Focusing on what will happen

It’s a Gord Day because I have been too busy hustling between Allstate and tours and have family stuff today.

A few things worth noting as we focus on things that will happen:

We still need the Niagara Falls Billion to come from Albany to benefit the Niagara Region. We need to stop seeing Buffalo as worth our time and energy when the city right across the border matters more to our fortunes. That requires cohesive representation in Albany. Angelo Morinello gave us a voice in the Assembly but Bill Conrad brings home even more for North Tonawanda. I don’t think Rob Ortt does the same in the Senate.

We still need a new wastewater treatment plant and revitalization program for Buffalo Avenue to become reality. That requires federal funding from the Senate and House as part of the new infrastructure plan to stimulate the economy after regime change. It likely will take $500 million to make the wastewater discharge go into the upper river, not into the area below the Rainbow Bridge.

Also, add it up: With the Rupal project, total planned investment (some already completed) over the next decade now totals more than $625 million dollars in public and private investment. I will let other people quantify the economic impact, but it can’t hurt.

We should be talking and writing about the Suspension Bridge District every day.

That $625 million number omits state and private investment on Main Street in the Suspension Bridge District, the Daly Boulevard Extension, adaptive reuse of the Rainbow Mall, the Heritage Gateway Treewalk, the construction of an aerospace museum downtown and the investment needed to reawaken the turtle. Even before the Niagara Billion, that approaches the number.

$625 million is happening. The Express does not invite sincere conversation on the other items until meaningful plans advance.

Those things said, there are a two things we need to forget about:

1. Centennial Park until we see a feasibility study that includes siting being included, not just a dismissive mention of how the Rainbow Mall won’t work. How can we commit to spending $250 million in taxpayer funds without a meaningful, economically justified plan? What was released last year was a dog and pony show, sunshine, rainbows and lollipops.
2. Forget about Urbacon Data Center until we see meaningful progress on engineering. As the mayor said a couple years ago, hire engineers and a construction company when you want to build something, not marketing or a PR agency.

Also, gadflies in public meetings keep ranting and raving for 3 minute tantrums are each council meeting offering the same biweekly mewling. To wit:

1. The dog shelter was on Grand Island for a year in the hands of a woman we don’t like who collected too much money. The new dog shelter is a mystery and we don’t trust the mayor. The answer: File a suit or report it to the FBI. You can’t change what happened.
2. $57 million in American Rescue Plan Funds were spent and we don’t like how. The answer: Mayor Restaino hosted public forums on ARP expenditures. People showed up and made suggestions. He mostly told them they would not work because of federal regulation. The money had strings attached. Yes, money was spent on a DPW building, dog shelter and Hyde Park but much went to HVAC, technology, police and fire. The spending plan is available. Analyze it. Also, question the council members who approved that spending. Again, if there was fraud, bring your evidence to law enforcement.

Finally, the issue of council meetings: Much of the legislative action is delayed/discussed/debated because only Tom DeBoy, the acting corporation counsel, is there to answer questions. If, as council person, Vincent Cauley, Bridgette Myles or anyone else can’t find the time to make a phone call to the mayor or city administrator to obtain more information, they should abstain from voting. If a majority abstains, government halts until the mayor is compelled to appear. The charter does not require his attendance at the circus. The council could.

Ok, I guess this rant turned into more than a Gord Day. Sorry not sorry but stop your whining and go pick up some trash. It’s more meaningful than ranting and raving on a Wednesday night at city hall. The cedar tree is dead.

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