While a Shenango Valley Initiative discussion on community consolidation attracted both people who favor it and are undecided, both sides believe they would like to hear a more far-reaching discussion then they have heard so far.

SVI has been pushing the Shenango Valley Intergovernmental Study Committee -- made up representatives of Sharon, Farrell, Hermitage, Sharpsville and Wheatland looking into whether the communities should merge or consolidate -- to expand its discussion beyond the basics of government structure and services.

At a community meeting Wednesday at Notre Dame School, Hermitage, Dr. Thomas Hawkins, executive vice president of SVI, called for the committee to include predictions of what the Shenango Valley could look like in 10 years, as well as discussions of taxes and council size.

"I don't see a vision in the study," he said.

Dona Palumbo of Hermitage said she does not know enough about the consolidation discussions to judge them, but favors the idea.

"I think we're all dependent on each other," she said. "This should have been done a long time ago."

But she said the future of the Shenango Valley will not be tied to the communities that make it up.

By scanning the real estate notices, "People are building and buying houses not farther afield, outside of Hermitage" she said.

"Maybe we should be talking like Louisville and consider making the city countywide," added Jane Leyde of Hermitage.

Ms. Leyde said she's undecided about changing boundaries in the valley, but considers the area one community, and feels people who want Hermitage to back out of the study are short-sighted. Some day, Hermitage will be boxed in just as Sharon, Farrell, Sharpsville and Wheatland are, she said.

She also agrees with some about the limitations of the study, but wants it to continue.

"I'm not sure the process is the right one, but any process is beneficial," she said. "If it takes two years longer or three years longer, then so be it."

Bob Mott of Hermitage said the committee should come out with a list of pluses and minuses for consolidation. Ms. Leyde said she would like to see SVI do a better job of getting information about the study out to people who have not kept up on it.