Since the concept of dissolving the government of the Village of Williamsville began circulating last fall, many residents have wanted to know, “Where’s the plan from those that support this idea?”

Next week, village residents will have an opportunity not only to hear the plan, but to talk back.

Government reform activist Kevin Gaughan will present “Reduce Government; Grow Community” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, at the Williamsville South High School auditorium, 5950 Main St. The presentation will last a half hour. Gaughan has budgeted 90 minutes for the question and answer session to follow.

“To me, the most important part of the meeting is for Williamsville residents to question and test my assertion that getting out of the government business will benefit their community,” Gaughan said.

Gaughan promises to reveal numbers provided by the state that show that village residents pay not just for their own village, but for each of the 16 villages in Erie County through state, federal and sales taxes. He stated that the residents of Williamsville pay $4.7 million overall per year to sustain village government.

“I’m going to demonstrate that Williamsville residents do not need a government to have great services and a strong community,” he said.

Gaughan stated that one area highlighted in his plan will be the fate of Williamsville employees. His plan calls for them to become employees of the town, or to be offered a buyout, with their positions eliminated by attrition upon retirement, an idea he says came from examining several other villages that dissolved.

“It’s taken us 50 years to create this government mess in Western New York, and we’re not going to address it in 50 days on the backs of the people who work very hard,” he said, acknowledging that that method would delay savings.

Gaughan is available to address other organizations or groups of individuals. Visit the website www.letpeopledecide.org to request a presentation,

“The debate so far has not come close to revealing the true costs, financial and otherwise, of sustaining village government. At my presentation(s) I will do just that,” Gaughan said.

The Amherst Bee is seeking concerns and questions from readers involving the topic of dissolving the village government. Select questions will be given to Gaughan and to Chris Duquin of the Village of Williamsville Citizen Study Group. The deadline for receipt is 5 p.m. Friday, July 30. A response from Gaughan and Duquin will be published in The Bee on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

Questions may be mailed to 5564 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221, faxed to 633-8601 or sent via e-mail to williamsvillevote@beenews. com. Not all questions will be published.

Williamsville residents will vote in a referendum on the question, “Shall the Village of Williamsville be dissolved?” on Tuesday, Aug. 17. Polling will be from noon to 9 p.m. at Village Hall, 5565 Main St., Williamsville. Absentee ballots can be obtained at the same location and turned in anytime prior to the close of polls on Aug. 17.