Tough decision

Seneca Falls, N.Y., is known for being ahead of its time. The village hosted the first known women's rights convention in 1848. It is considered the birthplace of the women's rights movement.

Seneca Falls may also be in the vanguard of another movement — consolidation of government services. Voters endorsed Tuesday a proposal to dissolve the village of Seneca Falls into the town of the same name.

The vote was close: 1,142-1,037 with 125 absentee ballots still to count as of Tuesday. Unless absentees overturn the decision, the village will cease to be Dec. 31, 2011.

That possibility has bothered some due to its historical significance and its claim to be the model for the 1946 Christmas movie "It's a Wonderful Life" by Frank Capra.

Yet the dissolution would save money by abolishing duplication of government services. Lower property taxes would result, the Associated Press reported.

Those are good reasons to change, albeit hard for some. Surely the locale's claims to fame could be preserved. More municipal governments should consider consolidating services for the sake of efficiency and thrift.