ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 17, 1997 TAG: 9701170062
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
WILLIAM Dodge, author of "Regional Excellence: Governing Together to Compete Globally and Flourish Locally," spoke this week at the annual meeting of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. It was a very important speech, and it begs a question.
The question isn't whether Dodge's observations were sensible or pertinent. Surely just about everyone in the Hotel Roanoke audience Wednesday night would lend lip service, at least, to the need for regional cooperation. Nor is the question wheth-er Dodge's experience and expertise demand devotion to his every suggestion. He's not the only one to argue that regional cooperation has risen "from a nicety to a necessity;" the specifics of his ideas, while valuable, are less vital than the overriding message.
The real question is whether, and how quickly and how effectively, Western Virginia can muster the leadership capacity to act on the regional imperative that Dodge discussed.
The author and consultant began his speech by commending the Roanoke area for its "solid base" of cooperative efforts on which to build. He cited regional facilities, such as the landfill and airport; regional undertakings, such as the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership; regional conversations, such as now regularly occur between Roanoke city and county officials; and regional strategies, such as those developed by the New Century Council.
Such efforts, isolated and difficult as they've been, indeed deserve praise, as well as more attention than they've gotten. And yet, while the speaker himself did not say so, it is clear such efforts don't yet make up what Dodge calls "regional governance." Nor, without more commitment, investment and leadership, can they achieve "regional excellence."
Dodge wisely counsels us to get over the old paradigm and bugaboo of metropolitan government. Regional governance, as opposed to government, he defines as a network of various problem-solving, decision-making and service-delivery mechanisms, from neighborhood associations to regional councils of governments. Only such networks can coherently address challenges - out-of-control sprawl, lackluster economic development, workforce unpreparedness, intergenerational poverty, etc. - that transcend local boundaries.
To avoid losing out in a global competition among regions for better jobs and quality of life, Dodge advises:
* Give regional governance more prominence, to attract greater attention and resources. (A Regional Excellence Day, perhaps, with regional citizenship awards?)
* Clarify a vision of regional excellence, pursue prioritized strategies for achieving it, and regularly monitor progress and performance. (An annual state-of-the-region report card?)
* Make sure governance initiatives seek to overcome economic disparities and ethnic segregation. (Why not look for ways to share regional revenues and target development in distressed areas?)
* Empower citizens to be part of the regional community and involved in decisions that determine its future. (How about a regional civic league?)
* Experiment with new ways to institutionalize regional decision-making mechanisms capable of dealing with problems before they become crises. (How about a regional think tank, supported by higher education?)
The chamber did our region a favor by sponsoring Dodge's meetings with government officials, business leaders and others. The author has left town, but the challenge he identified remains - as urgent as ever.
LENGTH: Medium: 65 linesby CNB