With the candidate count reaching six in the race for mayor of Niagara Falls and would-be public servants lining up to run for open seats on the City Council (two) and Niagara County Legislature (all of 'em), Citycide unveils the first batch of submissions in its inaugural Tell the Candidates forum.
While the original intent was to focus on Niagara Falls, we got responses from readers outside the city (see below). We say, the more the better. So if you haven't jotted down your thoughts on what you want from your elected leaders, feel free to wax philosophic on county or other races not directly involving the city.
Remember, the point here is to let the would-be office holders know what you want them to say and what you expect them to do. You can use the questions offered as a framework, as in the first response below, or approach your submission however you wish. If you don't want to be identified, say so at the top or bottom of your letter, fax or e-mail (but what you have to say carries more authority with your name under it).
Send your entries to "Tell the Candidates," c/o Niagara Falls Reporter, 345 Third Street, Suite 463, Niagara Falls, N.Y. 14303, fax it to (716) 284-5597 or e-mail it to dstaba13@aol.com.
Some answered the three questions posed by Citycide ...
Q: What is the single most important issue facing Niagara Falls, and what do you want to see done about it?
Q: Of the city's myriad problems, what are the three most in need of attention from the city, and how can they be realistically addressed?
Q: What could you see or hear that would make you want to get out and vote for any of this year's batch of candidates?
Marc Merino
Niagara Falls
Some used the questions as a taking-off point ...
Q. What is the single most important issue facing Niagara Falls, and what do you want to see done about it?
Thanks, I needed that, especially about the airstrip.
Susan Nezezon
North Tonawanda
Some chose to take a more free-form approach ...
Anyone with half a brain can throw their hat into an election race and spew observations of the obvious -- what the city needs, what the city should be doing, how all elected officials should get along to work as a team, yadda yadda. It's all common sense!
The problem that I see which perpetuates the lack of team work is this: Let's say we elect a new mayor who has never held a public office. During the course of the campaign, he or she will have undoubtedly insulted the intelligence, work ethic, lack of progress and so on of the majority of Council members, with whom he or she will have to suddenly become a team player. Hurt feelings and sour grapes make for a hostile work environment. This is the very campaign strategy that defeats the possibility of a harmonious administration.
As far as new development, we can all stand on a soapbox and make the profound statement that we need new development and family entertainment options. Saying this and making it happen are two entirely different animals.
One way this can happen is if there is at least one full-time marketing genius on staff to actively pursue entertainment/amusement giants across the country to entice them to develop here. Before this is done, the administration needs to have a solid incentive plan to offer them and stick to it. Currently, I am only aware of the CVB, which has marketed the city for convention business. I would like to be corrected if there is currently a dedicated staff soliciting developers but, as far as I know, there isn't.
If there is, I would like to see the administration issue a quarterly progress report or summary of who has been approached. At least that way we would know an attempt has been made. As it is now, any potential development seems to be small upstart businesses or new entrepreneurs who have approached the city themselves. There's nothing wrong with this, but we need some heavy-hitters here as well.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to offer my views and I hope that in the upcoming campaign period we see more constructive and positive comments and less ego-building and name-bashing.
Kathy Ligammari
Niagara Falls
And some kept it simple and to the point ...
In business, it's location, location, location.
Niagara Falls will only succeed when the mayor is focused on development, development, development.
The city needs a bigger market share, i.e., more customers, more taxpayers. It is only when we have more people paying taxes that all the potholes and other problems will get fixed.
Skip
Niagara Falls
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | April 22 2003 |