On Aug. 17, the residents of the Village of Williamsville overwhelmingly voted to retain their government. They consider it to be the more efficient form of government, the one more responsible and responsive to the people.

Many are celebrating victory while one rather sobering and very frightening fact remains that cannot be denied. While the Town of Amherst has a debt that translates to $77 per person, the debt for the Village of Williamsville is a whopping $769 per person. When did incurring such a huge debt load for only 5,200 people become the act of an efficient, responsible government?

How much longer will the Village of Williamsville remain such a desirable place in which to live with that kind of debt? One wonders why such a serious situation is cause for celebration.

Williamsville