WHY FIRST ENERGY FEARS REGIONALISM: From the Sunday PD, in a historical sidebar to the "Region Divided" article (page A13, not online):

1901: Tom L. Johnson is elected Cleveland mayor. In a city without suburbs, he pushes reforms that equate to early principles of regional government: home rule, public ownership of utilities, a professional approach to government and planning.

So this is all a plot to expand Cleveland Public Power to Bay Village and Solon. Now I understand...