Really, whatever. It's been like pulling teeth to get the region to support any of the regional amenities, whether it be the zoo, the transit system, the community college, etc. Delta Township, literally across the county-line from Lansing, is still paying a higher bus fare because they refuse to chip in to fund the system.
Anyway, good news. Regionalism out of sheer necessity, now. And, as usual, it's Lansing, and in particular Mayor Bernero, that's willing to initiate the discussion:
Quote:
Lansing mayor's blue ribbon panel to seek shared services
Susan Vela • [email protected] • January 27, 2011
Gov. Rick Snyder's call for community partnerships will drive Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero's new blue ribbon panel that will be charged with "reinventing" local government with shared regional services and better-managed services.
Bernero, who announced the soon-to-be-formed panel during his State of the City address this week, noted the governor's recent pronouncements that he would offer state revenue-sharing incentives for those communities merging services and managing services effectively.
"That is how we're going to be judged," Bernero said. "The governor was clear on that."
...
The mayor already has provided some examples of potential work that could benefit from regional cooperation: an "aerotropolis" with a cluster of businesses around the Capital Region International Airport, involving DeWitt Township and the city of Lansing; and the city's work with Lansing Township to develop former General Motors sites along the Saginaw Street corridor.
Bernero also mentioned the new Ingham County 911 dispatch center - relying on cooperation among the county, city and East Lansing - that has taken a decade of work. Construction is scheduled to start this year, and the facility might start operating in spring 2012, said John Neilsen, Ingham County's deputy controller.
...
|