Election inspector Valerie Bartkuwiak helps former Sloan Village Trustee Dean Lach cast his ballot during Tuesday’s dissolution referendum vote at the Sloan Fire Hall. Residents voted 1,031-236 against dissolution. Photo by John Rusac. Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com Sloan residents turned out en masse on Tuesday to tell Kevin Gaughan and his volunteers that they like the village just the way it is.

(See editorial on page four)

With twice the turnout as last year’s mayoral election, voters overwhelmingly defeated the referendum to dissolve the village government.

Of the 2,176 registered voters in the village, 1,267 cast a ballot; 1,031 said no, and 236 said yes.

“I never expected a turnout like that,” Mayor Leonard Szymanski said. “But that shows that the people are interested and they’re satisfied with the services they get. The vote showed that people care. We must be doing something right.”

People packed the Sloan Fire Hall during the nine hours polls were open. More than 58 percent of the registered voters either showed up or filled out an absentee ballot. Last year’s mayoral election brought only 675 voters, according to Village Clerk Deborah Smith.

“I think that’s a real reflection of how important this was to people,” Gaughan said. “Anytime we increase voter participation, we strengthen democracy. I’m very proud of that.”

After Smith announced the official results at 9:10 p.m., the party ensued for all those opposed to dissolution. Champagne flowed and ear-to-ear smiles replaced the tension that filled the room moments before the announcement.

“It’s like having the bases loaded and hitting a home run,” a jubilant Szymanski said inside the fire hall.

“A no to dissolution is exactly what we were looking for, and I think it helped pull this community together even more so than it ever was before, if that’s possible,” said Tammy Bayes, head of the Sloan Citizen’s Study Group.

Naturally, not everyone was happy with the result. Gaughan and a handful of followers stood in the center of the room to hear they had lost.

“I disagree with the decision that Sloan voters made, but I respect it immensely,” Gaughan said.

Had the referendum passed, the Village Board would have had to meet within 30 days and complete a dissolution plan in an additional 180 days. That would have meant a March 15 deadline for Sloan.

The defeat of the referendum guarantees that neither Gaughan nor anyone else may force another vote for at least four years.

“The people who did vote against us, I want to know their complaint,” Szymanski said. “Maybe we can straighten them out and get 100 percent.”

Gaughan said he blames himself for the setback in his mission to downsize local, county and state governments. But he also said he would continue with his plans in other communities.

“This decision in Sloan is a setback to our efforts to downsize government and save taxes so we can make Western New York join league with the future,” Gaughan said. “And it’s a setback for which I take full responsibility and blame. I think I could have done a better job in conveying the message and the importance and the benefits of downsizing government, and I’m going to think about the lessons I’ve learned and hope to do better next time.”

As for Sloan, village officials said the community will continue to move forward. Szymanski said the village will now focus on upcoming work on the sewers and tree planting.

The Village of Williamsville also voted against dissolution Tuesday, as 1,546 voted no and 309 voted yes.

e-mail: mkrueger@beenews.com