The tensions have been running deep between the city of Auburn and town of Throop involving, among other matters, the city's future landfill plans.

Throop leaders and many residents don't like having the landfill as a neighbor, and they certainly oppose any spread of the landfill across the border.

The city is saying it has been a responsible neighbor and has no plans to expand the dump into Throop. Plans for a new cell at the landfill fall within city borders completely, and any expansion beyond that would be on top of existing cells.

Yet the city would like to acquire a small parcel of land in Throop now owned by the county, saying it would use the property as a green buffer and for recreational development that could include a riverside trail. Throop simply doesn't trust Auburn, so it wants to own the land if the county wants to give it up.

Caught in the middle is the county, which must decide what to do.

Given the dynamics of the situation, we believe the best solution would be no change in ownership status. At a minimum, that option would prevent an expenditure of taxpayer dollars on a property transfer. But there's also potential for something more.

If everyone is being truthful with what they've said so fair, it appears that leaders of all three entities - the city, town and county - would not oppose a green buffer and riverside trails for the parcel.

So doesn't it make sense for all three to work toward that goal, with the county holding onto the property because it is playing the role of independent third party in this struggle?

Municipal officials have been talking a lot lately about the value of consolidated services, and increased cooperation among the government entities in Cayuga County.

This case is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate the value of these kinds of efforts.