Is America divided? How about a small community of about 20,000 bisected and often duplicated because of arbitrary boundaries that most people would be hard-pressed to locate?

Dunkirk is facing a fiscal crisis and lower bond rating. Fredonia approved a tax increase. Both have experienced a declining tax base.

Uncertain and difficult times can give birth to new viewpoints and solutions.

Could savings and efficiencies really not be achieved through one police department, one fire department, one mayor, one governing body, one school district? There still may be disagreement about the source of water, but would the conversation be framed differently if there was a single municipality rather than two competing ones?

If we could design an ideal city, what might it include?

A waterfront, perhaps, for fishing, birding, strolling, music, festivals, just enjoying the ambience that only water bestows.

An education system that extends through a university, with cultural activities that reach into the larger community as well as the campus.

Ethnic restaurants and richness of a diverse ethnic population.

A hospital providing emergency and non-emergency care.

Support for visual and performing arts, with venues that host live theater and music, films, community forums.

Oh wait, we already have that, by half.

Imagine if residents spoke as part of one entity, felt ownership of and pride in all the amenities now split in half, and shared in addressing the challenges?

Would a joining of disparate parts happen easily or quickly? Change rarely does. In private conversations, residents on both sides of the line support consolidation but lament it will never happen. Why not?

It is not easy times, but pressing ones that create the crucible of change. Who is willing and capable of taking first steps?

Judy Shuler is a Fredonia resident.