Mayor Robert Morrow spoke of his own initiatives in Hamilton, Ontario, regarding water quality improvements and economic regeneration. And I was honored to have the opportunity to showcase our efforts in Toledo. Great Lakes management is best described as government by coalition. Our governors, state governments, counties, industries, user groups and citizen activists all form coalitions to promote their views and influence public policy. Mayors must become a more potent and organized force.
Issues are increasingly complex and budgets are increasingly limited.
Creative thinking is the order of the day, and it must begin in our own communities. As the International Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mayors Conference enters its second decade, we can look back on a record of accomplishment, but more importantly, we must look forward to challenges that must be met. I look forward to the region s mayors, and all Great Lakes-St. Lawrence interests, joining me in that challenge.