PLATTSBURGH -- City councilors aired some differing viewpoints about merging the Building Inspector and Community Development offices.

While some believe a merger would cut down on duplication of some services and could save money, others feel the marketing of the city could suffer.

"We really need someone dedicated fulltime to community development," Councilor Timothy Carpenter (D-Ward 1) said at a meeting on the idea Tuesday night.

"I can't see someone doing community development parttime."

Under a plan being explored, the two departments would merge, and Building Inspector Richard Perry would oversee duties for both.

Perry said a merger could work if the city totally restructures the two departments.

He said an employee in the Community Development Office is certified to do building inspections and can help with those duties, and the Fire Department might be able to do fire protection and prevention duties.

The Fire Department turned over fire protection and prevention duties to the Building Inspector's office in 1988.

Fire Chief Paul Williams said the department could resume those duties, but it would have to be negotiated with the firefighters' union.

Perry said he has overseen more than $500 million in development in the city in his time as building inspector and often is involved with projects with Community Development staffers.

Also, Perry has been successful in recent years in luring and keeping several high-profile bass-fishing tournaments to the area.

Carpenter said the city needs someone to aggressively market the city on a full-time basis, and tending to Building Inspector duties as well as Community Development duties could hamper that.

Carol Garcia, an employee in the Community Development office, agreed.

"We need a cheerleader and someone to bring in grant money and to go out and get development," Garcia said.

The Community Development office has been without a manager since Rosemarie Schoonmaker retired last November.