Inside the News

Niagara Falls needs help.

Its population has fallen to about 50,000, half of what it was a half century ago.

The skeletons of a once powerful chemical industry choke the landscape along the Niagara River. Blocks and blocks of boarded-up businesses mark Main Street. Key downtown landmarks sit vacant or barely used.

   Nearly one in five city residents lives below the poverty line.

   The median household income of $26,800 is roughly half the statewide figure of $43,393, according to the 2000 census.

   How could this happen in an international tourist destination?

   What can a mayor do to address such challenges?

   It's clear voters … most of them Democrats here … believe that their government CEO is no silver bullet when it comes to solving the city's pervasive problems. The last four mayors who've served the city have been one-termers.

   There's a lot of work to do. Hard work.

   Streets, sidewalks and brownfields need to be addressed.

   Tourist agencies and business interests need to more closely aligned.

   Somebody needs to convince competent, able developers to take a chance on a struggling city … and convince owners of existing businesses that such competition will benefit the city by bringing in more of the 20 million-plus visitors who travel from across the globe to the falls each year.

   And somebody needs to ensure that developers already in the city live up to their promises.

   A new governor, who seems somewhat enamored with Niagara Falls, sits in Albany. An influx of state aid, casino cash and Niagara Power Project relicensing money is beginning to flow into the city.

   A mayor who can harness the potential of the city, exercise vision and bring people together might make a difference in the next few years.

The election for mayor has already taken some unusual turns.

   Two candidates were out of the race before it officially began. The incumbent is out, too, but fighting to stay on the ballot. Meanwhile, the city's Democratic leadership has thrown its support behind a sitting councilman rather than the leader now in office.

   If he remains on the ballot, current Mayor Vince Anello will face Councilman Lewis "Babe" Rotella and former Councilman Paul Dyster in a Democratic primary. The winner will square off against Republican candidate Candra Thomason in November.

   Over the next few weeks, The Buffalo News will shed light on the issues by asking each candidate to respond to a series of questions. The final questions will be posed by readers.

--We would like to know from you:

--Why not Niagara Falls? What's holding this city back?

--What issues do you think are the most pressing?

--What kind of candidate are you are interested in?

--What disgusts you about this election and what would you like to see?

--What question would you most like to ask the mayoral candidates?

Here's your chance. Tell us what you think.

-- Niagara County Bureau Chief Scott Scanlon and Staff Reporter Denise Jewell