The candidates for Niagara Falls City Council, Democrat Glenn Choolokian and Republican George Lodick, aren't scheduled to debate publicly, because Choolokian declined to participate.
In order to offer voters a side-by-side view of the two men and their positions on important issues, the Niagara Falls Reporter asked each a few questions that would likely have come up in a debate. Their answers follow.
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Q. What are the first three things you'd do if elected?
CHOOLOKIAN: The first thing is to look into why big development, or even small development, hasn't come here yet. I believe the area hasn't been marketed at all. We have to work with the administration to reach out and get people here to develop.
More of the casino money should be here. I'd work hard to keep that money here in Niagara Falls. Other cities are getting part of our money, but for 30 years, the town has been going backward. We should get more of the state share -- this is the first break we've had here in years, and we should get some of what's been going out of here coming back.
I think public safety has to be looked at. Times are changing and not for the better. We need more police and fire. There should be more police on the street. Between the state and federal governments, there are a lot of grants out there that we should be going after.
LODICK: The very first thing I'd do is introduce a resolution to re-examine the charter and look at the exact way we do business in Niagara Falls. We've got to get city government straightened out so we have one system of government, not two. If we set our ground rules properly, we can move to the future more solidly.
We need to make sure we have a deal on casino cash, then begin to seriously consider how we ought to be investing that money and spending it to return to the taxpayers. Filling budget gaps with the money isn't acceptable. We need to find ways to reduce property taxes, because that's the only way to bring business here and keep residents here. The bill to live in Niagara Falls is too large for many people. From there, we can go into housing and crime issues.
We need to work with the administration to understand what we can and can't do to cut costs and streamline city government. We need to aggressively pursue methods to reduce costs, including sharing services. There's been some talk about that, but we need to get more aggressive to eliminate duplication and find ways to reduce costs to the taxpayers.
Q. Would you vote for Mayor Anello's proposed 2005 budget and the tax increases it requires, and if not, how would you suggest changing it?
CHOOLOKIAN: I've been looking at budgets since 1988. They raise taxes, but they're always adding big patronage jobs and more supervision. Every department is top-heavy with bosses and supervision. People's taxes and water and sewer rates are going through the roof, but services are terrible. The amount of supervision has to be looked at.
LODICK: I don't want to vote for any tax increase. We need to look at reducing the cost of services. My ideas aren't the only ones. We need to have everybody at the table. It's not us against them, its how do we deal with a problem that everyone knows is true. It costs too much money to run government in our city, our county and our state.
Q. Both candidates have campaigned against the early record of the Anello administration. How will you work with the mayor if elected?
CHOOLOKIAN: I call it how it is, and I can work with anyone. I have no grudges ever. If the mayor or the administration has a good idea, I'll help them 110 percent. But if they have bad ideas or things that won't help Niagara Falls, I'll be 110 percent against them. Too many people think that, if it's not their idea, they're not going to work for it. I want Niagara Falls to move forward, whoever has the idea.
LODICK: In the past, councils have either gone along with the mayor, or fought. Neither approach works and neither approach is right. The Council has to be aggressive about understanding what happens on a day-to-day basis. The administration isn't given a blank check. We have to hold them accountable and consider everything in terms of what's best for the taxpayer. Common-sense government is something that seems to have vanished in Niagara Falls. We need to govern, not be petty.
Q. What would you say if someone asks, "Why should I vote for you?"
CHOOLOKIAN: I'm honest, hard-working and I know I can make a difference.
LODICK: I bring a common-sense perspective to the city with experience in government operations and reform. I believe I can be a voice for change who is optimistic about the future.
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | Oct. 26 2004 |