All the talk of Boston hosting the Olympics in 2024 brings me back to our Spring 1999 Connection exploring policy priorities.
We had worked with UMass Bosto
n to survey New England movers and shakers and households on their opinions about public policy issues, regional economic prospects and opportunities for interstate collaboration.
We also invited six forward-looking New England political figures to review the survey findings and take part in a mock debate under the rubric of the “Race for Governor of the State of New England.”
Most tantalizing, nearly two-thirds of the surveyed households favored “a regional effort to attract and host the Olympic games.”
My favorite part was the cover we commissioned with an old clunker under the Man of the Mountain. With apologies to New Hampshire, our “New England” license plate’s motto was “Live Regionally or Die.” With apologies to Abbey Road’s 28IF, our plate number was: “NE 6R1.”
