While shopping recently, I was amazed by the long line of children waiting to see Santa and share their holiday wish list. It has been a while since I made my own. However, I have already made a list of things to be thankful for in Southeast Michigan and, since a new year is a great opportunity to double down on hope and optimism, I thought a regional wish list for 2017 would be a good idea.
- I am wishing that the residents of this region embrace protection of our environment. We are fortunate to be located in the heart of the Great Lakes, the world’s largest source of fresh water. With the benefits of our prime location comes a great responsibility to protect this invaluable resource.
- I am wishing for quality education for all students. We know that education is critical to individual success and regional economic development. Keys to achieving this success include increased investment in education and better linkages among our education and workforce institutions.
- I am wishing harder than ever that we will be able to reach an agreement on how to improve public transportation in our region and achieve the local funding source necessary to implement it. A truly regional transit system is essential to making Southeast Michigan a better place to live and a more competitive region when it comes to attracting employers, employees, and travelers. Clearly, our region still has some work to do to craft and promote a plan in which everyone can see value.
While none of these wishes are easily granted, we can learn from the children who wait in line for hours to see Santa. To achieve the things that really matter, we need patience and perseverance. At SEMCOG, we need local government officials committed to working together. We know that when this happens, we can accomplish more than we ever thought possible.
Happy Holidays! I hope your New Year’s wishes all come true!
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