Civic and Community Engagement Commons^™

Some Thoughts On Regionalization, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"New Englanders pride themselves on their self-reliance, their fortitude, their independance and, some would say, their obstinacy. Generally good qualities, but they come at a price: not cooperating with others around you. And this has been a tradition in this part of the country since its founding.

But now the 39 cities and towns are faced with severe cutbacks in funding from federal and state sources, and major questions are being raised by taxpayers who are expressing their anger by voting to reduce all types of programs, especially the biggest expense in most communities--the schools."

New Federal Initiatives For City Revitalization, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"'We have never really had a comprehensive urban policy in this country...and in the absence of understanding and coordinated assistance among government leaders, many of our cities are caught in a vicious cycle, a downward spiral that can only be broken by new attitudes, new initiatives, and a new partnership.'"

How Cubans Reshaped Downtown Miami, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It was just this past week that the last flight of refugees likely to come out of Castro's Cuba arrived at Miami International Airport. The hightly emotional reunion of familites that had been seperated for years was a reminder of the freedom which we enjoy in this country and for which many others are still waiting to come here to also enjoy."

Jacksonville's Commitment To Downtown, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The largest city in the Sunshine State is quite different from the cities we know in the Northeast, especially in its downtown."