t=3D"on">Murray</st1:City>
pointed out, is the Franklin Regional Council of Governments that provides =
the
26 towns in <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Franklin</st1=
:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">County</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> with various
services such as regional health programs, engineering services and plannin=
g
for economic development and land use. “We think it’s a model t=
hat
can be emulated in many ways,” he said. “We’ve attempted,
through laws, regulations and financial incentives, to encourage that.<span
class=3DGramE>” ...</span><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><s=
pan
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.wickedlocal.com/melrose/news/x1515814409/State-officials=
-get-earful-from-locals-in-Melrose"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.wickedlocal.com/melr=
ose/news/x1515814409/State-officials-get-earful-from-locals-in-Melrose</spa=
n></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>2=
1<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>CAFA</span>
draws the line between millage and regional fire service</span></font></b><=
font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Dexter Leader - <=
st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Chelsea</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D"on=
">MI</st1:State>,
<st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Participants in the CAP/DART meeting from eight
western Washtenaw municipalities discussed the topic of regional fire servi=
ce
feasibility. During that discussion, consultant Dave <span class=3DSpellE>B=
oerger</span>,
of Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, presented the first steps in
combining the Chelsea Area Fire Authority, Dexter Area Fire Authority and t=
he
Scio Township Fire Department. <span class=3DSpellE>Boerger</span> conclude=
d that
the project was "complex" and was asked to measure the savings of=
a <b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'>regional</span></b> fire department. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-w=
eight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p><=
/o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.dexterleader.com/stories/043009/loc_20090430011=
.shtml"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.dexterleader.com/sto=
ries/043009/loc_20090430011.shtml</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font=
></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>2=
2<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span><st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">South Portland</st1:City></st1:place> Vot=
es To
Combine SWAT Forces</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>WMTW.com - <st1:p=
lace
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Portland</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D"o=
n">ME</st1:State>,
<st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Twenty members will combine to form the Souther=
n
Maine <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:b=
old;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Regional </span></b>SWAT Team, which will cons=
ist
of 10 members from <st1:City w:st=3D"on">South Portland</st1:City>, two fro=
m <st1:PlaceType
w:st=3D"on">Cape</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Elizabeth</st1:=
PlaceName>
and eight from <st1:place w:st=3D"on">Scarborough</st1:place>. I think we a=
re
always looking at ways that regional efforts will help everybody with the
quality of service we provide and also financially with tax breaks. So, it =
just
seems like a natural progression of something we've actually been doing for
some time," Scarborough Police Chief Robert Moulton said....<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.wmtw.com/news/19368660/detail.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.wmtw.com/news/193686=
60/detail.html</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>2=
3<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Economic</span>
leaders work on working together more<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Nat=
chez</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Democrat - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Natchez</st1:City>,=
<st1:State
w:st=3D"on">MS</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:count=
ry-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Regionalism</span></font></b>=
<font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'>, a fancy w=
ord for
working with your <span class=3DSpellE>neighbors</span>, will be the buzzwo=
rd
today as state and regional economic developers descend on <st1:place w:st=
=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st=3D"on">Franklin</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">County</st=
1:PlaceName></st1:place>.
Members of the Southwest Mississippi Partnership — a consortium of
economic developers from 10 counties in the region — will meet at a
summit of local and state leaders to discuss upcoming plans. ...<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2009/apr/21/economic-leaders-wo=
rk-working-together-more/"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/=
news/2009/apr/21/economic-leaders-work-working-together-more/</span></font>=
</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>2=
4<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Workforce</span>
Development Key For Calhoun</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorg=
ia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Calhoun</span>=
</font></st1:PlaceName><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'> <st1:Place=
Type
w:st=3D"on">County</st1:PlaceType> Journal - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:Ci=
ty
w:st=3D"on">Bruce</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D"on">MS</st1:State>, <st1:=
country-region
w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font><=
/p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Moon and John Baas, director of governmental
affairs for the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, were featured speake=
rs
at the CEDA meeting last week at the courthouse in Pittsboro. The Calhoun
County Republican Party provided refreshments. Moon said “<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'>regionalism</span></b>” is the second key to achieving succes=
s.
“You can't make it on your own,” Moon said. “You have to
reach out and form a multi-county area.” Moon said <st1:place w:st=3D=
"on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st=3D"on">Calhoun</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">County</st1=
:PlaceType></st1:place>
needs to determine what it can offer that no one else can. <span class=3DGr=
amE>then</span>
market that and sell it to the world. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:n=
ormal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.calhouncountyjournal.com/index.php?option=3Dcom_content&=
amp;view=3Darticle&id=3D1172:workforce-development-key-for-calhoun&=
catid=3D1:latest-news"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.calhouncountyjournal=
.com/index.php?option=3Dcom_content&view=3Darticle&id=3D1172:workfo=
rce-development-key-for-calhoun&catid=3D1:latest-news</span></font></a>=
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>2=
5<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Grocery</span>
plays up regional products</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>WatertownDailyTim=
es.com
- <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Watertown</st1:City>, <st1:S=
tate
w:st=3D"on">NY</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:count=
ry-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Besides dairy products, Hannaford will feature
other local and<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font=
-weight:
bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> regional</span></b> foods in the "C=
lose
to Home" event. ... Some dairy representatives and producers of the
products will attend to give out samples and answer questions. Throughout t=
he
store, regional products are highlighted by Close to Home signs.<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20090429/NEWS03/30429999=
1/-1/NEWS"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.watertowndailytimes.=
com/article/20090429/NEWS03/304299991/-1/NEWS</span></font></a><o:p></o:p><=
/span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>2=
6<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Tri</span>-state
area leaders brainstorm how to revive economy<o:p></o:p></span></font></b><=
/p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>WREX-TV - <st1:pl=
ace
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Rockford</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D"o=
n">IL</st1:State>,
<st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The key to reviving the <st1:place w:st=3D"on">=
<st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Rockford</st1:City></st1:place> area's economy may be collabor=
ation
with communities in other states. That's the focus of a two day conference
titled "Rebuilding the Economy of the <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight=
:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Tri-state</span></b>
area." About 60 political and business leaders from northern <st1:Stat=
e
w:st=3D"on">Illinois</st1:State>, eastern <st1:State w:st=3D"on">Iowa</st1:=
State>,
and <st1:place w:st=3D"on">Southern Wisconsin</st1:place> are at this confe=
rence,
sponsored, in part, by the American Assembly. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-=
weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p><=
/o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=3D10276441"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.wrex.com/Global/stor=
y.asp?S=3D10276441</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>2=
7<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Editorial</span>:
A call to regionalism</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN=
-CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Central Penn Busi=
ness
Journal - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Harrisburg</st1:City=
>, <st1:State
w:st=3D"on">PA</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:count=
ry-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Five bridges span the Susquehanna River from <s=
t1:City
w:st=3D"on">Harrisburg</st1:City> to <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName =
w:st=3D"on">Cumberland</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, and whereas=
most
businesses have customers on both shores, they are asked to align with a
chamber of commerce on one side of the river or the other. ... The move for=
a<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'> regional</span></b> chamber has surfaced at least a half-dozen tim=
es
over the years but has failed because it has been viewed as a power play fo=
r
one side rather than an opportunity for both. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-=
weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p><=
/o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/weekly_article.asp?aID=3D0299832=
3.9085895.923780.792462.1979125.247&aID2=3D71051"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.centralpennbusiness.=
com/weekly_article.asp?aID=3D02998323.9085895.923780.792462.1979125.247&=
;aID2=3D71051</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>2=
8<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Pinched</span>
cities of <st1:City w:st=3D"on">St. Paul</st1:City>, <st1:City w:st=3D"on">=
Minneapolis</st1:City>
and <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Duluth</st1:City></st1:pla=
ce>
argue for revenue fix -- but not through property taxes</span></font></b><f=
ont
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>TwinCities.com - =
MN, <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:p=
lace><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Armed with statistics from a just-completed stu=
dy,
a <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>coalition of governments</span></b> from three=
of
the state's biggest cities is pushing "the revenue side of the
equation" as the key tool to fix a cascade of budget crunches from the
state level down to local libraries. ... The coalition — <st1:City w:=
st=3D"on">St.
Paul</st1:City>, <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Minneapolis</st1:City> and <st1:pla=
ce
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Duluth</st1:City></st1:place> — is =
taking
its case to newspaper editorial boards as state budget discussions move for=
ward
at the Capitol. However, the members aren't pushing a specific plan. Rather=
,
they're making the case that cuts at the state level haven't reduced state
spending, or hurt owners of commercial real estate, but have trickled down =
to
average homeowners. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_12277420?source=3Drss"><=
font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.twincities.com/news/=
ci_12277420?source=3Drss</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>2=
9<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Fire</span>
districts join forces to save</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Sea=
ttle</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Post Intelligencer - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on"=
>USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Seven years after approving a merger of the Gra=
nd
Mound and <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Rochester</st1:City>=
</st1:place>
fire districts, voters will decide in August whether to approve further
consolidation. If voters approve, the Grand Mound-Rochester and Littlerock =
fire
districts, which have been partnering for the past decade, will be combined=
to
form the West Thurston <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Regional </span></b>=
Fire
Service Authority. It would provide emergency services to almost one-quarte=
r of
<st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Thurston</st1:PlaceName> =
<st1:PlaceType
w:st=3D"on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. ... The potential mergers =
are
just two of many examples of how limits on revenue and increased growth hav=
e
prompted rural fire districts to consolidate, changing the landscape of fir=
e
protection and emergency medical response in <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:Pl=
aceName
w:st=3D"on">Thurston</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">County</st=
1:PlaceType></st1:place>.
