Transparency, infrastructure top issues

Survey shows wide range of opinions among those running Oct. 22; full results to come next week

What should Niagara Falls city council’s priorities be over the next four years?

It depends who you ask. Thirty-three candidates – 26 challengers and seven incumbents – are running for the eight seats on council in the Oct. 22 municipal election. With Kim Craitor hoping to unseat incumbent Jim Diodati in the mayoral race, there will be at least one new face on council after the election.

All 33 were sent questionaires by the Review, asking for basic information such as occupation and family, and for their community work and previous political experience.

Most candidates have responded, and the surveys will be published in full starting next week.

Candidates were also asked to name their top issue – and the responses were wide-ranging.

Interestingly, the most common priority among the 18 challengers who have responded so far was transparency and responsive government. Six called it their top issue.

Among the incumbents, though, (six of seven have responded so far), only one listed transparency in spending as their top issue.

Dr. Kenneth Groves, a challenger, called for “open governance that is environmentally conscious and financially responsible to taxpayers.”

Another challenger, Lori Lococo, echoed that, calling for “effective governance – transparency, timely and more information available to councillors.” And Karen Stearne said she wants “fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency. Each of us needs to know where the money is going and why.”

Infrastructure improvements was another common answer. Incumbent Joyce Morocco said work is needed to “stop homes from flooding. Focus on infrastructure.”

Challenger Peter Dychtiar agreed, singling out Chippawa as especially needing improvements to prevent flooding.

Here is a brief rundown of top priorities, from the candidates who have responded.

Gary Baker: Growing the local economy; Coun. Wayne Campbell: Common sense approach to city spending; Domenic Caruso: “redirect misdirected taxes” to benefit the whole city.

Lucia Ciampa: Lower taxes; Chris Dabrowski: Homelessness; Peter Dychtiar: Infrastructure and lower taxes; Peter Fischer: More good-paying jobs; Dr. Kenneth Groves: Open governance.

Coun. Carolynn Ioannoni: Responsible, transparent spending; Jamie Jones: Bring back the ward system; Coun. Vince Kerrio: Improving efficiency of city hall services.

Lori Lococo: Effective governance; Margie Manker: Listening to and responding to citizens’ needs; Nick Maruca: Make Niagara Falls a safe, prosperous place; Rich Merlino: Better infrastructure.

Coun. Joyce Morocco: Stop homes from flooding; Ralph Panucci: Lower residents’, businesses’ property taxes; Angela Peebles: Social issues; Vito Pennimpede: Stop catering to outside interests;

Norm Puttick: Smaller government, fewer municipalities. Anne Radojcic: Economic stability; Karen Stearne: Fiscal responsibility, accountability; Coun.

Mike Strange: improving teen mental health initiatives;.

Tom Stranges: Better spending of taxpayers’ money; Coun. Wayne Thomson: Fiscal restraint and control; Tim Tredwell: Accountability.