There is a hardly a negative word anyone will say about Gowanda village Mayor David Smith. By all accounts, he loves the community he serves while working hard to do what is in the best interest of his constituents.

Last week, however, he outdid himself. After presenting a State of the Village presentation with an update on the upcoming proposed budget, Smith then offered a gift to all those organizations that pitch in to better the community: he was donating his salary to those agencies.

“Those organizations all benefit lots of people in our community,” he said. “Over the last 12 months, those fundraisers they normally have can’t be held, so we thought why not? We’ve been fortunate. We haven’t lost any income. Lots of people have. Lots of people who benefit from those nonprofits lost money.”

During his time as mayor, the village — which was named as a high-stressed community — has improved its fiscal stability. That, for all intents and purposes, is Smith leading by example. No wonder he’s so appreciated.