As a lifelong resident and business owner, I am saddened to see personal attacks in the debate on whether to merge the already intertwined cities of Lewiston and Auburn. I would hope that voters would put aside feelings and myths associated with the issue.

The two opposing forces at play are “progress,” defined as “forward or onward movement toward a destination,” and “fear,” defined as “a feeling induced by perceived danger or threat.”

Lewiston-Auburn is one community. Anyone would be hard pressed to find a single resident that does not utilize both communities regularly. As the cost of living keeps rising, so in turn do residents’ taxes. One LA offers residents the opportunity to meld municipal services into one governing and efficient operational organization. That responsibility rests squarely on the voters’ shoulders by, first, allowing the merger to take place and, more importantly, to vote for bright, intelligent, thoughtful and forward-thinking officials to make it work.

In my businesses, we are constantly looking inward to make our operation more efficient and also consolidate services wherever possible. In private business, we need to make these adjustments to survive in today’s business climate. Why wouldn’t that apply to the public (government) sector as well?

One LA can make Lewiston-Auburn a better community, along with the benefit of costs savings and efficiency of services.

I hope Twin Cities’ residents will be dreamers, risk-takers and the engines of progress by voting “yes.”

James Pittman, Auburn

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