Villages vote against downsizing

SLOAN, N.Y. (WIVB) - Downsizing advocate Kevin Gaughan faced many opponents and some supporters Tuesday night.

In the end, residents in both villages voted to keep things just the way they are.

Nothing is going to change in the Village of Sloan and Williamsville.

Tuesday night residents overwhelmingly voted against dissolving their village governments.

"I think that the village residents made a definitive statement that they support the village and they want it here," said Amy Alexander, an advocate for the Village of Williamsville.

In Williamsville the margin of defeat was five to one.

Sloan voted no by a four to one margin.

Maria Testa lives in the Village of Williamsville.

"I'm voting no because there's no plan, no negotiating with the Town of Amherst," said Testa.

Testa worried what would happen to services she relies on if there wasn't a village government.

Testa explained, "The village provides all sorts of good services that would not be provided by Amherst, there's a strong village identity."

But supporters say dissolution would not effect village life and will save taxpayers money.

"I think a majority of the area just needs to let go, I think we are over governed as it is," said Ed Kowalczezski.

Downsizing advocate Kevin Gaughan is the man pushing for dissolution.

Gaughan says this defeat is not slowing him down. "I'm going to do better next time," he said.

Despite Gaughan's loss, there is one small victory.

"It absolutely makes us stronger, it brought together a lot of people that didnt know each other before," said a supporter.

Gaughan says he respects both village's decisions.