For the past five months I’ve had the privilege of serving on the City Council and representing you, the residents of Niagara Falls. I would like to take this opportunity to comment on several major issues that the City Council has addressed during these past five months.

Casino revenue: While the casino cash is frozen through a disagreement between the Seneca Nation and the State of New York, our City is forced to sit on the sidelines waiting. The fact is the current casino cash arbitration process has several possibilities that can harm our city. The best solution is a quickly arbitrated settlement that would give us approximately $60 million, but that same arbitration process could award us only a portion of the $60 million. Potentially, we could receive nothing.

The eventual arbitration outcome does nothing to address the future of the gaming compact. I think we can all agree, that when the compact is renegotiated, we’d like to see the City of Niagara Falls receive a larger portion of the casino slot revenue through the State. That’s an issue of eventual negotiation between the City and State, not the City and Seneca Nation.

City residents should be aware that basically we’re a small player, if not an outright pawn, caught between New York State, the Seneca Nation and private casino developers who’d like to see state approved casino gaming.

Hydraulic fracturing: Make no mistake about it, the possibility of processing hydraulic fracturing wastewater at our wastewater plant posed the most serious potential environmental hazard for our city since Love Canal. The Council did the right thing in banning the treatment of contaminated fracking water. Health professionals and environmental leaders across New York State commended the action of the Council. The ban on the treatment of fracking wastewater wasn’t a “political move.” It was the only moral and ethical action possible to protect not only the health of our residents, but those people downstream of the Niagara River.

Holiday Market: Much has been said and written about this city-funded event. While it was supported with taxpayer dollars before I took office, I’ve never hid my feelings on the issue. Aside from the fact that I believe the event failed to meet expectations, I have serious issues with the city funding private ventures with taxpayer dollars, whether it be a Holiday Market or a similar proposal. Niagara Falls should never put itself in the position where it has to pay people to be their development friends.

Lewiston Road: Call it what you want, “the road project to nowhere,” “the road project that never ends” or whatever, I’m embarrassed to say that, like everyone else, I’m struggling to find answers to questions that demand asking. I’m frustrated, but I promise you I’ll continue to push for the truth and a completion date for the road project.

Transparency: This should be more than just a word that gets trotted out during election season. Transparency is a commitment to honest, open government. That’s why the Council is working to “see through” the budget process, the bidding process and all city government. Our residents should never feel that any question is out of bounds or any information is off limits. This is our government. We deserve straightforward answers to all fair questions.

From the outside looking in, the political process appears to be full of dividing lines and barriers between one faction and another, between one party and another. As elected officials. we have to remember that taxpayers don’t see political parties and don’t live their lives according to lines drawn on a political district map.

I’m pleased to say that this City Council has distinguished itself by reaching across the political aisle to communicate, for mutual benefit, with elected state officials of both parties as we addressed the issues of casino revenue, hydraulic fracturing and signage in our downtown. When we allow party politics to affect our work we do damage to our community.
Taxpayers are number one and shame on us if we lose sight of that fact as we struggle with the human frailties of personality and pride.

Going forward, let’s keep the conversation positive, let’s stay focused on our goals and let’s work together for the common good of Niagara Falls.

Glenn A. Choolokian is a member of the Niagara Falls City Council and lives in the city of Niagara Falls with his wife and two children.