Lewiston and Auburn are at a crossroad. Residents will be given the opportunity to vote to merge the two city governments into one single entity on Nov. 7. I, for one, will be voting in favor of the merger.

I am from away, but have been a resident of Auburn for 45 years and believe that this is an opportunity that residents should be embracing for the next generation to follow. Both cities have rich histories and individual accomplishments but, together, these cities can be stronger.

The merger should not be about the past, but about the future. This region needs to grow and prosper in order to compete in the years ahead. Great opportunities await in the areas of business development, education, municipal cost savings and many others too numerous to mention.

I encourage the residents of Lewiston and Auburn to be visionary, take the road less traveled and vote to merge two fine cities into a strong economic region to which businesses will want to locate, and people will want to live, work and play.

Suzanne Plourde, Auburn