… <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/839138.html"><=
font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.theolympian.com/sout=
hsound/story/839138.html</span></font></a></span></font><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-=
CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>=
<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><a name=3D"_11._Other_regional"></a><b style=3D'mso-bi=
di-font-weight:
normal'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size=
:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>3=
0<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Army</span>
goes green for community</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>FayObserver.com -=
<st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Fayetteville</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=
=3D"on">NC</st1:State>,
<st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>More than 300,000 <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:P=
laceType
w:st=3D"on">Fort</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Bragg</st1:Pla=
ceName></st1:place>
soldiers, family members, civilians, retirees and on-site contractor partne=
rs
consider the <span class=3DSpellE>Sandhills</span> communities their home.
Sustainable <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Fort</st1:Pla=
ceType> <st1:PlaceName
w:st=3D"on">Bragg</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> has taken a proactive stand =
to
ensure the long-term viability of the installation and build a healthy and
thriving region. ... Further, the Sustainable <span class=3DSpellE>Sandhill=
s</span>
initiative goes a long way toward complementing the important ongoing work =
of
the Fort Bragg BRAC <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Regional </span></b>=
Taskforce.
… <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=3D325043"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.fayobserver.com/arti=
cle?id=3D325043</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>3=
1<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Regional</span>
ambulance idea gains traction with decision by <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:=
State
w:st=3D"on">Berlin</st1:State></st1:place></span></font></b><font face=3DG=
eorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DSpellE><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Barr=
e</span></font></span><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Montpelier Times Argus - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><span
class=3DSpellE>Barre</span></st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D"on">VT</st1:St=
ate>, <st1:country-region
w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font><=
/p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Acute interest in participating in a regional
discussion of public safety services with all three of the communities vyin=
g
for <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Berlin</st1:State></st1:p=
lace>'s
business. ... <span class=3DGramE>discussions</span> will include ambulance
service, but regionalizing firefighting and law enforcement, two other
expensive municipal services, are also strong possibilities. ...The <st1:pl=
ace
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Berlin</st1:State></st1:place> board's p=
atience
and willingness to participate in a candid discussion of <b style=3D'mso-bi=
di-font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>region=
alization</span></b>
is a positive sign. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.timesargus.com/article/20090422/NEWS01/904220352/0/SEARC=
H"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.timesargus.com/artic=
le/20090422/NEWS01/904220352/0/SEARCH</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></=
font></p>
<p style=3D'margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-wei=
ght:
normal'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size=
:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>3=
2<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span><span
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>My</span></s=
pan></span></font></b><b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial;font-weight:bold'> View: Regional dispatch is regionalization done wr=
ong<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p style=3D'margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:gray;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>The <st1:C=
ity
w:st=3D"on">Salem</st1:City> News - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=
=3D"on">Beverly</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">MA</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA=
</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold'>The biggest problem with this plan is that it does not represent <b><=
span
style=3D'font-weight:bold'>regionalization</span></b>. It's no different th=
an a
city or town hiring a subcontractor who, in this case, will be state employ=
ees
managed by the sheriff, to perform a job with which this agency has no
experience. This current proposal results in a single dispatch center, with=
no
plan for redundancy. …</span></font><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:=
normal'><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;font-weight:=
bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;mar=
gin-bottom:
12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span la=
ng=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weig=
ht:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_118222331.html?keywo=
rd=3Dsecondarystory"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.salemnews.com/puopin=
ion/local_story_118222331.html?keyword=3Dsecondarystory</span></font></a><o=
:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>3=
3<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>LEED</span>
V3 Adds New Grading Scale, Regional Certification</span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Environmental Lea=
der - <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Fort Collins</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=
=3D"on">CO</st1:State>,
<st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>A new component of the ratings system includes =
LEED
2009 credits for regional environmental priorities.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>“Because environmental prior=
ities
differ among various<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> regions</span></b> =
of the
country-the challenges in the Southeast differ from those in the Northwest,=
for
example-regionally specific credits give LEED a way to directly respond to
diverse, regionally grounded issues,” said Brendan Owens, Vice Presid=
ent
of Technical Development, USGBC ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'=
><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/05/07/leed-v3-adds-new-grad=
ing-scale-regional-certification/"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.environmentalleader.=
com/2009/05/07/leed-v3-adds-new-grading-scale-regional-certification/</span=
></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>3=
4<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Editorial</span>:
A region on the fast track<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Phi=
ladelphia</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Inquirer - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Philadelphia</st1:C=
ity>, <st1:State
w:st=3D"on">PA</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:count=
ry-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Even though President Obama said it wasn't
pie-in-the-sky stuff, most regions around the nation can only dream of a fu=
ture
in which high-speed rail plays a significant role. But then there's lucky <=
st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Philadelphia</st1:City></st1:place>. This=
<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'>region </span></b>is uniquely positioned to benefit from the
president's plan - announced last week - to spend as much as $13 billion ov=
er
five years to upgrade passenger service and build high-speed rail corridors=
.
...<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20090423_Editorial__A_region=
_on_the_fast_track.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.philly.com/inquirer/=
opinion/20090423_Editorial__A_region_on_the_fast_track.html</span></font></=
a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>3=
5<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Our</span>
View: <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">Georgia</st1:c=
ountry-region></st1:place>
can't afford to miss this train</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Atl=
anta</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Journal Constitution - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Atlanta=
</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">GA</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA=
</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The Obama administration has committed to spend=
$13
billion over the next five years jump-starting high-speed rail projects. Bu=
t
it’s an opportunity that <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on"=
>Atlanta</st1:City></st1:place>
is likely to miss, at least this time around. Geographically speaking, the
metro <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:b=
old;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>region</span></b> is situated perfectly. ... B=
ut
politically and bureaucratically, we’re located far from the real act=
ion.
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">California</st1:State> and <st1:State w:st=3D"on">Fl=
orida</st1:State>,
among other states, are well ahead of <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-r=
egion
w:st=3D"on">Georgia</st1:country-region></st1:place> in planning and prepa=
ration
for high-speed rail. <st1:State w:st=3D"on">Virginia</st1:State> and <st1:p=
lace
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">North Carolina</st1:State></st1:place>, =
for
example, created the Virginia-North Carolina Interstate High-Speed Rail
Commission in 2001. … By comparison, <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:coun=
try-region
w:st=3D"on">Georgia</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s preparation
hasn’t gotten much beyond feasibility studies. ...<b style=3D'mso-bid=
i-font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p><=
/o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/2009/05/10/hispe=
eded_0510.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.ajc.com/opinion/cont=
ent/opinion/stories/2009/05/10/hispeeded_0510.html</span></font></a><o:p></=
o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>3=
6<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Equal</span>
Time: Transportation hype inflates facts and figures<o:p></o:p></span></fon=
t></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Atl=
anta</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Journal Constitution - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Atlanta=
</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">GA</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA=
</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The prospect of a time-saving bullet train betw=
een <st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Atlanta</st1:City> and <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Charlotte</st1:Cit=
y> or <st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Atlanta</st1:City> and <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D=
"on">Raleigh</st1:City></st1:place>
is thrilling. ... <span class=3DGramE>But why?</span> Why would hard-workin=
g
taxpayers of <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">Georgia</st1:country-region> a=
nd <st1:State
w:st=3D"on">North Carolina</st1:State> — indeed, any taxpayer —=
want
to foot the billion-dollar bill on a 244-mile project between <st1:City w:s=
t=3D"on">Atlanta</st1:City>
and <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Charlotte</st1:City></st1:=
place>? <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">Georgia</st1:country-region></s=
t1:place>
already struggles to meet its transportation needs with a $2 billion annual
budget. And why, especially, when flights and road capacity are already
adequate? Would passenger trips justify this <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weig=
ht:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>megare=
gion</span></b>
“investment” or is this a money pit of a make-work project?
