I went to my first SEMCOG meeting today, where I made my introduction to the other elected officials of the region. SEMCOG, the Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments, is a body comprised of elected officials in Southeastern Michigan, who periodically come together to discuss ways to move our region forward.

In my introductory meeting I was able to make some remarks. I used my comments to tell the body how much I was looking forward to working with them.  I wanted them to understand that, in this global economy, our competition is not one another, but Paris, Sydney, and Germany. I stressed to them the importance of working together to deal with the dwindling resources and revenues facing many municipalities in Michigan. I shared with them my great hope for our brighter future, which we can experience together.

I learned in this first meeting that the problems we are facing in Detroit are shared throughout the region. I truly look forward to us sharing in each others success, as we solve these problems together.