The YMCA announced last week that it will not be merging, or even considering a more formal partnership, with the YMCA of the Triangle.

Talks with the YMCA of the Triangle raised concerns because the language of the latter Y’s employment and membership policies does not treat gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees and members equally. We don’t know if that proved the breaking point, but local Y spokesman Greg Lee says it was an issue.

Now comes the community’s challenge.

The local YMCA sought the larger Y’s assistance because it wants to expand its reach. Last year alone, Lee says, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA provided $350,000 in scholarships to families whose children might otherwise have been left with nothing else to do.

Investing in the YMCA and other agencies serving children is an investment in our community’s future. Many chimed in during the YMCA’s merger discussion. If you support the YMCA’s stand on LGBT people, or if simply support its good work with area youth, what better time to support the YMCA in a way it will do the greatest good: with a donation to keep the agency financially strong.

Roses to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Greater Durham chambers of commerce for urging their members to vote against Amendment One, the constitutional amendment would ban the recognition of same-sex marriages and same-sex domestic partnerships in North Carolina.

“North Carolina’s proposed Amendment One is bad for business,” the Chapel Hill-Carrboro chamber said. “It will interfere with employers’ ability to recruit talent and their right to provide competitive benefits to their employees. It also signals to employers and employees that North Carolina is not welcoming to the diverse, creative workforce that we need to compete in the global economy.”

Last week, the Durham chamber followed suit. The proposed amendment confuses employers and their workers around employment practices, it said. Further there is no need for it; the state already recognizes only marriages between a man and woman.

The duplicity of those bringing the May 8 referendum forward came to light last month when a key backer admitted that even if the amendment passes – and polls suggest it will – future voters will likely undo it. In a visit to N.C. State University, House Speaker Thom Tillis told students, “It’s a generational issue. ... If it passes, I think it will be repealed within 20 years.”

At a time of double-digit unemployment in parts of the state and segments of the workforce, the time spent on this issue is shameful. We applaud the business community for taking this stand.

Finally, raspberries to the N.C. Utilities Commission for pushing our buttons.

Starting this week, callers in the Triangle now have to dial 919 for local calls because there has been too much growth and too many new numbers added in the area. The commission approved a new 984 area code for the area.

The change is annoying and will inevitably trip up some who think you have to dial a 1 in front of that 919. You don’t. Dial a 1 + 919 and your call won’t go through. Also, 911 call centers in Raleigh say the similarity between 919 and 911 will result in emergency call misdials, and those are never good.