Policy-makers need to approach with caution feasibility studies in which
consultants with a romance-the-rail agenda also “romance” rider=
ship
projections and economic potential. Americans also need to know the cost of=
a
national high-speed rail network. The $8 billion is described as a jump-sta=
rt,
but it’s more an inch-forward. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:no=
rmal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/2009/05/10/equal=
ed_0510.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.ajc.com/opinion/cont=
ent/opinion/stories/2009/05/10/equaled_0510.html</span></font></a><o:p></o:=
p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>3=
7<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Gorge</span>
Local Currency Cooperative (GLCC) River HOURS<o:p></o:p></span></font></b><=
/p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>American Chronicl=
e - <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Beverly Hills</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=
=3D"on">CA</st1:State>,
<st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>River Hours is a vibrant community currency for=
the
Columbia River Gorge area. Patterned after Ithaca Hours, member of this
community feel their currency project has had a great deal of success in th=
e
years it has been in operation. ... Your mission statement from the bylaws
reads: The Gorge Local Currency Cooperative (GLCC) seeks to create and sust=
ain
a local currency system in order to build community, promote <b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'>regional </span></b>economic independence, support local business a=
nd
trade, encourage entrepreneurship, honor diversity, and enhance the local
minimum wage in the Mid-Columbia region.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&n=
bsp;
</span>...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weig=
ht:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/99452"><fon=
t
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.americanchronicle.co=
m/articles/view/99452</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>3=
8<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>West</span>
<st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Michigan</st1:State></st1:pla=
ce>
receives mixed marks at regional conference</span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font siz=
e=3D3
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;=
font-family:
Georgia;color:gray'>Muskegon</span></font></st1:City></st1:place><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Chronicle - MLive.com<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>When stacked up against similar regions through=
out
the country, <st1:place w:st=3D"on">West Michigan</st1:place> comes up stro=
ng in
some areas and weak in others. A newly released study by the West Michigan
Strategic Alliance compared the eight-county West Michigan<b style=3D'mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> regio=
n</span></b>
-- including <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Muskegon</st1:City>, <st1:place w:st=3D"=
on"><st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Ottawa</st1:City></st1:place> and Newaygo counties -- with 26
similar sized and configured counties across the country. ...<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2009/05/west_michigan_=
receives_mixed_m.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.mlive.com/news/muske=
gon/index.ssf/2009/05/west_michigan_receives_mixed_m.html</span></font></a>=
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>3=
9<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Road</span>-use
Fees Could Solve Our Transit Woes</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><sp=
an
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Brookings - <st1:=
place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Washington</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D=
"on">D.C.</st1:State></st1:place>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>... <span class=3DGramE>solution</span> that wo=
uld
address both the congestion and financing problem would be road-use pricing
that varies with congestion. Drivers would directly pay for the costs they
impose on others. These charges would vary with VMT, the level of congestio=
n,
and the type of vehicle. ... The federal government should test a road-use
pricing program in a major <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>metropolitan </span>=
</b>area
before introducing it nationally — and the <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st=
1:State
w:st=3D"on">Washington</st1:State></st1:place> area would be ideal. Federa=
l
employees would be able to get to work more efficiently, and the national
capital would become even more attractive as congestion and pollution fell,=
and
transportation infrastructure improved. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight=
:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2009/0501_congestion_pricing_rivl=
in.aspx?emc=3Dlm&m=3D225054&l=3D6&v=3D1034753"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.brookings.edu/opinio=
ns/2009/0501_congestion_pricing_rivlin.aspx?emc=3Dlm&m=3D225054&l=
=3D6&v=3D1034753</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><span class=3DGramE>.4=
0 Identity Crisis?</span>
City-County Boundaries Confuse SCV Residents<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></=
p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DSpellE><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>LAis=
t</span></font></span><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
- <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Los Angeles</st1:City>, <st1=
:State
w:st=3D"on">CA</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:count=
ry-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Mike Murphy, the city’s <b style=3D'mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>interg=
overnmental
</span></b>relations officer, explains the boundaries for the City of <st1:=
place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Santa Clarita</st1:City></st1:place>, whi=
ch are:
... Many residents of unincorporated areas feel they belong to the Santa
Clarita community, although they are technically affiliated with <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Los Angeles</st1:PlaceName> <st1:Pla=
ceType
w:st=3D"on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. It comes down to taking a =
moment
to determine what jurisdiction your address falls under. According to Tony
Bell, spokesman for Michael D. <span class=3DSpellE>Antonovich</span>, this=
is an
example of “the basic civics lesson” which "is that everyo=
ne
should be informed about their city, county, state and federal government.<=
span
class=3DGramE>" ...</span><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><sp=
an
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://laist.com/2009/05/04/identity_crisis_city-county_boundar.php=
"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://laist.com/2009/05/04/ide=
ntity_crisis_city-county_boundar.php</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></f=
ont></p>
<h3 style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><strong><b><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-C=
A
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><=
span
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-size:13.0pt'>11. Other Regional Community News for O=
ur
Local Planet <span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></span></s=
pan></font></b></strong><font
color=3Dmaroon><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:=
maroon;
font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'><a href=3D"#_Contents"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>Contents</span></font></a><o:p>=
</o:p></span></font></h3>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
1<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>The</span>
Revenge of Geography</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-=
CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Foreign Policy<o:=
p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DGramE><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><spa=
n
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>... ,</span></f=
ont></span><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'> to embrace=
geography
is not to accept it as an implacable force against which humankind is
powerless. Rather, it serves to qualify human freedom and choice with a mod=
est
acceptance of fate. This is all the more important today, because rather th=
an
eliminating the relevance of geography, globalization is reinforcing it. Ma=
ss
communications and economic integration are weakening many states, exposing=
a <span
class=3DSpellE>Hobbesian</span> world of small, fractious <b style=3D'mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>region=
s</span></b>.
Within them, local, ethnic, and religious sources of identity are reasserti=
ng
themselves, and because they are anchored to specific terrains, they are be=
st
explained by reference to geography. Like the faults that determine
earthquakes, the political future will be defined by conflict and instabili=
ty
with a similar geographic logic. The upheaval spawned by the ongoing econom=
ic
crisis is increasing the relevance of geography even further, by weakening
social orders and other creations of humankind, leaving the natural frontie=
rs
of the globe as the only restraint. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:nor=
mal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=3D4862=
"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.foreignpolicy.com/st=
ory/cms.php?story_id=3D4862</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
2<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Like</span>
it or not, regionalization is coming - Court</span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Telegraph-Journal - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1=
:City
w:st=3D"on">Saint John</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D"on">New Brunswick</s=
t1:State>,
<st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">Canada</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:=
p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>In five years, <st1:Street w:st=3D"on"><st1:add=
ress
w:st=3D"on">Saint John Mayor Ivan Court</st1:address></st1:Street> sees th=
e city
sharing police and fire services with <span class=3DSpellE>Quispamsis</span=
> and <span
class=3DSpellE>Rothesay</span> with or without the support of the mayors of=
the
two towns. "This is going to happen," Court said. "It has to
happen if there's going to be sustainability." Both mayors in the <st1=
:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on"><span class=3DSpellE>Kennebecasis</s=
pan></st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Valley</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> say there's =
no
reason to change existing emergency services, which is one fire and one pol=
ice
department that serve both towns. ... Court said soaring infrastructure cos=
ts
have made it impossible for the City of <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:=
st=3D"on">Saint
John</st1:City></st1:place> to meet demands. "Making police and fire=
(a<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'> regional</span></b> service) will have to happen for our very surv=
ival
and to meet the needs of our citizens," he said. "We're not sayin=
g
amalgamate (the towns with the city), this is just economy of scale. It wil=
l
benefit all communities I believe.<span class=3DGramE>" ...</span><o:p=
></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/645784=
"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://telegraphjournal.canadae=
ast.com/city/article/645784</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
3<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Communities</span>
in Upper East asked to develop database on “Sources of Conflict"=
</span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>ModernGhana.com<o=
:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark <span
class=3DSpellE>Wayongo</span> on Tuesday asked communities in the <b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'>region</span></b> to discuss and identify the potential sources of
conflict to help them develop a database on it. He stated this during a two=
day
workshop on the theme; “Sustainable Peace for Sustainable
Development,” organised by the Tamale Ecclesiastical Provincial Pasto=
ral
Conference of the Catholic Church and the <span class=3DSpellE>Konrad</span=
>
Adenauer <span class=3DSpellE>Stiftung</span>, a German Political Organizat=
ion
working to promote political development and good governance. ...<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.modernghana.com/news/212372/1/communities-in-upper-east-=
asked-to-develop-databas.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.modernghana.com/news=
/212372/1/communities-in-upper-east-asked-to-develop-databas.html</span></f=
ont></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
4<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>The</span>
road headache in <span class=3DSpellE>Mahalapye</span> East</span></font></=
b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DSpellE><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Mmeg=
i</span></font></span><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Online - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><span class=3DSpellE>=
Gaberones</span></st1:City>,
<st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">Botswana</st1:country-region></st1:place><=
o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Once upon a time, there was so much fascination
with socialism, capitalism and even internationalism. But with the Cold War=
era
gone, many believe that the ashes from the smouldering fire have now gone c=
old.
Nobody cares about isms anymore! In <span class=3DSpellE>Mahalapye</span> E=
ast,
if all isms are dead,<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> regionalism</span><=
/b> is
the one oddity. Regionalism is alive. English writer John Priestly must hav=
e
had <span class=3DSpellE>Mahalapye</span> East in mind when he observed tha=
t the
real flowers belong to regionalism. "The mass of people everywhere may
never have used the term. They are probably regionalists without knowing it=
.
...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold=
;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=3D6&aid=3D27&dir=3D2009/A=
pril/Thursday30"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?s=
id=3D6&aid=3D27&dir=3D2009/April/Thursday30</span></font></a><o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
5<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Going</span>
<span class=3DSpellE>glocal</span></span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><s=
pan
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Times of <st1:cou=
ntry-region
w:st=3D"on">India</st1:country-region> - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:countr=
y-region
w:st=3D"on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font=
></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The verdict is in before the verdict is in: bef=
ore
the five-phase polling process is over, most political commentators have
predicted — surprise, surprise — a fractured mandate yet again.=
...
