It's OK to study the "R" word

A thumb goes up to Kenton County Judge Executive Ralph Drees for daring to use the "R" word -- regionalism. Drees is pushing a study of the advantages and disadvantages of governmental consolidation. The advantages and disadvantages are worthy of debate and there are nearby models -- Lexington, Louisville and Indianapolis -- to examine. Skyrocketing costs to provide services and unfunded state mandates for prison and pension costs are good reasons to mobilize officials to look.

Whenever this issue erupts around the country, there's a knee-jerk response that goes like this: "Government is better when it's closer to the people." Sounds good, but it's the wrong proposition. Instead, public officials should frame the debate with this question: "What level of government is most appropriate to provide this service?"

We don't ask the federal government to plow our streets; we don't ask Lakeside Park to handle national defense. Certain services seem to scream for regionalism -- parks, the water district and library services come to mind. In other cases, the "closest to the people" model might work best. Let the debate begin.