I am routinely amazed how often individual communities will act in a manner that is against their own best interest by not participating in regional efforts. Often, this near-xenophobic attitude has been generated by local politics or old-fashioned bad blood and is maintained over time due to distrust, political aims, bad communication, or the lack of communication altogether.

Heaven knows that most regional topics do not stop at artificial political borders. It doesn’t matter whether it is traffic congestion, economic development, utilities, emergencies, aquifers, mass transit or alternative transportation projects, air and water pollution, obesity rates, crime rates, or a litany of other issues. To think and act in a manner other than cooperatively is both short-sighted and foolhardy.

But, time and time again, individual communities will decline to participate in a regional effort. Sadly, this can leave planning efforts inconsistent and disconnected across a region. In addition, it leaves the individual communities competing against each other in a cannibalistic competition for scare dollars and resources.

What befuddles me is, “exactly how do these self-serving actions serve constituents or the greater good?” Perhaps that is the question community leaders should be asking themselves on a regular basis and voters should ask during election campaigns.