While heading home from a nice dinner at Buzzy's, we came across a large billboard on Niagara Falls Boulevard endorsing Bob Pascoal and Bill Kennedy for Niagara Falls City Council. At first I thought: "Wow, bi-partisanship which is badly needed throughout government." But as I got closer I saw that the Niagara Falls Police Unions were responsible for the billboard. Hmmm....interesting.
There is a lot of criticism, and rightfully so, that Mayor Dyster has placated city unions in order to get their support. And it's clear that Andy Touma and Grandinetti have union support. But now we find that Kennedy and Pascoal fall into the same boat. Kennedy doesn't surprise me as it appears that he has the support of the fire unions. But, what's up with Pascoal??
What's hard to understand is how can people who will be tasked with making some tough financial decisions be willing to take endorsements from the very unions that they will be asking to make concessions and/or face layoffs? I'm not saying that police and fire aren't doing a good job. I wouldn't trade places with them. But the fact remains that the largest cost in the City budget is personnel and Public Safety is the largest personnel cost.
While Dyster and Company bemoan the loss of casino revenue, the fact remains that expenditures need to be looked at. Dyster's budget did nothing to reduce spending. In fact, it's my understanding that raises were given to non-union employees. Doesn't make sense to me.
City residents know the track record of Touma & Grandinetti when it comes to making any cost reductions. But where are Pascoal and Kennedy? Are they willing to make the tough decisions, even if it means going to their union benefactors and asking them for cost concessions? It would seem to me that billboards aren't cheap. Neither is the tax increase being proposed by Dyster, along with the dismal financial situation facing Niagara Falls. Everyone deserves to be paid for the work that they do and there's no question that police and fire have dangerous jobs. Unfortunately, the gross mismanagement on the part of Dyster and his loyalists has led to some difficult decisions that need to be made which will require public safety personnel to be willing to do their part to save Niagara Falls from financial disaster. However, it's up to elected officials to reach out to them and one has to wonder whether Pascoal and Kennedy will be able to do that.
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Dyster & Company At It Again
Well you can't fault Paul Dyster for continuing the sleight of hand way of running the City as he continues to get elected. Of course, if that ego-maniac Glenn Choolokian would have stayed out of the General Election, John Accardo would be our Mayor. But, that's crying over spilled milk. Now, Dyster is banking on getting his 2 rubber stamps, Touma & Grandinetti, re-elected along with the Fire Dept's chosen candidate, Bill Kennedy elected in November. The sad thing is that Dyster can come out on top again.
In spite of a scathing report from the State Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli, there doesn't seem to be much outrage at the financial state of Niagara Falls. Has the local newspaper said anything? Curious as to who the Niagara Gazette will endorse.
In any other place, the local newspaper would be ripping the current Administration and its allies on the City Council for the blatant financial malfeasance that has taken place throughout Dyster's time in office. Yet, word is that the Gazette is in Dyster's hip pocket and want the status quo to continue.
The other problem are the candidates on the Republican slate for City Council. Bob Pascoal ran a credible race 2 years ago for Mayor in the Republican primary and has a good chance in taking one of the 3 seats, hopefully knocking Grandinetti out. But Chris Voccio and Sam Archie may have a problem winning in November. Give Voccio credit for waging a heavy door-to-door campaign as some relatives of mine have told me that Mr. Voccio has been to their home twice. But there are those who have an issue with the fact that Voccio is a carpetbagger. Someone who just recently came to the City and has some very conservative views on issues that really have nothing to do with being a city councilman. To me it's a nonsense argument but I'm just saying what's out there and what is being spewed by the Dyster camp.
As far as Mr. Archie goes, while he has been very active on social media, not sure how active he has been going door-to-door. Moreover, it is my understanding that he has lost numerous times when running for office and is viewed as being unelectable. Again, that's what Dyster & Company are saying.
A low turnout helps the Dyster crew and will ensure more of the same at City Hall. I'm not sure if the State Comptroller could come in and mandate a control board. Absent that possibility, unless people get out and vote, Dyster & his minions will continue to spend away at the taxpayers expense.
In spite of a scathing report from the State Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli, there doesn't seem to be much outrage at the financial state of Niagara Falls. Has the local newspaper said anything? Curious as to who the Niagara Gazette will endorse.
In any other place, the local newspaper would be ripping the current Administration and its allies on the City Council for the blatant financial malfeasance that has taken place throughout Dyster's time in office. Yet, word is that the Gazette is in Dyster's hip pocket and want the status quo to continue.
The other problem are the candidates on the Republican slate for City Council. Bob Pascoal ran a credible race 2 years ago for Mayor in the Republican primary and has a good chance in taking one of the 3 seats, hopefully knocking Grandinetti out. But Chris Voccio and Sam Archie may have a problem winning in November. Give Voccio credit for waging a heavy door-to-door campaign as some relatives of mine have told me that Mr. Voccio has been to their home twice. But there are those who have an issue with the fact that Voccio is a carpetbagger. Someone who just recently came to the City and has some very conservative views on issues that really have nothing to do with being a city councilman. To me it's a nonsense argument but I'm just saying what's out there and what is being spewed by the Dyster camp.
As far as Mr. Archie goes, while he has been very active on social media, not sure how active he has been going door-to-door. Moreover, it is my understanding that he has lost numerous times when running for office and is viewed as being unelectable. Again, that's what Dyster & Company are saying.
A low turnout helps the Dyster crew and will ensure more of the same at City Hall. I'm not sure if the State Comptroller could come in and mandate a control board. Absent that possibility, unless people get out and vote, Dyster & his minions will continue to spend away at the taxpayers expense.
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