Repercussions

There is always a price.

Buy a car? There’s a price. Go to a movie? There’s a price. Buy a cup of coffee? There’s a price. Simple.

Everyone understands this.

The problem is that the price isn’t always obvious for everything.

People need to know that bad government also comes with a price.

We, the citizens and businesses of Niagara Falls, pay this price every day.

Compromised safety on our streets, shuttered businesses and homes, unemployment, subsidized housing, and lack of home ownership are all the price of a failed government.    

Good government is proactive to the needs of its citizens and businesses; bad government can only react to problems created by its own inactivity in addressing those needs.

The Administration OF Mayor Paul A. Dyster has spent almost eight years addressing the needs of the few (friends and family) at the expense of the many citizens.

For too long, in my opinion, this administration has pandered to outside interests while sacrificing the quality of life of the people that elected him.

This is an election year, and while he will pretend to care by showing a (sudden) interest in his citizens’ problems, the question should be “Where have you been since we last elected you?”         

The good news is, we can change this.

This is the time when your vote means more than their money.

Your right to good government is in your hands, not their pockets.

Ask questions. Talk to the candidates in person.

Don’t be afraid to say, “I want to talk to the person running for office”, not to party representatives carrying petitions.

Think of it this way: if they’re too busy to listen to you now and come to your door, what chance do you actually have that they would choose to listen after you elected them to office?

But, at the end of the day, in order to change the city’s direction, we must listen to the community, not to politicians.

Community is made up of citizens and businesses.

The citizens and businesses form block clubs, business organizations, churches and civic organizations. These organizations represent the citizens in their neighborhoods. Within our community, each individual neighborhood has specific needs to be addressed in order to maintain its quality of life.

A seat at the table.

 Safe streets and parks.

Accountability to all of the citizens.

A clear direction towards our future.

Our rights.

Ask questions.

Demand answers. Be included, and please vote.

That’s the price you have to pay.