I am convinced that the seven majors cities of Hampton Roads are in need of a drastic revolution. One that will surely usher this region into a true contenders posturing with-in our nation and around even the world. I look at the metropolitans and cities of our country and abroad.. I marvel at their successes and wonder what it is they have that makes their region so much more attractive than our own. But it doesn’t take long to realize that it is our lack of unity that seals our regions fate. Seven cities, all doing their own thing.. competing with one another for the best opportunities for their individual cities. This is said not to belittle the co-op regional efforts that Hampton Roads has instituted over the year but to be frank, it’s not enough.
This region has the perfect opportunity to burn its current image while maintaining the history and qualities that make each city unique, to then be reborn as one unified city. This area is ready for this kind of change and the benefits of making such a bold move would far out-weigh any objections that some residents may pose. I guess the best way to begin would be to highlight the needs and wants of the region.
Needs
- More corporate presence in the area.. especially technical interest that will partner with area high schools, colleges and job development initiatives to help provide training for a competent workforce.
- Better public transportation. This has never in the history of our region been more important and still fails to be addressed as it should.
- Better education programs for local schools beginning with elementary schools and working their way up thru high schools. It’s a fact that hands-on learning sticks around longer for students but programs that involve more of this cost money and require input from families and businesses in the communities.
- Improved roads
- Unified police force with the best in law enforcement technology at their disposal.
- More police presence across the region.
- A way to better secure our ports.
Wants
- Professional sports teams which this area can surely support if we have all the things mentioned above.
- More amusement and entertainment to attract tourist to areas other than just Virginia Beach and Bush Gardens.
- To be known as one of the largest cities in the country.. possibly the largest on the east coast with the 10th largest population in the country.
And I’m sure there are more needs and wants but, what will it take to get these things? Maybe everyone doesn’t realize this but, money allotments that come from the state and federal governments are usually awarded based on city size and need. Big cities need large amounts of funding. Is it any surprise that cities like NYC get the lion’s share of money allocated from the federal and NY state government? And what of the wooing of the professional sports venues of the NHL, NBA, MLB and NFL, not to mention the potential of a pro-tour golf course for the PGA and even professional tennis or Nascar? Such a unification puts all of these things within reach. Undoubtedly there is plenty of room and plenty of options.
All the objections have been noted. Increased levels of crime? Guess what? It is happening as you read this letter but the local law enforcement does a great job containing it and will no doubt continue to do so. And as I see it, crime is our areas biggest concern but it is one that can be tackled head on. Combining into one city strips current cities of their historical elements. Not at all. As a former residence of NYC each borough was once and individual township. And while these areas are now combined in to what is the great New York City, when I tell people I am from Brooklyn, NY they still identify it as a portion of NYC. I have no doubts that our area would be regarded in the same way as people begin to indentify each distinguished area with whatever our unified city [I myself like the idea of Seven Cities, VA] would be called.
It’s time for change Hampton Roads! One that will guarantee our region begins to truly compete in this ever growing world economy. As a resident of this area our needs as a region are dismissed by the older generations that reside here due to the simple fact that fear and complacency rule their minds. These are the people that steadily vote and make their wants known to the local and state governments while those of my generation tend to just go with the flow. And as those of my generation further their education here or abroad, they graduate to the realization that there is nothing but retail, restaurant and entertainment to be had for employment back home. Our inability to provide them with what they need to make a great living pushes them elsewhere.. taking the skills they have learned from Hampton Roads to another more worthy region.
It’s time for a more youthful involvement in our local and state politics. Had we had that already such a bold initiative could possibly be on its way to being realized. If we leave it up to current local politicians it will never happen. How many of these elected officials would give up their position as mayor of their individual city to better the entire region? I laugh as I imagine that would surely be like asking them to give up a leg from their body.
And yet.. it has to be done. Let’s all do our part to spread the word and get this point across to our regions residents both young and old.
