Communities vote "no" on dissolving

CUBA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Two more local communities have voted "no" to dissolving their village governments.

Judging by the votes, people are happy with village life in Farnham and Cuba and voted to keep things just the way they are.

The votes are in.

The outcome is clear.

In Erie County's smallest Village of Farnham, 130 people voted against dissolution and just 37 voted for dissolving into the Town of Brant.

This is another defeat for small government advocate Kevin Gaughan.

He claims downsizing will save taxpayers money.

Village of Farnham Mayor Terry Caber said, "What Kevin Gaughan has done positive to the community is bring an awareness to the community is what their village governments provide for them on a day to day basis."

The mayor says people in the village tend to vote on emotion, not information. Residents are happy and don't want anything to change.

"People live in villages for specific reasons. I think you have seen it in the Village of Williamsville and Sloan and I think it's certainly true here in the Village of Farnham that people enjoy village life," said Caber.

Just last month people voted to keep their villages in Williamsville and Sloan, it was another defeat for Gaughan.

Meantime, the 1,500 residents of the Allegany County Village of Cuba also overwhelmingly voted against dissolution, with 402 against it and just 43 for dissolution.

Cuba village resident David Crowley said, "The village was organized in 1850 and we feel it's working pretty good and we should keep it that way."

Residents say no plan was in place and they were worried about what would happen to services they rely on.

"Our sidewalk upkeep our lighting our parks, snow plowing, everything so far is going well in the village nothing is broken," said Village of Cuba Trustee Patty Petroni.

The push for smaller government will continue, next month there will be a spot on the ballot in Erie County to downsize the county legislature.