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The villain of the piece is generally acknowled=
ged
to be <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:b=
old;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>regionalism</span></b>. ... The growth of regi=
onal
parties or <span class=3DSpellE>legional</span> parties, as their number se=
ems to
be legion has been a process parallel to that of the formation of new, smal=
ler
states. Smaller states were largely welcomed as they would lead to a devolu=
tion
of centralised power and provide for more responsive local governance, whic=
h is
the aim of genuine federalism. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>=
<span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Editorial/SUBVERSE-Going-glocal/=
articleshow/4431403.cms"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.=
com/Editorial/SUBVERSE-Going-glocal/articleshow/4431403.cms</span></font></=
a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.06 'Intellectuals sho=
uld play active role
in poll campaign'<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DSpellE><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Indo=
pia</span></font></span><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
- <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">India</st1:country=
-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>... N L <span class=3DSpellE>Tiberewal</span>, =
former
<span class=3DGramE>Chief<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Jus=
tice</span>
of<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Rajasthan High Court ... A=
t an
interactive session with a group of intellectuals, <span class=3DSpellE>Tib=
erewal</span>
said the country was passing through critical situation due to terrorism, <=
b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'>regionalism</span></b>, communalism, poverty and economic meltdown =
and
in such crisis the need of stable government was a must. <span class=3DSpel=
lE>Tiberewal</span>
said forty to sixty per cent of intellectuals even do not cast their votes
which was most unfortunate. ...<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/560511/National=
/1/20/1"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.indopia.in/India-usa=
-uk-news/latest-news/560511/National/1/20/1</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></s=
pan></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
7<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>New</span>
train design agreed - let the building begin!</span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Scoop - <st1:plac=
e
w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">New Zealand</st1:country-region=
></st1:place>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font siz=
e=3D3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:G=
eorgia'>Wellington</span></font></st1:City></st1:place><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'>'s <span
class=3DSpellE>Matangi</span> train project has reached a milestone with fo=
rmal
sign-off of the design aspects by all partners - <span class=3DSpellE>KiwiR=
ail</span>,
the Rail and Maritime Transport Union, <span class=3DSpellE>Rotem</span>-Mi=
tsui
and Greater Wellington Regional Council. ... <span class=3DGramE>a</span> m=
ock-up
of a <span class=3DSpellE>Matangi</span> cab and half a carriage, based at =
the <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Woburn</st1:City></st1:place> railway wor=
kshops,
was an enormous help in approval of the design process. "We were able =
to
change certain features and introduce some new ones first-hand, which was
really useful.<span class=3DGramE>" ...</span> While the trains are be=
ing
built in <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">Korea</st1:=
country-region></st1:place>,
a great deal of preparatory work is going on around the <b style=3D'mso-bid=
i-font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>region=
</span></b>.
...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold=
;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0904/S00368.htm"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/=
AK0904/S00368.htm</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
8<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Back</span> to nature<o:p></o:p></=
span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Win=
dsor</span></font></st1:City><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Star - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Windsor</st1:City>, <st=
1:State
w:st=3D"on">Ontario</st1:State>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">Canada</s=
t1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>"In 1983, the United Nations stated that
within each<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-wei=
ght:
bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> bioregion</span></b>, a minimum of 12 pe=
r
cent of the landscape must be kept in its natural state," says Phil
Darrell-Smith, acting coordinator of communications and event organizer at
ERCA. Presently, in <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Essex=
</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, "only =
7.5
per cent of our landscape is in its natural state. We're working toward the
goal of 12 per cent to ensure that our region is healthy and sustainable.<s=
pan
class=3DGramE>" ...</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=3D79159f5a-90=
39-4683-b836-c6006073df84"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www2.canada.com/windsors=
tar/news/story.html?id=3D79159f5a-9039-4683-b836-c6006073df84</span></font>=
</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
9<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span><st1:country-region
w:st=3D"on">Russia</st1:country-region>, </span><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1=
:country-region
w:st=3D"on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place> seek to bolster economi=
c ties</span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Reuters - <st1:pl=
ace
w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">India</st1:country-region></st1=
:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 face=3D=
Georgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Russia</span><=
/font></st1:country-region><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'>, facing a =
recession
after a decade-long boom, is also eager for Japanese investment to develop =
its <st1:place
w:st=3D"on">Far East</st1:place> region. "Regional cooperation is an
important factor which can stimulate economic development, help overcome th=
e
consequences of the global economic crisis," Putin told a meeting of
regional governors from both <span class=3DGramE>countries ...</span><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://in.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idINT3428120090512"><=
font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://in.reuters.com/article/o=
ilRpt/idINT3428120090512</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
0<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>An</span>
Era of Unprecedented <st1:place w:st=3D"on">Opportunity</st1:place>?</span>=
</font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>UN Chronicle - <s=
t1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">New York</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=3D"o=
n">NY</st1:State>,
<st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>... The oil price shock also affected agricultu=
ral
markets via the transportation sector. Average freight rates doubled within=
a
one-year period beginning February 2006. Ocean freight rates for grains fro=
m
the <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">United States</st1:country-region> to <=
st1:place
w:st=3D"on">Europe</st1:place> almost tripled, surging from about 34 to nea=
rly 90
Euro per tonne. This effectively re-<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal=
'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>regionalized</span><=
/b>
international agricultural markets, particularly for bulk commodities. It a=
lso
created substantial regional price variations, which meant that <span
class=3DGramE>trade</span> could no longer fully play its vital role in
international food security by matching regional deficits with regional
surpluses. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-=
weight:
bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://mail.google.com/mail/?account_id=3Dregional.tom%40gmail.com#=
inbox/120eac31daed5922"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://mail.google.com/mail/?ac=
count_id=3Dregional.tom%40gmail.com#inbox/120eac31daed5922</span></font></a=
><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
1<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>ADB</span>
to set up 3 <span class=3DSpellE>bln</span> <span class=3DSpellE>dlr</span>=
fiscal
spending fund<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>AFP<o:p></o:p></s=
pan></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The Asian Development Bank said Saturday it wil=
l
establish a three-billion-dollar fund to boost developing member countries'
fiscal spending capacity amid the global economic crisis. ... "A numbe=
r of
governments in the <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>region</span></b> ha=
ve
boosted spending to spur domestic consumption to counter falling offshore
demand, but not all governments are able to do so," it said.
"Moreover, with the global downturn likely to be deeper and longer tha=
n
previously expected, economies in the region are likely to come under incre=
ased
pressure.<span class=3DGramE>" ...</span><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-wei=
ght:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p><=
/o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jr9IzNtEI_7xWNh1=
iILeTDO6k-BQ"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.google.com/hostednew=
s/afp/article/ALeqM5jr9IzNtEI_7xWNh1iILeTDO6k-BQ</span></font></a><o:p></o:=
p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
2<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'> </span><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> =
;</span>[</span>Editorial]
By-elections Show <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">Ko=
rea</st1:country-region></st1:place>'s
Backward Politics</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>The Dong-A <span
class=3DSpellE>Ilbo</span> - <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:s=
t=3D"on">South
Korea</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The by-elections also showed that <st1:place w:=
st=3D"on"><st1:country-region
w:st=3D"on">Korea</st1:country-region></st1:place>'s <b style=3D'mso-bidi-=
font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>region=
alism</span></b>
has not improved at all. Certain candidates even ignored market principles =
to
lure voters with popular policies. The ruling party’s slogan of econo=
mic
recovery and the opposition party’s slogan of "judgment of the
ruling party" rang hollow.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </sp=
an>...<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=3D080000&biid=
=3D2009043021768"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://english.donga.com/srv/se=
rvice.php3?bicode=3D080000&biid=3D2009043021768</span></font></a><o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
3<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Audit</span>
Office asked to investigate council</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><=
span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Business Day -
Stuff.co.nz<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The battle between Northland <b style=3D'mso-bi=
di-font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Region=
al </span></b>Council
(NRC) and Mike Daniel, the former chairman of Northport, took a new twist t=
his
week with Daniel asking the Auditor-General to investigate the council's
investment policy, including its majority stake in publicly listed Northlan=
d
Port Corporation. ... NRC holds a 52 per cent stake in the port company.
Daniel, as chairman, had long urged the council to sell this shareholding,
arguing it was the safest strategy for ratepayers. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-=
font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p><=
/o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/2358511/Audit-Office-ask=
ed-to-investigate-council"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/business=
/industries/2358511/Audit-Office-asked-to-investigate-council</span></font>=
</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
4<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Controversial</span>
sewage plant part of Region's wish list for stimulus funding</span></font><=
/b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>The Standard - <s=
t1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">St. Catharines</st1:City>, <st1:State w:s=
t=3D"on">ON</st1:State></st1:place>,
CA<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><=
span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Niagara</span>=
</font></st1:place><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-=
CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
Region</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'fo=
nt-family:
Georgia'> will chase $167 million in stimulus money meant to fast-track
building projects, including a controversial sewage plant proposed for
Niagara-on-the-Lake. Regional <span class=3DGramE>staff have</span> identif=
ied 22
projects that can be built quickly enough to qualify for provincial and fed=
eral
money under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. ... <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font=
-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p><=
/o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=
=3D1547035"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.stcatharinesstandard=
.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3D1547035</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></fo=
nt></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
5<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span><st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">Fiji</st1:country-region></st1:=
place>
needs help, not hindrance</span></span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><spa=
n
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Stuff.co.nz - <st=
1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">New Zealand</st1:country-region=
></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>... <span class=3DGramE>back</span> to the same=
old
megaphone <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weig=
ht:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>diplomacy</span></b>, threatening <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Suva</st1:City></st1:place> with the same=
tired
agenda of economic penalties. These sanctions continued at the weekend with=
<st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">Fiji</st1:country-region></st1:=
place>'s
suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum. That will no doubt be followed b=
y
suspension from the Commonwealth. This enables governments in <st1:country-=
region
w:st=3D"on">Australia</st1:country-region> and <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:=
country-region
w:st=3D"on">New Zealand</st1:country-region></st1:place> to claim to their
voters that they are doing something to combat the bad guy. The problem is =
that
it does not bring us one step closer to a solution; it increases economic
hardships on poor Fijians, and will eventually turn the Pacific's great suc=
cess
story into a basket case. And that is not in our interest, or <st1:place w:=
st=3D"on"><st1:country-region
w:st=3D"on">Fiji</st1:country-region></st1:place>'s. ...<b style=3D'mso-bi=
di-font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p><=
/o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/columnists/2384967/Fiji-needs-help-n=
ot-hindrance/"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/=
columnists/2384967/Fiji-needs-help-not-hindrance/</span></font></a><o:p></o=
:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
6<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Asian</span>
regionalism: How does it compare to <st1:place w:st=3D"on">Europe</st1:plac=
e>’s?</span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray fac=
e=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Eas=
t Asia</span></font></st1:place><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Forum <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>... <span class=3DGramE>history</span> shows th=
at
major steps to enhance <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>regionalism</span></=
b> are
usually taken as a reaction to shocks—while the Second World War prom=
pted
the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, the ASEAN +3
Finance Ministers Meeting was established in response to the crisis of 1997=
/98.
