Secret Regional Planning Agenda Exposed

[Bill Call]

Buried in today’s Plain Dealer is this little tidbit:

“The Northeast Ohio Mayors And City Managers Association is leading what it calls the “regional prosperity initiativeâ€￾.

The initiative calls for regional planning to direct where growth should occur and share a portion of the new income and property taxes that result.

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2009 ... .html#more

They expect to have a proposal ready by 2010.

As usual, the Plain Dealer reports the story but misses the news.
The idea that some government board should have the authority to direct where, when and how development should occur should terrify everyone living in this region. Much like the Star Chamber For The Arts this “regionalâ€￾ entity will be controlled by a small group of politically connected individuals who use the organization for their own benefit.
Which cities will be forbidden to develop or build? What are the odds that Lakewood will see new development and that Avon developer's will be forbidden to build?

If this organization existed five years ago would they have stopped Crocker Park because it competes with downtown or would they have stopped Tower City because it competes with Crocker Park? Will this organization have opposed the $16 million per mile Crocker extension or would they oppose Shoreway development? Will they support the expansion of Lakewood Hospital or would they support the Clinic’s plan to build a new Lakewood Hospital in Avon?

Is rationing economic growth the key to prosperity? If so who will get the biggest portion and who decides? This idea should be killed before it’s too late.