Tony Farina
Uncertainty Over Casino Revenue Sharing Is Serious Issue for Centennial Park Project
As of this writing, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul there is “no deal” between the State of New York and the Seneca Nation on a new gaming compact even though the Seneca Nation President J. C. Seneca…
Will New York State Kill Data Centers, Making the Same Mistake It Did With Fracking
By Tony Farina Are the same political interests that followed Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s lead more than a decade ago and banned hydraulic fracturing across New York State now doing their best to effectively…
Far Too Often, Promises Have Proved Empty; Niagara Falls Needs Progress And Strategic Planning
By Tony Farina Promises are nice and they bring hope for the future. But unfortunately, most of the time, promises have fallen flat for the City of Niagara Falls, some succeeding but many turning out to be empty promises and major disappointments. At this point, Niagara Falls doesn’t need more failed promises. What the city needs is progress to build a better future and a plan to make it work. City leadership must bring it all together. While there are promises to build a better future on the table and being talked about, like Centennial Park and the Niagara Digital
Governor Issues Response To McMurray’s Letter on Slag Concerns
By Tony Farina The radioactive slag bubbling up across Niagara County in recent weeks, triggering state and federal testing and some remedial work and family relocations, is the ongoing and seemingly never-ending legacy of the environmental desecration of the past 100-plus years by massive corporations dumping toxic waste that was the subject of Christen Civiletto’s book Thundering Waters. “What we have again is an environmental storm,” said attorney and former Grand Island Supervisor Nate McMurray, a candidate for election to the 45th District State Assembly seat now open because of the retirement of Angelo Morinello. McMurray will run for the
Niagara Falls Must Not Send Mixed Messages When It Comes to Affordable Housing and Development
By Tony Farina Let’s begin by recognizing that Niagara Falls needs affordable housing like every growing community, housing designed to assist low-income tenants who are limited to paying no more than 30 percent of gross income for housing costs, including utilities, because families deserve safe, quality places to live. There is no issue with the need for affordable housing. What this is about is location. It should not be put in the wrong place to send a mixed message on investment opportunities. And it should be part of a long-term plan so that businesses, neighborhoods, and attractions all work together
City Needs Diversity to Build on Tourism Trade And Create a Stronger Economy Going Forward
By Tony Farina While tourism is no question the cornerstone of the Niagara Falls economy, the city possesses several advantages that make it very attractive for investment beyond tourism, and bluntly speaking, the conversation should not be about choosing tourism or technology; it should be about embracing both. We know the natural beauty and global recognition of Niagara Falls draws tourists from around the globe every year to experience one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, and that tourist trade creates jobs, supports local businesses, and generates significant economic activity. It is indeed the cornerstone of the local economy, but
Niagara Falls Police Fail to Return Belongings To Injured Son of Ailing Mom
By Tony Farina Some stories defy explanation, especially when law enforcement is involved, and people expect fair treatment. In the case at hand, the law enforcement involved is the Niagara Falls Police Department, and the complainant is Niagara Falls native Ken Thomas, who is currently recovering from a jeep accident in Las Vegas and has been trying to recover his ailing mother’s belongings from the police while he recovers before returning home. Despite considerable effort on his behalf by this reporter, designated as his representative, the police have not returned the belongings, including a purse and other valuables. Despite numerous
Data Center Would Position Niagara Falls For Incredible Economic Benefits
By Tony Farina The City of Niagara Falls has the most important opportunity at hand that it has had in a very long time and must–like 100 years ago– use its abundant hydroelectric power to make the city an industrial leader again. The construction of a data center as planned by Niagara Falls Redevelopment will help the city make it back in so many ways and attract investment in the digital economy for years to come. The tools are all there and the path is now clear to move forward now that the city and NFR have settled their long-standing
SoleTurn Super Rock Group Has Two Upcoming Concerts
By Tony Farina Two outstanding summer concerts are on tap beginning this Saturday, July 11, at the Public House on the Lake in Hamburg followed two weeks later on Saturday, July 25, at Marge’s Lakeside Inn in Irondequoit, famous for its casual “dive bar” atmosphere. In both concerts, the featured attraction, and a good one, is the rock band SoleTurn out of Hamburg, known for new and re-imagined rock music led by lead vocalist Vik Bhargava, a creative artist of the first order. SoleTurn is unique and lots of fun and is also known for a strong audience connection which
Niagara Falls Is Indeed a Tourism Mecca But Industry Remains Big Part of Story
By Tony Farina Mighty Niagara Falls is a natural wonder spanning the international border between the United States and Canada. The focus of the world was riveted on the mighty waterfall by aerialist Nik Wallenda, who in June of 2012 became the first person to walk a tightrope directly over Niagara Falls, an incredible feat that was broadcast live on ABC. It was a huge boost to what makes Niagara Falls a tourism mecca and a place that attracts approximately 22 to 24 million visitors annually across both the United States and Canadian sides. That incredible tourism attraction gives the
Super Lawyer Ken Manning Retires From Peace Bridge Authority
By Tony Farina Acclaimed attorney Kenneth A. Manning, who recently retired after more than four-decades of much-honored and distinguished service at the Buffalo Law firm of Phillips Lytle, is retiring from the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (PBA) after 10 years as a board member following his appointment in June of 2016 by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He was reappointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul after she replaced Cuomo as governor. Manning, who is also a trained engineer, was cited by CEO Thomas A. Boyle for his decade of distinguished leadership and dedicated services to the Authority, where he served
Niagara Falls Must Move Towards a Balanced Economy
By Tony Farina Tourism is still a pillar of the Niagara Falls economy, but the city needs a more diverse economy to move forward in today’s world, and that means creating different kinds of businesses and creating different kinds of jobs that pay more than seasonal wages. Most tourism jobs do not pay living wages, only seasonal dollars that don’t provide enough to sustain families. Niagara Falls has a majestic world wonder that attracts millions of people every year to see the beauty and the power of the Falls. The visitors stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, shop in stores,