And while a global crisis requires a global response, closer regional
cooperation can be useful to enhance the effectiveness of global action. ..=
.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2009/04/21/asian-regionalism-how-does-=
it-compare-to-europes/"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.eastasiaforum.org/20=
09/04/21/asian-regionalism-how-does-it-compare-to-europes/</span></font></a=
><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
7<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Despite</span>
Setback, <span class=3DSpellE>Asean</span> Has Important Role</span></font>=
</b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DSpellE><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Yale=
Global</span></font></span><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Online - CT, <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">USA</st=
1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DSpellE><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><sp=
an
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Asean</span></f=
ont></span><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'> should not=
pretend
to drive the region ahead regardless of these obstacles. It can, and has,
instead to manage the difficulties and differences, and move ahead as and w=
hen
politics permits. Socializing the states to a greater sense of regionalism =
<span
class=3DGramE>is</span> a long haul and a difficult undertaking; one that <=
span
class=3DSpellE>Asean</span> takes seriously. Those who recommend abandoning=
<span
class=3DSpellE>Asean</span> must bear the burden of showing that there is a=
ready
alternative. They risk pulling apart a truly indigenous effort at regionali=
sm
and pushing <span class=3DSpellE>Asean</span> closer to those, like China, =
which
has said it will still support <span class=3DSpellE>Asean</span>. ...<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=3D12303"><fo=
nt
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/disp=
lay.article?id=3D12303</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
8<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span><st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:=
place>
Government program strengthens local authorities in the East</span></span><=
/font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>FirstLanka.com<o:=
p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID) is funding a two-year program called Supporting <b style=3D'mso-bid=
i-font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Region=
al
Governance</span></b> (<span class=3DSpellE>SuRG</span>) to strengthen loca=
l
governance in conflict-affected areas of the East. Participating local
authorities from the <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">East=
ern</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Province</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> recently s=
igned
a memorandum of understanding with <span class=3DSpellE>SuRG</span> to laun=
ch the
partnership. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'fon=
t-weight:
bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://firstlanka.com/english/defence-news/us-government-program-st=
rengthens-local-authorities-in-the-east/"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://firstlanka.com/english/d=
efence-news/us-government-program-strengthens-local-authorities-in-the-east=
/</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
9<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>The</span>
Regional Response to Disasters<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Platinum News Onl=
ine -
Virgin <st1:place w:st=3D"on">Islands</st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font><=
/p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>... The <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal=
'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>regional</span></b> =
body
that supports Caribbean States in disaster management is the Caribbean Disa=
ster
Emergency Response Agency (CDERA). The agency’s main function is to m=
ake
an immediate and coordinated response to any disastrous event affecting any=
<st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Participating</st1:PlaceName> <st1:P=
laceType
w:st=3D"on">State</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, once the state requests suc=
h
assistance. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font=
-weight:
bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?section=3Darticle&source=3D=
1242052158"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.bviplatinum.com/news=
.php?section=3Darticle&source=3D1242052158</span></font></a><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<h3 style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><a name=3D"_12._Blogging_about"></a><b><font size=3D3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-s=
ize:12.0pt'>12.
Blogging about Regional Communities <span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> =
</span><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></span></font></b><font color=3Dmar=
oon><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:maroon;font-weight:no=
rmal;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'><a href=3D"#_Contents"><font color=3Dmaroon><spa=
n
style=3D'color:maroon'>Contents</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font><=
/h3>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
1<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Regional</span>
Failure by Local Design</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3D=
EN-CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>By Bruce Fisher<o=
:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>... Town of <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:=
st=3D"on">Boston</st1:City></st1:place>
politicians don’t want it. The <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Lackawanna</st1:=
City>
politicians who listen to the <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">=
Boston</st1:City></st1:place>
politicians don’t want it. The county executive doesn’t want it=
.
Yet the movement toward <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>regional governance<=
/span></b>
persists. If Whyte convinces another one of her colleagues that the objecti=
ons
to regional planning are as laughable as opposition to model airplanes in t=
he
field already used by snowmobilers, perhaps this could be the last spring o=
f
our <span class=3DSpellE>localist</span> infancy, and the beginning of matu=
rity.<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://artvoice.com/issues/v8n18/regional_failure"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://artvoice.com/issues/v8n1=
8/regional_failure</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
2<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Ed</span>
Morrison · BFD Learning Moment: <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:s=
t=3D"on">Milwaukee</st1:City></st1:place>’s
water cluster</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Brewed Fresh Dail=
y<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>We’ve been using Strategic Doing with a
number of different initiatives in <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D=
"on">Milwaukee</st1:City></st1:place>.
One of our most successful: The Milwaukee 7 Water Council.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>“The United Nations on=
Tuesday will
designate <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Milwaukee</st1:City> as a <st1:place w:st=
=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st=3D"on">U.N.</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Global</st1:Pl=
aceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Compact</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"=
on">City</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>,
making it one of 13 such cities worldwide, in a move that will help the<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'> region</span></b> promote its image abroad as an international hub=
of
water technology.”...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;mar=
gin-bottom:
12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span la=
ng=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weig=
ht:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/"><font color=3Dmaroon><sp=
an
style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/</span></font></a><o=
:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
3<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span><st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Atlanta</st1:City> LINK delegation lands in </span><st1:place w=
:st=3D"on"><st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Minneapolis</st1:City></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></b=
></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DSpellE><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Sapo=
rtaReport</span></font></span><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>A delegation of 100-plus <span class=3DSpellE>A=
tlantans</span>
just landed today in Minneapolis-St. Paul for the annual LINK where local
leaders will explore how other cities address a variety issues facing the r=
egion.
... The Atlanta Regional Commission, which organizes the trip, puts the fli=
ght
out for bid<span class=3DGramE>; ...</span><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight=
:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://saportareport.com/blog/?p=3D756"><font color=3Dmaro=
on><span
style=3D'color:maroon'>http://saportareport.com/blog/?p=3D756</span></font>=
</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
4<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span><st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Minnesota</st1:State></st1:place> —=
; Does a
higher Quality of life and better e</span>ducation justify higher taxes?<o:=
p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DSpellE><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Sapo=
rtaReport</span></font></span><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Imagine a state with exceptionally high taxes a=
nd
almost no economic development strategy — that’s <st1:place w:s=
t=3D"on"><st1:State
w:st=3D"on">Minnesota</st1:State></st1:place>. But here is the kicker. <st=
1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Minnesota</st1:State></st1:place> has be=
en a <span
class=3DSpellE>favorite</span> state for Fortune 500 companies.
“There’s a direct link between jobs and a good quality of
life,” said Charlie Weaver, executive director of the Minnesota Busin=
ess
Partnership. “We want the best quality of life possible.” Weave=
r
spoke to a delegation of more than 100 <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:s=
t=3D"on">Atlanta</st1:City></st1:place>
leaders visiting Minneapolis-St. Paul ... Weaver said education is “b=
y
far” the reason companies come to state that’s so cold and the
middle of the country. Minneapolis-St. Paul also have “a vibrant
cultural” community, which contributes to the <b style=3D'mso-bidi-fo=
nt-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>region=
’s
</span></b>quality of life. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><sp=
an
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://saportareport.com/blog/?cat=3D5"><font color=3Dmaro=
on><span
style=3D'color:maroon'>http://saportareport.com/blog/?cat=3D5</span></font>=
</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
5<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Maybe</span>
regional government isn't the Answer.</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia=
><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font siz=
e=3D3
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;=
font-family:
Georgia;color:gray'>Tucson</span></font></st1:City></st1:place><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Choices<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>One of our <spa=
n
class=3DSpellE>favorite</span> blogs Antiplanner.com is often referenced he=
re on
Tucson Choices. The author brings forth great arguments and ideas.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>He tackled regional government a w=
hile back
and I thought it would be worth posting it.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'=
>
</span>I’m not sure if <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>regional government<=
/span></b>
is the answer here in <st1:place w:st=3D"on">Southern Arizona</st1:place> o=
r not.
