Here they go again.
We're talking about the Niagara Falls City Democrats and the circular firing squad they seem to enjoy forming every four years.
While a recent Zogby Poll commissioned by city firefighters shows Vince Anello, Sam Granieri and Paul Dyster to be running neck-and-neck at a little over 20 percent apiece with a margin of error of three or four points, and city sewer worker Glenn Choolokian in double digits at 10 points, the interesting number is the almost 30 percent of respondents who said they were undecided. We suspect that, had the Zogby people polled for "none of the above," the number would have been similar.
Prominent Granieri supporters, like county Legislator Dennis Virtuoso, have declared their distaste for Anello and vowed not to support him should he win in the primary. Meanwhile, prominent Anello supporters, like county Legislator Renae Kimble, are adamant in their dislike for Granieri and will work against him should he get the Democratic Party nod.
We looked around for prominent Dyster supporters, but it seems they all live in Ransomville.
If this all sounds familiar, it should. It is exactly the sort of chaotic disarray we saw from the Democrats in 1999, when Irene Elia was elected in the first place. And if it continues, it might happen again.
Remember? Then-mayor James Galie fought a bitter contest against then-councilman John Accardo in the primary. Accardo won, and thought the race was over. What could he fear from an elderly ex-nun with no political experience after defeating an incumbent mayor with a big political machine behind him?
Accardo found out in a hurry, and we who have to live, work and do business in this city have been paying the price ever since.
Where is the leadership? As far as we can tell, Anello -- the endorsed Democratic candidate for mayor -- is largely on his own. Since the campaign began, we have heard nothing from the county or city Democratic committees, which should both be working overtime for his election.
We've seen the anti-Granieri billboard out on Niagara Falls Boulevard which, depending on who you believe, was put up by either the firefighters or Public Works Director Paul Colangelo. For the record, the dirty billboard's erection was an immaculate conception and no living being is responsible for it.
Cowards. Cowards and losers and pig-eyed assassins of character. The important thing is that, come November, we elect a different mayor. Until then, we'll just have to bear with it.
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | August 19 2003 |