back to Niagara Falls Reporter archive
The mendacity and duplicity emanating from City Hall in recent weeks reeks with the stench of a rotting, gangrenous limb in need of immediate amputation. City Controller Maria Brown announces our municipal government is facing a $2 million shortfall--it's only April--and the City Council wisely accedes to administration demands to go out and buy 15 new police cruisers and appoint yet another bureaucrat to help the struggling Christopher Carlin run the police department.
On television, Mayor Irene Elia appears, night after night, fielding softball questions from her employees and congratulating them on the great job they're doing maintaining the streets, obtaining grants and managing the city's finances.
In reality, of course, no one is maintaining the streets, obtaining grants or managing the city's finances but, never mind, if somebody says something on TV, it must be true, mustn't it?
While some thought Elia's donning of Groucho glasses, nose and mustache at the recent Chamber of Commerce awards banquet was cute, we found it to be bizarre and frankly wondered whether she'd taken a worse knock to the noggin than was reported following her mysterious automobile accident.
Beleaguered city employees in the police, fire, public works, water and sewer departments go through the motions with glazed eyes, wondering exactly how long it's going to be until their paychecks bounce and the state comes in. Good people and bad leaders, the makings of many a tragedy.
After 16 months in office, few would argue that the city now is in better shape than it was when Elia was elected. But blaming the City Council and past administrations, a constant refrain from the Mayor and her minions, just doesn't wash. Jim Galie and Jake Palillo--like Elia, proteges of political wunderkind Paul Colagangelo--tried the same tactic, and their failed administrations now seem like the salad days.
We looked into it and there simply is no way under New York law to remove a sitting mayor from office. Even one as incompetent and befuddled as Elia. In fact, were she to be indicted for high crimes and misdemeanors, there still would be no way to remove her short of the one-way ride to Albion.
Before too long--in August, we're told--the city will not be able to meet its obligations, and the state will step in.
In the words of our favorite Man of the Cloth, thank you, Irene, for all that you do.