As a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, former city councilwoman, businesswoman and longtime community advocate, Candra Thomason announced her candidacy for Niagara Falls City Council this week.
“As a former member of the Council, I worked hard to cut unnecessary spending while fighting for quality of life services, and I now feel I need to roll up my sleeves and get back to public service,” she told the Niagara Falls Reporter. “I hope to use the knowledge I have of business management, accounting, public relations, marketing and organization building in the public and private sector to help fix the fiscal crises we are in, and the multitude of problems facing our city.”
Thomason served on the Council from 2001 to 2005, and ran as the Republican candidate for mayor against Paul Dyster in 2007.
“Many residents feel ignored or forgotten by those in City Hall, and they will not be ignored by me.,” she said. “I intend to work hard to get us back to a city government for the people and by the people, instead of misappropriating our tax and casino dollars.”
“Residents I’ve spoken with feel our elected officials failed us when they let the State negotiate the last agreement with the Seneca Nation on our behalf, jeopardizing the future financial security of our city,” she added. “There have been no significant improvements in the infrastructure, and while City residents’ taxes keep going up, many feel a significant amount of money has been spent on countless studies and impractical ventures.”
She has been a vocal critic of the Dyster administration.
“Few people can claim things have improved for their families, nor can they claim the value of their property has increased,” she said. “Some may think that the power and beauty of Niagara Falls end at the border of the Niagara Falls State Park. But, if you’re like me, you know that the true power and beauty of Niagara Falls lies within our people who are our greatest asset, and it is time someone truly stands up and fights for them.”
While she will run as a Republican, she said she wants what’s best for all the people of Niagara Falls.
“It has never been about a political affiliation to me, it is about our community and the people,” she said. “The issues that our city faces transcend party lines and a fiscally sound future should be our number one priority.”
Thomason joins a rapidly growing field of candidates for three open city Council seats that includes incumbents Kristen Grandinetti and Andrew Touma, Robert Pascoal, Sam Archie, former Niagara gazette publisher Chris Voccio and Danielle DePalma.
Even more candidates are expected to announce before the July filing deadline.
