Published: January 20, 2009 06:27 pm      

INAUGURATION: A reason for optimism, locally?

Local party leaders say expectations high for new president

From a political perspective, what will a Barack Obama presidency mean for Niagara County?

In a word: Hope.

Local political leaders from both sides of the aisle say they have high expectations for an Obama administration.

While Democrats are obviously excited about the possibility of having one of their own back in the White House, Republicans say they are eager to see how a man being hailed by so many as America’s next great leader lives up to all the lofty expectations.

“I think that Obama’s bringing in a sense of opportunity and hope for people,” said Dan Rivera, chairman of the Niagara County Democratic Party. “I think people have been despondent and in a state of despair under (President George) Bush.”

Both sides agree on one thing: Political affiliation may take a back seat for awhile as Obama and other elected officials grapple with finding solutions to one of the country’s worst economic downturns in years.

“I think that this is certainly a time and there is a tone for bipartisanship,” said Henry Wojtaszek, chairman of the Niagara County GOP. “I’m very hopeful that President Obama will reach across the aisle.”

Job one will be the economy. Rivera view the administration’s plan to invest public dollars into local infrastructure projects as potentially beneficial to communities in Western New York.

Rivera said having Democrats in charge of the New York state Senate, Assembly and governor’s office should help. He said having open lines of communication will ensure that the money trickles down from the federal level to the state and on to Niagara Falls, Lockport, North Tonawanda and other communities in need. He noted that leaders in places like Niagara Falls have already sent wish lists to Gov. David Paterson and met with members of the Obama team to discuss specific projects they would support with federal infrastructure money.

“The potential for good things is there,” Rivera said. “If we don’t tell them what we need, we’re never going to get what we deserve.”

Wojtaszek said the Niagara County Legislature, which is currently controlled by a Republican majority, has taken similar steps. In theory, he said, stimulating the economy through infrastructure projects seems like a smart move. In practice, he said, only time will tell if such a stimulus package was the right way to go.

“We certainly need to upgrade our infrastructure,” he said. “That certainly seems like a reasonable idea.”

Aside from the economy, Rivera said he’s looking forward to Obama making some big changes at the U.S. Justice Department. The Bush administration was heavily criticized for allowing politics to play too great a role in hiring and decision-making in the department. Rivera said fresh faces are needed to ensure that justice is administered properly and appointees aren’t turning a blind eye to the wrongdoing of their politically connected friends.

“That’s not just a Niagara County or Western New York problem, that’s a systemic problem,” he said.

Wojtaszek said he too is interested in keeping tabs on political appointments, mainly the performance of those selected for cabinet positions in Obama’s administration.

Obama promised change.

Wojtaszek said Republicans will expect the new president to follow through.

“I plan to take him at his word,” Wojtaszek said.