Ontario Mayor pays up

That Gold Medal for the US Olympic Hockey Team was especially sweet for Heart, Love & Soul. The Niagara Falls community services services agency benefitted Monday from a wager between New York Mayor Robert Restaino and Ontario Mayor James Diodati.

They met at Heart, Love & Soul so Diodati could deliver a case of Canadian maple syrup, his end the bargain. If Canada won, Restaino owed him a case of syrup which Diodati handed over to Heart, Love & Soul Executive Director Mark Baetzhold.

“We are grateful for your gift,” Baetzhold said. “We have increased 125% in meals distributed in the last 5 years. Thank you for blessing us with your sweetness.”

The Mayors are a study in contrast. Restaino travels alone, with a representative of E3 Communications with him to take photos. Diodati has an assistant taking video and creating viral social media postings. His Facebook presentation of the visit, with slick video and images crossing the border as well as walking into Heart, Love and Soul was over 7,000 views as of Tuesday night. Any presentation stateside appears on the Restaino 4 Mayor Facebook page. A release from E3 included two paragraphs and a single photo and didn't seem to get any traction from Buffalo, Niagara Falls or social media.

Niagara Falls, Ontario seems more vibrant and energetic and Diodati reflects that. Restaino is more low key and professional. If we think of it in terms of newspaper publishers, Restaino is Mark Francis. Diodati is Steve Braver with that honkytonk Vegas vibe.

The Mayors obviously have a cordial relationship but Diodati has energy and a significant presence. It would help the New York city, or its mayor, to appear vibrant, energetic and hopeful because there is a lot of good going on.

They kidded each other about the Canadian formality based in British language. In his home city, Diodati is “your worship.” In Niagara-on-the-Lake the formal address for the community’s elected leader is “The Lord Mayor,” a special title left from British rule.

Jokingly, Diodati referred to his compatriot as “your worship.”

On a more serious note, Diodati talked about efficiency initiatives in Ontario which might result in savings that could close a $14 million gap in his infrastructure budget.

Even in explaining something that mundane, Diodatti oozed charisma.

“No one has ever said to me ‘the solution is more politicians’ ” he said before quoting Yogi Berra and reminiscing about visiting the Falls.

Their meeting ended after about 20 minutes with Restaino inviting Diodati to a ballgame at Sal Maglie Stadium and Diodati reminiscing about eating wings stateside and posing for photos on the Niagara Falls High School stairs when his brother attended Niagara University.

The Express has requested in in-person interview with the Niagara Falls, Ontario mayor but it is not yet scheduled.