There may not be a high school football rivalry between Gloversville and Johnstown anymore, but the interceptions, sacks and unsportsmanlike conduct continue.

The opposing quarterbacks last week were Johnstown Mayor Sarah Slingerland and Gloversville Mayor Tim Hughes. Slingerland upset Walmart's plans to build a supercenter in Gloversville, and Hughes accused Slingerland of "extortion."

The setback for Glove Cities harmony stems from the Johnstown council on Monday approving only one of eight sewer connections for the proposed Walmart site. As a result, an attorney for Walmart said she plans to recommend the retailer abandon the supercenter plan.

Hughes later claimed Slingerland is holding up the project because she wants her city to receive revenue from some of the parcels near the project. Slingerland denies the claims.

We don't know yet whether Walmart will work out this matter with the two cities and ultimately proceed with the project, but we do know the turn of events brings to light at least two underlying problems with the cities' economic improvement efforts.

First, too many layers of government are involved. The Walmart plans have to go through two city councils, a sewer board, a city planning board, a county planning board, and various state and federal government agency reviews. It makes us wonder why a company would want to bother with all this rigamarole. If you're looking for an argument for government consolidation, there it is.

Second, we see a serious lack of communication between the two cities. Both councils and planning boards should have been talking about the long-proposed Walmart project regularly over the past couple of years. The two cities together should have discussed the pros, cons and implications of the project openly and honestly. They also should be partners in revenue-sharing proposals, annexation ideas and other possible ways of attracting businesses.

Both cities want to do what's in the best interests of their citizens and business owners, but they also must realize the economic benefits of promoting economic growth throughout Fulton County. To encourage such growth, cooperation, compromise and a willing partnership are necessary.

The Walmart project would be good for Gloversville and the rest of the county. It would provide jobs and sales tax revenue, and give local consumers more choices. Some people want to limit corporate retail growth on the outskirts of cities in hopes of preserving existing small businesses within the cities. But they should understand the need to adapt to changes in economic forces.

Let's hope the Glove Cities resolve their differences. If they don't, neither side will score any winning touchdowns.