Village Dissolution

Here's a smart editorial from the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin:

WINDS OF CHANGE: JOHNSON CITY RESIDENTS SEEK VILLAGE DISSOLUTION:

We will only accept what we can afford." Those words by Johnson City resident John Sullivan should be the official slogan of the growing consolidation movement throughout Greater Binghamton.

His words were succinct, highlighting the essence of the problem among local communities. With myriad layers of government and repetitive services, Broome County governments are living beyond the means of the people who support them.

Sullivan made his comments during a village board meeting Tuesday night. What Sullivan and like-minded residents want is to dissolve the village into the Town of Union. That would of course be strictly in terms of government. Johnson City would always retain its identity and proud part in the history of Broome County.

What citizens want is twofold. First would be a non-binding vote from the board on whether it supports dissolving the village's government. With support of the government, the citizens would then embark on a petition drive to put a village dissolution referendum before the voters. Residents would then have a clear choice: If they want village services, they can agree to bear the increasing costs.

This of course puts village board members on the spot. And, on the record. Will they have the courage to embrace a movement that eliminates their jobs?

In a 2004 editorial in which we discussed the fact that Endicott was overburdened by debt and needed to embrace creative solutions, we wondered if Mayor Joan Pulse was up to the challenge of being its last mayor. With this new movement, now we wonder if Mayor Harry Lewis is up to the challenge of being Johnson City's last mayor. He's already planning to run for a county legislator position.

As Johnson City resident Bob Carr put it, this is not a vendetta or a means to pit trustees against each other. "We are just trying to do something before it is too late."

Some would call this movement revolutionary. If so, viva la revolucion!