Mayor Hopes Her Idea is Worth $5 Million for Stow

You know the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words? Well, the mayor is hoping her picture of what can improve American cities will be worth $5 million dollars, or maybe just a mere $1 million. 

The Mayors Challenge is a Bloomberg Philanthropies contest where mayors from across the country enter their million dollar ideas to "solve major challenges and improve city life."

The winner gets $5 million and the four runners up receive $1 million.

Mayor Sara Drew was working on her proposal Monday afternoon, but said she wasn't going to reveal her idea until after it is submitted Sept. 14.

"The plan has to work for any city, not just Stow," said Drew. 

Other Ohio cities participating include Cincinatti, Cleveland, Lorain, Youngstown, Akron and Dayton.

While there are many large cities participating, the website says 58 percent that are entering have a population of less than 100,000. 

"I entered the competition because I believe that innovation in local government is a key factor in the success of communities," she said in a Stow Sentry story. "Clearly, local governments are faced with the reality that we must adapt to the ever-changing circumstances of citizen need, diminished funding and emerging technology. The new paradigm of local government is one in which communities that are most responsive to these issues will be able to thrive and provide a stable, secure city environment."