As our local governments deal with the exigencies of the economic downturn, the word “unification” — i.e., any proposal to consolidate, in whole or in part, the governments of Winchester and Frederick County — has not merely been relegated to the back burner. Apparently, it’s been taken off the stove entirely. Silence on this issue is deafening.

Three hours to the southwest, rough economic times have not derailed the train to unification currently chugging up the hills and hollows of Allegheny County and the City of Covington. By all accounts, these folks are serious about the endeavor.

In a sense, these two localities were stalled behind the same impasse currently confronting Winchester and Frederick County, namely what governmental form the new entity would take. But late last month, Covington took a decisive step. Its City Council sallied forth with a proposal to make the sprawling community a city. Now the proverbial ball is in the county’s court.

To be sure, this move triggered debate on critical issues, particularly schools. But residents seem pleased that one of the two governments decided to get off the mark.

“At least they did something,” one Clifton Forge man said. “If it’s wrong, we can fall back and regroup.”

That’s the spirit. Winchester and Frederick officials, take note.

We find it interesting that, as a serious issue seems to be resurfacing — the need for water to accommodate growth — the city and county remain stalled. Just last year, didn’t both the Frederick-Winchester Service Authority and the Frederick County Sanitation Authority approve resolutions endorsing unification of utilities?