Commission members have to present their recommendations to leaders in Columbus by November 7. One place they will look for inspiration is a report prepared by a similar commission in the mid 1990s. Kathleen Barber chaired that group, and was appointed to this new committee as well. She's taking a wait and see approach.
BARBER: I go into this with a lot of skepticism because we've been here, we've done this. What happened? Nothing.
Barber wants to know the motivations of all the players involved, but says there seems to be a lot more interest in reform now than in the past.
With time short, former Shaker Heights mayor and commission member Judy Rawson urged the panel to narrow its goals to three things: make the region more competitive, and...
RAWSON: Number two: how to save the taxpayer dollars if we can. And third, how to do our best to make sure everyone feels represented by any change that might be considered.
The commission is still working on finalizing an agenda and schedule. It plans to meet again downtown on August 5th. Its final proposal could end up before voters.