Given our lack of leadership I doubt real discussions will take place. The
large portion of unincorporated areas is probably the biggest barrier we ha=
ve
to success. Let’s solve that one first then discuss regional governme=
nt. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DSpellE><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><sp=
an
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Glaeser</span><=
/font></span><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'> Stumbles o=
n Regional
<span class=3DGramE>Governments ...</span><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:=
normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://tucsongrowup.com/2009/04/29/maybe-regional-government-isnt-t=
he-answer/"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://tucsongrowup.com/2009/04=
/29/maybe-regional-government-isnt-the-answer/</span></font></a><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
6<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Capital</span> Region Board: Growi=
ng Forward<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>connect2edmonton<=
o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>I wondered why more people are not discussing t=
he
Capital Region Board. Seems like this board is making great strides in the =
last
6 months, but the news is rarely talked about. I consider the development o=
f
this board a huge cornerstone for <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"=
on">Edmonton</st1:City></st1:place>
and the Alberta Capital Region. … Will these plans for the region wor=
k?
It seems that attitudes of many politicians in this region are very positiv=
e
and optimistic about working together, about sharing a common future. This =
is
something we haven't seen in a long time in <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:Cit=
y
w:st=3D"on">Edmonton</st1:City></st1:place>, if ever. …<o:p></o:p></=
span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=3D12=
765"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/=
forum/showthread.php?t=3D12765</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></=
p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
7<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>When</span>
is Destination Branding Really Destination Blanding?</span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DSpellE><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Bran=
dCulture</span></font></span><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'>
Talk<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>... Turning your location into a brand isn̵=
7;t
simply a marketing effort. It’s the product of deep soul-searching,
consensus-building, defining what your <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:nor=
mal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>community</span></b>
really is all about, and aligning what you really are with what visitors re=
ally
want. You may not figure it out overnight, and you may not end up with a cl=
ever
slogan. But take your time, <span class=3DGramE>do</span> it right, and you=
just
might get a brand.<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://brandculturetalk.com/2008/06/02/destination-blanding/#more-1=
1"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://brandculturetalk.com/200=
8/06/02/destination-blanding/#more-11</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></=
font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
8<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>High</span>-Speed
Rail: Richard Florida Weighs In<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DSpellE><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Tree=
Hugger</span></font></span><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>In the main, the proposed high-speed rail route=
s
map pretty well to <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">U=
.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place>
<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>mega-regions</span></b>. Given the fact that <=
span
class=3DSpellE>megas</span> are dense and interconnected centers of populat=
ion
and economic activity, it makes sense to develop high-speed <span class=3DG=
ramE>rail
...</span><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weig=
ht:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/05/richard-florida-high-speed-=
rail.php"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.treehugger.com/files=
/2009/05/richard-florida-high-speed-rail.php</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></=
span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
9<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Comment</span>:
Should Gordon Brown Hold a Referendum on the <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:Ci=
ty
w:st=3D"on">Lisbon</st1:City></st1:place> Treaty?</span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Citizen Europe<o:=
p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>... This doesn't excuse the democratic deficit =
and
public relations failures of the EU, but I genuinely think it's time for
academics and politicians to start talking honestly about the chronic and
arrogant lack of engagement on the part of much of civil society. ...<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://citizen-europe.blogspot.com/2009/04/comment-should-gordon-br=
own-hold.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://citizen-europe.blogspot.=
com/2009/04/comment-should-gordon-brown-hold.html</span></font></a><o:p></o=
:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
0<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Rob</span>
Thomas: Taking the Local out of Local Government</span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'> <o:p></o:p=
></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>The Standard<o:p>=
</o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font siz=
e=3D3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:G=
eorgia'>Auckland</span></font></st1:City></st1:place><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'> faces some=
serious
challenges. Over the next 100 years we will face global environmental,
economic, social and political needs that we can’t manage as effectiv=
ely
under our current regional structure. It’s <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st=
1:City
w:st=3D"on">Auckland</st1:City></st1:place>’s regional governance
structure that is poor. The way we manage regional infrastructure and provi=
de
regional services - in particular Transport, Water and our Regional Assets =
- is
complex, confusing, and ineffective. The region lacks effective leadership,
transparency and accountability. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal=
'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.thestandard.org.nz/rob-thomas-taking-the-local-out-of-lo=
cal-government/"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.thestandard.org.nz/r=
ob-thomas-taking-the-local-out-of-local-government/</span></font></a><o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
1<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>That</span>
could save something in the region of…</span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'> <o:p></o:p=
></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>The Local Governm=
ent
Officer<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>... My general view is that at the moment the
“<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:=
bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>regions</span></b>” (<span class=3DSpell=
E>RDAs</span>,
<span class=3DSpellE>GORs</span>, <span class=3DSpellE>SHAs</span>, and ass=
orted
other smaller regionalised <span class=3DSpellE>Quangos</span>) generally d=
o the
job they’re given adequately, but there’s no particular logic t=
o
them. Certainly there’s no reason it couldn’t mostly be
accomplished either at a county level without spending any extra money (and
sometimes by spending less) or centrally, since the limited devolution that=
the
regions represent often doesn’t add anything in terms of real
accountability. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://thelocalgovernmentofficer.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/that-coul=
d-save-something-in-the-region-of/"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://thelocalgovernmentoffice=
r.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/that-could-save-something-in-the-region-of/</spa=
n></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
2<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span><st1:State
w:st=3D"on">Ontario</st1:State>'s</span> Competitiveness Strategy Provides =
<st1:place
w:st=3D"on">Opportunity</st1:place> for Input</span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DSpellE><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=
=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Thun=
derBayTourismPartners</span></font></span><font
color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia=
;color:gray'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>A few <span
class=3DGramE>month's</span> back, the Ontario Ministry of Tourism unveiled=
the
blueprint to revitalize <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Ontar=
io</st1:State></st1:place>'s
tourism industry and improve its competitiveness on the global stage. If yo=
u
haven't read this yet, its a must read for the industry and can be accessed=
at </span></font><font
size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:=
10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:maroon'><a
href=3D"http://www.tourismstudy.ca/en/index.php"><font color=3Dmaroon><span
style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.tourismstudy.ca/en/index.php</span></font=
></a> </span></font><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>The report's 20 recommendations are=
all solid
although there are not a lot of surprises with respect to the elements of t=
he
tourism economy we can improve upon. One thing is for certain. <span
class=3DGramE>Its</span> great to see them spelled out and movement being m=
ade to
implement them. … <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>I encourage ind=
ustry
representatives to submit their input … To help you craft your
submission, follow the following questions that have been posed at the vari=
ous
input sessions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><span class=3DGramE><fon=
t size=3D3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia'>Determining
criteria for <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-w=
eight:
bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>regional boundaries</span></b> resulting =
in
successful regional tourism management.</span></font></span><font face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Think about: A region being destinations that w=
ork
together. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Question 1: What criteria should be used to
determine regional boundaries? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Think about: Iconic attractions within an area,=
A
well established brand, Tourism travel patterns, Minimum level of tourism
activity, The potential for travel <span class=3DGramE>packaging ...</span>=
<b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://thunderbaytourismpartners.blogspot.com/2009/05/ontarios-comp=
etitiveness-strategy.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://thunderbaytourismpartner=
s.blogspot.com/2009/05/ontarios-competitiveness-strategy.html</span></font>=
</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>1=
3<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>What</span>
is in a name?</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>DJ's Growers<o:p>=
</o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Originally the area which we now call the McLar=
en
Vale Wine Region had many different names, one for each of the hamlets or
groupings of farms that were settled in the 1800 and 1900’s. Overtime
these names have been swallowed up into the towns we now call McLaren Vale,
McLaren Flat and <span class=3DSpellE>Willunga</span>, but for those with a=
sense
of history they live on if you look closely. ... What is in a name? <span
class=3DGramE>A lot of the history of this <b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight=
:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>region</span></b>.</=
span><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://djsgrowers.blogspot.com/2009/04/what-is-in-name.htm=
l"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://djsgrowers.blogspot.com/=
2009/04/what-is-in-name.html</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:y=
es'>
</span>.<span class=3DGramE>14<span style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></span>The</span> Importance of Ne=
twork Time
Synchronization</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dgray face=3DGeorgia><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;color:gray'>Insurance &
Technology<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Computer clocks are notorious for drifting. The=
y
are typically based on inexpensive oscillator circuits or battery backed qu=
artz
crystals and can easily drift seconds per day, accumulating significant err=
ors
over time. With increasing distributed computing and our <b style=3D'mso-bi=
di-font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>interd=
