HEARD IN HAMBURG AND BANNED IN BLASDELL

Monday night in the Village of Hamburg, as often happens on this tour, the most interesting part of the evening was the citizen discussion that followed my presentation.

Village chambers were filled with folks eager to assess the idea of smaller government. And with insight and knowledge, they did for almost an hour. A majority spoke in favor of my proposal to either downsize the board or hold a referendum on consolidating village government.

And Hamburg residents already understood something that I’ve learned during this effort: that consolidating government doesn’t mean diluting or eliminating services. Indeed, it means delivering those services at less cost.

Here’s a brief video clip from our Village of Hamburg presentation:

Lifted by the energy of the Hamburg discussion, we arrived in Blasdell last night with heads high and spirits even higher. As we entered village hall, though, Mayor Ernie Jewett summoned me to his office and changed everything. He said that I could not use the word “consolidation” or “dissolution” in my presentation. If I did, he would end the meeting and have me removed from the hall.

Two of my students from UB Law School, Lindsay Heckler and Dan Lesniewski, were along last night. Dan was outraged by Jewett’s stricture. Lindsay seemed almost saddened at the notion that anyone, let alone a public official, would attempt to curtail another’s right to free speech.

But to cast Mayor Jewett’s order in a constitutional context elevates his small gesture beyond its worth. Jewett acted out of fear. Fear of having residents learn that perhaps there’s a better way to govern than his; fear that citizens would connect the dots between too much government and too little growth; and fear that a system that’s served him better than it has served residents might be forced to change.

The once proud Village of Blasdell today bears more resemblance to an abandoned community. In the over 30 years since the steel industry that sustained it collapsed, no government and no politician has reversed its painful decline. If you are under 18 or over 65 and live in Blasdell, according to the most recent U.S. Census, you likely live near or under the poverty line. And no matter what your age, the value your home, the number of your neighbors, and the quality of your life have all declined.

Against that painful backdrop, last night Ernie Jewett refused to discuss the need for reform. As far more powerful politicians throughout history have learned, though, while he can ban the idea of change in his chambers, he cannot banish it from the minds of citizens.