THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 27, 1997 TAG: 9701250009
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 34 lines
For the first time, a television show has been co-produced by seven Hampton Roads cities. That was fitting, since the show was on regionalism and featured the leaders of five regional organizations.
The show, called ``City Dialog,'' will air on the city cable-television channels.
For an hour and 25 minutes, Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf plays Oprah Winfrey before a panel comprising the leaders of Plan 2007, Hampton Roads Partnership, Forward Hampton Roads, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.
Seldom have representatives of so many organizations with Hampton Roads in their names been present in one spot.
For people trying to make sense out of efforts to transform Hampton Roads into a functioning region, rather than a collection of competing cities, the show is well worth watching. Besides describing their own organizations, the leaders discuss what's attractive about our region and what needs to be done. At the heart of the discussion is the question: What must be done to keep our young people here? We're training youths who then find jobs elsewhere.
Norfolk will begin airing the show in February. Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Portsmouth will begin airing it today. Suffolk will begin airing it Thursday. Each city will present the show a number of times. Check schedules for a convenient time to watch.
The cities may co-produce more shows in the future, possibly one each quarter, to be shown on the city cable channels.
The more the better. The first one is good.