ependence</span></b>
on network infrastructures, having many clocks continuously drift apart put=
s
the <span class=3DSpellE>networ</span> infrastructure and the applications =
that
run on it at risk. In particular, network operations and application relate=
d
activities are most susceptible to problems related to the lack of time
synchronization. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></=
b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.insurancetech.com/whitepaper/Infrastructure/Network-Syst=
ems-Management/the-importance-of-network-time-synchronizatio-wp124223750437=
2;jsessionid=3DB4U5V2QHVWFY4QSNDLOSKHSCJUNN2JVN?articleID=3D78300003&ci=
d=3Dwell1_wp_null"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.insurancetech.com/wh=
itepaper/Infrastructure/Network-Systems-Management/the-importance-of-networ=
k-time-synchronizatio-wp1242237504372;jsessionid=3DB4U5V2QHVWFY4QSNDLOSKHSC=
JUNN2JVN?articleID=3D78300003&cid=3Dwell1_wp_null</span></font></a><o:p=
></o:p></span></font></p>
<h3 style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><a name=3D"_13._Announcements_and"></a><b><font size=3D3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><span style=3D=
'mso-bidi-font-size:
13.0pt'>13. Announcements and Regional Links. <strong><b><font face=3DGeorg=
ia><span
style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><font color=3Dmaroon><span st=
yle=3D'color:maroon'><a
href=3D"#_Contents"><font color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon;font-w=
eight:
normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>Contents</span></font></a></span></font> =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></strong></span></span></font></b></h3>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><a name=3D"_14._Subscrip=
tion"></a><a
name=3D"_14._Subscription_access"></a><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:norm=
al'><font
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-f=
amily:Georgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
1<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Global</span>
Recession: Regional impacts on Housing, Jobs, Health and Wellbeing </span><=
/font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'>-<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Regional Studies Association Winte=
r
Conference 2009 - Friday 27th November 2009, <st1:City w:st=3D"on">London</=
st1:City>
<st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">UK</st1:country-regi=
on></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Call for Papers=
now
available online at: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D2 color=3Dm=
aroon
face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial=
;
color:maroon'><a
href=3D"http://www.regional-studies-assoc.ac.uk/events/winter_conf09/cfp.pd=
f"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.regional-studies-ass=
oc.ac.uk/events/winter_conf09/cfp.pdf</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></=
font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Deadline for ab=
stracts
is Tuesday 30th June 2009<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><o:=
p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Register at: <s=
pan
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></span></font><font size=3D2 color=
=3Dmaroon
face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial=
;
color:maroon'><a
href=3D"https://www.regional-studies-assoc.ac.uk/ei/getdemo.ei?id=3D11&=
s=3D_4G80XDGS9"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>https://www.regional-studies-as=
soc.ac.uk/ei/getdemo.ei?id=3D11&s=3D_4G80XDGS9</span></font></a><o:p></=
o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Regional Studie=
s
Association:<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></span></font><f=
ont size=3D2
color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;fo=
nt-family:
Arial;color:maroon'><a href=3D"http://www.regional-studies-assoc.ac.uk/"><f=
ont
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.regional-studies-ass=
oc.ac.uk</span></font></a></span></font><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'><o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><b style=3D'mso-bidi-fon=
t-weight:
normal'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size=
:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
2<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Postgraduate</span>
Programmes In Local And Regional Development</span></font></b><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'> <font colo=
r=3Dgray><span
style=3D'color:gray'>- <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Newcastle</st1:PlaceName>=
<st1:PlaceType
w:st=3D"on">University</st1:PlaceType>, <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:=
st=3D"on">Newcastle
upon Tyne</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">United Kingdom</st1=
:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Local and regio=
nal
development is undergoing a period of unprecedented change. New debates abo=
ut
the 'knowledge economy' and 'learning regions', 'globalisation',
'competitiveness', 'inclusion', 'sustainability' and 'wellbeing' are profou=
ndly
changing the nature of local and regional development processes, institutio=
ns
and policies. International trends towards devolution, 'regionalisation' an=
d
city-regionalism are changing administrative and governance structures at t=
he
national, regional, sub-regional and local levels. <o:p></o:p></span></font=
></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The current rec=
ession
has focused the minds of local and regional policy-makers in shaping their
responses and building the resilience of local and regional economies.
Together, these inter-related developments are generating new challenges an=
d a
demand to build capacity for analysis, strategy and policy-making for local=
and
regional development amongst individuals and institutions in the public,
private and voluntary and community sectors.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Centre for Urba=
n and
Regional Development Studies (CURDS): <font color=3Dmaroon><span
style=3D'color:maroon'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></span=
></font></span></font><font
size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:=
10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'><a
href=3D"http://www.ncl.ac.uk/curds/"><font color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'co=
lor:maroon'>http://www.ncl.ac.uk/curds/</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span>=
</font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><b style=3D'mso-bidi-fon=
t-weight:
normal'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size=
:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
3<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span><st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Portland</st1:City>: Quest for the </span><st1:place w:st=3D"on=
"><st1:PlaceName
w:st=3D"on">Livable</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">City</st1:P=
laceType></st1:place>,
a documentary film chronicling struggle for sustainability</span></font></b=
><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'> <font colo=
r=3Dgray><span
style=3D'color:gray'>- Lincoln Institute of Land Policy</span></font> <o:p>=
</o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><f=
ont
size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-=
family:Georgia'>Portland</span></font></st1:City><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'>: Quest for=
the <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Livable</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceTy=
pe
w:st=3D"on">City</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, a documentary film of triump=
h and
conflict as one city attempts to reduce its carbon footprint and grow more
densely within an urban growth boundary, begins airing on public television
stations around the country this month.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nb=
sp;
</span>The 57-minute film, which will be available on DVD, is the third in =
the
documentary series Making Sense of Place, a collaboration of the Lincoln
Institute of Land Policy and Northern Light Productions; the first two film=
s
were on <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Phoenix</st1:City> and <st1:place w:st=3D"on"=
><st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:City></st1:place>. Over the coming months in <s=
t1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Oregon</st1:State></st1:place>, an outre=
ach
effort will focus on community screenings and discussions of the issues rai=
sed
in the film. ...<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'fon=
t-weight:
bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;mar=
gin-bottom:
12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span la=
ng=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weig=
ht:
bold'><a
href=3D"http://atlincolnhouse.typepad.com/pressroom/2009/05/portland-quest-=
for-the-livable-city-a-documentary-film-chronicling-struggle-for-sustainabi=
lity-debut.html"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://atlincolnhouse.typepad.c=
om/pressroom/2009/05/portland-quest-for-the-livable-city-a-documentary-film=
-chronicling-struggle-for-sustainability-debut.html</span></font></a><o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><b style=3D'mso-bidi-fon=
t-weight:
normal'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size=
:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
4<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span><st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Ohio</st1:State></st1:place> Commission =
on Local
Government Reform and Collaboration</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The Ohio Commission on Local Government Reform =
and
Collaboration shall develop recommendations on ways to increase the efficie=
ncy
and effectiveness of local government operations, to achieve cost savings f=
or
taxpayers, and to facilitate economic development in this state. In develop=
ing
the recommendations, the commission shall consider, but is not limited to, =
the
following:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>(1) Restructuring and streamlining local govern=
ment
offices to achieve efficiencies and cost savings for taxpayers and to
facilitate local economic development;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D=
3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>...<o:p></o:p></span></font><=
/b></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3D=
Arial><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.cpmra.muohio.edu/otaohio/commission/ota/about.h=
tml"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.cpmra.muohio.edu/ota=
ohio/commission/ota/about.html</span></font></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<h3 style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in'><a name=3D"_14._Subscription_access_"></a><a
name=3D"_14._Financial_Crisis."></a><b><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><span style=3D'mso-bidi-font-size:1=
3.0pt'>14.
Financial Crisis. <strong><b><font face=3DGeorgia><span style=3D'font-famil=
y:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><=
/span></font></b></strong></span></span></font></b><strong><b
style=3D'mso-ansi-font-weight:normal'><font color=3Dmaroon face=3DGeorgia><=
span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:=
maroon;
font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></span></font></b></strong><strong>=
<b><font
color=3Dmaroon face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georg=
ia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:maroon'><a href=3D"#_Contents"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font=
-weight:
bold'>Contents</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></strong></h3>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><b style=3D'mso-bidi-fon=
t-weight:
normal'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size=
:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.<span class=3DGramE>0=
1<span
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span=
></span>Summary</span>
Version - Global Financial Stability Report: Responding to the Financial Cr=
isis
and Measuring Systemic Risks</span></font></b><font face=3DGeorgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'> <font color=3Dgray><span
style=3D'color:gray'>- April 2009 - International Monetary Fund - <st1:plac=
e
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Washington</st1:City> <st1:State w:st=3D"=
on">DC</st1:State></st1:place>
- PDF<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;mar=
gin-bottom:
12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>The Global Financial Stabili=
ty
Report (GFSR) assesses key risks facing the global financial system with a =
view
to identifying those that represent systemic vulnerabilities. In normal tim=
es,
the report seeks to play a role in preventing crises by highlighting polici=
es
that may mitigate systemic risks, thereby contributing to global financial
stability and the sustained economic growth of the IMF’s member
countries. In the current crisis, the report traces the sources and channel=
s of
financial distress, and provides policy advice on mitigating its effects on
economic activity, stemming contagion, and mending the global financial sys=
tem.
