Published: October 27, 2009 10:59 pm      

COUNCIL ELECTION: Pawlukovich gets down to business

Kenneth Pawlukovich’s run for Niagara Falls City Council is a prime example of the saying “if you’re unhappy with local government, change it.”

The vice president of Hutch Enterprises said he had an unpleasant experience with the city while trying to push forward a $1.5 million project to renovate and re-open the old Dome Theater on Main Street. Pawlukovich said unneeded delays and shortcomings involving the city was frustrating to both him and his boss, developer John Hutchins.

“It took a year to get everything lined up with the city,” he said. “Had we been an outside developer, I doubt we would’ve spent that much time to get things done.”

Believing he can make the city more developer friendly, Pawlukovich decided to take a shot at one of three open City Council seats in Tuesday’s general election. He’s competing against Samuel Fruscione, Charles Walker, Kristen Grandinetti and Candra Thomason.

“It is something that came up out of the blue,” he said. “Hopefully, I can make it easier for businesses to do business in Niagara Falls. It may be beneficial for the city if it had people with business and development experience on that side of the table. One of my goals is to have Niagara Falls and the development department run like a business.”

Pawlukovich’s experience includes working for Hutchins over the last 32 years in various capacities. As vice president of Hutch Enterprises, he handles the day-to-day operations and oversees all development projects, such as the newly named Rapids Theater which is scheduled to open Nov. 19.

“Some of what I bring to the table is not necessarily what I believe is part of a councilman’s job but I think I can use my influence and business connections to help,” he said. “Anything that’s good for the city is going to be good for everyone involved.”

Though it wasn’t exactly planned, Pawlukovich said he’s taking his candidacy seriously and is prepared to do his best addressing all city issues, not just ones related to business and development. His other goals include reducing or keeping taxes steady, continuing the equalization of the city’s two-tiered tax system and creating more job opportunities.

His son, Philip had to move out of the city when he was 26 to find quality employment, he said.

(My wife and I) were disheartened about that,” he added. “Long-term, we hope to get him back and others who had to leave.”

While out campaigning, Pawlukovich said he heard a large amount of complaints from residents about dilapidated housing, street repairs and taxes. Recently, however, he’s heard a lot of good comments about the city trying to fix streets and sidewalks.

“I’m not saying the present administration is not moving in the right direction, but I think I can give us a little extra boost,” he said. “I’m very passionate about our city and will work diligently to get us back on track.”

Despite technically still being a registered Democrat, Pawlukovich is running on the Republican, Conservative and Independent lines. He said he filed the paperwork to change his party affiliation to Republican but it won’t be processed until after the election. He added he had been a Democrat since graduating from high school but has recently realized he connects more with the Republican conservative way of thinking.

As a Republican, he would be in the minority on the City Council no matter how next week’s election turns out. However, he doesn’t see that as an issue or hindrance.

“I don’t look at it as a Republican or Democrat, I look at it as being there for the city,” he said. “I have no political agenda. My primary concern is for the city and doing what’s best for the residents.”



Kenneth Pawlukovich

• AGE: 56

• ADDRESS: 91st Street

• FAMILY: He and his wife, Joan have two sons, Kenneth II, 32, and Phillip, 30

• EDUCATION: Earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Buffalo State College

• EMPLOYMENT: Has worked for Hutch Enterprises for the past 32 years, currently serving as vice president

• POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Republican. He’s also running on the Independent and Conservative lines.

• EXPERIENCE: This is his first run for public office.