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(Editor’s note: The following was published by Susan Wenger of WBEN sharing the opinion of Republican operative and former Town of Tonawanda supervisor Carl Calabrese. The opinion of the Express is that while Hochul says she does not want to politicize the Town of Niagara environmental disaster, there is no way to avoid it. Niagara is squarely in gerrymandered districts for the State Assembly and Senate. She can send commissioners from the Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation but a personal appearance in a deeply red area that voted for the Trump administration which drastically cut the Environmental Protection Agency but her appearance is not warranted. This isn’t Amherst or Lancaster or West Seneca or someplace that matters to her. Besides, Bruce Blakeman, the guy she’s about to beat, already staged a political event. Lee Zeldin, the guy she beat last time who is now in charge of the decimated EPA wrote a letter supporting residents and calling out Hochul. We get the government for which we vote.)
Fredonia, N.Y. (WBEN) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says she will not be visiting Town of Niagara residents or other areas impacted by radiation contamination in Western New York.
Hochul made the remarks while in Fredonia on Thursday, 65 miles away, to celebrate construction of the new Northern Chautauqua Hospital.
"I have seen people go up there and politicize their cries for help. I'm not that kind of person. If I go there, it's a political show and I'm not going to use politics to capitalize on people's misery," said the governor.
nstead, she said she has chosen to send state experts.
"That's a mistake," said Republican Strategist Carl Calabrese with WBEN on Friday.
"It's not her fault or the state government's fault most likely. Or, if it is the state government's fault, it happened decades ago and was not under her watch. But people want their politicians to care, and to show compassion and empathy. One way to do that is to show up and talk to people and sit in their living rooms."
Calabrese went on to question her remark about it turning into a political show.
"I think it would be a political show, in a good sense, to portray her as someone willing to come out here and see and hear first hand the concern of residents," he said.
Hochul said she is proud that she launched the effort to look for radiological hot spots with both aerial and ground surveillance. She added that the federal EPA has a larger responsibility with the investigation.
Still, Calabrese finds it surprising that she is staying away.
"This has always been Kathy Hochul's strong point. Her ability to relate to people in small groups. This is a forum that she excels in. For her not to take it, and for her advisors not to recognize the opportunity, is a big mistake."
Still, Calabrese finds it surprising that she is staying away.
"This has always been Kathy Hochul's strong point. Her ability to relate to people in small groups. This is a forum that she excels in. For her not to take it, and for her advisors not to recognize the opportunity, is a big mistake."
