The Observation Deck

In the past large urban centers had a build in advantage over their smaller competitors.

This article explores the idea that in the modern age it is connectivitiy that matters:

http://scienceblog.com/37974/networks-n ... advantage/

A relevent quote:

"Some large cities — including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago — built on those networks and maintained their economic clout, according to the study. Other cities — like Detroit, Cleveland and Pittsburgh — were unable to effectively capitalize and now are considered “poorly connected.”

To some extent connnectivity has always been important. Major cities and industries were connected with the world through natural conduits like oceans and rivers and later through man made conduits like canals, roads and railroads. Modern connectivity relies upon all of those things but communitcations, computer networks, educational networks and other "soft: infrastructure.

If Cuyahoga County's "reform" effort is to succeed it will have to look beyond merely, repair of infrastructure, increased government efficiency and accountablity.

It will have to adress hard infrastructure like:

Ports
Airports
Highways
Railways
Education

None of those tasks are controlled by the current County Government. If "reform' is to succeed the new County Government will have to ursurp the authority of the independent boards and commisions that have ill served this community.

New York City and Los Angeles are National or intercontinental hubs. They are on the Ocean. We just need to replace Canada with an Ocean. Or something.

Los Angeles and New York have parlayed their success into more clout for getting government contracts and national institutions. Even better than Colorado. The commercial development patterns gave rise to the american culture of "Gangsta Rap".

Have no fear! Ohio is trying to rebuild some of the rail we tore up decades ago. That will be handy when gasoline hits five dollars a gallon. to say nothing of jet fuel. The railroads are the arteries of our nation. The interstate highways are the cocaine and steroids of our nation. fun times.