One of the most important issues
facing Richmond today is transportation, and a concerted
regional effort is required.
Anyone living in the Richmond metro area has heard news reports about the
transportation needs of our area. Rising fuel and energy costs across the
nation further magnify the urgency, and strong regional cooperation is
necessary to create solutions for our entire metro region.
When a gallon of gas reached $3,
many people were willing to grin and bear it. At $4 per gallon, however, people
began turning toward alternatives to save money, such as riding the bus,
carpooling, and consolidating trips.
It's no accident that GRTC's suburban
Park and Ride lots are seeing double-digit increases in ridership. Just as
commuters see the value of public transportation rather than pay $4 per gallon,
many are more aware of the predicament of those without cars who must depend
on the bus to get them to their jobs or to even apply for one.
While jobs are available across
the metro region, there is no easy way to connect many of the job-seekers with
the business locations. GRTC, our mass transit system, was just recognized as
the "Number One" system in the U.S. due to its efficient management, customer service, and
safety.
Now is the time to capitalize
on what we have and expand these services to create new opportunities across our
region. People in the City and the suburbs are beginning to see the
value of an expanded mass transit system and, as we already know, the people are
always ahead of the politicians.
As a strong believer in
regional cooperation, I have worked - and will continue to work - to foster
more meaningful dialogue on how best to accomplish those ends.
However, this cannot be a
lopsided approach. For our mutual goals to be accomplished, all of the
participants must be treated equally and fairly.
I need not remind anyone that
the Richmond Metropolitan Authority (RMA) exists as a regional body, comprised
of Chesterfield, Henrico, and Richmond. While each locality has a stake in the need for regional
cooperation, the City is the only local government to ever shoulder a financial
burden.
At present, the City is owed
more than $80 million in outstanding debt that the RMA is paying back over the
course of decades, and the City has also sacrificed hundreds of acres of land
for RMA roads and parking decks.
Residents in the suburbs have
easy access to the City, and the City benefits from those individuals, who come
to work and also enjoy the cultural amenities here. It should be evident that the benefits
between the localities flow in both directions, but the financial commitment
has been borne only by Richmond.
It is imperative that any
Strong Mayor stand up for the City as we move forward with addressing regional
issues. It is unfortunate that no one else from Richmond has done so.
No one from City Council has
been to the state legislature in more than two years to lobby on behalf of the
City. Council has also left idle, for 15 months, a Charter Commission intended
to suggest changes in our rules of local government.
No one from Richmond's state legislative delegation has stood up to defend
the City or stood in opposition to suggested changes that will dilute our representation
on the RMA Board, which threatens our financial commitment.
The City cannot expect - and
will not accept - the dilution of its RMA representation for the sake of
"regionalism" itself. No one would ever expect such a large financial commitment
to be surrendered.
Richmond is now led by a new form of government and is on its
road to recovery. While it still has many issues to address and improve, the
days of Richmond as a self-neglected, hopeless entity have ended. The
proof is all around us, from lower crime to an economic and residential
resurgence in Richmond.
Local government has more
impact on people's daily lives and well-being than anything at the state or national
level. Problems can be solved - and solutions delivered - much more quickly at the
local level.
Richmond's Strong Mayor form of government is a more
responsive government and is working to restore the health of the City as a
whole.
Cities are the heart of any
region, and Richmond is no different. The City's success is vital to the
success of all the localities that compose the region. We must quickly move
toward the next step in regional cooperation for which all localities will
benefit and share the responsibility for moving ahead.
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