Paul Dyster: The Next One Term Mayor

I normally do not write about the local scene however with the indictment of former Mayor Anello in the news, I began to think about the first year of Mayor Dyster. Last November, the people of Niagara Falls voted for change when they elected Paul Dyster as mayor. There was a sense of new leadership, an end to the bickering and open government. In looking back over this year, it seems like the city's expectations are not being met.

The biggest problem that I see is how the Mayor has gone about hiriing major positions in his administration, some of which have not been filled yet almost one year in office. A year ago, the people of Niagara Falls were told that there was going to be a national search for the best and brightest. There was no mention of excluding local people from these positions if qualified. It was also stated that salary adjustments might be needed if we were to attract the best. But what wasn't told to the residents of Niagara Falls was how this was going to happen.

A secret group based out of Erie County was going to fund this national search and was going to augment salaries. When asked who is this group, Dyster says he cannot disclose that. Hmmn...why not?? The first hire was for City Administrator. The person chosen was Donna Owens, an African-American female. Certainly, a landmark hire in that Ms.Owens is the first female to hold the position. Her salary : $120,000 of which this shadowy group funds almost half. Does anyone know who else was interviewed for this job??? Do we know how many people were considered?? Someone in City Hall told me that in fact there was no other candidate considered. Ms. Owens was the only candidate that this shadowy group sought out. Hmmn...so much for open government?

Next up is an Economic Development Director. Same deal: salary over $100,000 with our Erie County mystery group paying for half the salary. How many candidates were considered?? Were there any other candidates available or did they just pick this guy out of Ohio.

Now Dyster or the shadowy group has tapped an attorney from Tonawanda as the next Corporation Counsel. The shadowy group is kicking in roughly a third of his salary. We know that Judge Robert Restaino was being considered for this job. The judge lives in the city and has a good reputation among many in Niagara Falls. What we don't know is why Dyster did not select Restaino. Again a city hall source has told me that it came down to salary and that the shadowy group has told Dyster that they would not augment any salary that a Niagara Falls person is hired for. This is unbelievable!!!! It's not like the local candidate for Corporation Counsel doesn't have the qualifications so if he's the best person for the job then why wouldn't they kick in? I guess this Erie County elite group thinks all the people in Niagara Falls are incompetent stupes!!!

This whole thing stinks to high heaven and no one seems to be concerned about it. Anello's biggest crime is that he didn't disclose to the City Council his loan with the developer before they voted. Dyster has not disclosed who these people are that are paying for these salaries. He has not disclosed who else was considered or even the number of people considered. What does this group want from Dyster??? Do they want preferential treatment on development projects?? Were they contributors to Dyster's campaign??? The only difference between Anello and Dyster is that we know that Anello personally gained from the developer. We don't know if Dyster is getting anything but the perception is that something stinks!!!!! So much for open government...So much for new leadership... The only thing that has changed is that the City Council is so docile that it doesn't have the smarts to call this whole process into question and demand that everything be disclosed. And in the end those of us left in Niagara Falls continue to watch our city fall apart. Bet on it: we will have a new mayor elected in 2011!!!!