My name is Robert Pascoal and I’m running for mayor of the City of Niagara Falls.
People have asked, “Why did you decide to run?”
It started in my heart. This city has a way of making you feel things you never thought possible. It’s the only reason I can think why so many of us remain.
The city is going in the wrong direction. We are spending beyond our means and have nothing to show for it. You want to know where the money is going because you can’t see any improvement. You want someone you believe will take care of and have pride in the city you love. You want to know that someone is in control and paying attention to the details.
I couldn’t agree with you more.
We all know what the problems are. They consume us. What we need are realistic solutions.
As I proceed down this mayoral path my thought processes change. I had a real interesting conversation with a native son and he put everything in a new perspective for me. “The mayor is not the king.” he said. “The mayor is a vessel of the people.” I took his advice the next day and it was so powerful I have to share it with you.
I was at a voter’s home and he was asking what I was going to do about bringing new business to Niagara Falls. I told him that I had a few ideas but I wanted to know what he thought we should do.
As soon as he started expressing his thoughts I felt an enormous sense of relief. This was no longer my problem alone, this was our problem and we were working on it together. It’s about being open and willing to sincerely consider the opinions of others. My work pledge talks briefly about this, but not to this extent.
No one should sell the people of Niagara Falls short. There are all kinds of smart right here. The only thing missing, is the hope. A bank employee at the Bank of America told me that all this city needs to do is to “Dare to Hope.”
More gold.
Dare to hope.
After decades of despair, isn’t it time we tried hope?
I’m you’re Huckleberry!
