i also see no reason we'd want to go back to being split, so no reason not to merge. if we close one, then it'll still be there and appear empty once past the default time filter, which might discourage anyone who does find it.
here in the NRV forum we've explicitly tried to *not* have anyone in charge, but i was the one who arranged to get the NRV forum started so i guess that's close enough. i believe JFloyd got the Roanoke forum started but he's gone.