Host community pursues $$$$ not received

Falls casino cash lobby group formed
By Mark Scheer
The Niagara Gazette

NIAGARA FALLS — The city of Niagara Falls will soon be getting some outside help for its casino cash problem.

In a 4-1 vote Monday, city council members agreed to form an ad hoc committee to assist in efforts to secure slot machine money that has been tied up for several years amid a dispute between the Seneca Nation of Indians and the state of New York.

“It’s a good start,” said Councilman Glenn Choolokian, one of the four lawmakers who supported the committee’s creation. “We’ve got to be aggressive. We just can’t sit by for another three years.”

The city has not received an allocation of casino revenues since March of 2010 and is now owed roughly $60 million for 2009, 2010 and 2011. The lack of funds has forced the city to begin cutting back on programs tied to casino dollars, including its neighborhood revitalization coordinator program.

Council Chairman Sam Fruscione said the committee will consist of three volunteer members who would not be paid salaries for their work, but could be eligible for reimbursement for expenses related to their lobbying efforts. He said the committee may consist of individuals who have experience with lobbying in Albany. He added that the council has received resumes from several individuals interested in the posts.

Councilwoman Kristen Grandinetti voted against formation of the committee, saying she believes the city should speak with one voice on the issue — with that voice coming from Mayor Paul Dyster himself. She added that she’s not comfortable with the possible makeup of the committee itself or the members that may be asked to be involved. She declined to elaborate.

“I don’t think it’s the appropriate time for this committee,” she said.

The council had considered allowing the law department to set aside $500,000 to cover outside consultant costs for professional lobbying services tied to the casino issue. The measure was pulled from consideration on Monday. Fruscione said the council made the decision after hearing from several constituents who suggested it would not be appropriate to allocate those kinds of funds to the lobbying cause in light of the loss of the revitalization coordinator positions and other cuts.