Yes, it should definitely not be heavy-handed. You want to stimulate the initiative at the local scale. By stimulating it and resourcing it to some extent, as Jeff has said, you'll get excellent return and excellent support. They will know that their interests are being attended to, that we're all in this together, that there is not a division in this, and that we can design common goals.
On May 15th, 2012. See this statement in context.