The spirit of cooperation is as delicate as it is powerful. People and entities working together can solve far greater problems than they could alone, with the added benefit of the positive energy and goodwill that results.
But when one of the party's efforts at cooperation involves only words and no actions, the outcome is inevitable - a competition in which no one truly wins, with the usual accompaniment of hostility and mistrust.
That seems to be the state of the relationship between Carson City and Douglas counties, this time over whether Douglas will pay its share of the bus service that carries riders from Carson City to Douglas County stores. Douglas commissioners voted not to pay the $16,000 their share of the service would cost, even though they'd already been paying $13,000 for the recently discontinued Washoe County bus service to operate the routes.
"Every time we hold out our hand to Douglas County, it gets slapped," was the description of Commissioner Richard Staub. But it's a description that could have been offered up by several other people who've attempted to foster the spirit of cooperation with Douglas County.
Among them is Janice Ayres, who runs the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. They were forced to stop service to Douglas County seniors after 34 years because county officials refused to chip in a meager fraction of the cost of the vital services being given to residents there. Many Douglas seniors have suffered from that decision.
As for the buses, Staub takes the high road in suggesting that the $16,000 at stake isn't enough to sever the transit relationship with Douglas County. We'd agree with him if there were any sign that Douglas was willing to reach out its hand. But these are tight times and even that amount must be considered important - just ask Douglas County.
Carson should sever that transit relationship, but be ready to pick up the phone whenever Douglas calls. We would suggest you don't hold your breath.
• This editorial represents the view of the Nevada Appeal editorial board.