Revisiting candidate forum

With some more time to digest Tuesday’s candidates' night, it’s here's an opinionated analysis.

First, the event was poorly organized. The Niagara Falls Democratic Committee and NAACP organized the event with the Niagara Gazette. Managing Editor Matt Winterhalter, who has been doing the job of 3 people for more than 5 years as he rides the Gazette to its end, was in charge.

Without Matt, I might still live in Clarence. I worked there for 18 months before he needed to get rid of me to bring our friend Mark Scheer back. I hope he finds a job that will allow him to spend more time with his family soon.

The first mistake the Gazette made was inviting the endorsed candidates first, giving rise to a conspiracy theory that the unendorsed were being scorned.

Then, either Winterhalter or Renae Kimble set up a wonky format, with opening and closing statements, 60 seconds for each question, and no rebuttals.

Finally, an unendorsed candidate emailed Kimble wanting to know if notes and phones would be allowed on stage. Winterhalter emailed back a nonanswer.

At the debate, the endorsed candidates, John Kinney, Bridgette Myles and Noah Munoz all had notes. Michia Lee, Donta Myles and Noah Munoz did not. It was unfair. So how did they do?

Kinney seemed confident, sincere and said very little of substance. He likely has the support of city employees. I suspect the mayor thinks he can bully/influence him but it is not likely. He will see right and wrong and stand up for the taxpayers.

Bridgette’s strongest moment came in saying she’s seen the ins, outs and behind the scenes function of city hall. She doesn’t seem to have the knowledge of issues to be above influence.

Donta was on point, sincere and empowering, recounting his journey from concerned citizen to city council. Donta has no price, only a whole community to represent.

Lee seemed a bit star struck. Her strongest moment came in pointing out spending $200 million on an event center when you have a $100 million budget is not a smart move. She seems green and inexperienced but may have the ability to move mountains. Her effort to get on the ballot was impressive. Don't count her out.

Munoz was confident, optimistic about the city and seemed better prepared than his opponents even if he did look down and seem nervous in reading notes when answering questions. I suspect the mayor thinks he can bully/influence him but it is not likely. He will see right and wrong and stand up for the taxpayers.

Sylvana Rahman is a fresh voice, and the sort of new, optimistic vision we need. I applaud her for running and hope she stays involved whether she wins or not.

One last thought on reassessment

The final question was about reassessment and was asked by Kimble. It rambled and rambled, turned left, turned right, backed up, went forward and back and was as hard to follow as a Donald Trump press appearance.

In the end, not one candidate comprehended what was asked. Essentially, “the city’s assessment roll has not had a full revaluation in more than 20 years. What do you think about that?”

Kinney spoke of how the last reveluation hurt his family. Lee, Bridgette, Donta and Rahman gave nonanswers. Munoz said sooner or later it will happen, and it will hurt, so he is against it.

Most of the answers seemed to imply that the reason for reassessment is to increase revenue.

The truth is, reassessment is revenue neutral. In every community, every time the process happens, one-third go up, one-third go down and one-third stay the same. It is about creating equity in property taxation.

Reality is, the longer we wait, the worse it gets. The problem is, the more affluent neighborhoods, especially Cayuga Island but also LaSalle and DeVeaux, are most underassessed.

That means the homeowners there will face the biggest correction. They are also most likely to vote and, though it will hurt me personally to say so, it is for the good of the city and I am OK with doing it tomorrow. The longer you wait to rip off the bandage, the more it will hurt when you do. If the city had leadership the process would already be underway.