Come together

No, Birmingham and its suburbs won't merge under the auspices of a metro government any time soon. But they may cooperate in the near future on a host of cost-sharing measures, including common courts, jails, and emergency dispatch services. It's good to see.

Meanwhile, state Sen. Steve French, R-Mountain Brook, wants to create a voluntary regional authority to oversee water and sewer services, but Birmingham Mayor Bernard Kincaid isn't keen on the idea of the city surrendering control of the water system.