DATE: Friday, September 12, 1997            TAG: 9709120005

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Editorial 

                                            LENGTH:   62 lines

BULLISH BUT REALISTIC KNOCKING THE REGION ISN'T ONE OF ITS PROBLEMS. NEITHER IS THE ENERGETIC ATTENTIONS TO WHAT NEEDS FIXING.

Speaking to the Hampton Roads Partnership in Williamsburg last weekend, Gov. George F. Allen exhorted the assemblage not to speak ill of the region. It was odd advice, since he was addressing movers and shakers who are bullish on Hampton Roads and believe that the region can strengthen its economic base.

As Virginian-Pilot staff writer Karen Weintraub reported, Allen told the gathering, perhaps to the astonishment of many, that ``You must always be positive about your region. If you're ever going to sell an area, the people within the area have to have confidence in themselves. Instead of dwelling on the loss of military jobs, the region's leadership should brag about how they've survived the loss.

``If anybody says anything negative, just say they're wrong.''

The Pollyanna counsel was patronizing. Hampton Roads leaders are not dwelling on the loss of military and defense-related jobs (notably in shipyards). But the transition from a defense-dependent regional economy poses challenges to which Hampton Roads and the state of Virginia must respond.

The region does not lack confidence or can-do energy. The Hampton Roads Partnership is an eloquent manifestation of both qualities.

It recognizes that the underperformance of Hampton Roads' economy is attributable in substantial measure to destructive rivalries among municipalities. It understands that localities must mobilize in concert to compete effectively against regions such as Charlotte, N.C., for vibrant enterprises and retention of expansion of those in its midst.

The partnership is acutely aware that localities must work together to further prosperity. Among the areas demanding cooperation are transportation, tourism, port commerce, manufacturing, education, capital formation and development and use of cutting-edge technology.

Hampton Roads is an excellent place in which to live, work and play. But the region is deficient in well-paying jobs. Per-capita and household incomes lag. Meanwhile, some other regions in the South have their act together and beat the socks off Hampton Roads in the economic-development contest, as Norfolk Southern CEO David Goode has made very clear.

Headquartered in Norfolk, Norfolk Southern works to improve the fortunes of communities throughout its gigantic rail network. Communities able to negotiate coherently and authoritatively with corporate and other investors are advantaged. Fragmented Hampton Roads is not such a place.

Meanwhile, sentiment spreads for local governments to reach more and more across city lines for the betterment of all. Knocking the region isn't one of its problems. Neither is the intense and savvy attention directed to genuine deficiencies.

Instead of telling Hampton Roads to put on a happy face, Gov. Allen should ask how he and state government could lend a hand. Regional leaders would be happy to suggest ways. State money to defray expenses for maintianing public services in cities that contain tax-exempt cargo terminals. Expanding local taxing authority. State reform of the independent city structure that hamstrings regional solutions. Full funding - $200 million - to spur urban partnerships on public programs and projects. Greater state involvement in the push for a third Hampton Roads crossing, more roads and light rail links to move more commuters with fewer vehicles.

Many, many residents of Hampton Roads are commiting their intelligence, experience and time to the task. No one is wasting time on handwringing.

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