Mayor Vince Anello likes to think of himself as a champion for all things Niagara Falls. In his message to readers on the city's official Web site, he states that, under his leadership, the city "stands ready to enter one of the truly exciting periods in its history."
Things certainly have been exciting. In the 18 months since he took office, dubious development deals at the East Mall, Hyde Park Golf Course and the state-mandated public safety building project have attracted the attention of the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's office in Buffalo has impaneled a grand jury to hear evidence in the widening corruption probe of the city administration.
The feds want to know whether secret unsecured "loans" Anello received from downtown developer Joe Anderson and the sister of one of the principals in the golf course deal might not be more accurately described as "bribes." Indictments are likely in the case.
Outside developers and investors are staying away from the city in droves, lest they become entangled in the messy affair.
Anello has also been the main obstacle to the state's release of the $12 million local share generated by the Seneca Niagara Casino. His murky "plan" for spending the money is unacceptable to Albany, and his stubborn refusal to compromise has held up the desperately needed payments. His intransigence has put important projects planned by Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and the school district on hold, and decimated operations at the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp. All three entities were to have received funding from the local share.
The city itself was to have reaped the lion's share of the proceeds, money that would have gone a long way toward paving streets, tearing down derelict buildings and improving neighborhoods throughout the city.
Responsibility for the crisis facing the library system here can also be laid directly at Anello's doorstep. While a relatively modest $2 million was earmarked for library operations in the city budget, Anello claims that only $1 million is available.
Closing the libraries, which could happen as early as Aug. 1, would generate negative publicity across the country, constituting yet another body blow to the city's image.
No law exists in New York State to provide for Anello's recall or impeachment. But every day he spends in office hurts the city. If he truly cared about the welfare of Niagara Falls, he would do the decent thing and resign.
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | July 19 2005 |