He's best known for coaching Niagara Falls to a state championship in basketball in 2005, the city's first in a decade, and for molding Niagara County Community College into a national powerhouse in the late 1970s.
But away from the basketball court, Dan Bazzani -- a 1961 graduate of Niagara Falls High School -- has also been a teacher and administrator in city schools since the 1960s, as well as a Republican member of the Niagara Falls City Council for four years in the 1980s.
But away from the basketball court, Dan Bazzani -- a 1961 graduate of Niagara Falls High School -- has also been Last month, fresh from leading the Wolverines to another state championship game, Bazzani -- who also coached at the University at Buffalo for nine years -- decided to return to politics at age 62, challenging incumbent state Assemblywoman Francine Del Monte, who already faces Gary Parenti in the primary for the Democratic nomination for the 138th District seat she's held for three terms.
Bazzani, who said he will remain the athletic director at NFHS, win or lose, lives in DeVeaux with his wife, Beverly, and their daughter, Alexandra, a high school senior who plans to attend her father's alma mater, the University at Buffalo, in the fall. Last week, he sat down with the Niagara Falls Reporter for his first in-depth interview since
Q. What made you decide to get in the race?
A. Maybe they're selfish reasons. I have a daughter who is 18 and I want her to be able to stay in this area. When I ran for this seat 26 years ago (against longtime Assemblyman Joseph Pillitere), it's amazing -- the cries from people are still the same. Back then, I talked to parents and grandparents, and they said, "Our kids are all leaving. There are no jobs."
It's the same now as it was 26 years ago. My daughter is going to start college in a few months. What's going to be there for her in the next five to 10 years? Not only her, but some of these young people I've coached and taught. It's killing families in this area. You hear about it all the time, "they're all leaving, there's nothing here," and then eventually, the grandparents want to be close to their kids and grandkids.
I had a young lady in my office, maybe two weeks ago. She doesn't want to leave the area, would love to be teaching in Niagara Falls, is in the top 10 in her class. She says, "Mr. Bazzani, is there anything here?" And we're cutting staff.
We're losing people left and right. If we continue with the same old politics, nothing will ever change. Six years ago, my opponent stood on Main Street and criticized the incumbent at that time, Rob Daly, about the lack of jobs and lack of economic development on Main Street and Buffalo Avenue. I don't know what's changed in six years.
If I'm lucky enough to stay for six years and nothing had changed, I'd walk away and I'd tell people, "Hey, I couldn't get it done." But if I am elected, I'm going to do my darndest to hopefully improve the economic climate in this area. We train and educate some very talented young people, and there's nothing left for them. I read something the other day that absolutely blew me away. As a coach, you always strive to be No. 1, and we've been successful at that.
New York is No. 1. Highest in the nation in state and local taxes. Highest in welfare costs. I think we're fifth in property-tax income. We're 40th in something they call economic momentum. Fortieth. We're behind states like Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wyoming -- even the Dakotas.
How much longer can people put up with it? If they're happy with the way things are in this area, fine. Re-elect those people again. But I think that if I'm elected, I think I can work with people. If people, whether in the field of athletics or the field of politics, if they forget about who gets the credit, it's amazing what you can accomplish.
Q. How difficult was it to give up coaching, and would you have done so even if you decided not to run?
A. Last year, after the great run, I had seriously considered, "What do you do for an encore?" I knew eventually I had to walk away from it.
I thought about walking away then and I'll never forget the night on Buffalo Avenue when they had the wake for Miguel Respress (a Niagara Falls High School student who collapsed and died during an all-star game in Los Angeles). I'll never forget talking to Tyrell Lynch and saying, "If you and Johnny Flynn will lead this team the way Miguel would have led it as a senior, I'll come back for one more year." And I'm glad I did. We didn't win it all, but it was a great run, and I loved working with those kids.
And I'll miss it.
But I knew that eventually I'd have to give it up. You can't stay forever. The decision was one that there was this opportunity and also the fact that now might be a good time, rather than walking away and leaving the cupboard somewhat bare, I have a number of assistants who could take over. They'll have Johnny Flynn, who could be Mr. Basketball in New York state next year, so for me, and for the next coach, it's a good time to leave.
