Supporting the theory of a city-county merger is a no-brainer ("County, City Want to Merge," April 4). Who can argue with eliminating duplication, streamlining decision-making and lowering the cost of government?

If we are going to have a problem, it won't be with merger theory -- it will be with the execution. Recent U.S. history has examples of both mildy successful and wildly successful government mergers.

Our region's success will depend on the level of political and managerial skill we can muster. If you listen carefully to the opponents, they are not saying that a merger is a bad idea; they are saying they don't think our region is capable of doing it well.

Our political leadership is strong and committed. I believe our business leadership will soon add its strength, commitment and managerial talent. Don't let Harrisburg or a few dissenting council members convince you that we are not capable.

JERRY DROZYNSKI
Mt. Lebanon

While attending a program at the Wharton School in Philadelphia, I had the opportunity to share my passion for Pittsburgh and to promote all the positive aspects of our region. The response of a colleague was "Are you the mayor?"

Many people who have not been to Pittsburgh still have an old and inaccurate perception. From our clean air and abundance of green spaces to sports, recreation and cultural choices that rival any other great region, the quality of life can be shocking to visitors who expect to find a Pittsburgh that has not existed for more than 50 years.

Today, Pittsburgh offers tremendous opportunities for families to thrive and for businesses to invest, but our strengths are not well-known across the United States or in the broader global economy. The failure of Allegheny County and the city of Pittsburgh to join forces has been one factor keeping us from realizing our potential. Now is the time for city-county consolidation.

Creating a local government that replaces the existing Allegheny County and city of Pittsburgh structures with a new, more efficient system will provide a higher profile for our region as a location that offers companies the necessary factors for business expansion. It will enable us to promote ourselves as the innovators we are to a world that invests in innovation. And it will help us, once and for all, to replace the images of the past with an appreciation of the diverse, vibrant and exciting region Pittsburgh has become.

KIM TILLOTSON FLEMING
Downtown

The writer is the president of Hefren-Tillotson Inc.

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