back to Niagara Falls Reporter archive
If Democratic state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver didn't look like a total asswipe a couple months ago when he blocked casino gaming for Niagara Falls, screwed up our school system with his baseline budget and defunded the USA-Niagara initiative, he sure does now.
Jack, our mailman, is nearing retirement age. The other day he stopped by the office to ask for some editing assistance on a letter he was drafting to state Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte. He's been a registered Democrat all his life -- since before he served in Vietnam -- but now feels no choice than to enlist in the ranks of the Republicans.
Why? Two words. Sheldon Silver. And maybe two other words -- Rudy Giuliani.
"That Giuliani's an American hero," Jack told us. "For Silver to stand in his way is criminal."
In the wake of the Sept. 11 attack on New York City, Giuliani listened to his constituents.
They've got enough problems, and nobody is interested in having an election there next month. Even the most liberal, progressive, Democratic candidate, Mark Green, said he felt Giuliani should spend another three months in office.
One problem.
Such a solution would require a special dispensation from the state Assembly. And Sheldon Silver, who once had his eye on Gracie Mansion himself, wasn't having any. The little man who can't pass a budget effectively decided that the people of New York City can't have what the polls overwhelmingly show they want -- Rudy Giuliani in an extended term as mayor.
It's very similar to what he's done to us here in Niagara Falls. Let the public be damned, let the Democrats be damned. Shelly's going on vacation.
However things turn out -- there likely will be casino gaming in Niagara Falls and Rudy will find himself an important position before too long -- Sheldon Silver and the Trumps, Ferarrs and others who support him are the enemies of democracy.
Our mailman Jack can't be blamed for the defection from his lifelong party. But when the state Assembly, Senate and Governor's Mansion are lost to the Democrats, Silver, most certainly, will be to blame.