Comments on: Does Cleveland have a sensible plan to shrink?

By: Jim OBryan

Jim OBryan — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:40:46 +0000

My only thought on this is that it seems very short sighted. If we fail downsizing? If we succeed, all we have done is downsized? The point is?

What we need to do is develop plans of action that bring more people to Cleveland, and the area. As most regional groups have failed miserably to do this we must activate others to farm the coasts, and out of the country,

Fresh water, recreation and a very safe environment should lead to a quickly growing population.

FWIW

By: Ed Morrison

Ed Morrison — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:29:31 +0000

Ann:

I post thoughts on your question here:

http://snurl.com/cpo00

By: Ed Morrison

Ed Morrison — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:49:07 +0000

Jack is exactly right. Cleveland does not have a monopoly on ineffective civic behavior. Communities and regions all over the country are struggling to define new patterns of civic conversation and action. (In this country, we use the term, “engagement”. Interestingly, in Mexico, they use the term “linkage”.)

Defining these new patterns is critically important for a simple reason. The challenges we face — from failing schools to a slipping international position in innovation to imagining new possibilities for shrinking cities to reducing the lead poisoning of our children — are all complex.

We meet us these challenges outside the four walls of any one organization. In other words, we must think and act strategically on complex projects in an open space, a space in which no one can tell anyone else what to do.

Paradoxically, managing complexity in this way is simple. But it is not easy. It requires discipline and practice. But as Jack notes (and as many corporations have found, e.g., Google), we can manage complexity with a set of simple rules, consistently applied.

When we do this, remarkable transformations are possible.

I’ve posted my extended comments over on Real NEO.

http://snurl.com/cpo00

John Polk offers good guidance on next steps.

By: John Polk

John Polk — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:57:01 +0000

Organizations and institutions don’t do things…people do…Pick 15 smart and interesting people and put ‘em in a room. Next time have each person bring a friend…That’s how revolutions start…Conversations are cool, but imply two-way exchange…of which we have not had an abundance…This is more like pulling up the trebuche, setting it up across the moat from the drawbridge, and loading it with boulders…a way to get the courtiers’ attention…

By: George Nemeth

George Nemeth — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:50:05 +0000

Is ED community (BFD) paying attention to the planning community or to what’s up at realneo? You all may have written off Norm and Jeff Buster and me, but it doesn’t mean that since you stopped reading or we stopped writing nothing is happening.

Huh?

By: Does Cleveland have a sensible plan to shrink? - Greater Ohio

Does Cleveland have a sensible plan to shrink? - Greater Ohio — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:21:43 +0000

[...] Ed Morrison · Does Cleveland have a sensible plan to shrink? [...]

By: Ann Seller

Ann Seller — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:47:48 +0000

Right now there is a lot of momentum in Cleveland to bring together the community and discuss the future of the city and the Greater Cleveland Area. If this conversation happens, possibly late Spring, I would like to know which groups, minus the foundations, are working to create a strategic plan for Cleveland?

My organization, Greater Ohio, has had conversations with multiple entities in Cleveland: FEFF, The Regional Prosperity Initiative Committee (aka NEOM&CMA), CNDC, NPI, Policy Bridge, who are we missing?

By: michael feigenbaum

michael feigenbaum — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:47:18 +0000

jack i love your ever optimistic view yes skills can be learned but only with willing students. the status quo in cleveland will not yield power easily and they want the rest of us to keep our mouths shut. the secret way med-mart was handled is a point of reference. how about the port move east, who made millions on the worthless land now that the port wants it probably sold for millions to friends of the port people. we need revolution not conversation. the civility has been drained from this place by the years of corrupt self-interest actions of the elite power brokers who condescend hollow promises of brighter futures for us all.oops maybe i am too negative?

By: JS

JS — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:29:05 +0000

“Couldn’t i-open schedule a meeting?”

If the meeting is to announce the simultaneous formation of two new entities…

…A PAC for supporting politicians who espouse those issues you merely talk about now

…A venture fund for hostile takeovers and massive restructuring

then count me in. Otherwise, not interested.

By: Susan Miller

Susan Miller — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:52:35 +0000

Ed,

The edge is a dead link. Go figure.

Do I hear an invitation here or is this just more rhetoric? I think we need to be grooming some new candidates – maybe a forum for the “considering it” with a few elected who could tell their stories of “becoming elected” to office.

What or should I say who are we waiting for? Couldn’t i-open schedule a meeting? Betsey and Susan are so good at that. You might have to reach out to some people who have given up on this or that forum of discussion. You might have to reach with something warmer and more direct than an email…

I would help.