When I was thinking about going to the University of Buffalo, my dad was deputy city comptroller. People would come to the house, and he'd do their income tax. He taught me how to do it, and I loved it. So I wanted to go into business. He said he regretted not getting into coaching. He said, "I think you'd be better off. I think you'd enjoy it." And he was right. I love the relationships I have with my players. It's been great. I loved every minute of it.
Q. What's your assessment of the job Francine Del Monte has done?
A. Look at the numbers. Look at the numbers for the whole state. Coming over here, coming down Main Street, I counted more than 25 vacant storefronts, probably closer to 35. Drive down Buffalo Avenue. In the six years she's been the Assembly person, I don't see the difference.
Q. How does a Republican Assembly member make a difference in Albany, given the partisan nature of state government?
A. I look at what has been accomplished in the Assembly for this area with a representative in the majority -- can it get much worse? This reminds me of Atlantic City, where we went when I was on the City Council, trying to get casino gaming for this city. We passed a resolution asking the state to pass casino gaming. It was shot down in the Assembly. Now the Senecas are doing a wonderful job. It could have been ours, had we had the backing.
Again, I don't see the benefits -- maybe I'm wrong -- of having someone in the Assembly that's part of the majority. It certainly hasn't helped us. I look at the Senate, where I have a good relationship with Senator Maziarz. I look at someone who is already very influential in Washington in Congressman (Tom) Reynolds. I'm not concerned about working with Democrats. It's about working with people. I feel that's one of my strengths -- I've always been able to pull people together.
Q. The area has yet to realize much benefit from the casino -- the promised spin-off development hasn't materialized, and the city is still waiting for the last two years of its share of casino revenue. How can that be fixed?
A. There are a number of disappointments there, all the way up to Governor Pataki. I don't understand what the holdup has been. And the spin-offs haven't happened.
We could do something simple, like trying to get through a sales-tax free commercial zone to help this entire district. Just so somebody else can benefit. The Senecas are doing a wonderful job as far as what they have there, it's a beautiful hotel, but they're the only ones reaping the benefits.
It's too bad that when we looked at (gaming) 26 years ago, we didn't have the vision. We can't change that, but now I'd like to see the small-business people in this area get a level playing field.
Q. As a coach, teacher and administrator, you've worked closely with the most disadvantaged kids and families in the community. How does that experience affect your political perspective?
A. I've seen it up-close and personal in so many homes, seeing not only so many talented basketball players, but talented young minds. I've been in a lot of homes, a lot where, if they're lucky, there's one parent. In some cases, there are kids on their own for too long a period during the day and night. To see some of these kids succeed and climb out of that, there's nothing like it. I've seen some great families, also. I've had a number of young players that have both parents who are totally involved and it breaks my heart to see them walk away from here. But they have to, because there's nothing here for them.
It gives me firsthand perspective on being in the homes and knowing what these people experience and how difficult it is. I've experienced it, having them at elementary schools when they're this high, having them coming through Niagara Falls High School 10 years later. I've watched them grow and seen firsthand what some of them have had to overcome. I've seen it at every level and I know what these young people are going through. I don't think anybody who's currently running has experienced that firsthand.
I've dealt with every problem they've encountered, from days in the classroom talking to 14- and 15-year-old young ladies who are pregnant and looking for advice to the high school guys wondering what they're going to do after school. I've experienced it all.
Q. Why should people vote for Dan Bazzani?
A. I would hope that people see a better way in me. I hope people see someone who could be a leader who can change things for the better, who understands their feelings as a parent or grandparent, and hope they understand that I'm someone in that position who is not looking to bow down to special interests, who is just concerned about an area that he loves and never has left, someone that just wants to make it better for everyone in this district. Coaching is one thing, and we've brought some pride back to this area. If given the opportunity, I will do whatever I can to make things better in this area for them.
I think people are tired of the old-time politicians. I will vote for what's best for this area, whether it's put up by a Republican or a Democrat. I'm not looking to make this a career, so I think I can be very flexible in the way I look at what I'm voting on.
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | June 6 2006 |