One of the key movers behind the government reduction movement in Western New York is attorney Kevin Gaughan.
Gaughan has been working at reducing the size of government for some time with one of his goals being to make this area more competitive economically.
"From Buffalo to Mayville, we have the greatest community in America but we are dying and my research shows we are dying faster than any region. Every hour someone leaves Erie County because it offers little opportunity and hope," he said.
According to Gaughan, the unemployment rate in Erie County has been near 10 percent since the collapse of the steel industry began more than 30 years ago.
"We are living in an old economy now, not the new economy in which we have no chance to succeed. It turns out our failure to participate is not based on geographic location ... it's not climate," he explained.
Gaughan said only Chautauqua County, with its 43 governments for 139,000 people, had more government than Erie County."I started over a decade ago to convene community conversations. We brought in local government experts and economists. To a one they took a look at our system and said 'you will never succeed,''' Gaugan said.
"Four years ago I realized my efforts were going nowhere. ... I have a theory that people have wonderful ideas and nothing ever changes. I had a little epiphany, nobody ever sat down and did the homework to figure out how much it costs."
While those costs vary between governmental entities, the overall expense to Western New Yorkers for their governments is a challenge, both to those looking to do business here and those trying to live here. A big part of the problem, according to Gaughan, is the system itself.
"The reason to reduce is to increase the citizens' voices. In most American communities and here in Western New York, most of the local government work is performed by volunteer citizens," he said. "It was like that here until the '70s when we started on a 35-year path in losing jobs and population."
Gaughan said he has visited almost 2,500 Western New York homes recently.
"To have conversations in driveways and kitchens is like having a front-row seat on American life," he stated. "Most Western New Yorkers see something akin to an ocean of economic deprivation. What I mean by that is virtually all of us worry if they have a job that's going to be there next week."
This area also has a disproportionate share of elderly, according to Gaughan.
"It doesn't matter where. There's too many streets, too many neighborhoods, where every third or fourth home has a little green sticker that says 'Danger - oxygen tank inside," he said. "Inevitably, when you open the door it's a woman in her mid-80s, husband gone 20 years with kids and grandkids moved out of the area. When God takes her that's the end of another family history in Western New York.''
Evans recently downsized to three from five board members.
"They're thrilled with it, the three-member board works," Gaugan said of Evans residents. "Over the fullness of time the amount of citizen volunteers and partners will increase."
As for positive feedback, Gaughan said citizens provide most of it.
"It's very difficult to find a citizen opposed. In like manner, it's quite difficult to find a politician's support," he said. "That's why you hear so much noise from politicians."
"One of the cost savings as a result of eliminating politicians in New York state is the true cost concealed by relatively low compensation. No one is getting rich but the real cost is in lifelong benefits," Gaughan said.
He cited Orchard Park as an example, saying 27 former council members could cost up to $3.2 million in future benefits.
"There was a time when this community could afford paying, that time has passed. With the advent of technology this system of local government created when travel by horseback and reading by candlelight no longer works," Gaughan said.
A town or village board can set a vote any time by resolution, according to Gaughan, but a board must do it if citizens submit petitions.