Published: March 04, 2009 11:06 pm      

PATERSON VISIT: Feeling their pain in the Falls

Gov. David Paterson says he would consider a pay cut during town hall meeting at Doris Jones center

Gov. David Paterson came to Niagara Falls on Wednesday to listen to the concerns of average citizens.

He left with a clearer understanding of the region’s pain.

During Paterson’s town hall meeting at the Doris W. Jones Family Resources Center, a small group of residents hand-picked by the governor’s staff presented him with many of the issues they themselves have been dealing with for years — high taxes, poor roads, few quality jobs and elected officials who seem more concerned about padding their own wallets than actually fixing the problems.

“I feel like people have forgotten our city,” said Debbie Donato, a Falls resident who was among a handful of those in the crowd of more than 550 people who were allowed to ask Paterson a direct question. “Governor, I would suggest that you drive down any single road in the City of Niagara Falls. You’ll be lucky if your car can get through it.”

Long-time state Thruway Authority critic Rus Thompson told Paterson Western New York motorists are tired of paying tolls to cross Grand Island. He encouraged Paterson to sign legislation that would transfer the Niagara section of the thruway to the Department of Transportation which he said could lead to more federal support which could allow the tolls to finally come down. Paterson expressed sympathy, but did not say if he would comply with Thompson’s request.

The state’s financial crisis and elected officials’ plans for dealing with it was one of the main topics of discussion. Audience member Yvonne Taylor, a LaSalle Avenue resident who works on Grand Island, said the state’s taxes, fees and tolls may force her to leave New York soon.

“When is it going to end?” she asked. “We’re tired of being taxed.”

Several people suggested Paterson and other state officials should be doing more than simply passing along higher taxes and fees to residents who already having financial problems of their own.

“You are asking us to sacrifice and tighten our belts and everything and I just want to know why you can’t give the senators and assemblyman a 10 percent pay cut,” said Grand Avenue resident Lena Rochon.

“Everybody should feel the pain equally,” she added.

Paterson agreed and said he would personally consider such a pay cut. He said he could not speak for state lawmakers, but insisted that officials in Albany are doing all they can to be as fiscally conservative as possible during these trying times. He also indicated that the state’s union members have been asked to do their part as well, but have definitely not embraced salary and benefits concessions. He bemoaned recent ad campaigns financed by union members who are upset over proposed cuts in areas like education and health care.

Paterson deflected criticism over the handling of state funds within his own office, including recent reports about a makeover of the governor’s executive mansion which included the purchase of a $200 toaster and increases in pay increases for some a pair of staff members. Paterson said the mansion improvements were authorized before the state entered its fiscal crisis and the hikes in pay the result of employees assuming vacant positions with higher salaries that involved greater responsibilities. During a press conference following the town hall meeting, Paterson said those raises may be re-considered.

“This is a very difficult time in our history but it is a time for leadership and we are going to try to address this situation,” he said.

Paterson said the current economic crisis is unlike any other in the state’s history. He described the rapid decline in the state’s economy during his brief tenure in office, noting that the state’s projected 2009-10 budget deficit grew from $5 billion to $15.4 billion between March and August of last year. He said New York is among a growing list of state’s that are now facing substantial deficits and acknowledged that job losses are continuing to mount statewide, including in places like Niagara and Erie counties where hundreds of former GM and Delphi employees are now seeking work.

“When you see that happening and you see that so rampant you realize that something different, something unique is going on here,” Paterson said.

Paterson also expressed some cause for optimism, noting that federal stimulus dollars are on the way to help places like Niagara Falls and Buffalo. Paterson said he intends to use part of the state’s share to develop a high-speed rail line service between Buffalo and Albany. He also indicated that funds will still be made available for economic development projects under the Upstate Revitalization Fund originally promised by his predecessor, former Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

“This is one of the great tourist attractions in America,” Paterson said of the Falls. “People are not going to come here and invest their resources if we don’t clean it up.”