Unity will lead to prosperity

I enjoyed reading the Sun Journal editorial on the assimilation of Lewiston and Auburn (June 28). To begin, I grew up in Lewiston, attended Holy Family School and graduated from Lewiston High School. Several years later, I married my neighborhood and high school sweetheart and, at the tender ages of 21, left Lewiston for the grand adventures of our lives.

For a time, we lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Yet the area is usually recognized as Minneapolis-St. Paul. Now these are two larger, separately distinct cities separated by the mighty Mississippi River. While they are separate, they are forged as one in the minds of many who live there or travel there.

This unity in identity has allowed both cities to grow and prosper as corporations and business flock to the area because of the perceived harmony that exists from a unified municipal approach. That in spite of harsh Minnesota winters.

For the past 25 years, my wife and I live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. A bit of history here, Salem came into being in 1766. While Winston developed in 1849. Yet in 1913 both towns saw the advantages of coming together and became Winston-Salem.

Through the years, Winston-Salem has developed into an economic juggernaut by attracting new cutting-edge businesses because the municipal leaders work hard to project the “Twin City” (as it is known) as a great place to live, work and play.

Now I will circle back to Lewiston and Auburn. Having one municipal government for the area just makes sense. The cost efficiencies to residents and businesses will be tremendous. A single “brand” can be developed to challenge other areas, such as Portland, to attract new ventures to the area.

Lewiston and Auburn should not compete against themselves. That doesn’t make sense. Unity and diversity on both sides of the Androscoggin River can only lead to prosperity on both sides of the river.

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