Published: October 30, 2009 01:32 am      

VILLAGE OF LEWISTON: Talking a stroll with outgoing mayor Richard Soluri

Richard Soluri is soon going to be able to do something most people don’t get to do. He’s going to be able to walk about on his own legacy.

Soluri, who retires on Saturday as mayor of the Village of Lewiston after almost 16 years, is noted for his daily treks down Center Street, the main street of the bustling village, which many say has come to life in blooming color during his time in office.

On his walks he regularly visits with those in the businesses and offices on the street, but he also stops frequently to chat with people passing by and even pick up the occasional bit of litter.

During a recent stroll some who paused to say hello were happy to talk about the legacy he will leave when he steps down at midnight on Saturday.

“All you’ve got to do is stand here,” said John Roberts, owner of Apple Granny, a Center Street eatery. “Look at the people. We’ve got people everywhere.” He pointed to sidewalks busy with people enjoying the mid-week sunshine and the gentle wind which scattered multi-colored autumn leaves into tidy flower beds.

Roberts, who has been friends with Soluri since his pre-mayoral days when Soluri ran an insurance company, added: “Our town is absolutely beautiful.”

Anyone who has driven through the village over the past decade or so has most likely noticed the changes which have occurred since Soluri took office. The business strip, with its trim floral beds and streetscape, is thriving with restaurants, shopping, colorful community rest areas and an old world flavor that seems to appeal to residents and tourists alike.

After chatting with Roberts, Soluri turned to walk toward the riverfront but stopped near the village gazebo on Third Street to meet some new residents who happened to walk by.

“This is a great place to spend the summer,” Susan Radke told the mayor. Radke, who moved to the village this summer with her husband, Bob, plans to retire this week from her job as nutrition director for the department of Senior Services in Erie County. She told the mayor she and her husband have enjoyed riding their bikes and walking through the village.

“That’s what we tried to create, a good place to walk,” he said as he continued on towards the nearby waterfront.

He stopped into the lobby of the new Barton Hill Hotel, recently opened on the waterfront and created to blend in with the community’s rich history. Diane Finkbeiner, the hotel owner, came out to welcome him and noted how his support helped to bring the hotel to the village. “I doubt that we would have invested in this community without the forward-thinking village government, led by Mayor Soluri.”

Still strolling, moving towards the waterfront, the mayor made a stop at the new fish cleaning station adjacent to the river, a garage-like facility where fishermen can clean their catch, equipped with lights, running water and even a garbage disposal.

Soluri greeted a local fishing guide who was cleaning a dozen steelheads and salmon freshly caught by a trio of fisherman from the East Coast.

“We used to have to clean the fish outside in the snow and rain,” said Chris Cinelli, the guide. “This is fantastic.”

“We all dream of living here,” added one of the fishermen, Carl Peroni of Connecticut, who with his friends has been visiting the area to fish each year for nearly a decade. Peroni plans to come back with his wife and two other couples in the spring, with the hope of staying at the hotel, doing a little shopping and dining, and making a stop to see the falls.

Nearby, the newly placed Freedom Crossing Monument stands, which some hope will fortify the village’s efforts to promote their history as an Underground Railroad location. It is more evidence of Soluri’s leadership in the community, which seems to thrive while other nearby locales are struggling.

Soluri’s wife, Chi Chi, attributes the continued growth of the village to her husband’s ability to get people excited about projects. She calls him Dickie, noting that everybody who cares about him calls him that.

“I think the effect that Dickie has on me is the same effect he has on everyone else,” she said about her husband of 27 years. “He’s so enthusiastic about everything.”

“One of the reasons, he’s been so successful,” she added, “is that he’s never perceived himself as a politician. He sees himself as a businessman.”

Close friend and Lewiston resident, Keith Radford, a WKBW TV news anchor, said life in the village is “night and day,” compared to before Soluri’s tenure and the way it hums with life these days.

Radford, who produced a news segment about his friend’s retirement, said, “the best quote he gave me was, ‘hey, I’m not a politician. I’m an elected leader.’ ”

Beyond leadership, those who work with Soluri say they will feel the loss of his sense of humor and caring.

“He’s amazing. Someone comes to him with a problem and he thinks it’s his to solve,” said Amy Salada, the village’s deputy clerk.

Ann Welch, the village clerk who was a little embarrassed when she choked up while saying a public goodbye to the mayor at his last board meeting, noted that she will miss his good nature. “He is just a riot to work with. Everybody loves him. Everybody does.”

There are a few residents, of course, who might not agree with that sentiment, and that, Soluri said, is partly why he is leaving the office. A simple walk through the village reveals many changes, but as with any political and governmental endeavor, some have stirred outcry from residents who resisted them for a variety of reasons. Among media reports of his successes include the occasional accounts of frustrations created by weekly summer festivals he has encouraged, which some say create traffic, noise and parking issues. Most recently, the approval of the addition of an old caboose to a popular Silo restaurant on the waterfront, which he supported, angered some who say it will block the river view.

While he understands that each person has their own opinion, the constant resistance seems a part of Soluri’s decision to leave office more than a half year short of his term.

“When you grow there’s always going to be issues,” he said. “I just need a break from the responsibility for just a little bit.”

There’s also his health to consider. The mayor, at 78, has had some health concerns including a tumor on his pancreas a few years ago which turned out to be benign. He became diabetic as a result of the tumor.

Still, he shrugged when asked about his health. “Everybody has health issues,” he said, but admitted that the extra time off will allow him to focus on enhancing his health.

It’s surely not a retirement, he said. He expects to take about a week or so before he starts feeling restless. It is clear that his mind remains open to new avenues, “if something interesting develops.”

On Sunday Deputy Mayor William Geiben will step into Soluri’s shoes until the board makes a decision as to who will be mayor until the term ends in June. Soluri smiles when he says he has left a list of things that still need to be accomplished.

“You never rest on your laurels,” he said, speaking of the village but giving insight to himself. “You just have to keep moving.”