Two city council members and Mayor Paul Dyster met with Seneca Nation President Robert Porter and other Senecas last week, and the council fired off a letter inviting Gov. Andrew Cuomo to visit Niagara Falls.
"It was a good meeting," said Councilman Charles Walker, who described the gathering as a "very informal meet and greet."
"It was time for us to at least sit down together," Walker said, adding that the topic of casino cash was discussed.
"We're both just waiting. We're all waiting to see what's going to happen between the state and the Senecas," he said.
Councilman Bob Anderson also attended the meeting, which was held at the Seneca Niagara Casino's Hawk Room.
In a letter to Cuomo, Council Chairman Sam Fruscione invited the governor to visit the Cataract City.
"The questions surrounding the Seneca Niagara casino compact and the future of legalized gaming in our city are of utmost importance and of immediate concern," Fruscione wrote. "I believe your visit would be informative, productive and go a long way to shed meaningful light on the current status of legalized gaming and its impact upon our residents."
"Our city has faced daunting challenges over the past several decades and while we have made a measure of recent progress we still face serious hurdles with economic redevelopment being the largest of those hurdles. We would value the opportunity to take you on a tour of our city and discuss those matters that are of utmost interest to the future of Niagara Falls."
Fruscione said Friday that the governor's office responded two days later with an e-mail that stated, roughly, "We are in receipt of your letter and we will work to put together a meeting with the governor as soon as possible."
"I mailed it Tuesday and we got the response on Thursday. It shows that Gov. Cuomo definitely respects the city council. We have respect for the governor as well," he said.
The letter reads:
"Several years ago I had the distinct pleasure of meeting with your father, Governor Mario Cuomo, in Buffalo. The Governor talked at length about Niagara Falls and he vividly recalled the fine dining experience he had enjoyed at one of our renowned restaurants. While the communication between our city and Albany has sometimes been lacking, the respect that we have for your leadership and the legacy of your father is substantial.
"I am fully aware of the demands upon your time and if you are unable to visit with us in Niagara Falls we are certainly more than willing to meet with you and your staff in Albany."
E-mail Ron Churchill at ronchurchill@yahoo.com.
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | Jan. 31 2012 |