Gaughan brings message of dissolution

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) - Civic activist Kevin Gaughan is continuing his downsizing crusade at a meeting on the proposed dissolution of the village of Williamsville.

Kevin Gaughan said, "We're 14 days from a historic opportunity."

An opportunity, says Gaughan, to end government in the village of Williamsville. Monday night, the man on a mission to reduce the amount of politicians in Erie County, took his message to the Rotary Club of Williamsville.

"The Williamsville government cost $4.7 million per year. That's $47 million in past decade," said Gaughan.

According to Gaughan, 27 positions would be eliminated, hopefully through attrition, he says. Bottom line is, Gaughan sees villages in Erie County as an extra layer of government that is forcing tax payers to spend more.

Gaughan argued, "That's 25 towns, 16 villages and two cities. They all, in the aggregate, create the fifth highest local property taxes."

But some residents who have grown up and live in this quaint little village say it's not all about saving money.

Jason Schofield said, "I feel we need a sense of community. I would like to see village stay the way it is."

Schofield isn't convinced Gaughan's approach is the right one for his community.

"I will vote to keep the village government the way it is," said Schofield.

Williamsville business owner Larry Read tends to side more with the downsizing advocate.

Read said, "I feel the same for the whole country. We're over=governed and have too many people representing us. We don't need it anymore."

Gaughan concluded, "We're providing an opportunity for people to change that at the voting both. That's the American, democratic thing to do, and I look forward to it."

Voters in Sloan will also get a say on whether to get rid of their village governments, and Farnham will vote on the same issue next month.