Burlington's name doesn't measure up.

• Author: Murray, Arthur O.
• Position: Tar Heel Tattler - Classification of Metropolitan Statistical Areas

In 1771, Piedmont farmers chafing under the rule of royal officials took up arms against the militia in what came to be known as the Battle of Alamance. When Gov. William Tryon gave them an ultimatum--go home or fight--legend has it a Regulator leader replied: "Fire and be damned." The militia fired. Two hours later, at least nine Regulators were dead.

The consequences weren't so severe this year when a Burlington leader launched another rebellion--this time against how federal agencies identify what used to be called Metropolitan Statistical Areas, now Combined Statistical Areas. But for a time, leaders throughout the Triad worried about the fallout.

It started three years ago when the Office of Management and Budget began reclassifying MSAs. Burlington was part of the Greensboro/ Winston-Salem/High Point MSA. The reds announced they would no longer include two cities from the same county in a CSA name. Burlington leaders hoped their city would replace High Point, like Greensboro part of Guilford County. But the rule required all cities in a name be a third the size of the largest city. Burlington, population 46,016, is only a fifth Greensboro's size. OMB eventually reverted to the old rule using the three largest cities.

Burlington had the option to shift to the Raleigh CSA. In a letter June 10 to U.S. Rep. Howard Coble, Mayor Joe Barbour cited stronger ties to the Triad...