Published: May 12, 2008 06:09 pm            

GUEST VIEW: Niagara’s own Berlin Wall

May marks the 35th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s historic “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech delivered in the shadows of the Berlin Wall at the height of the Cold War. Given just months before his life tragically ended, Kennedy’s speech is widely regarded as one of the greatest in American history. Although “Ich bin ein Berliner” is the oft-repeated phrase that resonates for us decades later, Kennedy’s call to the citizens of the free world: “Let them come to Berlin,” which he repeats four times during the speech, sounds to me more dramatic and memorable.

Kennedy was leaving it to us to complete the question: “Why come to Berlin? What am I going to see there that’s going to make up my mind about Communism?” The answer was, of course, the stark grey Berlin Wall, a physical reality as ugly as the oppression and inhumanity of the system that built it.

You can have your own Berlin Wall moment if you go for a walk around Goat Island in the Niagara Falls State Park.

Before I explain that statement, some background, much of which you probably already know: Over a 100 years ago, concerned citizens of Niagara Falls, led by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, created the Niagara Reservation Park to preserve forever the stunningly beautiful scenery and natural vistas around the falls of Niagara. Their plan recognized the uniqueness of Niagara Falls and specifically forbade development and commercial activity on Goat Island. This was key to their intentions because at that time, around the mid-1800s, the Falls and surrounding areas were overwhelmed by a carnival-like atmosphere.

The Delaware North Corp. enjoys an effective monopoly on restaurant and fast food sales throughout the State Parks’ system. Delaware North is a multi-national corporation based in Buffalo and is one of the world’s largest privately-held companies, being solely owned by the Jeremy Jacobs Sr. family. It generates over $2 billion in annual revenue.

To be fair to Delaware North and the Jacobs family, they pay for their monopoly rights to Niagara Falls State Park. On Nov. 1, 2006, one week before election day, Jeremy Jacobs Sr. made his maximum $2,000 campaign contribution to Eliot Spitzer. On the very same day, with the polls predicting a certain landslide for Spitzer, Alice Jacobs kicked in another $2,000. Then Charles Jacobs came up with a $2,000 donation to seal the Spitzer victory. Also on Nov. 1, and not to leave anything to chance, Joan Jacobs chipped in with $2,000. Kimberly Jacobs, $2,000 on Nov. 1 to buy even more democracy. Lisann Jacobs, $1,000, maybe she was a little short that day. Back on track with Louis Jacobs, $2,000. See a pattern yet? Margaret Jacobs, $2000. Altogether at least $15,000 that came in as separate donations from eight different members of the Jacobs family on the same day, one week before Spitzer’s certain victory.

Six months later, on July 7, 2007, State Parks Commissioner and Spitzer appointee Carol Ash announced that Delaware North had been chosen from among 20 firms to manage the Gideon Putnam Hotel and Convention Center in Saratoga Spa State Park.

Now if you happen to find yourself out for a stroll through the Niagara Falls State Park and around Goat Island on a hot day this summer and decide that you’d like a sip of cool water, don’t bother with those drinking fountains. They’ve been filled with cement by state parks so that Delaware North can sell a few more dollars worth of pop or slushies or iced tea. The hand-carved, century-old stone drinking fountains were crafted by our forefathers. They could have simply shut off the water or even planted flowers in them but, no, they had to ruin these graceful artifacts.

There are some who say the Office of State Parks has been a responsible steward of the Niagara Falls State Park and acts to preserve the Olmsted vision for the park. Let them come to Goat Island.

There are some who say the Office of State Parks has been a responsible steward of the Niagara Falls State Park and acts to preserve the Olmsted vision for the park. Let them come to Goat Island.

There are some who say that ultimately the City of Niagara Falls can prosper even though state parks owns over 80 percent of its waterfront and that these people really care about us and will eventually do the right thing by us. Let them come to Goat Island.

There are some who say that “public-private partnerships” like that with Delaware North and its greedy owners are “win-win” deals which are in the public interest. They might say that Delaware North respects our local heritage, and puts ethics above money. Let them come to Goat Island.

And if they do come, they better bring money, because they’re going to have to pay for that cool drink.

James C. Hufnagel is a Wilson resident.

        

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