Mayors in Riverside, Lincoln and Pell City get it. They recognize the value in reaching across borderlines and city limits and joining hands for something good for their region.
This trio of mayors — Riverside Mayor Rusty Jessup, Lincoln Mayor Lew Watson and Pell City Mayor Bill Hereford — met Monday in what will be looked upon as an historic moment for the three cities.
Called the Tri-City Summit, it was meant to focus on ways these three neighboring cities can cooperate to promote the entire region they comprise. All three cities border the Coosa River and Logan Martin Lake and at Jessup’s urging, their leaders met to discuss events and opportunities to work together to promote the area as a destination point.
There was discussion of a joint Christmas boat parade on the lake, a bicycle lane for U.S. 78, which runs through all three cities, use of Pell City’s water patrol boat and lake levels that affect businesses and residents.
They spoke of future meetings, providing a vehicle for officials in all three cities to get to know one another and to identify ways they can move their cities forward — together.
“By combining our efforts, we can bring more resources than any of us will ever need,” Jessup told the group.
And he’s right. The saying goes that there is safety in numbers. There also is a power in those numbers when they work together for a common good.
These three mayors have the right idea, and the entire region should get behind their effort. It could be a boon to the quality of life found there, and the benefits would be unlimited.