100 signatures reached
To: Mayor Robert Restaino
Mayor Restaino: Release Funds to Schools, Hospital, Museum, NFTA
Last October, the City of Niagara Falls, NY received $7,614,846 from New York State's share of Seneca gaming money. According to the operations of the gaming compact, the City of Niagara Falls was obligated to distribute portions of these funds to the Niagara Falls School District, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, the Niagara Falls Transit Authority, the Underground Railroad Museum, and USA Niagara (tourism board).
The 99H legal clause expired on December 31, 2023 and despite the aforementioned agencies advocating for renewal, without Mayor Restaino’s support it was not renewed. Without a Democratic co-sponsor, the bill will not move at all.
Once Mayor Robert Restaino realized that the city is no longer legally obligated to redistribute the funds to these entities, he chose to withhold the money.
These organizations are dependent on their share of casino revenue in their annual budgets. Representatives from these organizations have discretely confirmed that they still have not received the funding.
These representatives and employees are not speaking out publicly for fear of retribution from the Restaino administration. There is another payment of an estimated $7.6 million from casino revenue coming to the city, and these organizations are hoping that they will receive their share from the second payment. Having still not received the first round of funding, there's little to no chance that the second round will reach its designated recipients.
Mayor Restaino continues to be chastised for his lack of transparency, resulting in his continued shaming on the New York Coalition for Open Government's "Naughty List", along with City Council Chairman Jim Perry.
Now, Mayor Restaino's lack of transparency and questionable spending habits are harming our only local hospital, our schools, our public transit, one of our best local tourist attractions, and the tourism board.
We cannot stand by any longer and allow Mayor Restaino and his cronies to continue hoarding funds intended for these organizations. Please sign and pass this position to demand that Mayor Restaino redistributes the casino funds IMMEDIATELY to their intended recipients!!!
The 99H legal clause expired on December 31, 2023 and despite the aforementioned agencies advocating for renewal, without Mayor Restaino’s support it was not renewed. Without a Democratic co-sponsor, the bill will not move at all.
Once Mayor Robert Restaino realized that the city is no longer legally obligated to redistribute the funds to these entities, he chose to withhold the money.
These organizations are dependent on their share of casino revenue in their annual budgets. Representatives from these organizations have discretely confirmed that they still have not received the funding.
These representatives and employees are not speaking out publicly for fear of retribution from the Restaino administration. There is another payment of an estimated $7.6 million from casino revenue coming to the city, and these organizations are hoping that they will receive their share from the second payment. Having still not received the first round of funding, there's little to no chance that the second round will reach its designated recipients.
Mayor Restaino continues to be chastised for his lack of transparency, resulting in his continued shaming on the New York Coalition for Open Government's "Naughty List", along with City Council Chairman Jim Perry.
Now, Mayor Restaino's lack of transparency and questionable spending habits are harming our only local hospital, our schools, our public transit, one of our best local tourist attractions, and the tourism board.
We cannot stand by any longer and allow Mayor Restaino and his cronies to continue hoarding funds intended for these organizations. Please sign and pass this position to demand that Mayor Restaino redistributes the casino funds IMMEDIATELY to their intended recipients!!!
Why is this important?
We must shine a light on these bullying and strong-arm tactics and demand change. Our hospital, schools, transit and local attractions should be considered priorities by the Restaino administration. The fact that employees from these entities are afraid of retribution if they speak to the press, speaks volumes as to how Mayor Restaino conducts business.
WHY withhold funds from our schools in a time of economic crisis?
WHY withhold funds from the only hospital located in our city?
WHY withhold funds from the Underground Railroad Museum, which attracts thousands of tourists every year? The train station is already operating at a $130,000 annual deficit because the city has failed to properly utilize event space adjacent to the museum.
WHY withhold funds from the NFTA when many of us rely on public transportation to get from home to work and back?
Mayor Restaino's actions only make sense when viewed through the eyes of a greedy miser.
WHY withhold funds from our schools in a time of economic crisis?
WHY withhold funds from the only hospital located in our city?
WHY withhold funds from the Underground Railroad Museum, which attracts thousands of tourists every year? The train station is already operating at a $130,000 annual deficit because the city has failed to properly utilize event space adjacent to the museum.
WHY withhold funds from the NFTA when many of us rely on public transportation to get from home to work and back?
Mayor Restaino's actions only make sense when viewed through the eyes of a greedy miser.