While city leaders are hashing out whether Lewiston and Auburn ought to consolidate services, we want to hear from you.

If you were in charge, maybe even had a magic wand, what would you do with the energy of two cities working together as one?

Turn Bates mill No. 5 into a science museum with Maine’s only IMAX theater?

Or invite Steven Spielberg to use it in his next movie to blow up or burn down?

Try to snag a minor league baseball franchise?

Create one adult education system?

Or a Great Falls Tourist Bureau?

How about simply let any Auburn resident register their car at Lewiston City Hall; let Lewiston residents use any Auburn facility, and vice versa?

You decide.

We’d like your ideas for a story we plan in May looking at consolidation – and what’s happened when other cities have tried.

Think big, think small and, while you’re at it, think up a new joint city logo and emblem. (We’ll spotlight the person who, in their emblem, can best combine the Great Falls, shoes, textiles and other historic elements with the symbols of what’s to come in the future.)

Send suggestions or artwork to Kathryn Skelton at [email protected] or clip and mail to P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, Maine 04243. Responses by May 18, please.

They’re your cities. Weigh in.

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