As consumers, we normally seek out getting the best deal possible on a purchase. Our attitude, you would think, would be the same when it comes to paying taxes and fees.

On Election Day, Forestville residents will decide the fate of its village of nearly 700 residents. Should it be dissolved or continue in its current fashion?

Our voice has been consistent on this issue for almost a decade: the village is a mess – and sometimes corrupt – and needs to go away. One of the caveats of dissolution would be a tax decrease of nearly 55 percent from the current rate of $13.20 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

When the OBSERVER met with state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, he admitted that his office has had several complaints about Forestville, from record keeping to day-to-day operations. “They have a lot of problems,” he said.

There are many questions regarding the past and current finances of the village. There are definite concerns over the honesty and actions by the foreman of the streets department. In the 2014-15 budget, property owners were forced to take on a 112 percent tax increase. In the next budget, taxes went up again.

By the way, if Forestville does not dissolve does anyone see it getting better?

One of the biggest arguments for keeping the village is because of the services, such as water, the fire department and the shoveling of sidewalks.

All of these points, with the exception of the fire department, are laughable. Water bills are not being sent out. There have been many concerns about the drinking water. And, last winter, no sidewalks were shoveled because the winter was so bad. On top of that, the dissolution plan discussed Tuesday keeps all those services. So yes, your sidewalks will still get plowed, the fire department will still exist and when you turn on your faucet, water will still come out.

Others may think that dissolving the village will mean a loss of community. But Forestville doesn’t need a village board to be a community. Just ask residents in Irving or Sunset Bay. “I live in Sunset Bay, which is not a village, but it is a community,” said County Legislator George Borrello Tuesday during a dissolution discussion.

We agree.

Note to readers

As part of our annual election coverage, the OBSERVER is endorsing candidates and issues. If you disagree with our voice, yours is welcome. Send letters to editorial@observertoday.com or drop off at our office at 10 E. Second St., Dunkirk. Our last day to accept letters is Wednesday at 5 p.m. and our final day to publish election letters is Nov. 1.