The Erie Times News has a blaring headline this morning about the airport runway extension. That 1920 foot piece of asphalt has certainly been jerked around for months and even years. Now it seems that the city and Airport Authority have settled on an solution to get the job done, however, there is just this one hurdle: the county, who is writing the multi-million dollar check, has to sign off. It’s that same County Council who last week gave the other parties a “take it or leave it” ultimatum.

All of this intergovernmental bickering has me pining for the simplicity of metropolitan government under which I lived for four years in the 1980’s. It was Nashville, TN, the progressive city that really doesn’t have anywhere near the natural and cultural resources available to us here in Erie, yet long ago, got it right in their governance. Their decisions long ago have led to the prosperity they continue to enjoy today.

Next Tuesday will be the 45th anniversary of Metro Nashville/Davidson County. I want to share a link to their Metro Charter’s history, of which has become the model of the country.

What was key for Nashville was: 1) the unified agenda of Nashville’s representatives to the state legislature for powerful laws to help city and county cooperate, and 2) that it wasn’t one taking over the other, but a true consolidation of both governments to become a third strong, home-ruled force for change.

Take a read and tell me what you think.