Despite the bleak situation facing the village of Fredonia, there is wisdom from its mayor. For decades, village leaders have ignored the issues — whether it be the water problems, high taxes and fees or the overspending.

Consider these comments from Michael Ferguson during a special meeting earlier this month regarding a loss of village population while government operations grew. “Expenses have increased, in some places, 15 to 40% within our government. You cannot expect brand new and shiny when you have lost over 2,000 of your constituents. …

“We are certainly not in the predicament of some communities that are in debt with many. Does that mean it’s right? Not at all. But until you can create new sources of revenue, or generate more revenue from our sources, this is the nature of the beast. … We have to create more jobs, more revenue, more residents, in order to bring things to some type of balance — or we will be without many, many services we enjoy now.”

Ferguson and this board understand the current predicament regarding finances. They are looking for real solutions, such as a consolidation of services. It probably could have happened years ago, but pride got in the way.

Better now than never.