Two new faces join Niagara Falls council
Thirty-three hopefuls were vying for eight seats
There will be two new faces on Niagara Falls city council.
Chris Dabrowski and Lori Lococo were elected to municipal government Monday night.
“It has been an unbelievable experience going through a campaign,” Dabrowski said.
“I’m passionate about the city. I can’t wait to start serving the residents of Niagara Falls.”
Forty-year-old Dabrowski is the co-founder and president of Niagara Falls Comic Con.
Lococo, 48, is a court reporter and event planner. She previously ran for city council in 2014. She could not be reached for comment Monday.
They join returning councillors Wayne Campbell, Carolynn Ioannoni, Vince Kerrio, Victor Pietrangelo, Mike Strange and Wayne Thomson.
Long-time councillor Joyce Morocco finished ninth.
“I am really, really going to miss Joyce,” said Strange. “She does a lot of great work in the community.”
Strange, an Olympic boxer and real estate agent, was first elected to council in 2014.
“I was probably more nervous this time around… I don’t know why,” the 48-year-old said.
“They say, when you’re in the boxing ring, if you’re nervous it means you care and I care about my city. This is where I was born and I want the best things to happen for my city.”
Campbell, 72, is a retired educator. He was an alderman from 1985 to 1991 and from 1994 to 2006, and a councillor since 2014.
Ioannoni, 53, has been on council for the past 19 years.
Kerrio, 64, a hotel and restaurant owner, has been a member of council for 21 years.
Pietrangelo is a teacher with the Niagara Catholic District School board. He has been a city councillor since 1994.
Thomson, chairman of Niagara Falls Tourism, spent 17 years as mayor and has been on council for 22 years.
Kim Craitor ran for mayor, leaving his seat vacant.
All told, there were 33 people vying for one of eight seats on council.
Among the names making a repeat bid were Kenneth Groves, Shirley Fisher, Rich Merlino and Norm Puttick. Newcomers to the race included former NHLer Steve Ludzik.