The first one to reform wins. At least that's the attitude being taken by one of the "industrial rust belt" cities. Articles have begun appearing.... The first one to reform wins. At least that's the attitude being taken by one of the "industrial rust belt" cities. Articles have begun appearing in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Cleveland Plain Dealer that Buffalo is out for blood.

Erie County Executive Joel Giambra believes that the first rust belt city to establish a streamlined metropolitan government will have an advantage in the region for attracting new business investment, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "We have to beat Ohio, beat Pennsylvania," Giambra told the paper. "We have to send a message to the country that we're open for business."

It may indeed be do or die for cities like Buffalo, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. All three have been bleeding for years. Population numbers have been cut in half and continue to dwindle. Private investment is severely lacking. Population centers have moved west. There's an a general inability to attract international immigrants. As the tax base erodes, it has been the norm to squeeze more and more out of what's left. Pittsburgh has been squeezed so hard its bankrupt. Cleveland's finances aren't much better. More tax's can only be an option for so long.

While Pittsburgh looks at slowly applying band aids that combine some county and city services like information technology, Giambra wants to dissolve both Erie County and the City of Buffalo and form a new regional government. Hats off to him. It has to happen. I know from being in Pittsburgh that even the people who love the city most are wondering at what point will they be squeezed so hard they have to leave. Of course suburbanites don't want the higher taxes that might come with a regional government, yet without them commuter tax and parking tax will be the only way to bring in extra funds.

The suburbs need the city more than the city needs them. A decaying, cash-starved city won't be good for anyone. With the right attitude and mind for reform the changes necessary can be made to bring about reform and make the region the economic powerhouse and desirable location for business it once was. Right now it isn't happening though. Maybe a little competitive spirit from Buffalo will get things going.

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