People who visit the Tri-cities from outside the area commonly know they’re visiting the Tri-Cities, as such, and except when looking for a specific address typically concern themselves little with whether they’re in Kennewick, Pasco or Richland (or baby sibling West Richland). They’re all bunched together; and what, really, is the difference anyway?
It’s the story of the fleas: He knowns if it’s a he or she, and so does she. People who live in the cities can wax eloquent on the variations between the cities, and even some of us from outside that area can draw some distinctions. (Richland is a little more tech-oriented; Pasco more ag-oriented and has a stronger Hispanic presence, and so on.) But the Tri-Cities identity is strong, too.
Which will make noteworthy, locally anyway, the argument by former presidents of the Greater Pasco Area Chamber of Commerce that the organization must not merge with the Richland chamber – yes, they each have separate chambers and the chamber in Kennewick, which is called the Tri-City Area Chamber of Commerce. The merger proposal is being sought by the three chambers, and depends on a membership vote on Thursday; two-thirds in favor is required for approval.
There’s a little bit of a European Union kind of thing here: To what extent should we give up our local distinctions in then interest of more clout in larger size? The proponents say there won’t be any loss in local services, and all the local events – an ag event in Pasco and a desert even in Richland, for example – will continue on. But there will be a change in mindset, a little more sense of Tri-City and a little less of three separate ones. If it passes. The results will be notable.
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