…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;mar=
gin-bottom:
12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span la=
ng=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;mso-bidi-font-weig=
ht:
bold'><a href=3D"http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/gfsr/2009/01/pdf/text.=
pdf"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.imf.org/external/pub=
s/ft/gfsr/2009/01/pdf/text.pdf</span></font></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<h3><a name=3D"_15._Custom_search:"></a><strong><b><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial'><span style=3D'mso-bidi-font-size:13.0pt'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>.02 CSPAN Q&A with=
Janet Tavakoli -
Author of "Dear Mr. Buffett: What an Investor Learns 1,269 Miles from =
Wall
Street" explains derivatives </span></span></font></b></strong><strong=
><b
style=3D'mso-ansi-font-weight:normal'><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-=
CA
style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-weight:normal;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>- Video</span></font></b></strong><strong><b><fo=
nt
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><b style=3D'mso-ansi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D3 face=3D=
Georgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-fa=
mily:
Arial;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'><span style=3D'mso-bidi=
-font-size:
13.0pt'>Janet Tavakoli is founder and president of Tavakoli Structured Fina=
nce,
a Chicago-based firm that provides consulting to financial institutions and=
institutional
investors. Her book is the story of her meetings with Warren Buffet prior t=
o
the economic downturn and how that impacted the way she views investing. Sh=
e is
a former adjunct professor of</span></span></font></b></strong><strong><b><=
font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-family:
Arial'> derivatives</span></font></b></strong><strong><b style=3D'mso-ansi-=
font-weight:
normal'><font face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgi=
a;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> a=
t
the <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">University</st1:Place=
Type> of
<st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Chicago</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>'s Graduate =
School
of Business. She has also worked for <span class=3DSpellE>Westdeutsche</spa=
n> <span
class=3DSpellE>Landesbank</span> in <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=
=3D"on">London</st1:City></st1:place>,
Bank One in Chicago, Merrill Lynch, PaineWebber, and Bear Stearns.<o:p></o:=
p></span></font></b></strong></h3>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span lang=3DE=
N-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>Link to video: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span lang=
=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon'><a
href=3D"http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=3Dproduct=
_video_info&products_id=3D285329-1"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.c-spanarchives.org/l=
ibrary/index.php?main_page=3Dproduct_video_info&products_id=3D285329-1<=
/span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dmaroon face=3D"Times New Roman"=
><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:maroon'><o:p> </o:p></spa=
n></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=
=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Georgia'>CSPAN Podcast site:</span></font><font
color=3Dmaroon><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'color:maroon'> </span></font><fo=
nt size=3D2
color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;fo=
nt-family:
Arial;color:maroon'><a href=3D"http://www.c-span.org/Podcasts.aspx"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.c-span.org/Podcasts.=
aspx</span></font></a></span></font><font
color=3Dmaroon><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'color:maroon'><o:p></o:p></span>=
</font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dmaroon face=3D"Times New Roman"=
><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:maroon'><o:p> </o:p></spa=
n></font></p>
<h3 style=3D'margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><strong><b><font face=3DGeor=
gia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><o:p>=
</o:p></span></font></b></strong></h3>
<h3 style=3D'margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><strong><b><font size=3D3
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Geo=
rgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><span style=3D'mso-bidi-font-size:13.0pt'>15. <=
/span></span></font></b></strong><span
lang=3DEN-CA>Custom search: region, regions, regional communities. </span><=
font
color=3Dmaroon><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'color:maroon;font-weight:normal;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></=
span><span
lang=3DEN-CA><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></span></font><f=
ont
color=3Dmaroon><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'color:maroon;font-weight:normal;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'><a href=3D"#_Contents"><font color=3Dmaroon><spa=
n
style=3D'color:maroon'>Contents</span></font></a></span></font><span lang=
=3DEN-CA><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3 face=3DGe=
orgia><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-we=
ight:
bold'>To search on topics like those in Regional Community Development News=
use
this custom search engine which utilizes <span class=3DGramE><b><font color=
=3Dred><span
style=3D'color:red;font-weight:bold'>2,090</span></font></b><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>regional</span> related sites </sp=
an></font><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia'>as of May 1=
3, 2009.<span
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> Entering the term <b><i style=3D'mso-b=
idi-font-style:
normal'><font color=3Dred><span style=3D'color:red;font-weight:bold;font-st=
yle:
italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>emergency preparedness</span></font></i>=
</b>
returned <span class=3DGramE><b><i style=3D'mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><fo=
nt
color=3Dred><span style=3D'color:red;font-weight:bold;font-style:italic;mso=
-bidi-font-style:
normal'>425</span></font></i></b><i style=3D'mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><s=
pan
style=3D'font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'> <span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></span></i>items</span>; <font colo=
r=3Dred><span
style=3D'color:red'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><b><i
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;font-s=
tyle:
italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>emergency response </span></i></b></span=
></font><i
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style=3D'font-style:italic;mso-b=
idi-font-style:
normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></span></i>returned<i
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style=3D'font-style:italic;mso-b=
idi-font-style:
normal'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><b><font color=3Dred=
><span
style=3D'color:red;font-weight:bold'>553</span></font></b> </span></i><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>items.<o:p></o:p></span></span></fo=
nt></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><strong><b style=3D'mso-=
ansi-font-weight:
normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D3 face=3DGeorgia><span lan=
g=3DEN-CA
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Georgia;font-weight:normal'>Search en=
gine
link: </span></font></b></strong><strong><b style=3D'mso-ansi-font-weight:n=
ormal;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D2 color=3Dmaroon face=3DArial><sp=
an
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:maroon;font-=
weight:
normal'><a
href=3D"http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=3D000551187207053117963:m1gvkhigk=
eo&hl=3Den"
title=3D"http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=3D000551187207053117963:m1gvkhig=
keo&hl=3Den"><font
color=3Dmaroon><span style=3D'color:maroon'>http://www.google.com/coop/cse?=
cx=3D000551187207053117963:m1gvkhigkeo&hl=3Den</span></font></a></span>=
</font></b></strong><font
face=3DGeorgia><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-fon=
t-weight:
bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div style=3D'mso-element:para-border-div;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt=
;
border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:none;
mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid window=
text .5pt;
padding:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in'>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'border:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowte=
xt .5pt;
mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0=
pt 0in 1.0pt 0in'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.=
0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'border:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowte=
xt .5pt;
mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0=
pt 0in 1.0pt 0in'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.=
0pt'>My name
is Tom Christoffel. I've worked in the field of intergovernmental and regio=
nal cooperation
since 1973. As a consequence, "I see regions work.” <em><i><font
face=3D"Times New Roman">Regional Community Development News</font></i></em=
> is
published bi-monthly based on news reports as of Wednesday of the publicati=
on
week<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'line-height:110%;border:none;mso-border-top-a=
lt:solid windowtext .5pt;
mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0=
pt 0in 1.0pt 0in'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.=
0pt;
line-height:110%'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> =
</span>Making visible
such cross-boundary planning, collaboration and cooperative action at
multi-jurisdictional networked regional scales, public, private and NGO is =
my
purpose. "Think globally, act locally" was innovative in its time=
.
Today the local scale is often too small to address today's needs and
opportunities. "Think local planet, act regionally,” is my candi=
date
paradigm. No one said we're only allowed one paradigm.<o:p></o:p></span></f=
ont></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'line-height:110%;border:none;mso-border-top-a=
lt:solid windowtext .5pt;
mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0=
pt 0in 1.0pt 0in'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.=
0pt;
line-height:110%'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> =
</span>We can see that
“regional communities of communities” are organized locally and=
now
act both to avoid tragedy in the commons and gain benefits. An effective
multi-jurisdictional regional community has DNA. It is geographically <span
class=3DGramE><u>D</u>efined</span>; has a common <u>N</u>ame and its <u>A<=
/u>lignment
is inclusive of smaller communities and participatory in larger communities=
. So,
by scanning this compilation, reading articles and checking organizations -=
you
too will be able to see the regional communities that already exist. <o:p><=
/o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'line-height:110%;border:none;mso-border-top-a=
lt:solid windowtext .5pt;
mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0=
pt 0in 1.0pt 0in'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.=
0pt;
line-height:110%'><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> =
</span>News references
are found using the Google News search service. Media article excerpts and =
links
are “fair use” to transform globally scattered reports to make
regional approaches visible. Links go to the publisher and do not compete w=
ith
it. Such publishers are likely to have related stories and thus be seen by =
new
customers. “Regional” is an emerging news category. There is no
charge for this service and no profit is made from its use, though any user=
can
become more aware of the topic itself.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;mar=
gin-bottom:
6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:110%'><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Ro=
man"><span
lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;line-height:110%'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>To search previo=
us issues since 2003 go
to: <a href=3D"http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/regions_work/">http://tec=
h.groups.yahoo.com/group/regions_work/</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;mso-b=
idi-font-weight:
bold'>To join Regional Community Networkers and get a free subscription use
this email link – no additional information required</span><span
lang=3DEN-CA>:<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><a
href=3D"mailto:regions_work-subscribe@yahoogroups.com">regions_work-subscri=
be@yahoogroups.com</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>For =
the Google
Groups <span class=3DGramE>version go</span> to: <o:p></o:p></span></font><=
/p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-indent:.5in'><font s=
ize=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><a
href=3D"http://groups.google.com/group/regional-community-development-news"=
>http://groups.google.com/group/regional-community-development-news</a><o:p=
></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>For =
the Blog
and RSS feed go to:<b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> </span></b><a
href=3D"http://regional-communities.blogspot.com/">http://regional-communit=
ies.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><span class=3DGramE><fon=
t size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>Ques=
tions, comments
or items to feature in Regional Community Development News?</span></font></=
span><span
lang=3DEN-CA><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>Plea=
se email
the editor: <a href=3D"mailto:Tom.Christoffel@...">Tom.Christoffel@gm=
ail.com</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:6.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>Thom=
as J.
(Tom) Christoffel, AICP - <a href=3D"http://www.regionalintelligence.com/">=
http://regional-communities.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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