Mayoral candidates square off

All three candidates for Niagara Falls Mayor squared off in a Town Hall Forum at Bloneva Bond Elementary Thursday night as organized by Councilmember Kenny Tompkins.

The event was advertised as moderated by School Superintendent Mark Laurrie but he was not in attendance because of a school board obligation and was replaced by Gazette columnist Sharon Bailey, whose column regularly supports the current administration.

Questions were submitted by the community to  Tompkins. One candidate had 2 minutes to answer each randomly drawn question with a  minute response from their opponents.

Five hours before the event, Nix was questioning on Facebook whether it was worth attending but ultimately, the pajama-clad icon of “We All We Got” decided to show up and put up.

Choolokian, a former councilmember and longtime union leader also did well, railing against the status quo and 40 years of failure.

Incumbent Restaino stood on his record of 40 years of public service as an attorney, judge and mayor and talked about how much better off the city is than when he took over as Mayor.

A strong moment for Nix came in questioning why Niagara Falls doesn’t demand a voice at the table when it comes to state parks revenue or the casino.

Choolokian showed a fundamental lack of understanding on the topic of reassessment, worrying about how it would make everyone’s taxes go up, which is not the way it works.

Restaino talked about how he vetoed reassessment (it was overridden) because he didn’t want to see the people endure hardship even if he did acknowledge the outcome is revenue neutral and the last assessment was incomplete and likely illegal.

Nix talked about how real estate values, and rents, are up everywhere.

Restaino also told the tale of how he tried and failed to get a 30% property tax assessment on State Park Land via a state law which would have created substantial new revenue.

On the topic of dirt bikes and ATVs, Choolokian talked about a need for more law enforcement. Nix discussed the good the riders have done in helping his movement reduce crime and how people need a place to ride and how a chase could end in death. The mayor discussed a need for non aggressive surveillance and new tech for police.

On garbage, the mayor discussed a need for competition for Modern Disposal, hoping multiple bidders would drive down costs. Nix suggested there is no competition coming but there is enough space in his property to build a transfer station and ship refuse to Ohio where tipping fees are lower. Choolokian suggested looking at everything including the option of taking over collection.

On casino revenue, Nix noted the city has had no voice at the table. Choolokian suggested the city should be getting a full 25% of slot revenue while the state should fund the share of other entities like the hospital from its take. The mayor said the casino issue is about the State and Senecas and that the city doesn’t have a voice. Nix interjected “we need to get one.”

On law enforcement, the mayor said he’d like to add more traffic cops because drivers too often act as if the rules of the road are voluntary.

Restaino also said police should “not just do their job but interact with people.”

Nix suggested a police force more engaged in, and interacting with the community.

Choolokian suggested crime is “horrible, the worst ever” and we need more police walking about.

Nix pointed out that since he started his movement, the number of murders has dropped for 3 consecutive years.

Neither Nix nor Choolokian offered a solution to the dog control crisis where the SPCA has informed the city it will terminate the current contract but Restaino said he is negotiating with two entities to find a solution that should be announced in a few weeks.

On the topic of Niagara Falls Redevelopment, Nix called bullshit on both the data center and Centennial Park and suggested bringing in foreign investors with oil money and having them sign 99 year leases and develop parcels as happened in Dubai.

Choolokian wondered how the city could discuss building an event center at a time when “we can’t fix our roads, we can’t pave our streets, are you kidding me?”

Restaino said a year round attraction is needed because 3,000 to 5,000 workers lose their jobs every Thanksgiving.

An additional forum has been planned by the Niagara Gazette for Wednesday, June 21 but Restaino has informed the paper he has a prior obligation and won’t be attending.

Nix livestreamed the event from his phone – from walking in to taking his seat. His stream had 1,000 people watching live via Facebook . Your Community Accountability with Sam and John streamed the event with Niagara Vox via Facebook and had a few dozen shares.